Division 7 Tampa Bay, District 7 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Volume XXXVI Issue 2 Summer 2013
INTERCOM
Newsletter for Division 7 Tampa Bay, District 7, USCG Auxiliary Volume XXXVI Issue 2 Summer 2013
Division 7 Elected Officers 2013 Div 7 Division Commander Div 7 Division Vice Commander Div 7 Immed. Past Division Commander
J. Michael Shea, DCDR James Newman, VCDR Amos Johnson, IPDCDR
FL-72 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-74 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-75 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-78 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-79 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-7-16 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander
Gene Keller, FC Bryan Cook, VFC Jeffrey Gines, FC Leonard Chiacchia, Jr. VFC Oscar Kramer, FC Ray Stewart, VFC Jim Armstrong, FC Karen Cohen, VFC Paul Cooke, FC Linda Churchill, VFC Donald Hershman, FC Kelleigh Weeks, VFC
Division 7 Appointed Staff 2013 Communications Communication Systems Diversity Finance Information Systems Human Resources Materials Marine Safety Member Training Navigation Systems Operations OP Assistant Public Affairs Publications PB Assistant Public Education Program Visitor Secretary Vessel Examinations VE Assistant Division Liaison Fellowship
Gene Keller, SO-CM Terry Hickox, SO-CS Donald T. Hershman, SO-DV Oscar Kramer, SO-FN Theresa Johnson, SO-IS Judith Clapp SO-HR Ronald G. Matz, SO-MA Robert Starns, SO-MS David Langdon, Jr., SO-MT Marvin Bayles, SO-NS Clifford J. Martin, SO-OP Conrad Palermo, ASO-OP Timothy Teahan, SO-PA Dorothy J. Riley, SO-PB George Papabeis, ASO-PB Steven B. Plass, SO-PE Donald E. Rimel, SO-PV Alexandra Kaan, SO-SR David Perillo, SO-VE Glenn Dobos, ASO-VE Richard Short Open
We’re on the web! http://A07007.wow.uscgaux. info
You can contact any of our officers on the Division 7 web page! The Intercom is a publication of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division Seven, District Seven. The cost of publication is provided by dues-paying members of the Auxiliary, an organization of unpaid, civilian volunteers whose mission is to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in promoting boating safety. Articles may be reprinted only with the express consent of the author or photographer, with proper credit given to same. For permissions or for more information, please contact the editor, Dorothy Joan Riley, SO-PB, Email address: dottieriley1@verizon.net
Cover photo: Dean Hoskin from Flotilla 72 stands at the bow of Miss Marla and watches as the crew and trainees on Sandy Kay attach the tow line. They are Tony Hooper, Jim DeSanto, David Perillo, Cliff Hollingsworth and Mike Marino, all from Flotilla 72. Photo by Valerie Fernandes, Flotilla 78
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In this Issue.... From the Helm: J. Michael Shea, DCDR 7 Flotilla 72: Move over Hollywood: Flotilla 72 members prove able ‘actors’ during Coast Guard Reserve training.
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Submitted by Marla and Rick Short. Division 7 Members Visit Air Station Clearwater Photos by Rick and Marla Short, FL 72
Coast Guard Auxiliary Assistance During C-130 Hercules Drop Training. By Tom Loughlin, SO-PA, Division 11 Photos by Gene Keller, FC, FL 72
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Flotilla 74 News and Updates
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Flotilla 75: Dedication of Radio Room to Member, Joseph Lori Submitted by Ray Stewart, VFC FL 75 Flotilla 78 News and Updates
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Division 7 Crew Training: Building Comaraderie by Valerie Fernades, FL 78 Flotilla 79 News and Updates
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Flotilla 7-16 News and Updates
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SPARs: Part of Our Coast Guard History Submitted by Kathy Clatworthy, FL 7-16
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Division 7 Staff officer Reports
22-27
Division 7 Flotillas/Members Celebrate Independence Day
28-29
Division 7 Members Visit the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle (Photo journal)
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Parting Humor Submitted by Rick and Marla Short
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Video Links in this Issue: C-130 Training Mission (Zac Lessin, FL 79) http://youtu.be/o7gWw-7pmCk
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Training with the Coast Guard (Valerie Fernandes, FL 78) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8oeJTpxczU&feature=share&list=FLqyiAmJ58K9 rVo22ktIMV2A Mayor's Hour Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn features the Coast Guard And Coast Guard Auxiliary http://youtu.be/gRajkjKsqOQ
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News Channel 10- Beer can Island featuring Flotilla 75 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8oeJTpxczU&feature=share&list=FLqyiAmJ58K9 rVo22ktIMV2A Flotilla 74 and Coast Guard in Fourth of July Parade (George Papabeis, FL 74) : http://youtu.be/TZ3rpMj1z_g
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
From the Helm J. Michael Shea, Division Commander
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here are a number of very interesting t things taking place within the division these past few months but I am only going to speak to j just one – B-0 SAR, or standby search and rescue of our boats. The background is that as a result of “sequestration” and other factors, Station St. Petersburg was changed from a two boat to a one boat station. What that means is that instead of having two boat crews on duty at all times, they only have one boat crew on duty. The result is that on weekends and holidays when the one boat that is on duty goes out on a call, there is no back up boat to take a second call if one comes in, which often happens. And that is where we come in - we were asked to provide the B-0 or standby boat on weekends and holidays.
patrols as in the past. In June when we started this standby, we were putting boats and crews on the water for twelve hour shifts every Saturday and Sunday. This proved to be too long a day for many of our members, so we cut those shifts in half. Each boat and crew now provides search and rescue standby for six hours, which means we need four boats and crew every weekend for just SAR standby in addition to our normal patrols. We are now busier than ever in this division, and we need more boats and crews. Because of the types of boats we need for SAR standby, most of this duty falls on just a few boats and coxswains. This is because we need boats between 20 and about 32 feet that can go approximately 20 miles an hour. Although we have 29 auxiliary facilities in the division, many of these boats are either to small, too big or too slow, so we have only about ten boats that can be used for SAR standby. I want to express my thanks and that of the division to those few coxswain and crew who have been pulling this heavy duty for the past months – Thanks from all of us.
