Division 7 Tampa Bay
USCG Auxiliary
Winter 2020
Click the Division 7 logo on the bottom of each page to return to the contents page.
CONTENTS
6 White Award
Steven Muller, Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg
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From the Helm: Anthony Novellino, Division 7 Commander
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From the Helm: Kevin Buckley, Division 7 Vice Commander
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Heaving a Line George Papabeis, Flotilla 74 Brandon
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Start Water and Boating Safety Instruction Early
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Easy Submittal of Auxiliary E-Forms John Robbins, SO-IS 7
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Forida Manatees Dorothy Riley, SO-PB 7
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Get Ready for the Annual Invasion of Jose Gasparilla David Rockwell, SO-CM 7
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How to Create An Activity List for Your Flotilla. John Robbins, SO-IS 7
14 Conducting Vessel Examinations
During the COVID-19 Pandemic James Nabach, FSO-VE 74 Brandon
18 Auxiliary COVID-19 Reconstitution
19 Let us enlighten you about LED
Guidance COMO Gary P. Barth
lighting!
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Division 7 Embraces Online Staff Meetings By Dave Rockwell, Flotilla 72
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Virtual PE Classes Help Reach Boaters USCG AUX E-Directorate
24 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Dorothy Riley, SO-PB 7
25 2020 Auxiliary Election Results Happy New Year! Dorothy Riley, SO-PB 7
26 Auxiliary Training Opportunities 28
Division 7 Boat Crews Support Coast Guard Training Flights
29 Auxiliary Supports Coast Guard Recruiting Event Submitted by Tony Novellino, DCDR 7
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Newsletter for Division 7 Tampa Bay, District 7, USCG Auxiliary Winter 2020
Division 7 Elected Officers 2020
Div 7 Division Commander Div 7 Division Vice Commander Div 7 Immed. Past Division Commander
Anthony Novellino, DCDR Kevin Buckley, VCDR D. Terry Hershman, IPDCDR
FL-72 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-74 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-75 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-77 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
Daniel Helou, FC Dean Hoskin, VFC Francis (Frank) Goyco, FC William Sage, VFC George Wightman, FC Larry Binder, VFC Gilbert Thomas, FC John Laurent, VFC David Corner, FC James Tholen, VFC George Bartuska, FC Michael Massimini, VFC Martin Richardson Jr., FC Marcella Ruso, VFC
Division 7 Appointed Staff 2020 Auxiliary Scouts Communications Communication Services Diversity Finance Auxiliary Food Service Information Services Human Resources Materials Marine Safety Member Training Navigation Systems Operations Public Affairs Publications Public Education Partner Visits Secretary Vessel Examinations
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Stephen Browning, SO-AS David Rockwell, SO-CM Vacant John Kline, SO-DV Jack Lee, SO-FN Patrick McAlvey, SO-FS John Robbins, SO-IS Daniel Helou, SO-HR Anthony Hooper, SO-MA Brian Garry, SO-MS Eugene Keller, SO-MT David Perillo, SO-NS George Hornby III, SO-OP Kevin Buckley, SO-PA Dorothy J. Riley, SO-PB James Fogle, SO-PE Donald Rimel, SO-PV Zelda Troiano, SO-SR Charles Mills, SO-VE
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We’re on the web! http://A07007.wow.uscgaux.info You can contact any of our officers on the Division 7 web page!
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, SOPB, email address: dottieriley@gmail.com
Cover photo: Auxiliary crews from Division 7 District 7 train to conduct towing evolutions. Like their Coast Guard counterparts, Auxiliarists must be always ready in the event of a real search and rescue emergency. USCG Auxiliary photo by Valerie Fernades, Flotilla 78 Pass-aGrille 3
From the Helm Greetings from the Division 7 First, let me start by wishing our Commander members and their families a healthy and happy holiday season. I would also like to give a special welcome to our new members and Welcome Aboard.
Tony Novellino DCDR
on track toward a 5% gain in membership, and well-- we all know what hit us in early March. Auxiliary leadership ordered us to stand down from almost every activity.
By the middle of the year, we realized this “Coronavirus” AKA We started 2020 with a great set of COVID-19 would be with us for an explans and ready to go in our mission tended time. Division 7 began virtual to teach and promote boater safety training starting with Team Coordinaand in direct support of the Coast tion Training, virtual Public Education Guard. classes at Flotilla 79 Tampa, ZOOM In January and February, we partic- meetings, and virtual certification ipated to support to the Coast Guard through online testing in areas of and law enforcement with security pa- member interest that formerly needed trols and radio watch for Tampa Bay’s a proctored exam for certification. We biggest annual event, Gasparilla. We have learned to adapt. continued to support Clearwater Air Auxdata II changeover during a Station with the C130 logistics suppandemic shutdown has provided port mission. We held radio watches challenges. Still, our division Inforat Station St. Petersburg. We worked mation Services leaders have done on navigation systems at Sector St. a Bravo Zulu job to help us learn the Petersburg and held Public Educanew tool and adapt-- a challenge for tion classes throughout the division. ALL of us. Vessel Examinations and Program We are still adapting and following Visits were on track to exceed 2019 numbers, and recruiting efforts had us smart safety measures and Centers for Disease Control guidelines. We are back to performing logistics patrols with Clearwater Air station and supported the active duty recruiting arm of Sector St. Petersburg, and some Food Services requests are beginning to pop up. (See pages 28-29) COVID-19 vaccines are on the horizon, so we may start moving toward the new normal as we transition into the new year. Let us pray for this pandemic to end so that we may not only resume a more normal lifestyle with friends and family but also with the Auxiliary and Coast Guard. Again, Happy Holidays, and I wish everyone a safe and fruitful New Year! Ω
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From the Helm They also serve who only stand and wait. -John Milton, English Poet, 1608-1674 And wait. And wait. And wait. Then wait some more… Out of an abundance of caution, the United States Coast Guard- affectionately known as “the “Gold Side” by the Auxiliary- ordered a total stand down in March of 2020. We shortly thereafter learned just how many of us were 60 years of age or over. Most of us! So, we found ourselves in one of the most vulnerable age categories. What a challenge to our patience!
