Official Newsletter of Flotilla 22, Ithaca, NY: News & Views July 2016

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1 Official Newsletter of Flotilla 22, Ithaca, NY: News & Views July 2016 Recreational Boating Safety Are We Making a Difference? Contributed by Kim Walsh We ve seen many stories lately of local people being killed or seriously wounded in recreational boating accidents, some a little too close to home. How can we ensure our RBS efforts are effective? A baseball game has a clear definition that allows a pitcher to be credited with a save. For us, most saves are a result of something bad not happening, because someone we had contact with didn t do something risky. If we re lucky, we may hear that someone was rescued wearing a PFD or found, cold but alive, due to using a float plan. However, the impact of our contact could be that they: slowed down, came off the water in their PWC before sunset, made themselves more visible while kayaking by wearing a bright yellow PFD or avoided a stretch of the canal with a low head dam. Because, an incident didn t occur, there was no news to report. Given the almost complete lack of positive reinforcement from our efforts, how do we stay motivated? Furthermore, how do we help and encourage more people to spread the RBS message? In order to address those questions, we need to start with the question, what do we already do? Safety patrols lead by example and make themselves available to intervene if required. Instructors teach Boating Safety courses. Vessel Examiners promote safety through the Vessel Safety Check process, which includes talking to boat owners about recommended equipment and safe boating practices. Through face to face contact at Boat Shows, Fairs, Festivals, etc; writing newspaper articles and Facebook posts, plus leaving boating safety literature at marinas and sporting good stores, we attempt to reach the widest possible audience. Informal contacts may be just as important. The conversation with your neighbor or cousin in Michigan, may trigger an extra check of their equipment or decision to put less beer and more water in their cooler for their day on the water. These are good questions to ask ourselves, but I hope they result in more, not less, engagement on this subject, with both the boating public and our family and friends. We should be open to new partnerships and new ideas and push the throttle forward. Let s talk and even more important, let s do! From the Helm, Gene Little, FC Annie and Jennifer Watson presenting paddle craft safety tips Ithaca Fire Dept with Fire Extinguisher demos Photos taken at Marine Safety Day, Treman Park, by Dave Cornelius

2 I want to express my appreciation to all involved for the program we put together and executed for Marine Safety Day at Allan H. Treman State Marine Park on July 9th. Although we did not have the RB public participation I had hoped for, I feel we had several successes: I was totally impressed with the turn-out from our Flotilla and the support of our partners - I thank you for donating yet another Saturday, in support our mission to promote and improve recreation boating safety" Huge multi- agency event - Sea Grant, Power Squadron, Ithaca Fire Department, ACA, CGAUX and NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. Special thanks to Parks for all of their support and the opportunity! Presentations were "spot on" and my thanks to all the presenters and ALL of their preparation effort they expended! Great presentations, props, hand-outs and content. Thanks to you all! We got in a couple more Vessel Safety Checks - another great education tool. As we have targeted, we need to offer this service on a regular basis Suddenly in Command - from the two ladies that participated, we heard again that there is a need and our material is exactly on target. If we made a difference and two ladies are better prepared, I can chalk that up as success; BUT getting more participation is our challenge. Thank you Brian and Paul for the use of your beautiful boat as "hands-on is always best for this session I felt the Flare demonstration followed by the Fire Extinguisher demonstration was a perfect flow and came off well. I anticipate we will schedule another event The behind the scenes hard work of set up, manning and tear down. Thank you all, as it was a long day for you and you did a great job! Coastie - Both Elli and Chris thanked me later, as they felt they got as much out of our Coastie chat as their two boys. That said, I am not at all sure that we will ever see a lot of youth at a marina that we can target with Coastie. I like the tool, but need to pick better target audiences opportunities. Schools are the obvious targets, but I was looking to expand to other possibilities The Paddlesports Dave White (Sea Grant) was so impressed with the content and presentation, that he has invited Jennifer to participate at the Empire Farm days in August. We would like to apply Jennifer s expertise when we cover Paddlesports in our About Boating Safely Classes As our first attempt on a program of this magnitude, I was pleased with all the support, preparation and expertise that you all gave Timing, as always, plays a big factor: o Bad weather was forecast, possibly deterring people from coming out o Coastie was too early in the morning for optimum attendance by families I am not sure on the advertising - we had advertisement on the Binghamton TV station advertised, in the paper and Jennifer had advertised. I am currently of the opinion that: o People did not know what to expect, as there has never been an event like this, so why would I go to an unknown event on a Saturday, when I can... o A repeat might be worth a try to see if word of mouth helps get more participation o We need to schedule EARLIER in the boating season - target right after most boats are in for the season. I Thank You All, but be warned I anticipate another attempt, but with some modifications! Your input will be welcomed and valued as I believe we all agree the public needs the education! FC Squawk Box Looking forward we have several opportunities and challenges: First and foremost several of us need check rides. Waiting until September, leaves little room for schedule conflicts and weather cancellations. We need to get them scheduled as soon as possible. We really have a crisis looming in our Coxswain position. Don, Walt and Tom are our only three Coxswains and they cannot, nor will not, go on forever. I really welcome any and all Boat Crew members that would commit to take on the challenges of the next level.

