THE SCUTTLEBUTT

Aug. 2011 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Scuttlebutt Flotilla 12-8, 7th District Charleston, South Carolina Vol. 37, 35, No. 8-August 3-March 2009 2011
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Flotilla Web Site: http://www.uscgauxcharleston.org

Commanders Corner
Alan Miles, FC 12-8
At the last flotilla meeting we did not have enough members attending to achieve a quorum to conduct business but we did attend to some necessary training. We held a briefing and update on forms submission and the new electronic form 7029 & 7030. We also discussed the AuxInfo report and Flotilla 128s own version of the AuxInfo report. We also learned how to look up the flotillas and each individual members total hours in the various programs. As mentioned we have thus far contributed in excess of 7,000 hours of service to the US Coast Guard. Keep up the great work and please, please document your hours on form 7029, for the work you have already done as well as any new hours worked The summer heat has arrived. We have had many Black Flag Days that limited our activities. If you do not pay attention to what your body is telling you, it could have serious consequences to you, your fellow crew members and jeopardize mission readiness. A few days ago, I took a temporary job unloading car and truck tires from semi-trucks at a tire distribution warehouse. The outside temperature was 103, and the temperature inside the semi trailer
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Vice Commander
Paul Thomas, VFC 12-8
Summer is now officially here and the way I can tell is that we were two members short of a quorum at the July meeting. I thank those members that did show up and stayed for the training program. We all have variInside ous commitments, and our FC ............. 1 monthly meetings are a commit- VFC .......... 1 ment. We now have over a hundred CM ........... 8 assigned members and to have less CS ............. 5 than a quorum is just interesting. As FN ............. 7 the Flotilla Commander reminds me HR ............ 4 this is a voluntary organization, IS .............. 2 but we took an oath to support the MA ........... 7 Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. In MS ............ 5 my opinion attending meetings on a MT............ 3 regular basis is part of that commit- NS ............. 7 ment of service. We need to be able OP ............ 8 to conduct business and without the PA ............. 8 members attending meetings on a PB ............. 2 PV. 4 regular basis we fall behind in conSR ............. 3 ducting our business. I am still new to this unit VE ............ 8 and would like to have the chance to Calendar... 10 meet some of the members that have Trivia........ 9 not attended, so if you have not been to a meeting in the last four months, plan on visiting us on the 2nd Wednesday of August at 1900 hrs at the Brass Buckle. If you cant get in the gate, call me at 843-810-9973 and I will get you in. Paul V. Thomas, VFC

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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Member Training
Bob Mathewes, SO-MT
he annual Sexual Harassment Prevention Workshop was held on 27 July. Only __ of our current ninety members were in attendance. There is a major push this year to document that every Auxiliarist in D7 has received this training. If you ere not present you need to do the following. Go to the Division 12 web site at http://dev02.cgaux.org/generic/ index.php?flo=070-12 Click on Members Only page. Log in with your member ID number and the password you use for the EDirectory. Click on Member Training Link At this point you can access the Sexual Harassment Workshop material as either a PowerPoint file or a .pdf file that can be viewed with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. There is also a link to the Sexual Harassment Training Completion Form. This form must be completed and sent to the Flotilla Commander attesting to the fact that you have completed the training. This must be accomplished by 15 August. If you are unable to access the material through the above procedure you may e -mail me at the address on the last page of this publication explaining the problem and I will forward the training material and the Sexual Harassment Training Completion Form to you. I request that you try the route through the Division 12 site first rather than just asking me to send it to you. Rarely does our leadership go to these lengths to assure that training material is disseminated to all the members. Please give your cooperation in this matter. It should take less than an hour to complete the entire process. THIS IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. Bob Mathewes, SO-MT

