THE SCUTTLEBUTT

Oct.. 2007 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Scuttlebutt Flotilla 12-8, 7th District Charleston, South Carolina Vol. 33, No. 10-October 2007
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Flotilla Web Site: http://www.uscgauxcharleston.org

Commanders Corner
Allen James, FC 12-8 We had an exciting September with the harbor cruise aboard the USCG Cutter Tarpon. Hope all those who were aboard enjoyed this special event. Thank you Flotilla 12-12, Edisto Island for their invitation to us. Attention All Hands ! October is our cookout month and on Wednesday, 10 October we will have our cookout at the base. Our Chefs are Dean Creed and Alan Miles who will prepare a Lowcountry Boil and a Fish Stew! All that with assorted beverages. The cost per person is $8.00 and reservations must be made by 1800 Sunday 7 October. For reservations e-mail me at: me at: jamesan38@bellsouth or Dean Creed at: dbcreed@comcast.net . Activities will start at 1730 and please bring exact change! By time you read this,12-8 will have completed the training of 12-12 Edisto Island's first crew class. All five candidate were passed by the QE's and now expect to start coxswain training. Edisto has three OPFACs, which will require coxswains from Charleston and Mt Pleasant to man for their patrols. Those OPFACs owners who can trailer their boats may want to conduct patrols at Edisto to get to know that area. See you at the Cookout! Hap James, FC 12-8

Vice Commander
Joe Fleming, FC 12-8 Summer is over and Fall has begun. Activity on the water will slow down a little, even so, our presence needs to be persistent. Waterway watch is one of our most important Inside jobs. FC ............. 1 Everyone at our last VFC .......... 1 meeting met Commander, CS ............. 3 Gerard A. Williams, who is FN ............. 6 the new head of Response at MA ............ 4 Sector Charleston. ComMS ............ 3 mander Williams is ready to MT ............ 2 put us to work. He will open OP ............. 7 PA ............. 4 new doors of opportunity for us, which we have never PB ............. 2 PE ............. 6 had. Operations needs more PS .............. 4 boats on the water. If we PV ............. ? cant fill our patrol needs, SR ............. 5 then we will never get the PV ............. ? chance to experience new VE ............. 6 opportunities. Calendar... 8 Our next meeting Trivia ........ 7 will be a cookout at base, lets all try to be there and enjoy the food and fellowship. Joe Fleming, VFC 12-8 Annual Flotilla Cookout 10 October, beginning at 1730. Bring your appetite.

Confidentiality Notice: Telephone numbers and addresses of members are protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. As a matter of policy, rosters of names, addresses and telephone numbers shall not be made available to the general public or any outside organization. Privacy of all rosters shall be safeguarded and the page clearly labeled. The publication of these rosters, addresses, and telephone numbers on any computer on-line service including the Internet is prohibited by the Privacy Act of 1974. The Auxiliary is guided by the current equal opportunities policies of the Commandant of the Coast Guard. No Person shall be subject to

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Publications

Member Training
Bob Mathewes, DSO-MT D7

Bob Mathewes, FSO-PB

he name of the game in getting the Scuttlebutt put together and having a meaningful publication is getting articles from the staff. You do the writing. I just put the pieces of the puzzle together and do a little polishing, where needed. I want to thank some staff members particularly. Hap James, John Sikes and Agnes Wright have not missed an issue. With my two, that makes five that have made a submission rate of 100%. There should be an asterisk on that statement. Jane Orenstein had a 100% rate as long as she was the Fellowship chair and Shirley Wolf hasnt missed a month when she was at the meeting to take the minutes. Joe Fleming, as both VFC and FSO-VE has a submission rate of over 85%, having missed only one month. The same is true of Eric Kilpatrick and Paul Berka. Only two staff members who have had their positions for the full year are below 75%. If you are asked to take a staff position in 2008, remember that your article for the Scuttlebutt represents your report to the flotilla. It is part of the duties and responsibilities that goes with the office. It is really not something to be viewed as optional. Thanks again to you who have taken your responsibility seriously and have helped to make the Scuttlebutt what it is. Bob Mathewes, FSO-PB ATON Verifier training class. 3 November from 0900 to 1300. Instructor: Mark Ratliff, ADSO-AN (n). If interested, send name, EMPID and email address to rhmathewes@comcast.net