3 Paddlecraft: There is an effort to get AUXPAD up, running and a viable program. I will keep you posted on future developments. Our little lake (north and south ends) is our first priority and between facilities needing repair and the need for Coxswains as stated above, we have our share of challenges that I need your help to overcome! June activities: 6/11 & 12 ABS, with 11 students completing the course. 6/14 PPE inspection by Coast Guard Station Oswego, with Tom and Walt being training in RSS responsibilities On the water Boat Crew Training commenced on 6/14! 6/25 VSCs at Myers Park Boat Ramp 6/29 VSCs at Camp Comstock 3 motor boats, 8 kayaks, 12 canoes & several dozen lifejackets July activities: 7/1 Fireworks Safety Patrol for Town of Lansing 7/2 VSCs performed at Allan H. Treman Marine Park 7/3 City of Ithaca Fireworks Safety Patrol 7/9 Marine Safety Day at Treman Park (see pictures above and attached flyer) 7/16 & 17 ABS, with 17 students successfuly completing the course 7/18 & 19 Comprehension Search & Rescue Exercise, tabletop the first day, then 3 facility execution with coordination using our radio facility July 13, 2016 Flotilla Meeting Minutes Meeting called to order at 1900 by FC Gene Little. Members Present: Dale Campbell, Don Campbell, Carleton Cole, David Cornelius, Tom Every, John Frieman, Bodge Hyatt, Gene Little, Roland Neiss, Paul Phelps, Walter Robinson, Anthony Scaglione, Robert Schleelein, Vinton Bo Stevens, Kim Walsh Pledge of Allegiance: Tom Lacey FSO-SR (Tony Scaglione): July Minutes Motion to accept by Don Campbell, 2nd by Dave Cornelius, Carried FSO-FN (David Cornelius): Motion to accept Treasurer s Report by Kim, 2nd Paul, Carried. Introduction of guests: Don Furch, Dave Cunneen, Jon Koeng, Angela Crowley Awards (Gene Little): Paul Phelps - Coast Guard Sustained Service Award Kim Walsh John Freeman, Bo Stevens - Vessel Examiner Certification Award Division Report / Calendar Review (FC Gene Little) PPE discussed, with a shortage of PLBs limiting new boat crew opportunities Harbor Fest, Saturday July 30 will be the biggest day. 8 new VEs were qualified this spring up at Oswego Our priority needs to be in our Area of Responsibility. With the Stand Up Paddleboard event at Myers Point also scheduled for July 30th, we ll need to fill Boat Crew requirements and man a RBS information table Aug 6 Rock the Locks event, conflicts with our Aug 6/7 ABS class and the Cayuga Lake Triathalon Aug 7 TCT opportunities: July 18 & 19 CG Station Oswego and Aug 23 CG Rochester The Division 2 Steak Bake will be on Saturday, Sep 10, hosted by Flotilla 26 (Sylvan Beach), Rob has tickets for sale, available through Aug 25th For further details see Division report ed by Gene Little. Staff Officer Reports (Negative reports omitted):