Riley suffered water damage in her home, as did Tony Novellino, Division Commander in which a broken water pipe caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages to his condo. Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg also suffered a broken water pipe which forced the closure of their building for several months and counting. Good news there in that the Gold Side, which owns the building, is going all-out on repairs with the promise of a much improved facility in the future.
Because of face-to-face restrictions the Auxiliary has turned to “virtual meetings” with ZOOM and other platforms. It has been a truly positive experience to feel the joy of Auxiliarists as they were able to reconnect. COVID-19 was a shame- how about Electronic fellowship! Moreover, our that for an understatement? - but it Information Technology professionals hit Division 7 right at the time when have really stood up. Kudos to Tony we were off to a fabulous start for the Hooper and John Robbins. Individualyear. Vessel Examinations, Public ly, our members have greatly expandEducation classes, Partner Visitaed their United States Coast Guard tions and Food Service were all on a Auxiliary knowledge, taking advantrack to set record highs for the year. tage of the lull in all other Auxiliary But then it all came crashing down. activities. With each passing month we hoped Thanks to the direction of Tom to resume our mission to improve Bamford, District Captain-West, we recreational boating safety and, evenhave maintained a high level of close tually, we were allowed to do so, but communication with Sector St. Peunder new restrictions. After years tersburg. Among other things we have of downplaying the effectiveness of learned that positive tests of Coronaonline Public Education instruction versus the Auxiliary’s in-person class- virus were taking place on the active duty side. Fortunately, there have es, we needed to adapt and Flotilla been no deaths. The Division 7 Aux79 Tampa led the way for the Diviiliary had three positive tests as well sion, becoming the “Go To” source for those boaters desiring to improve and all members have fully recovered. their boating skills. One can only marvel at the fact that new member recruitment continues The Memorial Day Weekend finalapace! This bodes very well for the ly found us back on the water with future of the Auxiliary, an Auxiliary that several Maritime Observation Missions, but that was it for on the water will have the highest numbers of cermissions for months afterward. Nev- tified and trained members we have ever seen. Semper Paratus! Ω ertheless, water still played a major role for us in 2020. Auxiliarist Dorothy INTERCOM
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News and information from the Division 7 Vice Commander
Kevin Buckley VCDR
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WHITE AWARD The White Award recognizes the radio amateur who has made the most significant contributions to amateur radio in the West Central Florida region for the year of the nomination. Steven Muller, Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg
Dave Rockwell W4PXE, of Saint Petersburg, was named the 2019 White Award recipient. The White Award, established in 2016, names the amateur radio operator who has made the greatest contribution to amateur radio in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) West Central Florida Section.
a General Radiotelephone Operators License. Rockwell has qualified as a Lead Instructor for the Incident Command System and actively supports Pinellas and Hillsborough county ICS training programs. Rockwell has taught two training sessions in Traffic Handling for the ARRL West Central Florida Section and participates in the Florida Phone Traffic Net, often serving as liaison to Eagle Net.
Rockwell has been fascinated with radio communications and electronics since the 1960s. In 2011, Rockwell became active in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, earning certification as a Telecommunication Operator providing land-based radio communications for Auxiliary vessels. This rekindled his interest in radio leading him to test for and pass both the Technician and General Class exams on first try in March of 2013. He later earned his Extra Class in September 2014. Rockwell was drawn to traffic handling and public service communications, both through his association with the Coast Guard and his prior experience in the United States Air Force radio in the 1970s. He became first a net control station for the Eagle Net, the NTS Traffic Net for the ARRL West Central Florida Section and later was chosen as the Net Manager for the Eagle Net.
Pinellas County Auxiliary Communications Service and Pinellas Amateur Radio Emergency Services (Pinellas County ACS/ARES) and is the night shift lead in the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center radio room. Rockwell is a member of the Saint Petersburg Amateur Radio Club (SPARC), the Glorious Society of the Wormhole, and is a volunteer examiner for ARRL, W5YI, and Laurel VECs. Rockwell is also currently an ARRL Technical Specialist and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the West Central Florida Group Inc., who owns and operates the NI4CE repeater system. Rockwell is a life member of the ARRL and has served as ARRL Public Information Coordinator for the ARRL West Central Florida Rockwell is an active member of the Section in 2015. Rockwell also holds
Rockwell’s other interests serving with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and serves as the Branch Chief, Contingency Communications on the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary National Staff and holds positions of Division and Assistant District Communications Officer in the Auxiliary. Rockwell’s professional career included serving in the United States Air Force as a Ground Radio Repairman, Augmentee Radiotelephone operator, and served 14 years as a Communications Computer Systems Engineer working on communications and computer security systems. Rockwell attended Strayer University and New Mexico State University graduating with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Rockwell also did a time as Chief Engineer of a college radio station and WPEP in Tauton, Massachusetts. After retiring from the (Continued on page 7)
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Nautical Terms and Expressions WHITE AWARD (Continued from page 7)
United States Air Force, Rockwell went on to serve as a Principle Systems Security Engineer supporting contracts with the Department of Defense, U. S. Treasury, and the FBI, culminating in a position as Chief Scientist with Federal Data Systems. Rockwell was an adjunct instructor for Strayer University and Hawaii Pacific University, specializing in object-oriented programming. Rockwell and his family now reside permanently in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The ARRL West Central Florida Section congratulates Dave Rockwell W4PXE on being named the 2019 White Award Recipient. The 2019 White Award was presented at the ARRL forum during the Tampa Bay Hamfest Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. Ω
Photo: Dave Rockwell, Sept. 2019 at the District 7 Training Conference in Orlando. (U.S.C.G. Auxiliary photo)
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Heaving a Line
Division 7 crew training April 2019 by Valerie Fernandes, Flotilla 78 Pass-a-Grille
George Papabeis, Staff Officer-Public Affairs Flotilla 74 Brandon
“We need someone capable to go to the front of the boat and prepare to receive a line. Please put the loop on your front left cleat and have the operator of the vessel steer to track with us.” All boat crew members in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are familiar with this direction. It is one in a series of questions and instructions we are trained to calmly and methodically deliver to a vessel in distress. At this point, an Auxiliarist heaves a line to the disabled boat, creating a physical connection between the two vessels. The exchange ends with: “We will tow you to the nearest safe haven....” It is a pact between those in need and those who can offer assistance. The heaving of the line is in its own way metaphor for all those who serve in the Coast Guard, Armed Forces, first responders, medical personnel, and in this latest national emergency the “front line” of essential workers. All participate and expose themselves to harm in service of their families, community, and nation regardless of their sex, age, ethnic background, religion or political affiliation. Even those who are not actively serving, just “plain” ordinary citizens, do their part by following quarantine and social distancing. Humanity’s strength is in its cooperative endeavors, and in the recognition that we are all “in boats” and that our allegiance is to each other. All of the previously mentioned services sacrifice their time, personal comfort and economic resources. Our challenge will be to maintain that which is required over an uncomfortable period. Our resources, physical, mental and spiritual, will be tested. I have faith that our service, our nation and most importantly, our peoples will weather this storm and reach a safe haven. It will take courage, endurance and patience. We are up to this task. Ω
Start Water and Boating Safety Instruction Early Flotilla 75 Apollo Beach in Elementary Schools
Auxiliarist Tony O’Reilly (now deceased) and Pat Stone, both members of Flotilla 75 Apollo Beach, teach water and boating safety to elementary students May 2019. Teaching children about water and boating safety and the importance of wearing a life jacket is one of the best ways to ensure that boaters will be aware of, and receptive to boating safety education as adults. (United States Coast Guard Auxiliary photo submitted by Kevin Buckley)
Happy Holidays!