ou are all familiar with the coxswains badge and most of you recognize the Trident device. How many of you recognize the device pictured above? It is the Recreational Boating Safety Device or RBS Device, for short. It was instituted in 2005 and is awarded on a point system. Activities involved in Boating Safety and reported on the 7030 form earn points toward the award of this device. The award of the Device is based upon the member earning 120 points per year for two consecutive years (total of 240 points to qualify). Points are be earned in the following mission areas: P ublic Education: 1 point per hour as lead instructor and 0.5 points per hour as an assistant/aide. P ublic Affairs: Activities pro moting RBS in the following areas: Public Lectures Given, Participation in Radio/TV programs, Information/ VSC Booths 10F. These hours are limited to actual mission hours and do not include preparation or travel. 1 point per hour. Vessel Safety Checks and Vessel Facility Inspections: 1 point per inspection. RBS Program Visitation: Based upon the number of RBS Program Visits. 1 point per visit. Legislative Outreach: Any hours recorded as Federal or State Legis lative Outreach State RBS Outreach: Any hours re
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Marine Safety
n March of 2007 a proposal for the realignment and naming of the Marine Safety and Operations Departments was Submitted to the NADCO-O. This involves the transfer of one Division from each Department to the other and the renaming of several others. Effective immediately the Marine Safety & Environmental Protection Department is the Marine Safety (Prevention) Department. The Commercial Vessel Examination Division is now Vessel Activities Division. The Marine Safety Division is now the Port and Facility Activities Division. The Department is responsible for the planning and administration of Auxiliary programs to support the Coast Guards Marine Safety and Marine Environmental Protection (M) Directorates Programs. This support includes, but is not limited to, support for marine environmental response assistance, port safety and security inspections, commercial vessel safety and security inspections (UTV, UPV, CFVE and other Foreign and Domestic Vessels) container inspection assistance, mariner licensing,/documentation/course audits, public affairs, area contingency planning, waterways management, MDA/ Americas Waterways Watch, MISLE support, and Environmental education. Agnes Wright, FSO-MS
(MT, Continued from page 2)

Communication Services

Agnes Wright, FSO-MS

John Sikes, FSO-CS

he Auxiliary Electronic Directory, (the "eDirectory") has passed another milestone: Over 10,000 Auxiliarists have now activated their eDirectory accounts. This is more than half of the 80% of Auxiliarists who have email addresses shown in AUXDATA. If you haven't yet activated your eDirectory account, now's the time to join your 10,000 fellow Auxiliarists who've visited the eDirectory and experienced the ease and usefulness of this Auxiliary resource. The eDirectory is a secure database of information about Auxiliary members' qualifications and email addresses. All data comes from the AUXDATA system. You can update your e-mail address, and other personal information in AUXDATA, by completing form ANSC 7028 and providing it to your IS Officer. To activate their eDirectory account, members need only a valid e-mail address in AUXDATA, their Auxiliary employee ID and zip code. To access the e Directory when on-line click this link http://www.auxedirectory. org/ Should you have any questions, comments and suggestions, you may send them to auxedirectory@gmail.com. John Sikes, FSO-PS

Partner Visitor
Paul Berka, FSO-PV Allen James is working on my certification as a PV. I am still looking for members to join the PV rank. Please call me at 843 559 4668 if you have an interest. Paul Berka, FSO-PV

corded as meetings with a state BLA or state BLA staff . With the exception of the legislative & State RBS Outreach categories, some of you could ear this with PE, VE and PV hours. Bob Mathewes, SO-MT

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Public Affairs
visited Mariners Caye and Sunset Caye Marinas in Folly Beach and they were pleased to make room for the pamphlet displays I left with them containing safe boating and vessel inspection literature. The same material in now on display at Folly Beach City Hall. The Mayor, Carl Beckman, praised the Auxiliary for its activities. Organizing the promotional literature was a bit frustrating. Our supply room on the third floor is in need of serious reorganization. The same pamphlets are found in multiple places and there are defunct files taking up considerable space. If I could get (a) volunteer(s) we could probably reorganize that room in a single morning or afternoon. A volunteer who has been with the Flotilla for several years would be preferable so that proprietary or personal material would not be discarded. Tom Jerussi, FSO-PA

Personnel Services

Tom Jerussi, FSO-PA

Alan J.P. Miles, FSO-PS

Materials
embers are encouraged to check the Materials section of our web page. www. uscgauxcharleston.org/ materials.htm. If there is something you need that you cannot find, contact me and I'll try to help you find the source. We have a new catalog and price list from Mustang if anyone is in need of a new jacket or the inflatable vest. Henry G. Wolf , FSO-MA

Hank Wolf, FSO-MA

am happy to report that things are shaping up in Personnel Services. There has been a lot of activity lately and things are looking very promising. Starting at the next monthly meeting, there will be coffee served for members at the meetings and possibly a light snack from time to time as my budget allows. The coffee is a definite. There is much excitement from the Gold Side in the form of the new Captain and Commander. They have accepted us with open arms and are very interested in using us to perform various tasks and duties alongside the Coasties, as well as on the water. We have several new members in the pipeline and should see some growth soon. I encourage everyone to keep up their attendance at the flotilla meetings in order to keep up with the changes and to get in on the excitement. Please, if you have ideas or just concerns, bring them to me so I can help. Thanks to all Ive served with this month underway, as well as on Vessel Exams. See You All at the next meeting. Alan J.P. Miles, FSO-PS

Happy Birthday
This Month To:

Marguerite Bishop..1st. Stanley Kablick......4th. Ellen Kreiling.....9th. Elizabeth Cowley.....15th. Lawrence Coste........27th. Tom Schmidt....28th.