Information Services
Bob Mathewes, FSO-IS

here are still some members including members of the flotilla staff who are not submitting the paperwork on missions they have participated in. Worse than that there are people who have been lead on missions who have not submitted the forms. That not only hurts their record. It deprives the other participants of the hours that they earned. The majority of you are getting forms in regularly and in a timely manor. Together you have logged over 7,000 hours in various activities, 55 Partner visits and 357 vessel exams. Thats pretty impressive for less than seven months. Keep up the good work and get the forms in. The mission isnt complete until the forms are submitted. Bob Mathewes, FSO-IS

Publications
Bob Mathewes, FSO-PB

ou did it again. For the fourth time in six months every elected and appointed officer of this flotilla submitted an article for the newsletter. The members of the Citadel Detachment are on Summer Furlough and Cadet Sergeant Singletary is enjoying a summer vacation in the Coast Guard Boot Camp at Cape May, NJ. That earns him a respite from article composition. I need to request, once again, that you keep in mind that your article will not be read for several days after it is written. This month there were again references to events as future that were past at the time of publication. Bob Mathewes, FSO-PB

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Secretary Records
Pam Bray, FSO-SR
The 13 July 2011 Flotilla 12-8 monthly meeting began at 1900 led by Alan Miles, FC followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. In attendance were Alan Miles, Marguerite Bishop, Dan Cowley, Richard Daniel, Dwaine Harris, Agnes Wright, Bob Mathewes, Dick Clarke, Laura Meehan, Joe Fleming, Paul Berka, Paul Thomas, Barbara Thibodeaux, Tom Jerussi, William Carter, and Chuck Chirila FC Miles informed us that the Flotilla could not conduct business during this meeting because we did not have enough members in attendance to complete a quorum. All new and old business will be tabled until the August meeting. Marguerite Bishop thanked everyone who helped at the convention in Charleston. This is something she worked on for two years, and there were over 2,000 attendees . FC Miles asked Joe Fleming to report on the Division Meeting on Saturday July 9, 2011. Joe reported that NOAA donated several life jackets. He also announced that the Army is doing a parachute drop on 8 September at Lake Murray in Columbia. Division will have seven boats on the water, total. 12-8 will have one boat there. Barbara Thibodaux announced that she has a proclamation from the City of James Island and a letter thanking the auxiliary for our involvement in the Charleston Air Show. Adoption of minutes from last meeting tabled until next month. FC Miles then projected the Flotillas website, http://www.uscgauxcharleston.org/, and navigated through the D7 AUXInfo Report,

12-8 AUXInfo Report, and the 7029 Online Form. Through the AUXInfo reports, members can view their total hours as related to the Flotilla and the Flotillas total hours in relation to Division. FC Miles pointed out that our Flotilla currently reports 7,014.5 hours, with 4,789.5 hours in RBS. These are very good numbers and show we are doing a great job! FC Miles then trained the group on completing the 7029 online form. It is highly encouraged that these forms be completed and reported on a monthly basis. Please do not wait until the end of the year and cause the IS officer to enter all of your reports at one time. If you need help filling out the form, please ask! NOTE: When you submit your 7029 or 7030 forms, you should keep a copy of the submission report and any confirmation reports. This is not a requirement, but acts as insurance in the case that information is lost or incorrectly entered. We suggest starting a file or keeping a binder with your personal copies. Awards presented: William Carter-ABS Certificate; Chuck Chirilla-Introduction to Marine Safety & Environmental Protection and Fingerprinting; Laura Meehan-Vessel Examiner, Partner Visitor, and Auxiliarist of the Quarter Award; Bob Mathewes, TCT Training and Navigation Rules 95; Paul Thomas-2010 Recruiting Service Award Closing Announcements: Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Workshop will be held on Wednesday 27 July 2011 at 1900 hrs at the Brass Buckle. Civilian attire is okay. Chili dogs, coke, and chips will be provided. Membership dues of $45 will be due 1 August. Please pay yours on time. Laura Meehan, SR Pro Tem