(Background photo from Unsplash, royaltee free-to-use photographs. Logos added by Dottie Riley) INTERCOM
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Easy Submittal of Auxiliary E-Forms John Robbins, Staff Officer-Information Services Division 7
Due to some issues with AUXDATA II, many members prefer to continue submitting their activities that are not reported on the 7029 via the Auxiliary E-Forms http://forms. cgaux.org/email1.php. Since many browsers do not run JavaScript (required for the Auxiliary forms), you may have had problems submitting the forms electronically. If you get the “yellow page” as the first page of a 7030, then your browser will not work. Sometimes you may not get the yellow page, like in Internet Explorer, which should work, but the form will still not submit. Since Microsoft will stop supporting Internet Explorer in August 2021, and there are already security issues with it, here is a way to submit the forms explained briefly on the yellow page. It will also save you time reporting future activities using that type of form. 1. With the E-form open in any browser, save or download it to your computer. 2. Open it on your computer with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If Acrobat Reader is not your default appli-
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cation for PDF files, you have to do an Open with; otherwise, it will probably open in Microsoft Edge. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader on your computer, you can get it here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you have Adobe Acrobat, you can use that as well. 3. Please fill out the form and save it using a name with the date submitted; for example, 7038 07AUG20.pdf. Be sure you have the email address for your FSO-IS or SO-IS in the Recipient’s email address box. 4. Click on the submit button. The next time you need the form, open the file, change the dates and anything else that needs to be modified, then Save As with a new date in the file name and submit. If the Auxiliary stops posting the forms on the Internet, I think you will still be able to submit them with this method. If they do not submit electronically, you can always attach the file to your FSO-IS or SO-IS email. Ω
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Florida Manatees Manatees reclassified from an endangered to a threatened species. By Dorothy Riley, Staff Officer-Publications 7
Manatees are large mammals of the order Sirenia, named after the Greek mythological sirens thought to lure sailors to their graves. There is, however, nothing sinister about these slow-moving, gentle giants more closely related to elephants than to any other Mammalian order. They are very tactile creatures, are known to touch swimmers deliberately as well as inanimate objects in the water and are never aggressive. The West Indian (Florida) manatee was once abundant throughout the tropic and subtropical western North and South Atlantic and Caribbean waters. Today, the West Indian manatee is listed as an endangered species throughout its range. The range of the Florida manatee is primarily peninsular Florida but extends as far north as Rhode Island. Manatees have been rescued near Houston, Texas, and Mississippi. Adult West Indian manatees average about 10 feet in length, but large individuals may reach lengths of up to 13 feet. Average adult weights are approximately 800 to 1,200 pounds. One particularly large Florida manatee weighed 3,650 pounds. Females are generally larger than males. Despite their large size, when a boater spots a manatee, it is often no more than its snout breaking the water’s surface for air. A manatee’s body is streamlined but thick in the middle and ends in a paddle-like tail. They are gray, and their bodies often are scarred from brushes with propellers, sharp protrusions on boat docks and piers or fishing hooks and lines. All manatees live in warm, tropic or sub-tropic waters in temperatures above 64 degrees. They prefer shallow waters near shores, inlets, and mangroves where vegetation is plentiful. Manatees feed on more than 60 species of plants including turtle grass, manatee grass, shoal grass, mangrove leaves, various algae, INTERCOM
water hyacinth, acorns and Hydrilla. The shallow shorelines preferred by manatees are also filled with docks and boat ramps. The preference for shallow waters places manatees in grave danger from recreational boaters and accounts for many of their injuries and accidental deaths.
include the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 2017. Penalties can include a year in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
In previous years, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported one in eight manatee fatalities were caused by humans (allisions with vesFlorida’s manatees breed year-round. Their gestational period is 12 months, and sels, etc.) Florida manatees had another deadly year in 2019. An estimated 531 they live to be 50 to 60 years old. They manatees died in Florida waters between communicate with chirps, trills and other Jan.1-Dec. 31, 2019. Injured manatees sounds, keep their young calves close, should be reported as soon as possible and are semi-social creatures. to Florida Fish and Wildlife or the Coast According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Guard. Service, the Florida manatee has grown During a visit to the Apollo Beach to a minimum of 7,520 animals, and as a manatee viewing platform, Kevin Buckley result, the species was reclassified from watched as Blacktip sharks chased fish an endangered to a threatened species underneath the TECO viewing platform under the federal Endangered Species but could not understand why they were Act in May 2017. Still, it continues to uninterested in the nearby Manatees. be one of the most endangered marine He made some phone calls and was mammals in the United States. Federal informed by a Florida Fish and Wildlife and state laws have been passed that scientist that the best they could say was protect Florida manatees. Federal laws that Manatees “just weren’t on the shark prohibit hunting, capturing, killing or menu.” Ω harassing these animals. These laws
Florida manatees congregating in the warm waters next to the Tampa Electric power plant in Apollo Beach, Florida. Tampa Electric built a viewing platform where visitors can see manatees during the cold winter months. (Photo by Dorothy Riley) Winter 2020
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GASPARILLA
Get Ready for the Annual Invasion of Jose Gasparilla’s Pirate Krewes! Edited/updated excerpt from article written by David Rockwell, Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg, published in Spring 2019 issue of INTERCOM. Photo by George Papabeis, Flotilla 74 Brandon.