Mark you calendar and plan to be at the November 10th meeting. It is time to elect your Flotilla Commander and Vice Commander for 2008

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Secretary Records
Shirley Wolf, FSO-SR Flotilla 12-8 Membership Meeting Minutes 12 September 2007 The meeting was called to order at 1905 by FC Allen James and commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance led by FSO-PE Eric Kilpatrick. Members present: Paul Berka, Dan Cowley, Richard Daniel, Bill Dempsey, Joseph Fleming, Allen James, Tom Jerussi, Eric Kilpatrick, Robert Mathewes, Alan Miles, Rick Miller, Robert Wieland, Henry Wolf, Shirley Wolf, Agnes Wright Visitors/Guests: Commander Gerard Williams, David DeBoben, Barbara Thibodeaux; FC introduced Commander Gerard Williams. Commander Williams stated that he wants the Auxiliary to be full partners with the Gold Side. He encouraged members to help Lt. Morgan Roeper to help him better serve us. He stated the Auxiliary could assist the Coast Guard with their training and help with gathering intel and reporting it to the Command Center. Also, we have the opportunity to contact the Command Center and have them assist us to run drills and perform SAR exercises. He is looking forward to working with us and would be happy to be invited back to speak on specific topics. FC welcomed all the guests and asked that the August minutes be accepted. Motion was made by Robert Mathewes to approve the minutes and was seconded by Alan Miles. FC compared the budget to actual and stated that there were no changes in the financial report. Financial report to be filed to record. FC stated that Division Vice Captain Reilly

suggested that we will have a special ceremony when the Citadel cadets join our Flotilla. FC presented the following awards: Alan Miles successfully completed the VE exam; Richard Daniel - certificate for Operation Services; Dan Cowley - certificate for 3 year requalification for coxswain; Henry Wolf certificate for 3 year requalification crew member. VFC Fleming called for Staff Officer Reports: FSO-PB Bob Mathewes stated that articles for the Scuttlebutt are due by 1700 on 25 September. Member Training: SAR course is totally changing. If you are interested, please take it before the end of the year. There is a shortage of qualified instructors. Train the Trainer will be offered nationally. If you are not certified you cannot teach the SAR course. FSO-OP Richard Daniel stated that he needs boats. If you have a boat, we need you on the water. A boat is needed for 23 September to run SAR patterns. FSO-MT reminded crew members that they need 12 underway hours on the water. FSO-PS Alan Miles has recruited six new members from Goose Creek. FSO-PV Paul Berka stated that he certified three Power Squadron members. FSO-PE Eric Kilpatrick thanked Robert Orenstein and Robert Lovinger for instructing the last ABC course. ABC classes are scheduled for four Tuesdays 25 September 9 October. Thanks also to the instructors who have stepped forward. There has been a name change for the ABC class. The new name is About Boating Safely. The instructors can use the old ABC books until the supply is exhausted. A Sailing Seamans class is TBD. FSO-VE Joe Fleming stated that there is a blitz scheduled for 16 September 1000(Continued on page 6)

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1400 at Leeds Ave. Boat Ramp. Old Business: None New Business: Elections will be held in November. Bob Mathewes is looking for candidates. Alan Miles stated that we have to look for ways to increase attendance: o Serve refreshments at meetings. o Members suggest topics and he will provide speakers. o Have 15 minute training sessions. Alan Miles offered to organize a cook-out to be held in lieu of the 11 October meeting. It was decided that the cook-out is scheduled for 1730 in the picnic area at the USCG Base. The charge of $8 per person will be collected at the cook-out. All members and their significant others are invited to attend. If possible, a tour of the Yellowfin will be scheduled. FC Comments: Flotilla members have been invited to join members of the Edisto Flotilla 12-12 to sail on the USCG Tarpon 14 September. In conjunction with this invitation Robert Mathewes demonstrated proper boarding procedures. Robert Mathewes motioned to adjourn the meeting and it was seconded by Paul Berka. Meeting adjourned at 1950. Next Meeting: Flotilla Cook-Out scheduled for 10 October 2007 at the USCG Base at 1730. Shirley Wolf FSO-SR