Although this kind of support operation has been provided for years by units of the Auxiliary around the country, this was something very new for Division 7. In the past, we provided port security patrols but very little B-0 SAR standby support. We changed our training to place more emphasis on So, what do we need to in the future to plan for on the SAR aspect of both crew and coxswain train- the water duty? (1.) We still need to do the standard ing while still doing the same safety and security patrols we have been doing in the past years. Here, Continued on page 4
John Simone, his friend, Christina, and her son, Chase, come out from under the rain during a luau at Flotilla 79. Simone, coxswain, and Flotilla 79 members Heleyde Aponte and John McLoughlin, crew, were on B-0 SAR duty at Flotilla 79 and stopped by for food at the flotilla's BBQ and luau held July 29 at Gandy Park. Photo by D. Riley
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Continued from page 4
we can ask some of the boats that are not doing the SAR standby duty to step up to the plate and do these patrols. They still need to be done. (2.) We will continue our search and rescue standby with our boat facilities and crews. This requires more difficult training and ongoing retraining. You are being asked to do search and rescue duty, which means people are depending on you to save them. These crews have to always be in training to stay up on their skills. One way to do this is while on duty, if you are not on a SAR, you train. (3.) We need more boats, crews, and coxswains. We need more boats to do the standard patrols and coxswains and crew to staff them. This is a step above the type of patrols our division has done in the past. If we are to do the SAR standby in the most efficient way, we would have twice as many boats on duty each weekend (and holidays) as we are now putting on the water. As of now, we have one standby boat on duty each watch. We really need two, one for each side of the bay. That would be eight boats and crews each weekend or holiday. (4.) We need
to ramp up all of our support positions. As the need to put more boats on the water increases, our other support needs go up as well, so if you are not a boat crew or coxswain person, we still need you. We are finding all service areas are experiencing an increased need for volunteers as a result of these increased activities on the water. In closing, it is like we were a boating safety education and security patrol operation that has been tasked with being a volunteer rescue operation as well. There was a lot to do in the former, but the latter is a larger undertaking with a lot of responsibility‌so let’s get training. And to all of you, thanks for your service!
J. Michael Shea, Division Commander Division 7, District 7 USCG Auxiliary
Division 7 Meeting News
Judith Clapp from Flotilla 75 Ruskin accepted the responsibilities of Staff Officer-Human Resources Division 7. Alexandra Kaan from Flotilla 72 stepped in to fill the Staff Officer-Secretary of Records office vacated by Judy. Both were sworn in by J. Michael Shea, DCDR, at the Division 7 meeting on July 13 hosted by Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg. Photo by D. Riley
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg
Gene Keller, Flotilla Commander
Move over Hollywood: Flotilla 72 members prove able ‘actors’ during Coast Guard Reserve training. Article and photographs submitted by Marla and Rick Short.
embers of Flotilla 72 participated in a training with Coast Guard Reservists from Sector St. Petersburg on June 6, 2013. The Reservists conducted boarding exercises and the Auxiliary provided the private vessel to practice boardings and the “bad guys” and other actors for the various training scenarios. Participating Auxiliary members included Rick Short, Marla Short, Rick Smith, Dean Hoskin and Gordon Hornby aboard the Auxiliary vessel, Miss Marla.
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Marla Short said, “We had a lot of fun impersonating people who could not speak English. ‘Klingon’ was suggested since we didn’t know any other languages. We pretended to be people hiding weapons as well as argumentative folks; i.e., Rick Smith and Gordon Hoskin had a ‘domestic dispute’. We acted out folks who could get a little too close for comfort or be a bit distracting. It was a blast! Afterwards, we had a gourmet lunch in the newly remodeled galley with Station’s new Chief, CWO Jeremy Jarvis. Members of Flotilla 72 pose as ‘bad guys’ during a Sector St. Petersburg Reservist training exercise on June 6. Pictured are Dean Hoskin, Gordon Hornby, Marla Short and Rick Smith aboard the Flotilla 72 Auxiliary facility, Miss Marla. Rick Short is behind the camera.
Sector St. Petersburg South Moorings, USCGC Venturous by D. Riley
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Coast Guard Reserve Training (Continued from page 6)
Right: A member of the Sector St. Petersburg Reserves gears up for one of the planned training scenarios. Below: From left, Rick Short, CWO Jeremy Jarvis and Dean Hoskin break for lunch at Sector St. Petersburg’s newly remodeled galley.
bers visit Air Station Cle m e M y r arwat lia i x u er A
“Filmstrip” photos by Rick and Marla Short
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n June 13, 2013, Auxiliary members from several divisions under Sector St. Petersburg including Division 7 were invited to fly aboard a C-130 Hercules from Air Station Clearwater. The Division 7 members who flew as passengers for the area familiarization flight and C-130 training drop over the Gulf included Gene Keller, Rick Short and Marla Short from Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg; and Larry Neu and Linda Churchill from Flotilla 79 Tampa.
Photos this page were submitted by Rick and Marla Short. They depict (from left) 1. Rick Short, Larry Neu, Gene Keller and Linda Churchill. 2. A C-130 Hercules in the hangar, 3. Looking out the tail, and 4. Larry Neu and Gene Keller. On the following pages is an article about the Auxiliary’s role during C-130 drop training flights as well as photos and a video by members.
HC-1 HC H -130 3 Her 30 ercu cu ule less at a Air ir Sta tati tiion Cle lear arwa ar w teerr.. Pho wa hoto to by AV A 8P 8PIX IX Chr hris i to is toph pher ph er Ebd bden en-- Cr en Crea eati ea t ve Com ti ommo moons n (so s me rig ight h s re ht rese serv rved ed). ).
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Coast Guard Auxiliary Assistance During C-130 Hercules Drop Training. By Tom Loughlin, Staff Officer-Public Affairs, Division 11
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he Coast Guard C-130 Hercules pilots and crew must practice flying to a set of coordinates where a distressed vessel is located. They will then parachute a container to the boat which will include amongst other things, a VHF radio. The radio will have fresh batteries, will be in a padded container and already tested and turned on to the proper frequency. This allows communication between the aircraft and the distressed vessel crew. During training exercises, the Auxiliary boat is tasked with retrieving the container from the water to prevent it from becoming a hazard to boaters. Using an Auxiliary vessel means that a Coast Guard asset is not taken out of service and unable to respond to an emergency call-out. Next in the training sequence is the dropping of a 1,000 feet of polypropylene line with five duffel bags filled with boat fenders evenly spaced 200 feet apart. In a real emergency situation, these bags would contain life rafts, food and water, medical equipment and dry blankets etc. Again, the Auxiliary boat retrieves this gear. In the final part of the training, the C-130 descends to 50 feet over the Auxiliary boat and attempts to place a message (a weighted thick clear plastic envelope with a 15-foot yellow streamer) onto the Auxiliary boat. (Continued on page 9)
Top: Members Rick Short, Marla Short and Linda Churchill watch intently as flight crew from Air Station Clearwater drop the bundles of gear out of the back of the C-130 Hercules during the training and area familiarization flight on June 13, 2013. Below: Flight crew from Air Station Clearwater drop the bundles of gear out of the back of the C-130 Hercules. Timing is critical to get the equipment on target. Photos by Gene Keller
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Rick Short gives a “thumbs up” to the thrill of riding aboard a C-130 Hercules. This is an enviable experience for members of the Auxiliary. Photo by Gene Keller
Gene Keller shot this view of the bridge on Gulf Blvd. in Clearwater from aboard the C-130 on June 13, 2013. (Note: A distracting speck was removed from the image with photo editing software.)