Annually since 1904, with only 10 exceptions, Tampa Bay has been “invaded” by pirates. For more than 50 of those years, the U.S. Coast Guard and Auxiliary have assisted in keeping the thousands of boaters who came to watch safely. The coming year will be no different, as the pirate ship José Gasparilla sails into the Port of Tampa Saturday, Apr. 17, 2021, likely once again escorted by the Tampa Fire Rescue fireboat Patriot with its water cannons fully energized and trailed by an armada of vessels for the 2019 Gasparilla Pirate Invasion. (Ye Mystic Krewe of the Gasparilla and event organizers resheduled the event from January to April due to the pandemic.) Gasparilla is said to be the largest boat parade in the nation. It has seen as many as 3,000 boats participating, and nearly every year draws 300,000 spectators. One year, the parade drew an estimated one million. The Coast Guard’s primary mission, along with its partner agencies including the Auxiliary, is to provide safety and security for the Gasparilla parade, usually attended by thousands of recreational boaters. If you plan to participate in the 2021 invasion, be sure to contact your Flotilla Commander or Flotilla Staff Officer-Operations, and to attend the pre-event briefings. Ω
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AUXDATA II How to Create An Activity List for Your Flotilla. John Robbins, Staff Officer-Information Services, Division 7
Select Activity Logs at top Click down arrow next to list name at top left. Select All. On upper right, click on settings dropdown and click on Clone. Enter a List Name like Flotilla 75. Default Only I can see this list view should be selected. Click Save. Once the clone opens, close the filter box for now. Click on settings again then click on Select Fields to Display. Moving fields between Available Fields and Visible Fields, put the ones you want in the box for Visible Fields. Use the up and down arrows at the right to put them in the desired order. Some of them, like Last Name of Member (LEAD) or ID Number (LEAD) don’t work. Here is what I used:
Number of Exams Given Number of Visits Operations Code Review Status (You will want to see this when you are submitting activities.) When they are all set up, click Save. You can always go back and change them later. Now click on the Filters icon at top right. Then click on the Filter by Owner box and change to All Activities. Click Done. Click on Add Filter. Create a filter with Unit Number…equals...DSTDVFF (where DST = District, DV = Division and FF = flotilla number; for example 7070705. Click Done then click Save. You can also add a filter for Mission Start Time like this to just get year-todate activities.
Activity Record Number (That is how the system tracks activities.) Unit Number (I use this because I You can add or change filters as deal with several flotillas. You may not desired. need it.) Mission Start Time (Mission To change the sort order by date, Date doesn’t work.) put the cursor over Mission Start Time Mission Code Duration and an arrow will appear. Click the Summary of Activities (This used to arrow to change from earliest date first to most recent first. be called Remarks and is the same as the last column in the old AUXDAClick the pushpin icon next to TA. Many FSOs would put last name the list name to make it the default and mission code here. I use it bewhen you open Activity Logs. cause Names does not work.) You are all set! Ω
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His name is known throughout the division, and here is a face to place with the name! John Robbins, Staff Officer-Information Services, Division 7, has resolved more AUXDATA and AUXINFO problems than any other member of the division. He is the “go to” AUXDATA guru. Photo provided by John Robbins and superimposed over a license free-to-use binary background by Dottie Riley.
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Conducting Vessel Examinations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. James Nabach, Flotilla Staff Officer-Vessel Examinations Flotilla 74 Brandon
In compliance with USCG Auxiliary directives during the COVID-19 pandemic, permission must be received from the Flotilla Commander (FC) and/or Flotilla Vice Commander (VFC) for each event planned. To obtain permission, you need to submit a copy of ANSC-7101 (Rev 07-20) Auxiliary COVID-19 High-Risk Assessment Form as well as a Risk Mitigation plan. Please also copy your Flotilla Staff Officer-Vessel Examiner (FSO-VE to keep them in the loop You need submit this information only once, but MUST, per USCG Auxiliary directives, notify the FC, VFC and FSO-VE of each Vessel Safety Check event planned, specifying date and time. Approval MUST be granted before the event to comply with directives. In addition, and unrelated a tto COVID 19, please rememp ber that ALL b activities under a tthe aegis of the Auxiliary reA quire a verbal q or written notifio ccation to a staff officer regarding o departure and d rreturn times from each mission (in e REAL TIME) in R order for you to o rremain under the Auxiliary’s insurA ance umbrella a while traveling w tto and from and when on misw ssion.