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was an easy 130. I drank a 16 oz bottle of water every 20-30 minutes during the 6 hours it took me and one other guy to hand unload 22,000 pounds of tires from the truck. I checked my weight as soon as I got home and had lost 7 pounds in only 8 hours. This is crazy hot. The point is to be careful in this heat. Prepare yourself a few days before a mission. Strictly limit alcohol and caffeine consumption. Start hydrating a few days before an event and continue to drink frequently during the event. Listen to what your body tells you and check each others status often. Be careful! There remains about 3-4 months in the year to consider serving as the next Flotilla Commander, Vice Commander, or as Flotilla Staff Officers for 2012. Now is the time to think about what programs and changes you will make to guide this Flotilla into the future. Consider stepping up to the plate to help organize and run the Flotilla and advance your career. Im glad that I have served as your FSO, VFC, SO, and presently as the Flotilla Commander of the best unit in District 7. Let me know if youre interested or want more information. SEMPER PARATUS. Alan J.P. Miles, FC

Partner Visitor
Laura Meehan, FSO-PV

Human Resources
Paul Thomas, FSO-HR

ince the July training program at the Brass Buckle, I have sent out four new applications and am still working to complete one that was started in June. The last week of July I reviewed all the applications that I have not heard back from over the last two months. Thanks to all the members that have volunteered to be mentors for our new members. Paul V. Thomas, FSO-HR

he life-saving service you supply as a member of the Auxiliary is very gratifying, through on-the-water and off-the-water missions. As an additional incentive, the Auxiliary formally recognizes outstanding service through appropriate awards. For those who are VE and PV qualified, you can achieve an annual service performance award for VE/RBSVP. This is awarded for completing 60+ VSCs or RBSVPs, or a combination of the two. The details of this and other ribbons can be located in the Au xi l iar y M a nua l COM DT I NS T M16790.1F. Dwaine Harris is currently working for this Service Performance Award. He says that it gives him something to "work for" in addition to the CG Missions. Dwaine has done 32 MDVs for the month of July, which will enable him to exceed his goals, but remember that in order to receive the ribbon, you must report your activity. Don't forget to fill out your 7046 and 7029! William Carter passed his PV online exam in July. He will soon be PV qualified and will be joining our ranks! If you are not PV qualified yet, you can take the online exam here: http:// www.safetyseal.net/training.asp Laura Meehan, FSO-PV Have you done your July 7029 yet? If Not, Why Not?

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Communication Services John Sikes, FSO-CS

or what its worth, boaters and other users of our nations GPS system stand to lose our GPS navigational aid. A comment period during which boaters and others could express their thoughts on the matter closed on July 30. As a result of a proposal by a private company to use radio frequency bandwidth right next to the existing GPS radio bandwidth, the future reliability of the GPS system across the United States is now in question. The nation's largest recreational boaters group, BoatUS, says boaters could have a hard time avoiding treacherous shoals or simply finding their way home if GPS signals are interfered with, and is urging boaters to speak out during a 30-day comment period. At issue is an unusual conditional waiver granted in January by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to a broadband wireless communications provider, LightSquared, to permit the dramatic expansion of land-based use of mobile satellite spectrum. This spectrum, or frequency bandwidth, is directly adjacent to the frequencies used for Global Positioning System (GPS) communications. The company has proposed to build 40,000 ground stations. LightSquared's high-powered ground-based transmissions from these stations have shown to cause interference in hundreds of millions of GPS receivers across a wide range of uses, including aviation, marine, emergency response and industrial users such as delivery and trucking companies. A new report requested by the FCC says, "all phases of the LightSquared deployment plan will result in widespread harmful interference to GPS signals and service and that mitigation is

not possible." Recreational boaters lost their only other viable navigation system, LORAN, when the Department of Homeland Security shut the system down last year. At that time the US Coast Guard urged mariners to shift to GPS-based navigation systems. Boaters rely on GPS-enabled chartplotters to steer clear of navigation hazards, keep them in the safety of deep-water channels, or even get them home when storms shut down visibility. "They are a critical piece of safety gear," said Podlich. "What will boaters do if they are unreliable, and how will the US Coast Guard's new emergency search and rescue system that stands watch over 36,985 miles of coastline, Rescue 21, remain effective, since it relies on GPS?" Although we will be beyond the deadline for comments by the time this is published, boaters and other GPS users are urged to speak up by going to www.BoatUS.com/gov to send their comments to the FCC and their members of Congress. More information may be found at ht t p : / / www. p cmag . co m/ article2/0,2817,2387123,00.asp John Sikes, FSO-CS