(Continued from page 8)
If you have never been directly below a large cargo plane as it goes overhead I can tell you one thing--it is very loud and definitely exciting! This is just one of the things the Coast Guard Auxiliary does to help our Coast Guard. As we proudly say,”Semper Paratus”. To watch a video about C-130 Hercules drop missions, click on the image at right or paste the following web address into your browser: http://youtu.be/o7gWw-7pmCk
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Flotilla 74 Brandon
Jeffrey Gines, Flotilla Commander
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ur participation in the Brandon 4th of July Parade, the largest in the great State of Florida, was an exciting event and an outstanding opportunity for the Flotilla to connect with our community and fellow Americans. We were also very pleased to have United States Coast Guard Station Saint Petersburg
jointly participate with us in this parade. An incredible amount of time and effort went into planning this event and I want to thank all of those members who were a part of that. I want to extend my deep appreciation and thanks to our Vice Flotilla Commander, Len Chiacchia, who did an outstanding job as our Parade Committee Chairperson to pull it all together and make it happen. Over the last three months, we continued to increase the number of students signing up for our About Boating Safely classes with 44 graduates to date. This year, we changed our Boating Skills and Seamanship schedule to teach modules every Monday throughout the year. This has yielded great dividends with five Boating Skills and Seamanship graduates to date, and nearly ten persons currently enrolled. We continue to achieve great results in other Recreational Boating Safety areas as well and have accomplished 258 Program Visits and 232 Vessel Safety Checks to date. (Incidentally, last year at this time, we had 226 Program Visits and 164 Vessel Safety Checks.) Also, we wish to acknowledge Ron Matz for planning and managing the Auxiliary booth at the State Fairgrounds for the St. Pete Times Boat Show to kick off the National Safe Boating Week. (Continued on page 11)
Brandon Independence Day Parade- Conrad Palermo hands a child an Inky the Whale coloring book. With thousands of spectators present, Flotilla 74 members were able to expose countless children and adults to the Recreational Boating Safety message. Photo by George Papabeis
Williams Park, Riverview, Fla. by D. Riley
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(Continued from page 10)
We now have three new boat crew members: Eric Gagnon, Mark Jaqua, and Carl Bryant. One thing is for certain; without the dedication of our coxswains and mentors during this last training cycle, this would not have been possible. Many thanks to Ken Morningstar, Conrad Palermo, Roger Sneden, and John Sanchez. Our Polk County Detachment Leader, Gil Thomas, did a fine job in making several community outreach events happen. We Eric Gagnon, one of Flotilla 74’s three newly qualified boat crew performed two Vessel Safemembers, stows the tow line after a side tow on May 5, 2013. Photo ty Check blitzes during Naby John Sanchez tional Safe Boating Week with over 50 inspections and also put up an outstanding display at the Lake Wales Library showcasing the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. To celebrate a successful National Safe Boating Week and to join in fellowship, we celebrated Memorial Day weekend with a cook-out at Riverview Park and Civic Center. We’re looking forward to that becoming a tradition for the flotilla. And to top it all off, we sponsored a booth at the Haines City Hurricane Expo as well as at the Second Annual City of Mulberry Hurricane Awareness Day. Great work and many thanks go out to the Polk County Detachment for pulling that together to represent the Auxiliary at those important venues.
Right: Carl Bryant at the helm prior to setting out for a training exercises on May 5, 2013. Photo by John Sanchez
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Flotilla 75 Ruskin
Oscar Kramer, Flotilla Commander
Flotilla 75 Dedicates Communication Room to Member By Ray Stewart, Flotilla Vice Commander 75
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embers of Flotilla 75 Ruskin wanted member Joe Lori to know that he was appreciated, and on June 9, 2013, they did something rarely done within the Auxiliary or elsewhere: they dedicated their new Radio Communication Center in his name during his lifetime, and while he could enjoy the honor and share this distinction with his proud family and friends.
ry Manual. His nickname in the Auxiliary was “Joe the Book,” because when asked a question about the Auxiliary, his response was always, “Read it in The Book,” meaning the Auxiliary Manual.
Joe enrolled in the Auxiliary in October, 1985, as a member of Flotilla 79. After a few years he was asked to come over to Flotilla 74, which was struggling at the time. He soon became Vice Flotilla Commander and later Flotilla Commander twice. With Flotilla 74 firmly on its feet, Joe was asked to come over to Flotilla 75, which at that time was down to just three members. Joe was Commander of Flotilla 75 five or six times and also served as Division Captain (renamed Division Commander) two times, but not consecutively. In addition, he was Operations Officer, Personal Watercraft (PWC) Officer, and Chief Qualifying Examiner for District 7. He has always been heavily involved in Operations and contributed to the creation of the Auxilia-
In 2008, the Coast Guard awarded Joe the prestigious Coast Guard Auxiliary Meritorious Service Medal for “exceptionally meritorious achievement and superior performance of duties. The citation reads in part:
Joe traveled extensively to various training programs all across the U.S., but the highlight of his travels came in 2001 when he was asked by the Army to travel to Kuwait for a month to train our Joseph J. Lori has done so much and occupied so Special Forces in the use of PWCs in support of many positions within the Coast Guard Auxiliary their mission. The year before, he had been in Puerthat in talking about his many accomplishments, to Rico to train Coast Guard personnel in PWC operations. it’s hard to know where to begin.