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Suggested Risk Mitigation Plan 1. I will be wearing and instructing the boater to wear face coverings during the Vessel Safety Check (VSC). 2. I will be wearing disposable gloves during the VSC. 3. As much as possible, social distancing will be followed, even though masks will be worn. 4. I will have hand sanitizer with me and both I and the boat owner will sanitize any contact surfaces as well as our hands following the VSC. 5. Immediately after the VSC, I will properly wash my hands with soap and water, rinse and dry. Please remember to send BOTH the High-Risk Certification and your Risk Mitigation Plan to your Flotilla Commander and Flotilla Vice Commander. You would not be remiss to copy your FSO-VE as well. (A note on the High-Risk Certification: If you check on the form that you ARE in the high-risk category, it will NOT automatically disqualify you. It is how you propose to MITIGATE that risk that will allow our FC and VFC to decide if you may proceed with missions, so make sure you submit a Mitigation Plan in line with Centers for Disease Control and local guidelines.) Ω
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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has designated manatee “no wake” zones from Nov. 15-March 31 in the Tampa Bay area. Due to the pandemic, few members have participated in on-the-water activities. All we can enjoy are photos of the waters we know and love so well. (Photo by Tampa Bay Estuary Program, free to use)
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Honoring Those Who Served Veterans Day: Nov. 10, 2020 Wreaths Across America: Dec. 19, 2020
Arlington National Cemetery. (Image from Wikipedia Commons)
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Operation Extended Hands Recently, a devastating fire destroyed two Coast Guard homes near Coast Guard Station Cape Hatteras Inlet, N.C. with fatalities and total property loss. The Auxiliary Association asks you as a member of the Coast Guard family to extend your hand to assist those in need. The Auxiliary Association has established OPERATION EXTENDED HANDS to receive your donations. 100% of all donations will go to USCG Cape Hatteras Station to provide assistance to the families affected. Our hearts and prayers go to our shipmates and their families. Your help is much needed and appreciated. Make your checks payable to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association
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and please write “OP-Extended Hands” on the check. Mail to Coast Guard Auxiliary Association 1301 West First St. Suite E-1 Granite City, IL 62040 https://www.cgauxa.org/
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All members District 7: A new memorandum has been issued from the Chief Director of Auxiliary, AUXILIARY COVID-19 RECONSTITUTION GUIDANCE CG-BSX-1 8 JUL 20. This was released to the active duty and obtained by some Auxiliarists. I will be consulting with the CDR Briggs, CWO Browne and Pat McMenamin, DCOS, on how this affects our District 7 policy currently in place. Any member participating in patrols, surface or air, must complete the training requirements as stated on Page 3 of the Reconstitution Guidance. Note that a copy of your passing the training along with your risk assessment must be submitted to the OIA before any patrols taking place.
Please take the time to READ these new guidelines and forward any questions via the Chain of Leadership and Management. Stay safe and healthy. COMO Gary P. Barth, District 7
AUXILIARY COVID-19 RECONSTITUTION GUIDANCE CG-BSX-1 8 JUL 20
http://rbsafety.d11nuscgaux.info/ve/ docs/2020covidVSC_Policies/AUXCOVID19-RECONSTITUTE-GUIDE08JUL.pdf Photo: Toni Borman, District Captain-West (e) wears a face mask at a recent award ceremony. (USCG Auxiliary photo)
Further information will be sent once we have been able to meet and compare the new guidelines vs. our District 7 policy. INTERCOM
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Let us enlighten you about LED lighting! Potential interference of VHF-FM Radio and AIS Reception.
Reprinted from SAFETY LINES, issue 1, 2020, newsletter for the Auxiliary Prevention Directorate Holiday boat parade in Tampa. (Photo by George Papabeis, Flotilla 74 Brandon
The holiday season is a festival of lights. We drape our homes in lights and many recreational boaters also decorate their boats for the season. Light-emitting diode) LED lights are becoming more popular due to their brightness and lower energy consumption, but there are hazards too. The U.S. Coast Guard has received reports from crews, ship owners, inspectors and other mariners regarding poor reception on VHF frequencies used for radiotelephone, digital selective calling (DSC) and automatic identification systems (AIS) when in the vicinity of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting on board ships (e.g., navigation lights, searchlights and floodlights, interior and exterior lights, adornment). Radiofrequency interference caused by these LED lamps were found to create potential safety hazards. For example, the maritime rescue coordination center in one port was unable to contact a ship involved in a traffic separation scheme incident by VHF radio. That ship also experienced very poor AIS reception. Other ships in different ports have experienced degradation of the VHF receivers, including AIS, caused by their LED navigation lights. LED lighting installed near VHF antennas has also been shown to compound the reception. For more information and instructions on how to test for the presence of LED interference and possible remedies, read the complete Coast Guard Marine Safety Alert 13-18 found at: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/ Alerts/1318. pdf?ver=2018-08-16-091109-630
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Division 7 Embraces Online Staff Meetings By Dave Rockwell, Flotilla 72, St Petersburg FL
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he Division 7 staff, lead by Tony Novellino, Division Commander, and Kevin Buckley, Division Vice Commander, has embraced online video teleconferencing using Zoom, in place of face-to-face meetings. Most of the division staff officers have joined the meetings. The venue has proven to be extremely valuable in reinvigorating discussions and information exchange. Though Division Board of Directors, the Flotilla Commanders of the constituent flotillas, have joined in on our division staff meetings. Online video conferencing has proven to be an extremely valuable tool for our division. Faced with the restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Division 7 ceased all our inperson meetings. At first, we thought the situation would improve within a couple of months, so the division leadership decided to forego any awkward arrangement to get together. Many of our Auxiliary members fall within the high-risk groups for COVID-19 infection. Tony Novellino, adopted an “abundance of caution” approach, ensuring the division members were not exposed to the virus. As the ‘couple of months’ grew to half a year, it was evident that the Division 7 staff needed to meet in a forum where the latest information could be shared. Tony Novellino and Kevin Buckley used email dissemination effectively to keep people informed, but the personal touch was missing.
Bridge that we establish teleconferences as a means of meeting. John Robbins, Staff Officer-Information Services, recommended the Zoom video teleconferencing service. Others in the division had embraced online video teleconferences as a means of conducting training. Tony Hooper, Team Coordination Training Facilitator, used Zoom to conduct Team Coordination Training (TCT) refresher sessions to keep division operations staff current in Risk Management. Dave Rockwell, SO-CM, used another video teleconferencing service to conduct multiple sessions to the 2020 National Telecommunications Workshop. Some of the flotillas have adopted online fellowship meetings to keep their members informed and motivated. Almost all of the division members embraced the new technology. Division 7 held its first online session Nov. 11, 2020, hosted by John Robbins and lead by Tony Novellino. Novellino announced the results of the division elections. Tony and Kevin will continue for another year. Tony told the team he was looking to formalize the roster of staff officers and contact each of the candidates. All those attending agreed that the meeting was extremely valuable. Some recommended that we consider the online format for future meetings even after the pandemic restrictions are lifted. Ω
Many staff members recommended to the Division
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Public Education Has the COVID-19 pandemic brought your Public Education mission to a grinding halt?