4 FSO-DV Diversity: Gene Little made another request for a staff officer to take on this new position. Dale Campbell volunteered and is awaiting more information on training options. FSO-OP (Tom Every): Equipment Inspection members need to have their equipment inspected prior to going out on the water. 7/18 &19 Monday & Tuesday SAR exercises Communications, Navigation and search patterns, Need a watch stander. July 30 Sup Cup event Triathlon 8/7 Women Swimin 8/30, Monday, July 25 Crew Training, QE for crew requalifications will be sometime in August. FSO-MA (Henry Bodge Hyatt): Form 3000, Vessel Safety Check brochures, are on back order. FSO-MT (Walter Robinson): No Member training planned. Members are training themselves. Open offer to those who have completed the communication may qualify. FSO-PA (Gene Little): Appreciate all help at the Treman Marina Event, AHT Staff was very happy with our service to boaters. FSO-PB (Kim Walsh): Looking for newsletter articles if anyone is interested in writing one. FSO-PE (Walter Robinson): students signed up for class this weekend. Looking for instructors to assist. The public is killing themselves again, PWC accidents, tubing accidents, vessel collisions. We need to make some public service announcements for boating safety courses. FSO-HR (Vinton Bo Stevens): Justin Gage will be meeting with Gene on Friday to finish application. 2 other potential members are also in the process of filling applications for membership. 4 new applications sent out to potential members. Vinton is actively pursuing new members. Looking into obtaining ID cards for members. FSO-MS (Gene Little): John Freeman has volunteered to assist Gene with invasive species. FSO-PV (Gene Little): We need to get some safety training and literature to Puddledockers Paddle Rentals FSO-VE (Gene Little): Folks are doing a great job with vessel inspections. FC Old Business: Thank you everyone for your response to the oils spill incident and the Marine Safety event. New Business: Dale discussed it had been a rough couple of weeks at the Coast Guard Academy and Cape May: two Academy cadets have parents that work for Dallas PD, a cadet was in a serious accident and suffered head injuries and a recruit at Cape May died. Boat Crew training continues D-Train AUXLAMS is on--we have enough members signed up for the class to happen; seats are still available. Closing comments - Report all your hours! Motion to adjourn by Bo Stevens, 2nd Kim Walsh. Meeting adjourned 2018.

5 Flotilla 22 Calendar Date Event POC Notes Jul Harborfest Gene Oswego Don will take up his boat; Gene is coordinating VEs Sat, Jul 30 Myers Point SUP CUP Tom Safety Patrol Sat, Jul 30 / 0700 Myers Point RBS Booth Kim Jul 30 Skaneateles Antique Boat Show Flotilla 21 - Situational Awareness only Mon, Aug 1 / 1830 Div 2 meeting Gene Flotilla 22 is hosting Sat, Aug 6 Oswego Paddlefest Rock the Div 2 event Situational Awareness only Locks Sat/Sun, Aug 6-7 / PE - ABS Walt Sun, 7 Aug Cayuga Lake Triathlon Tom Wed, Aug 10 / 1700 Flotilla Meeting - Picnic Gene Annual picnic, families & alumni welcome; please bring dish to pass Aug Empire Farm Days Gene Sat, Aug 13 Women Swimmin for Hospice Tom Swimmers in the water about 0630 Aug 25 Sep 5 NY State Fair Gene Sat, Sep 10 Steak Bake Rob Sylvan Beach (Division 2) Sun, Sep 11 Can U Canoe Cayuga? Tom Wed, Sep 14 / 1900 Flotilla Meeting Gene Fri, Sep 16, 1730 Watchfire Tony Lansing Park All events at Flotilla 22 Base, unless specified otherwise; see color code below Flotilla Meeting Div or above Member Training Public Education Special Event Ops Safety Patrol Calendar last updated: July 25, 2016 Questions? Contact the kim.m.walsh26@gmail.com