Marine Safety
Bob Orenstein, FSO-MS
here is no new information regarding Marine Environmental Response. My meeting with Chief Ender that had been scheduled for July has been rescheduled at his request until after the Scuttlebutt deadline. Keep tuned for new programs coming next month. Bob Orenstein, FSO-MS

If you did not attend the Sexual Harassment Prevention Workshop on 27 July you need to check page 2 and follow the instructions.!

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Help Wanted
he following is a request from Luther Greer the Chief of the Regional Exam Center in Charleston. I urge you to assist in this project. Questions or replies may be sent to me at the e-mil address on the back page. I want to decorate the Regional Examination Center with photos/art work from our area of operation. ...The photos must be relevant to our AOR, and can include: marinas, light houses, waterfront facilities, waterfront restaurants, bridges, sunrises, sunsets, tall ships, any ships/barges/towing vessels, fishing vessels/fleets, copies of old Merchant Mariner Licenses/Documents, marine wildlife, any sufficient events, Coast Guard Stations, Cutters, small boats, etc. I would like each photo to include a short sentence/narrative of what the photos is of, the date it was taken, and who took the photo. I plan to include this info in a caption at the bottom of each photo once it is enlarged and framed. Below is a summary of the National Maritime Center and Regional Examination Center Charleston's missions and responsibilities. The National Maritime Center (NMC) (in Martinsburg, WV) is the licensing authority for the United States Coast. The NMC's mission is to issue credentials to fully qualified mariners in the most effective and efficient manner possible in order to assure a safe, secure, economically efficient and environmentally sound Marine Transportation System. In 2006 the National Maritime Center began the process of centralization of the credentialing process by combining all 17 Regional Exam Centers (REC) located throughout

the United States. RECs used to be the tasking authority in regards to issue Merchant Mariner Licenses and Documents to all mariners. However, this duty changed with the creation of the National Maritime Center. The 17 Regional Examination Centers, still operate as "storefronts and advocates" for mariners; and are mariners first stop toward obtaining a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). Complete applications for mariner credentials must be submitted through a Regional Examination Center (REC); and are accepted electronically, by mail, or in person with an appointment. RECs pre-screen applications, administer examinations and conduct oversight of Coast Guard approved courses. REC Charleston is one of the 17 Regional Examination Centers which were centralized in 2006. REC Charleston's area of responsibility covers the states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Along with the afore mentioned responsibilities; REC Charleston assists the OCMI's within this area (MSU Savannah, Sector Charleston and Sector North Carolina) with issues related to credentialing of U.S Merchant Mariners. REC Charleston is located on Coast Guard Base Charleston; in the historic: U.S.C.G. Captain of the Port building along the northern bank of the Ashley River; about 1 mile from downtown Charleston. We have a staff of six GS employees, plus three CG Auxiliary personnel.

V/R Luther Greer Chief, REC Charleston U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Center 196 Tradd St. Charleston, SC 29401-1800

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Finance
Frank Leister, FSO-FN
y the time you read this in The Scuttlebutt you will probably have already received your invoice for the 2012 dues---$45. Your check is due no later than August 30. If, per chance, you did not receive an invoice through email, you still owe the dues. Being current on your dues obligation is a requirement of membership in our flotilla, and every other. Send your check for $45, made out to: USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 12-8, to: Frank Leister FSO-FN PO Box 122 Jonas Ridge, NC 28641 If you have any questions on your payment, please call me at 991-1118. Should I not answer, leave a voice mail and I will get back to you. You may also email to: fcl@lwinslow.com You may have received multiple copies of the dues invoice. This inconvenience spawns from the, I hope, temporary loss of my computer. FSO-SN Bray and FSO-IS Mathewes have employed their email distribution lists, informally maintained at much bother, to assure as wide a coverage for the invoice as practical. The official email with the invoice is extracted from AuxData where we are obliged to maintain accurate contact information not only for dues and Flotilla notices but also for emergency situations. Please assure your email address is current in your AuxData record. FSO-IS Mathewes will instruct you on how to do this. Your $45 dues are due on or before 30 August. I look forward to your check. Frank Leister, FSO-FN