Finance

A A

Frank Leister, FSO-FN

ll but three members have paid their dues for next year, two with an excuse. Thanks to all for responding quickly. Our finances are in reasonably good shape as you saw in the report at the last meeting. We have about $1500 due to the Division/District for dues next year, otherwise there are no outstanding bills. Our budget versus actual looks a little skewed year-to-date but most of those items will fill out properly by the end of the year. Frank Leister, FSO-FN

Public Education
Eric Kilpatrick, FSO-PE nother session of ABC began 18 SEP through the Charleston County Community Education Program at James Island Charter High School. Thanks to Bob Lovinger and Bob Orenstein for their Instruction efforts. This session will also be conducted two evenings in October ending on the 9th. Seven students are enrolled in the course and things are going well. Another session will be conducted in November to finish out the year. Information about the November class can be found at the following link: http://www.charlestoncoce.org/ classdetail.cfm?ClassID=15708. The School will be handling registration and interested parties should contact them directly at 843-762-2793. Eric Kilpatrick, FSO-PE

Vessel Examination
Joe Fleming, FSO-VE I will announce plans for a blitz at meeting. I am waiting to see what weather will do. I will send flash out in October to all vessel examiners. Joe Fleming, FSO-VE

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Operations

Richard Daniel, FSO-OP

eptember has faded, the hot summer has passed and we have been fortunate enough not to have suffered a major hurricane. The weather pattern is changing seasons and with that comes the colder weather. Mustang suits will be in our near future so lets take advantage of October Patrols before the really cold weather causes us to cover up. We have about 10 qualified operational facilities in 12-8. For one reason or another we really have a track record in 2007 of fielding only 5 of the 10. Ever think of the math impact on this reality? 52 patrols throughout the year require the individual facilities to average being on the water 5 times per year. Not bad, not a strain and allows for 5 great boating trips to enjoy each others fellowship. Now reality in 2007 swings into place by going from 10 facilities to 5 facilities we need the five boats to hit the water an average of 10 times per year. Now that is really straining our faithful and dependable operational facilities. Surely we can do better than that, maybe 5 times a year is not possible but please offer your facility more than once or twice a year. We have three coxswain trainees ready to take their QE. Our tentative QE date is Saturday, 20 October. This will be a very big deal for these three gentlemen and your support and encouragement is always welcomed. They are fine sailors and dedicated to doing an outstanding job. TCT training will be conducted in Charleston in October. Some of you are required to take this TCT course this year in order to stay qualified. Please dont let this opportunity slip pass you. Also, TCT is al-

ways great training to go back through even if you dont need it at this time. Please contact Bob Mathewes or Allen James to get signed up. If you are interested in taking part in Operations let me know, you dont have to wait until 2008, now is the time to get involved. Richard Daniel, FSO-OP

Nautical Trivia

ast months trivia question was to name two early proponents of what was to become the Intracoastal Waterway. The first was the Secretary of the Treasury in 1808, Albert Galatin, for whom one of the 387 ft. High Endurance Cutters based in Charleston is named. The Secretary of War in 1819 who envisioned the waterway extending all the way to Texas was John C. Calhoun who was later Vice President. Correct answers were received from Joe Fleming, Reggie Hollar, Dick McLaren, John Sikes and Agnes Wright. For many years the only visible differences between the Coast Guard and Navy uniforms were the cap devices and the Coast Guard Shield on the sleeve. The current Coast Guard uniform is entirely different except for the officers cap device. On 1 October 1976, all Coast Guard personnel were required to have made the transition to the new uniform. The decision to make the change occurred on the watch of the previous Commandant. The new uniforms were known, unofficially, by a distinctive name that referred to the Commandant who decided to make the uniform change. Who was the Commandant and what was the name given to the new uniform?

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October 2007
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

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Last Quarter

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Flotilla Cookout 1730

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New Moon

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First Quarter

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Full Moon

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Halloween

Flotilla Officers
Flotilla Commander Allen James jamesan38@bellsouth.net Communication Systems John Sikes jsikes@netrockets.com Materials Hank Wolf hgw39@bellsouth.net RBS Visitor Paul Berka phberka@comcast.net Flotilla Vice Commander Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net Fellowship Vacant Marine Safety Agnes Wright seabrownie@bellsouth.net Personnel Services Alan Miles Aids To Navigation Vacant Finance Frank Leister Communications Dick Clarke clarkerc@netzero.net Information Services Chris Thomas irish29483@earthlink.net Operations Richard Daniel rbdaniel1829@aol.com Public Education Eric Kilpatrick ekilpatrick@earthlink.net

FCL@Lwinslow.com
Member Training Bob Mathewes rhmathewes@att.net Public Affairs Tom Jerussi jscaaty@bellsouth.net

bigcid@comcast.net

Publications Bob Mathewes rhmathewes@att.net

Secretary Records Shirley Wolf saw41@bellsouth.net

Vessel Examination Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net