E.G. Simmons Park, Ruskin, Fla., boat ramp by D. Riley
“Auxiliarist Joseph J. Lori is cited for outstanding and meritorious service worthy of special recognition from January 1996 through December 2007 while serving as a member of the Seventh Coast Guard District Auxiliary. During this period, he demonstrated the exceptional vision and initiative to significantly enhance and expand Coast Guard Auxiliary Personal Water Craft (PWC) programs. Since 1996 he has expertly contributed to the development of procedures, policies, and qualification
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criteria for PWC operators in the Auxiliary. “He became the first PWC Qualification Examiner in District Seven, and between May and September 1999 he trained and tested 23 members of the Winter Haven, Florida Fire Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit. “Auxiliarist Lori served as District Staff Officer Operations in 2000, a position from which he took every opportunity to farther the Auxiliary’s PWC program, and to provide seminars for Qualification Examiners throughout the Seventh District. He responded to a need for qualified PWC operators in Puerto Rico to support OPSAIL 2000 by personally training and testing 20 PWC operators, and he arranged a PWC demonstration for the District Commander and local media. “In March 2001 the US. Army requested Auxiliarist Lori to travel to Camp Doha, Kuwait, to instruct Army personnel in the operation of a PWC. With great enthusiasm he also assisted numerous law enforcement agencies throughout the United States with the instruction and testing of PWC operators. Continued on page 12
Above: Mike Shea, Division Commander 7, assists Joe Lori with the microphone as Lori thanks Flotilla 75 members and guests for the honor of dedicating the Flotilla 75 radio communications room in his name. Photos this page by D. Riley Below: A light summer shower did not deter or delay the dedication ceremony of the Joe Lori Radio Communications Room in Simmons Park, Ruskin, on June 9, 2013.
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Continued from previous page
“In 2007, despite serious personal health problems, Auxiliarist Lori maintained his many competencies and certifications while completing 198 hours of service, of which 94 were in surface operations. “Auxiliarist Lori’s dedication and devotion to duty is most heartily commended and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.” We are grateful to Joe for all of his contributions to the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Members like him are a tough act to follow!
Right: From under the shade of a canopy, Joe Lori (far left) watches as Flotilla 75 members Guy Mandigo and Gary K. Mull, Jr., officially hoist the colors over the Flotilla 75 communications room located in Simmons Park, Ruskin, for the first time. Photo by D. Riley
Several U.S. Army photographs published in “Desert Voice” depict Joe Lori maneuvering an obstacle course in the Arabian Gulf, Kuwait, in 2001.
Division 7, District 7
Volume XXXVI
A page from “Desert Voice”
Issue 2
Summer 2013
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Flotilla 78 Pass-a-Grille
JJim Armstrong, Flotilla Commander
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lotilla 78 facility Thin Blue Line made her first tow of a “come upon” disabled vessel on May 8, 2013, when Valerie Fernandes was returning to Blind Pass from a swim in Bunces Pass. While traversing the Skyway Channel, Fernandes and Elizabeth Kreiter noticed a vessel in distress. The two persons on board were waving to passing boats for help but no one stopped-- so of course, Fernandes stopped to help. The distressed vessel asked for a tow to O’Neill’s Marina. Since she was not on patrol Fernandes did not have a towline aboard, so they used her longest dock line and proceeded to take the disabled vessel to the nearest “safe haven” at O’Neill’s. At the May meeting of Flotilla 78, Phil Creter stressed the need for more volunteers to help the instructors at the flotilla’s Boating Skills and Seamanship class held every Tuesday evening. With so many of their members heading north during the summer months, in the past the flotilla took the summer off from conducting Public Education classes. The good news is that with 17 students enrolled in their Boating Skills and Seamanship program, they are unable to do that this year. That truly is good news because it means getting the word out is working!
Top: Flotilla 78 members Jim Troiano and Valerie Fernandes aboard Rick Short’s facility, Miss Marla at Station St Petersburg’s dock on May 9, 2013.
Bottom: Jim Troiano watches as the members of the Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg load their weapons and gear in preparation for the tactical training mission. PhoFlotilla 78 members Jim Troiano and Val tos provided by Valerie Fernandes Fernandes crewed aboard Miss Marla with Rick Short and Greg Horst from Flotilla 72 for a Tactical training mission Click on either image above to watch for the members of Coast Guard Station St Petersburg the video of the Coast Guard tactical on May 9, 2013, in Tampa Bay. While training is ever training mission featuring Valerie’s serious business, Fernandes could not pretend that she great still photography did not enjoy herself. The accompanying photos and and video clips. video demonstrate why.
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Division 7 Crew Training:
Building Camaraderie While Teaching Boat Handling Skills. Article and photos by Valerie Fernandes, FSO-PB, FL 78 Preparing to conduct an along-side tow.
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ivision 7 crew training started on February 28th at Flotilla 79 in Tampa a ended with two on-the-water qualiand fication examination check rides in midM of this year. A total of 21 Division 7 May m members from several flotillas started the c crew training classes, held every Thursd evening and on Saturdays. All nineday t teen crew trainees who participated in t qualifying examination successfully the p passed and became boat crew qualified. T boat crew trainees withdrew for perTwo s sonal and administrative reasons. Some o the crew qualified on May 17 and the of r were tested on May 18, 2013. rest F those who have never attended the For t training, know that it is a very rewardi and worthwhile experience. Besides ing l learning about seamanship and Auxiliary p patrol procedures, you meet some of the m dedicated, knowledgeable and enermost g getic members within our division.
Trainees learn how to operate the pump for de-watering.
T coxswains and crew that volunteer The t mentor their flotilla boat crew trainees to m must put in long hours and attend all of t same training required of the crew the t trainees. Coxswains and their crew who m must either trailer their facilities to the G Gandy ramp or motor to the ramp put in e even longer hours because they must ret turn to their home dock after training is e ended. C Cliff Martin puts in very long hours as t Division 7 Crew Training Coordinathe t He has conducted the division-wide tor. t training for many years and most of our c current coxswains and crew owe their q qualifi cation to him. T camaraderie that is exhibited during The t division training blurs the lines bethe t tween flotillas since everyone acts as one t team to accomplish the mission. ď ?
Trainees learn how to toss a heaving line.
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Flotilla 79 Tampa
Paul Cooke, Flotilla Commander
Summer Means Increased Boating Activity ... and Increased Boating Mishaps. Based upon information submitted by John Simone and Paul Cooke
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lorida may boast year-round boating weather, but like everywhere else in the country, more recreational boaters take to the waters during the summer months than at any other time. More boaters at ramps and docks mean more opportunities to offer Vessel Examinations and invite boaters to attend our boating safety programs. It also means increased chances of mishaps and misadventures on the water that may result in an increased number of search and rescue missions. The two SARs within ten days of each other between Memorial Day and June 9 demonstrate this.
several of boat’s passenger appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. This presented an interesting puzzle: 10 POB + 0 PFD + ETOH=? Answer: Ten candidates for our boating safety courses!
Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the start of the summer boating season. David Langdon, coxswain, from Flotilla 72 and crew members Paul Cooke and Linda Churchill, members of Flotilla 79, were on a sundown patrol in the bay. Early on, they picked up a beach ball in the channel --good man overboard practice (MOB)-and gave it to a bunch of kids on Beer Can the Island (with their dad’s permission). It was quite a busy day on the island! David Langdon, coxswain on the C-Lover, tows vessel Later, they towed a distressed vessel up with ten persons on board to Williams Park on May 31, the Alafia River to the Williams Park boat 2013. Paul Cooke and Linda Churchill served as crew. ramp. The distressed vessel had ten per- Photo by Paul Cooke sons aboard and no life jackets for any of its passengers. To make matters worse,
Gandy Boat Ramp, Tampa, Fla. by D. Riley
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Summer 2013
Further Evidence That We Need More Boating Safety Education!
John Simone and Larry Ivey pose with the eight boaters towed to Williams Park on June 9, 2013. Photo by veteran/bystander, Matthew Bilancia, used with permission. (Funny glasses are added to obscure the children’s faces.)
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On June 9, 2013, John Simone, coxswain, along with crew members Larry Ivey and Michael Massimini, were on twelve-hour search and rescue (SAR) stand-by status for Station St. Petersburg. Station provided their radio guard, and just after 3 PM, they received a SAR call-out. Within ten minutes they were on the water and on scene thirty minutes later where they located the 18-foot vessel that was smoking with eight persons on board including two children. They assessed the situation and decided that due to severe weather approaching, it would be best to tow the distresses vessel to the nearest dock, Williams Park on the Alafia River. About halfway there, the weather deteriorated further and with winds whipping up to 15-20 knot winds and a solid thunder storm threatening to crash down on them. They stopped long enough to transfer the two children and one adult who could not swim to the Auxiliary vessel before continuing. Soon after, they reached Williams Park and delivered everyone safely to land. Another successful SAR call-out.
Flotilla’s Recreational Boating Safety and Public Affairs Programs Get Playful Thanks to member, Paul Anderson, Flotilla 79 now boasts an “Officer Snook Trash Game” to draw both adults and children to our Public Affairs/Public Information booths. Thank you, Paul! Photo by Kathy Curry
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USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport
Donald Hershman, Flotilla Commander
Gulfport Radio is on the Air! Kevin Yeaton, FSO-CM and David Main, FSO-PB 7-16
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hanks to the efforts of, and donations made by several members and supporters, Flotilla 7-16’s Boaters Safety Training Center now has an updated radio room and monitored the airwaves with its first radio watch on June 27. Gulfport radio will be operating in the area of responsibility for Flotillas 73, 78, and 7-16.
Special thanks to Kevin Yeaton for a donation of a new radio and a new air-conditioning unit. Office furniture was donated by Dr. Marc Colaluce and Gulfport Marine Training and Rescue Group (GUMTARG). Other furniture was donated by Jim Newman’s bungalow tenants. A 28-foot antenna, waterproof chart kit, flooring, and backup radios were donated by GUMTARG as well. The window blinds were paid for by Flotilla 7-16. We presently have many new members who have earned or are working toward their Auxiliary Telecommunications Operator (TCO) certification. Auxiliary members Marty Bailey, Kathy Clatworthy and Terry Hershman have recently earned their TCO qualification and Ellie Zinner is working on getting hers. While the radio room has undergone extensive upgrades and improvements, the building’s exterior has also been revamped. Note the new radio antenna at the rear of the building. Photos by Jim Newman
Volume XXXVI
Issue 2
Summer 2013
Page 21
A Part of Our Coast Guard Heritage Worth Remembering. By Kathy Clatworthy, Member of Flotilla 7-16
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hile sitting in the waiting room of my local VA, a vintage SPAR poster caught my eye. Never having heard of “SPARs” before, I decided to make use of my smart phone by “Googling” the definition. Several articles emerged; one from the archives of the United States Coast Guard which I set about reading. Wow! What an impressive and informative piece of historical work. SPAR was officially formed in November 1942. It was a branch of the official Coast Guard reservists. The name, SPAR, is a contraction of the words “Semper Paratus”- always ready.
The name “SPAR” may have been the first official name given to this historic group of ladies, but their history goes back much further. Women ‘Coasties’ can actually be traced back to the Civil War where their first jobs were maintaining crudely built light houses consisting of oil lamps made with thick lenses.*1 Their expanding roles included not just maintaining oil lamps, but also growing vegetables, caring for children of those lost at sea, and maintaining aids to navigations. Their actions were the foundations to today’s uniformed woman.
h high and proudly served their country. W each decade came change. WomWith e were eventually allowed to attend en th Coast Guard academy which later the a also included black women. Eventually women were given roles as radio oply, e erators, coxswain and even engineers. F Finally in the 1980s, the Coast Guard w the first branch of the service to was a allow a woman to captain a ship (cutte 2 She was inundated by the press ter).* b managed to do her job well anyway. but S saved lives and showed the USA She th women and men can work together that a a team. as Gone are the days when married womG e expecting a child were immediately en d discharged from active duty. Today, w women are allowed to serve and still h have a family.