Materials
Chuck Chirila, FSO-MA
uly has been again a busy month for Materials. Besides ordering more VSC forms and decals for the VEs, I finally have been successful, after three tries, in acquiring pamphlet racks for the PVs to distribute to the new partners. Remember that when ordering materials, please allow two weeks for delivery. With the proposed ABS presentation to the St Johns Island Fire Dept, an additional 20 ABS manuals will need to be ordered. As always Safe Boating & Semper Paratus Chuck Chirila, FSO-MA

Navigational Services
Joe Fleming, FSO-NS

lotilla 12-8 has completed the inspections of all navigation AIDs, Federal, State, Private and Bridges, in the following areas: Cooper River from the BP Buoy in Charleston Harbor South Channel all the way up to the Strawberry Drawbridge near Monks Corner. Ashley River from the BP Buoy in Charleston Harbor all the way up the Ashley River to the I-526 Bridge. The South ICW from Wappoo Creek to the Dawhoo River The Lower Stono River to the Stono River Inlet. The Folly River from the Stono River Inlet to the Folly River Bridge.

These areas have been inspected during the day as well as night. At this point we no longer have anything left to check that we are aware of. We wait to hear from Chief Certa for any requests for now. Joe Fleming, FSO-NS

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Operations
Joe Fleming, FSO-OP

uly has been a hot one but we havent let it hold us back. Safety patrols keep us on the water helping boaters operate safely. We have been rewarding boaters with River Dog tickets when we see all of the children in life jackets. Its fun to see the look on their faces when you tell them you are giving them a ticket. Its been a really good program for promoting boating safety. July 4th fireworks at Patriots Point went off as planned with no problems. Flotilla 12-8 was able to have two Auxiliary vessels on station, to close off the safety zone. New Coxswain, Paul Berka, and crew got their feet wet with their first night ops. They performed great. Flotilla 12-8 along with Station Charleston set up a boating safety display at Home Depot N. Chas earlier in July. We had a great turn out of boaters. Coxswains, please let me know what patrol days you can take so we can cover our scheduled days. Joe Fleming, FSO-OP

helping our Gold Side brothers. All any one needs to do to become qualified is to complete the TCOPQS course (as 11 have done already) or have passed the AUXCOM course prior to 1 August 2008. If this is for you, let me know and I'll be sure to inform Jason of your interest.. More information will follow as developments take place. Dick Clarke, FSO-CM

Vessel Examinations
Paul Berka, FSO-VE ongratulations to William Carter for receiving his Certification of Qualification for Vessel Examiner. Bob Mathewes has completed more than 25 VSC for 2011. The tentative plan is to do VSC's at Leads Landing and Limehouse Landing at the same time on the following dates: July 31, August 6, 14, 20 and 28 September 3, 11,17 and 25. We need a minimum of two VE's at each landing on these dates. I need VE's to email me their availability for these dates. Paul Berka, FSO-VE

C
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Public Affairs
Barbara Thibodeaux,
ublic Affairs has been quiet for another month. As this goes to print, our only event will be participation in the CERT Emergency Preparedness Event at Lowes on Norhwoods Boulevard, on Saturday, 30 July 2011. I'm anticipating a successful event and hope to have a good turn out to help with the booth. If you haven't participated in any of these events, you are missing an opportunity to meet and talk with the public. We will be having two more events in September. Thanks to BM1 Miller for his support with these events. Stay safe and enjoy the summer! Barbara Thibodeaux, FSO-PA