Virtual PE Classes Help Reach Boaters The Public Education Team wishes to offer Flotilla instructors and Public Education staff officers at every level the most current training and tools to give Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGAUX) Virtual Public Education (PE) Classes. Below is a conveniently organized set of presentations and resources to help the Flotilla Staff Officer-Public Education to organize, train staff, create, set up, present, test, survey, and assess CGAUX Virtual PE Classes. The information is presented in modular form and is offered in PDF and PPT versions. •
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We have learned that CGAUX Virtual PE Classes can enable students and instructors to communicate “virtually” as well as or even better than, in face to face classes. And with practice can expand to more courses.
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CGAUX Virtual PE Classes, as differentiated from online or webinars, offer a rich visual experience for instructors and students to see and hear each other, convey body language and facial expressions, express sincere feelings of understanding and empathy, and create a fun learning environment.
As of mid-October 2020, an estimated 54 virtual classes have been held for 2215 students, 196 youths and 149 families, grossing $43,203 in fees from classes.
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Boaters can learn more easily from the comfort of their homes or offices, alone or with their families. They do not need to travel, find parking, pay tolls or parking fees, or go through other similar inconveniences. And many have found the actual classes better for learning and enjoying the experience. They have given us glowing feedback and have referred us to their families and friends.
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CGAUX Virtual PE Classes offer the skill and experience of “CGAUX Virtual Instructors,” E-Directorate certified to teach virtual classes, typically with strong boating backgrounds or other qualifications such as navigation, first aid and communications.
negotiate, suitable classrooms or to fight traffic, inclement weather and risk late nights out. Only state-certified courses are limited to the state; all other virtual course offerings may be offered nationally. Geographic limitations do not restrict virtual classes. •
CGAUX Virtual PE Classes can bring in to the flotilla the financial income to support all other CGAUX-approved programs to further our missions. The only limitation on the use of PE income is on activities that are not approved missions.
The Public Education Directorate webpage’s content will evolve as training and tools are developed. Check out all of the available resources at: http://wow.uscgaux.info/content. php?unit=E-DEPT&category=virtual-pe-classes and please return often.
(Source E- Directorate page cited CGAUX Virtual Instructors can above. Note: you must be signed in to reach many more boaters in access resources.) many more locations more quickly and can more efficiently set up more classes than heretofore. No need to lug books and equipment, or to locate, reserve, Winter 2020
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VHF-FM is the primary method for communications during ordered patrols. The use of mobile phones and phone applications aboard Auxiliary Surface Facilities (vessels) is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Coxswain and only on a case by case basis. The Coxswain should take into consideration a variety of factors using risk management principles before allowing the use of mobile phones. When
a crew member is allowed to use a mobile phone, the Coxswain will assure that there is a proper lookout posted and the rest of the crew are attentive to their duties. The helmsman is prohibited from using a mobile phone. BSX Policy Letter 19-05, July 18, 2019
Reminder: Cellphone Use Prohited Aboard Auxiliary Vessels.
Image created by Dottie Riley. Photo sources: free to use photo by @ michsoledesign on ‘Unsplash’ with crew photo by Valerie Fernandes, Flotilla 78 Pass-a-Grille/ St. Pete Beach
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Where Is She Now? Grace Marchant, former member of Flotilla 78 Pass-aGrille/St. Pete Beach
Top photo: Grace Marchant participating in the St. Pete Beach Christmas Parade.
“Aim High ... Fly-Fight-Win” Grace Marchant, and Bravo Zulu from the members of Division 7 USCG Auxiliary!
Grace Marchant was an honorary member of Flotilla 78 Passa-Grille/St. Pete Beach before she was old enough to join the Auxiliary. Our members were proud of her and her commitment to the Auxiliary’s boating safety initiatives. She proudly assisted at Vessel Examination and Public Affairs events including parades such as the annual Christmas parade in St. Pete Beach. When she was old enough to join, she did become a member before leaving for the Air Force Academy where. Grace is currently in her senior year. Grace proved to be “Semper Paratus” and is now ready to “Aim High ... Fly-Fight-Win” We are still proud of her! Ω Reprinted from SCUTTLEBUTT, October 2020, newsletter of Flotilla 78 Pass-a-Grille/St. Pete Beach, Valerie Fernandes, editor
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The USS Arizona (BB-39) burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Photo:US Navy
By Dorothy J. Riley, Staff Officer-Publications 7
ing an attack so close to home, the naval facilities at Pearl Harbor were relatively undefended. Almost the entire Pacific Fleet was moored around Ford n the hours leading up to 6:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. Island in the harbor, and hundreds of airplanes were 7, 1941, the crew of CGC Tiger had no warning that their day would take a turn for the worst. Berthed squeezed onto adjacent airfields. at Pearl Harbor, a naval base near Honolulu, the The day after the assault, President Franklin D. morning for the cutter and its crew started out like Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. any other. This declaration catapulted the U.S. into wars on two fronts- both the Pacific and the Atlantic. Germany, There was just one confusing blip: the USS Ward Italy, and Japan had signed the Tripartite Pact in (DD-139), an American destroyer, sent out a radio 1940, better known as the Axis alliance, and Dec. 11, dispatch claiming to have engaged an unidentified 1941, Germany declared war on the United States. submarine and to have sunk it. For the next 30 The Coast Guard played a major role during World minutes, there were no further radio transmissions War II by protecting our extensive coastlines and or explanations. No one seemed to know anything placing most of their cutters under Navy control. The about a foreign hostile craft in American waters. Coast Guard ferried infantry soldiers to the beaches Then came the assault: just before 8 a.m. on that of Normandy on D-Day and contributed some of the Sunday morning, hundreds of Japanese fighter most famous photographs of that bloody event. planes descended on the base and destroyed or We as Americans will never forget Pearl Harbor Redamaged nearly 20 American naval vessels, includmembrance Day- Dec. 7- “the day that will go down ing eight battleships and over 300 airplanes. Less in infamy.” than two hours later, the surprise attack was over, and every battleship in Pearl Harbor—USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, In accordance with United States Code Title 36, Chapter 1, Section 129, the president of the United USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee and USS Nevada—had sustained signifi- States is requested to issue a proclamation (per Flag cant damage. More than 2,400 Americans died in the Code section 7(m)) for the United States Flag to be displayed at half-staff for the entire day (sunrise to attack, including civilians and another 1,000 people sunset) for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance were wounded Day, Wednesday, Dec. 7.Ω Because American military leaders were not expect-
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EL
Auxiliary Election ction Results Result 2021
2020 – 2022 National Board
COMO Malewski
(The term of office begins Nov. 1, 2020.