As A both a woman and a Navy Veteran, I can’t help but look at the historical past in comparison to today. So many positive changes have been made- from sexist uniforms and posters to a zero tolerance policy against sexual harassment, and pregnancy allowances. Today, we see both men and women of all races and religions serving alongside The Coast Guard was the first branch of the mili- one another as a team. tary to allow women to play an active role. Early on, these women were mostly transplants from the I wonder when the US Navy will adhere to its new Navy whose jobs consisted of secretarial work and policies allowing a woman to serve on submarines. nursing. Although highly trained, educated and Something to think about. skilled, women were not accepted by their male *1U.S. Lighthouse Service is one of the three foundcounterparts. Women officers were not allowed to ing services of the modern Coast Guard. give orders to men even if put in charge until Con- 2 * Dianne Bucci became the first enlisted woman gress changed the rules. assigned to officer-in-charge a float billet when she During World War II (WW2) women were often took command of the CGC Capstan (WYTL-65601) depicted in uniforms designed to encourage men to in September 1988. join. In the posters, women were sometimes portrayed like pinup girls wearing sexy uniforms. (See http://www.uscg.mil/history/uscghist/womenchroinsets.) Despite sexism and the ongoing discrimi- nology.asp nation against women during WW1, WW2, the Korean and Vietnam wars, women held their heads
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USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Staff Reports Terry Hickox, Staff Officer –Communication With all of these new members, one might ask Services “What do we do with them?” Our mentoring process will be a focus this next quarter. Posted the links to the instructions for completing the forms 7029 and 7030 and sharing these with all Observation #1: the source of our new members of the new members. highlights the importance of our classes, events, media, and getting us out there, in attracting new Bunny Johnson, Staff Officer –Information Ser- members. vices Observation #2: the number of new members getForwarded the instructions for completing the forms ting numbers is a demonstration of the dedication 7029 and 7030 to the Communication Services of- of our Flotilla FSO-HR officers. They are doing a ficer in order that he could post the new links to the great job. Thank you. forms and share these with all of the new members. And we also depend very much on the work done I was appointed Assistant District Staff Officer- In- by the Security Division. We do appreciate them. formation Services in March, 2013. I am having fun with it and enter all the Incident Command System Timothy Teahan- Public Affairs courses for District 7. Flotillas 74 and 79 reported extensive National Judith Clapp- Human Resources Safe Boating Week activities to include a ReadySet-Wear-It event at the Gandy Boat Ramp (FL 79), This year to date in our divi- Safe Boating Week Proclamations in Hillsborough sion, 42 new members received and Polk Counties, and Vessel Safety Checks at their numbers. Of those 42, 13 Riverview Park and Civic Center, Williams Park were from 2012 E applicants, 11 were from 2013 E applicants, and 18 were from other sources, such as classes, flotilla events, Vessel Examination events, and flotilla websites. The flotillas are working diligently with 30 other candidates to complete their enrollment (two from 2012 E’s, 23 from 2013 E’s, and five from other sources). New members, year to date: Flotilla 72: seven, with four in the second quarter of this year. Flotilla 74: six, with two in second quarter of this year. Flotilla 75: two, both second quarter of this year. Flotilla 78: two, both second quarter of this year. Flotilla 79: 23, with 13 second quarter of this year. Flotilla 7-16: two, both second quarter of this year.
May 18, 2013—Flotilla 79 opened National Safe Boating Week by participating in Ready-Set-Inflate. Organized by Tim Teahan, Flotilla Staff Officer-Public Affairs, the international event reminds boaters to wear life jackets. Members were joined by Safety Rock, the mascot for the Safety Rock Foundations, Corp., an organization dedicated to helping to prevent child drowning and pool safety. Photo by Darren Hart
Volume XXXVI
Issue 2
Summer 2013
Page 23
Staff Reports (FL 74) and Gandy Boat Ramp (FL 79). Ray Stewart from Flotilla 75 Ruskin coordinated the Auxiliary’s participation in the hour-long program on CCTV, “The Mayor’s Hour” broadcast in June. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn visited the U.S. Coast Guard Prevention Office on Davis Islands to
talk about boating safety -- something important for anyone who lives in Florida. During the program, Mayor Buckhorn and co-host Jack Harris were able to experience a complimentary Vessel Safety Check performed by Zac Lessin, Flotilla 79, as well as to conduct a mock boarding on open water. The mayor also visited a Boating Skills and Seam manship class at Flotilla 79 to talk about the A Auxiliaries’ Recreational Boating Safety educcation programs. Tim Teahan was on hand to aanswer questions. T To see the video, copy and paste the URL belo low into your browser or click on the photo at le left. hhttp://youtu.be/gRajkjKsqOQ
Zac Lessin from Flotilla 79 talks to Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and demonstrates a vessel Safety Examination in this hour-long segment of “The Mayor’s Hour” broadcast weekly on CCTV in Tampa.
Flotilla 75 was featured in a Channel 10 TamF ppa Bay WTSP.com news video published JJuly 4. The news segment entitled, “Beer Can IIsland-Why do they call it that?” was, as the title states, an explanation of why Pine Key is called Beer Can Island, and provided a great opening for Gary Mull, Jr. and other Flotilla 75 members to promote boating safety information. There is even a link to the Coast G Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check Site (VD Directorate) so that viewers can sign up for a fr Vessel Safety Examination. free T see the video, copy and paste the URL beTo lo into your browser or click on the photo low a left. at h http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/323539/8/ W Why-do-they-call-it-that-Beer-Can-Island (Flotilla 75 in the news submitted by Cinda (F Hitchcock, Flotilla 79) H
Gary Mull, Jr. from Flotilla 75 talks about safety equipment and boating safety education in the Channel 10 News video, “Beer Can Island-Why Do They Call It That?”
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USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Staff Reports Dottie Riley- Publications Four flotillas published recent newsletters; Flotillas 74, 78, 79, and 7-16. Flotilla 72 does not publish a member news but does publish an E-mail newsletter targeting local boaters. Received no Staff Officer reports save one: Judith Clapp’s Human Resources Report. (Thank you Judy!) To complete the Staff Officer Report section of this newsletter, I used notes taken at the Division 7 meeting held on July 13, and information garnered from the Division Commander’s report to the District Captain as well as flotilla newsletters. I want Oscar Kramer, Flotilla Commander 75 Ruskin, officiated at the to thank Rick and Marla Short ceremony on June 9 which dedicated the Flotilla 75 Radio Room as well as Valerie Fernandes for to long-time member, Joe Lori. The radio room is located in their contributions. Rick and Simmons Park, Ruskin. Photo by D. Riley Marla Short remember to send me things even though when sailyour contributions. We need your stories and your ing in the Keys, and Valerie Fernandes when she photographs! goes north for the summer. Many thanks to Tom Loughlin, Staff Officer-Public Affairs Division 11, Gene Keller-Communications for his article about the C-130 drop flights. I appointed David Rockwell as my unofficial assisThis division has some great photographers starting tant in charge of maintaining radio room schedules. with George Papabeis, Assistant Staff Officer-Pub- We are covering almost all Auxiliary on the water lications. Nearly every flotilla has at least one great watches and have released Station St. Petersburg photographer. Flotilla 72 has Loren Reuter, Flotilla from providing radio guard for our boats, which re74 has Papabeis as well as John Sanchez and Linda duces station’s work load. Brandt. Valerie Fernandes, Flotilla 78 takes some of the best ‘action’ shots, and Ray Stewart in Flo- We held our second annual Flotilla Staff Officertilla 75 is also very good although I rarely see his Communications meeting in June and a second radio drill in July. work anymore. There are other good photographers, and if I did We certified five Auxiliary Telecommunications not name them, it is because I do not see their work Operators in the past month, and as the number of in flotilla newsletters or submitted to the Intercom. Auxiliary Telecommunications Operators increasAs I tried to point out in the last issue, you don’t es, we are opening or refurbishing radio rooms in need an expensive camera to take good pictures. A nearly every flotilla. smartphone can do just as well! I need pictures no • Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport Radio has been air matter what you use. conditioned and is ready for operation They also The whole point of this is, Intercom cannot survive have new equipment and a new antenna. as a one-man (or one-woman) operation. We need • Flotilla 72 has new equipment and we are
Volume XXXVI
Issue 2
Summer 2013
Page 25
Staff Reports adding a power back-up system to our radio room.