Communications
Dick Clarke, FSO-CM
M1Jason Miller has informed our commander that the station's Comms. Center is very close to being operational and he is looking for qualified Auxiliarists to be radio Watch Standers. How exciting this is for those of us who are without boat quals to be active in dry land activities while

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Nautical Trivia
Last months question involved a three part response. We had ten people who identified the lighthouse as the Baltimore Light which was briefly powered by nuclear power and is now powered by solar energy. The ten trivia aficionados were James & Karen Andrews of 12-12, Al Crothers of 12-6, Reggie Hollar of 12-10 and Chuck Chirila, Dick Clarke, Alan Glas, Dick McLaren, John Sikes and Agnes Wright. This months question was suggested by a Nautical Trivia regular, Dick McLaren. It involves an old naval custom known as Dressing Ship. "History: Dressing the Ship on Independence Day" Written by Scott Price, Coast Guard Historian. "Throughout history, from the Revenue Cutter Service to the U.S. Coast Guard, July 4 is celebrated and honored through a proud maritime custom common to national holidays and special events dressing ship. Following regulations of 1843: Upon the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, the colors shall be hoisted at sunrise, and all the vessels of the Revenue Marine shall, when in port, be dressed, and so continue until the colors are hauled down at sunset, if the state of the weather and other circumstances will allow it. At sunrise, at meridian, and at sunset, a salute of twenty-one guns shall be fired at meridian from every vessel of the Revenue Marine in commission. Over the years, the regulations were refined

but their spirit of commemorating and celebrating the day when the United States declared its independence from Great Britain always remained paramount. While some occasions simply call for dressing the ship with a national ensign at each masthead, other more celebrated occasions like Independence Day call for a ship to be fully dressed. According to the regulations published in 1916 for the newly created U.S. Coast Guard, full dress included: A line of signal flags, rainbow fashion, extending from the water line to the jib-boom end (or from the jackstaff at the height of the ridge rope, if without a jib boom), thence to the highest masthead on the fore, thence to the highest masthead on the main, thence to the highest masthead on the mizzen, thence to the peak, to the boom end or flagstaff at the height of the ridge rope aft, and to the water line aft. In vessels of other rigs the disposition of the decorations shall conform as nearly as possible to the foregoing. So, when you come across an old photograph of a cutter or see one decked out with all of its flags flying from each masthead with signal flags fluttering in the breeze from stem-to -stern, remember what the ship represents and honor its patriotic spirit as well as the memory of those cutter crews who through the past 220 years have spent their Independence Day far from home." The question is: What is the order of the signal flags????

Baltimore Light

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August 2011
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 7 14 21 28
New Moon

2 9 16 23 30

3 10
Flotilla Meeting

4 11 18 25
Scuttlebutt Article Deadline

5 12 19 26

6 13
Full Moon

8 15 22 29

17 24 31

20 27

Flotilla Officers
Flotilla Commander Alan Miles bigcid@comcast.net Finance Frank Leister fcl@lwinslow.com Flotilla Vice Commander Paul Thomas paul.thomas@sba.gov Human Resources Paul Thomas paul.thomas@sba.gov Communications Dick Clarke clarkerrc@att.net Communication Services John Sikes jsikes@netrockets.com

Information Services Materials Bob Mathewes Chuck Chirila rhmathewes@comcast.net cchirila@sc.rr.com Navigational Services Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net Public Education Alan Miles bigcid@comcast.net IPFC Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net Operations Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net RBS Visitor Laura Meehan victoriayx32@yahoo.com Detachment Commander Cadet Greg Battenfield battenfieg1@citadel.edu

Marine Safety Member Training Bob Orenstein Bob Mathewes bandjorenstein@bellsouth.net rhmathewes@comcast.net Public Affairs Publications Barbara Thibodeaux Bob Mathewes barbara.thibodeaux@gmail.com rhmathewes@comcast.net Secretary Records Pamela Bray pamelagbray@gmail.com Vessel Examination Paul Berka phberka@comcast.net