NACO(e)– National Commodore – Alex Malewski VNACO(e) – Vice National Commodore – Gus Formato DNACO(e)– Deputy National Commodore – Atlantic Area East and RBS - Gary Barth DNACO(e) – Deputy National Commodore – Atlantic Area West and Mission Support – Tom Mullally DNACO(e)– Deputy National Commodore - Pacific Area and Operations – Mary Kirkwood NACO(e) Commodore Alex Malewski is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Commodore Linda Merryman as the DNACO -ITP (Information Technology and Planning).
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2020-2022 District 7 Board
COMO Formato
Welcome 2021!
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Happy New Year!
(The term of office begins Jan. 1, 2021)
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District Commodore – Patricia McMenamin District Chief of Staff – John Holmes District Captain East – Robert Sherman District Captain North – Martin Goodwin District Captain West – Toni Borman
I O N S
COMO McMenamin
Holmes
2021 Division 7 Board
(The term of office begins Jan. 1, 2021)
Division Commander – Anthony Novellino Division Vice Commander – Kevin Buckley Flotilla 72 Commander – Dean Hoskins Flotilla 72 Vice Commander – Gordon Hornby Flotilla 74 Commander – Frank Goyco Flotilla 74 Vice Commander – William Sage Flotilla 75 Commander – George Wightman Flotilla 75 Vice Commander – Larry Binder Flotilla 77 Commander – John F. Laurent Flotilla 77 Vice Commander – James Urbanawiz Flotilla 78 Commander – James R. Tholen Flotilla 78 Vice Commander – Rollin M. Shouse Jr. Flotilla 79 Commander – George Bartuska Flotilla 79 Vice Commander – Mike Massimini Flotilla 7-16 Commander – Marcella Ruso Flotilla 7-16 Vice Commander – Howard Bush INTERCOM
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Novellino
Buckley
I don’t know about you, but I am suffering from COVID fatigue. Another year is ahead of us and with it comes more opportunities, including occasions to showcase our units and members. INTERCOM is a great place to do just that. As in previous years, INTERCOM, the newsletter for Division 7 is open to articles and photographs of your members in action. No event is too insignificant — some of the most routine things we do lend themselves to some of the best photographs for publication. These include Public Affairs events, Vessel Examinations, Recreational Boating Safety-Program Visits, Public Education classes, and radio watches as well as on-the-water activities. We love great photographs! Include a describes of WHO is in the photo, WHEN and WHERE the photo was taken, the name of the event (WHAT) and the name of the photographer. (This information should also be included when you post to social media.) With the advent of a vaccine, may next year be memorable.Ω 25
Auxiliary Training Opportunities Feel a bit disconnected from the Auxiliary during the shutdown? A great way to feel more involved is to take an Auxiliary course, earn a new qualification or simply take advantage of the many training opportunities available online. Recreational Boating Safety has many programs like Vessel Examiner and Partner Visitations, and we can always use more Instructors! Use this down time to expand your Auxiliary skills and knowledge. Ω
Marine Safety Training Ribbon
Initial Qualification
INSTRUCTOR The Marine Safety Training Ribbon tells your fellow Auxiliarists that you have made a significant commitment to the Auxiliary and the Marine Safety Field. The courses needed to qualify for the MSTR are the same as the pre-qualifying courses for the Trident Device. • • •
Course requirements are: Good Mate Introduction to Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (IMSEP) • FEMA ICS 100 • FEMA ICS 200 • FEMA ICS 210 (Coast Guard taught) or ICS 300 • FEMA IS 700 • FEMA IS 800 Completion of one Marine Safety PQS
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Auxiliary Core Training.
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Basic Qualifying Course (BQII) for those who joined o/a Feb.1, 2018 , Basically Qualified (BQ) or AUXOP (AX) status
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Introduction to Risk Management Work Requirements
Application for Marine Safety Training Ribbon (MSTR) is available by clicking this link: http://wow.uscgaux.info/?unit=P-DEPT
Program Prerequisites
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Download the Student Study Guide at the Instructor Development Site. Take the online exam for the Instructor Development Course at the National Testing Center. Complete PQS tasks for the assigned mentor’s signature.
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Make a 15-30 minute presentation with the assigned mentor present. Make a one-hour presentation with the assigned mentor present.