Clifford Martin–Operations
For the past month, Division 7 has provided stand-by search and rescue duty • Flotilla 75 dedicated a newly com(B-0 SAR) for Station St. Petersburg. pleted radio room to member, Joe Lori. These are often from our coxswain’s • Flotilla 79 continues to provide rahomes and from area docks. Boats are asdio guard for patrols. signed a twelve hour shift on weekends and holidays. The twelve hour watch is Bayboro Radio 1 (BBR 1) handled one search and rescue case in May. BBR 1 did so from in some cases completed using two separate boat beginning to end while keeping Station informed. crews and six hour watches. This demonstrates the growing level of trust station has developed for our Auxiliary radio stations and operators. David Langdon-Member Training Fifteen members are currently enrolled in Auxiliary Navigation A & B which started Tuesday, June 25 at Flotilla 79. We are in the process of requesting qualifying examinations to recertify some of our operational personnel. The division tested thirteen members who just completed the Auxiliary Weather Course. Flotilla 74 qualified three new boat crew members and one new Auxiliary Telecommunications Operator.
Below: George Bartuska, Flotilla 79 “Weather Guru”, teaches the Auxiliary Weather Course annually to benefit all Division 7 members. Photo by Miguel Marques-Reines
Above: Heleyde Aponte from Flotilla 79 scans the horizon while on bow watch on the deck of the “Luv@1stSite” owned by Gene Keller from Flotilla 72. Below: Dolphins and manatees- we see the wonders of the sea while on patrol. Photos by George Papabeis.
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Staff Reports Steven Plass-Public Education
David Perillo-Vessel Examinations
Flotilla 74 delivered the public education workshop, “Suddenly in Command” at Brandon Library on May 22, as well as modules of Boating Skills and Seamanship” public education course on designated dates May through the end of July.
Flotilla 72 and Flotilla 78 are jointly engaged in an effort to schedule regular Vessel Examination services at DeSoto Park public boat ramp on weekends.
Flotilla 74 conducted Vessel Safety Checks at Riverview Park and Civic CenFlotilla 72 held a one day About Boating Safely ter and Williams Park on weekends in May, June class on Saturday the 8, and has been working hard and July. On July 6, the members held a barbeque at to increase attendance. The e-mail targeting boaters Williams Park after the Vessel Safety Checks. The and boating venues helps draw attendees. members enjoyed both the food and each other’s company. Flotilla 7-16’s Boating Skills and Seamanship class has 17 persons enrolled, a fairly high number com- The Polk County Detachment will conduct Vessel pared to the summer months in previous years. For Safety Checks at Lake Arianna in Winter Haven on the first time in many years, the flotilla’s Public July 27, 2013 Education program remains active/open during the summer months despite many of its members going Flotilla 7-16 reports that both Program Visits and north for the summer. Part of the flotilla’s success Vessel Safety Checks have slowed down due to comes from Public Affairs events in partnership summer vacations. with the City of Gulfport.
Those ODUs too hot in the Summer? Try these outfits when conducting Vessel Safety Checks! Mary Baily (left) and Marty Basye from Flotilla 7-16 show off the new Vessel Examination uniforms. Flotilla 7-16 has lead the division in the number of Vessel Examinations and Program Visits performed for years- maybe because their members know how to stay comfortable during Florida’s sweltering summers? Photos provided by Donald Rimel (Note: Wear of these shirts/ shorts is authorized for conducting Vessel Examinations only- not for meetings or other wear.)
Volume XXXVI
Issue 2
Summer 2013
Page 27
Staff Reports Rick Short-Division Liaison We continue to enjoy an ever expanding partnership with the active duty personnel at USCG Station St. Petersburg. The crewmembers and facilities of Division 7 have increased our significant roles in partnership with the Gold Side. These roles include participation in vessel boarding training exercises, tactical and response training, and weekend standby search and rescue (B-0 SAR) coverage. As more of our Auxiliary crewmembers continue to report to Station for training and briefings with active duty staff, more Capt. Gregory D. Case relieves Capt. Sheryl of us are getting to know each other. Greetings are L. Dickinson as the sector commander durfrequently on a first name basis. The Station’s Of- ing the official change of command ceremony ficer in Charge, Senior Chief Eamon McCormack, on June 10, 2013. USCGNews photograph said about one of our recent weekends SAR calls: "It looks like the Auxiliary were busy this weekend! Great work to those that helped on Saturday mand is a transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another. and Sunday!” The following is an update of our USCG Station During Dickinson’s command, she served as CapSt. Petersburg Flotilla Liaisons. Please remember tain of the Port overseeing almost 29,000 vessel to include them in your flotilla meetings and activi- movements in Tampa Bay. As Federal Maritime ties. They have graciously volunteered their time Security Coordinator, Dickinson headed the marito assist us. E-mail addresses were removed for time safety and security operations in support of the purpose of publication. Contact your Flotilla Com- 2012 Republican National Convention. As the Fedmander or Rick Short if you need your liaison’s eral On-Scene Coordinator for marine environmental protection, Dickinson led the Florida Peninsula email address. Command Post for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill BM3 Christopher Rogers--Flotilla 78 Pass A Grille response. Furthermore, she also served as Search BM1 Greg Pescuma--Flotilla 75, Ruskin and Rescue Mission Coordinator saving 630 lives MK1 Jason Heinz--Flotilla 74, Brandon and more than $45M in property. As officer-inBM1 Kris Knowles--Flotilla 7-16, Gulfport charge of Marine Inspections, Dickinson regulated SN Michelle Poldino--Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg safety and security for vessels and waterfront faBM 1 Chase Ryan--Flotilla 79, Tampa cilities for the largest industrial port in Florida. Dickinson will be reporting to Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to serve as Acting Director, Incident Management and Preparedness Policy. Case reports from the 5th Coast Guard DisCoast Guard Sector St. Petersburg crewmembers trict Portsmouth, Va., where he served as Chief of held a change of command ceremony at the Ma- Prevention since July 2011. haffey Theater on June 10, 2013. Capt. Gregory D. Case relieved Capt. Sheryl L. Dickinson as the sec- Capt. Dickinson will be sorely missed, but we look tor commander during the official change of com- forward to building a positive relationship with mand ceremony. A military unit’s change of com- Capt. Case.
Sector St. Petersburg Holds Change of Command (fromUSCGNews)
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
â—„ Click on movie reel at right to see video of Flotilla 74 in the 4th of July parade.
Volume XXXVI
Page 24: Top Left: Ken Morningstar, member of Flotilla 74 Brandon, waves to the crowd from aboard the 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg during the Brandon Independence Day Parade. Top right: Jeffrey Gines, Flotilla Commander 74 Brandon, hands boating safety literature to parade spectators. (Note: Children’s faces deliberately obscured.) Bottom: Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 74 Brandon pose for a picture before the commencement of the annual 4th of July Parade in, Brandon Florida. The Flotilla 74 facility used in the parade is visible behind them. Photos (page 24) by George Papabeis. Photos this page: Top left: “Changing of the Guard:” Josh Dargoltz, John Simone (coxswain) and Michael Massimini
Issue 2
Summer 2013
Page 29
stop to say hello to the crew of All Booked Up as they prepare to cast off from Kathleen Heide’s dock on Harbor Island on July 5, 2013. All are members of Flotilla 79, Photo by D. Riley Top right: Cinda Hitchcock (right), Kathleen Heide and Linda Churchill (in rear) prepare All Booked Up for an evening safety patrol for the final rounds of the Red Bull Open Wake sporting event followed by fireworks at Harbor Island in Tampa. Photo by D. Riley Below: Zac Lessin on board All Booked Up with Heleyde Aponte and Kathleen Heide (not shown) await the start of the Independence Day fireworks at Tampa’s Channelside. Photo by Heleyde Aponte
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W
hen the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle came to St. Petersburg in June, several of our members photographed her, but no one volunteered to write about the Eagle or their experience. What is striking about this, is our “love affair� with the Eagle. It would seem that everything we feel about her is more readily expressed through images than through words. Words express facts. Photographs convey what we find fascinating or endearing. For this reason, we will restrict publication to a photo essay and several snippets of information garnered by members, from publications, and from the Coast Guard website.
Coast Guard Cutter Eagle departing Sector St. Petersburg, June 18, 2013. Photo by Loren Reuter, Flotilla 72
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Volume XXXVI
Issue 2
Summer 2013
Page 31
Barque is a nautical term for a sailing vessel with three or more masts. The foremasts are rigged square and the aftermast is rigged fore-and-aft. Photo by Loren Reuter of the Eagle departing St. Petersburg on June 18, 2013.
Below: The Eagle passes under the Skyway Bridge and into the Gulf. Photo by Loren Reuter
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Volume XXXVI
Issue 2
Summer 2013
Page 33
USCGC Eagle is the sixth U.S. Coast Guard cutter to bear the name in a proud line dating back to 1792. The ship was built in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and commissioned as Horst Wessel. Page 32: The fore deck of the Eagle. Inset photo: Some of the miles of rigging on Eagle. To maneuver Eagle under sail, the crew must handle more than 22,000 square feet of sail and five miles of rigging. Over 200 lines control the sails and yards, and every crew-member, cadet and officer candidate, must become intimately familiar with the name, operation, and function of each line.
This page, top: The huge wooden wheels are not props- they are actually used to steer the vessel. Every cadet who trains on Eagle takes turns steering the mighty vessel. Mid-page: Bob Gibson, a member of Flotilla 74 Brandon, displays a Coast Guard Academy pennant aboard Eagle. Gibson is an active recruiter for the Coast Guard Academy. Lower image: During Eagle’s port visit, Claudia McCann visited the sailing vessel. McCann is the widow of Robin Walbridge, Captain of the Bounty, who was lost at sea when the replica vessel sank in October 2012 during Hurricane Sandy. While aboard the Eagle, McCann expressed her thanks for the Coast Guard’s rescue efforts to Eagle crewmember PO3 Kenneth Snyder and asked him to pass her sentiments up the Coast Guard chain of command. The Coast Guard rescued 14 of the 16 Bounty crewmembers; Walbridge’s remains were not recovered. Photos pages 32- 33 by George Papabeis.
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Intercom
USCG Auxiliary
Division 7, District 7
Parting Humor... Submitted by Rick and Marla Short
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hile serving as a crewmember aboard Miss Marla on June 27 on a search and rescue (B-0 SAR) for Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg, Jack Lee, a member of Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg, amused his fellow crewmembers when he spoke out.
Artistic illustration- not a photograph.
Someone who identified themselves as “Judd” called to request Coast Guard assistance when he ran aground on a spoil outside Bunces Pass. Station St. Petersburg sent Miss Marla and her crew (Rick Short, coxswain) to help. They experienced driving wind and rain, and due to limited visibility, much of their navigation was by instruments. All of the crew were soaked to their underwear but persevered. They found Judd’s PWC, but no Judd. Jack Lee could be heard calling out over the storm:
“We are the crew of the Miss Marla. We are the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s elite. We are the best of the best. When storms shut down entire ports, we go out. When hurricanes ground the United States Navy, we go out. And when the holy Lord himself reaches down from heaven and destroys his good work with winds that rip houses off the ground, we go out. Judd!!!!! Where are you?” Lee readily admits to borrowing heavily from the movie script for “The Guardian,” but it proves that even under the worst of conditions, our members retain their composure... and their sense of humor! Note: Apparently, Judd left his PWC and swam to safety before Miss Marla arrived on scene.
Nautical terms to know... seiche [seɪʃ] Noun (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a periodic oscillation of the surface of an enclosed or semi-enclosed body of water (lake, inland sea, bay, etc.) caused by such phenomena as atmospheric pressure changes, winds, tidal currents, and earthquakes.
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
The Privacy Act of 1974 protects names, addresses, telephone/fax numbers and e-mail addresses of Auxiliary members which may appear in this or other USCGAUX publications. As a matter of policy, information described above is not made available to the general public or outside groups without that member’s express and/or written consent. When such information appears, its privacy shall be safeguarded and the information will be clearly labeled. Publication of this information by the general public and/or outside groups is prohibited by the Privacy Act.