http://wow.uscgaux.info/content. php?unit=E-DEPT&category=virtual-pe-classes
During the pandemic, many units are using ZOOM to conduct business meetings and offer Public Education courses. Never used ZOOM and don’t know how to set up a ZOOM meeting or class? The E-Directorate offers both a PowerPoint presentation and PDF document explaining how. Go to: http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=E-DEPT&category=WHATSNEW
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Recreational Boating Safety Recreational Boating Safety is the first of the many missions of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The three Recreational Boating Safety Directorates are Vessel Examinations, Public Education and Recreational Boating Safety Outreach. These directorates work in tandem to reduce the number of boating accidents and casualties that occur in the U.S. each year. Each offers positions or qualifications at flotilla level to help spread the boating safety message. Vessel Examinations and Recreational Boating Safety Partner Visits http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=VDEPT The Vessel Examinations Directorate (Dir-V) includes two program areas: Vessel Examinations and Partner Visitations. New members are most often encouraged to first earn the Vessel Examiner qualification. As the name ‘Vessel Examiner”’ implies, a Vessel Safety Check entails checking recreational vessels to ensure that they carry the necessary safety equipment recommended by the National Safe Boating Council and to meet both national and state laws. These include but are not limited to life jackets, emergency flares, etc. As a certified Vessel Examiner, you will have the unique opportunity to work with and educate the recreational boating public. This one-on-one interaction will provide a vital opportunity to enhance a boater’s knowledge, and help ensure they have a safe, fun filled day on the water. The key to becoming a great Vessel Examiner is all in the training. Becoming a Vessel Examiner can be done by classroom instruction along with hands-on training, or by self-study along with some hands-on training. We recommend, however that you first accompany one of the flotilla’s Vessel Examiners and watch. (Yes, they observe social distancing rules and wear face masks during this pandemic.) They will enjoy the company and you will have the opportunity to learn and ask questions. Our flotillas need more qualified Vessel Ex-
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aminers. We often talk about our ‘low number’ of Vessel Safety Checks, but the impact on our statistics is not what is important. The importance lies in what is not said: every Vessel Safety Check not performed is a missed opportunity to educate the boating public and save a life! Wonder if you have the time? Like all our volunteer jobs/qualifications, you set your own schedule and you need only complete five Vessel Safety Checks a year- pass or fail- to retain your qualification. Partner Visitors are the Auxiliary’s “ambassadors” to the recreational boating public. Key to the Auxiliary’s dealer/partner outreach program are a cadre of trained Auxiliarists who visit our partners on a regular basis to drop off or restock boating safety literature displays, or to discuss upcoming special events. Partners may include bait shops, insurance agencies, marinas, or a branch of one of the world’s largest marine chandleries. In short, our partners are establishments frequented by boaters. Partner Visitors distribute literature – always at no charge – including the latest Federal and State boating safety brochures, booklets and handouts. Additionally, Partner Visitators provide distinctive literature easels to display this literature. After the initial visit, Partner Visitors may make visits in civilian clothing, and once you develop a relationship with these partners, they may call you to let you know what brochures they most need. This is one of the easiest qualifications to earn and maintain, and if you are already a Vessel Examiner, it only makes sense to also become a Recreational Boating Safety-Partner Visitor. Ω
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Division 7 Boat Crews Support Coast Guard Training Flights One of the favorite missions of Division 7 boat crews is to support Clearwater Air Station in conducting C-130 Hercules training flights. These training flights assist Coast Guard flight crew members to become dropmaster qualfied by dropping simulated message blocks and simulated life raft training bags from a C-130 to Auxiliary vessels waiting at designated positions within Tampa Bay. The Coast Guard C-130s swoop down and drop their packages near the Auxiliary vessel ‘targets’ below with amazing accuracy. It is a thrill to see these massive aircraft approach over the water’s surface! Due to the pandemic, supporting Coast Guard C-130 training flights is one of the few missions in which the Auxiliary continues to participate. Sometimes, the Coast Guard authorizes Auxiliary members to ride along in the C-130 Hercules. These members observe the process from the air and photograph the missions from above. In one such flight, Terry Hershman, Tom Bodi and Oresto Baffi, all members of Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport rode along in the aircraft.
About Clearwater Air Station Clearwater Air Station is the largest and busiest Air Station in the Coast Guard. In addition to the local area, our Area of Operations includes the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean basin, and the Bahamas. We constantly maintain deployed H-60s for Operations Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), a joint DEA, Coast Guard, Bahamian Turks and Caicos anti-drug and migrant smuggling operation in the Bahamas. We also have C-130s deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) operations in the Caribbean. This is done while simultaneously maintaining a constant Bravo Zero Search and Rescue response at home in Florida. The Air Station is commanded by Capt. Joseph T. McGilley. Ω Top: Terry Hershman (left) and Tom Bodi pose at the controls of a C-130 Hercules (Photo from 2015). Mid-page: The C-130 approaches the Auxiliary target vessel to drop its package Bottom: The package drops in the water close to the Auxiliary vessel with amazing accuracy. Photos by Oresto Baffi, Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport.
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Auxiliary Supports Coast Guard Recruiting Event Submitted by Tony Novellino, DCDR 7
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg held a recruiting event Dec. 5 at St. Pete Pier. Division 7 Auxiliarists supported this endeavor by setting up a boating safety and Auxiliary recruiting booth alongside them. The event was organized by Chief Erin Everson, Recruiter in Charge while Douglas Colwell, Division Chief- Recruiting Support served as lead for Auxiliary participation.
this year’s recruiting events when compared to all others resulting from the COVID-19 issues impacting their results. Additionally, Chief Everson stated how they are already looking forward to our next recruiting event, duplicating Saturday’s efforts, scheduled for Jan. 15, 2021 at the St. Pete Pier event to launch their recruiting efforts for 2021.”
Despite public response being light largely due to COVID-19 restrictions, both Coast Guard and Auxiliary participants deemed it a worthwhile event and placed Jan. 15, 2021 on their calendars for a follow-up.
Participating Auxiliary members were thrilled for the opportunity to support the Coast Guard, especially during the pandemic when Auxiliary participation in events is severely restricted. Ω
Auxiliary members participating included Tony Novellino, Division 7 Commander, Daniel Helou, Flotilla Commander Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg, Como Donald Lloyd, Como Kevin Cady, both from Flotilla 72 St Petersburg; Douglas Colwell, Bruce Talbot from Flotilla 9-10 Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Saraia Lamb from Flotilla 72, Pat McAlvey, Flotilla 75 Apollo Beach, and John Kline, also from the St. Petersburg flotilla. After the event, Colwell emailed Novellino: “BZ for a great event and for having recruited very professional Auxiliarists who were notably pro-active as they augmented Coast Guard Recruiting Office in Tampa Bay’s recruiting efforts. The members engaged the public when both recruiting new Auxiliarists and delivering our command message to always wear your life jackets when underway. “Chief Erin Everson, Recruiter in Charge and Chief Andrew Rupp both phoned me after we concluded our recruiting event to extend their gratitude and profound respect for your team. They stated how this public recruiting event has been a bright light for INTERCOM
Top: Auxiliary members support Coast Guard recruiting efforts Dec. 5 at the St. Pete Pier. The Auxiliary promoted boating safety as well as recruiting efforts. Below: Pat McAlvey photographs a fly-over by a Coast Guard helicopter, scheduled for public viewing during the event. Photos by Tony Novellino
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