Volume 1 Issue # 07 November 2011

Transcription

1 Capitola, California Flotilla 6-10 Volume 1 Issue # 07 November 2011 CALENDAR OF EVENTS November Sun: Division 6 Change of Watch, Morro Bay 19 Sat: District 11NR Meeting, Coast Guard Island 20 Sun: Elected Officer Training, Coast Guard Island December Sat: Flotilla 6-10 Holiday Fellowship, Aldo s Restaurant, Santa Cruz Harbor January Tue: Flotilla 6-10 Meeting, Santa Cruz Harbor very entertaining show and tell on pirate organization and activity. Ted s doctoral research is focused on modern-day piracy in the Malacca Strait. The Malacca Strait is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Located between Malaysia and Indonesia, it creates a natural bottleneck for shipping traffic. Ted offered insights into the history of piracy as well as the socio-economic role that piracy plays in the region. On the Horizon (2012) March: District Training & Awards Conference (DTRAIN), Monterey Highlights from our Last Meeting The monthly Flotilla 6-10 Meeting was highlighted by several special events and announcements. LT John Suckow, Executive Officer (XO) from Station Monterey, enjoyed the presentation The Operational Auxiliarist (AUXOP) Qualification and device were presented to Peter Adams. Peter has been working diligently toward this lofty goal since joining the Auxiliary approximately one and a half years ago. WELL DONE PETER! An election for Flotilla 6-10 leadership for 2012 was held and Jane Smith and Lynda Dossett were reelected as FC and VFC respectively. Congratulations on your re-elections! Ted Biggs presented a program on modern day pirates. Ted Biggs, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, presented a captivating and OUR MEETING PLACE Our monthly Auxiliary meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month, starting at 7:30 PM. Meetings are held in the public meeting room at the Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz, California. USCG AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 6-10 NOVEMBER 2011 Page 1

2 Many private vessels had maneuvered there to observe the fireworks from the water. In addition to the two Auxiliary vessels, the Santa Cruz Life Guard boat, a law enforcement vessel, was there as well. At the head table, Jane Smith, FC (center), Lynda Dossett, VFC (left), and LT John Suckow (right) conduct the meeting with members Bob Aparton (left) and Cheryl Neuman (right) listening intently The Auxiliary Seamanship Specialty Course (AUXSEA) concluded on 29 August. The course was presented in four sessions of two and one-half hours each with the final exam on the fifth session. AUXSEA is one of the required courses for the AUXOP qualification. Ten members of Flotilla 6-10 successfully completed the course. Aboard Operational Facility 616: D. Wormington Flotilla 67, Coxswain L. Dossett Flotilla 6-10, Crew R. Allen Flotilla 67, Crew M. Gray Flotilla 67, Trainee Aboard Operational Facility 219: W. Smith Flotilla 6-10, Coxswain J. Smith Flotilla 6-10, Crew S Richert Flotilla 6-10, Crew C. Dugan Flotilla 6-10, Trainee T. Schultz Flotilla 64, Trainee J. Duffley Flotilla 12-1, Trainee The patrols got underway at 1600 hours to do a Recon mission, checking to see if marker buoys had been deployed to mark the Safety Zone. As none had been set, we programmed our perimeter waypoints in the GPS during daylight. We also set waypoints to avoid the kelp beds on our trip back to the Harbor later that night. Proud graduates with their AUXSEA Certificates from left, Ed Boring, Cheryl Neuman, Peter Adams, Lynda Dossett, Tom Fenker, and Colleen Dugan After many months of anticipation, the Great Tucked ODU Give-Away came to fruition. Dozens of free ODUs were handed out. While no longer authorized for wear by the Gold Side, tucked ODUs may be worn by the Silver Side (Auxiliary) until no longer serviceable. There are still some available so check the Lucky Bag at the next meeting. Seacliff Fireworks Patrol Richert & Smith discuss course and mission 07 October 2011 Our Operational Facilities were requested by CG Station Monterey to have two Auxiliary Patrol Boats maintain a one-quarter mile Safety Zone during the Monte Foundation Fireworks at the Cement Ship in Aptos. The mission was to keep private vessels a safe distance from the fireworks and to provide assistance to boaters if needed. USCG AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 6-10 NOVEMBER 2011 Page 2

3 OPFAC 219 en-route to the Cement Ship Traveling back to the Santa Cruz Harbor for an evening meal at 1800 hours, with a large helping of fellowship on the side, we all knew this patrol would be a great time. The crew awaiting another fine meal at Aldo s After the evening meal, we set out on our mission at 1930 hours, donning our Mustang suits against the cool of the evening air. We slowly powered off to our assignment, as we knew the fireworks would not begin until 2115 hours. All kept a watchful eye out on the waters for anything unusual. Calm water showed a great sign for a good patrol. OPFAC 616 patrolling in the late afternoon OPFAC 219 on patrol just past sunset Approaching our assigned area of responsibility, we could hear the music and activities on the beach and could see folks dancing around! While waiting for the fireworks to start, many boats made their way to the best vantage points. One boat came in fast towards the beach. The Life Guard boat with blue lights blazing quickly escorted him back to a safe distance. All crewmembers were on lookout for any boats drifting into the secure zone, but few ventured farther than was permitted. USCG AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 6-10 NOVEMBER 2011 Page 3

4 Once the fireworks started, we were in for a great show -- one of the best we have seen in a long time. The fireworks went on for more than a half hour. The Grand Finale -Jane Smith, Flotilla Commander Safety and Training Patrol Fireworks off the stern of OPFAC 219 Once the fireworks were done, we cleared the area to be sure there were no boats needing assistance. Both OPFACs returned to the Harbor arriving at approximately 2315 hours. It was a good night with no unexpected issues. A fun, and safe, night for all! 29 October 2011 As Operational Facility 219 headed out of Santa Cruz Harbor at about 0845, the day was crystal clear and flat calm. It looked like it would be a spectacular day on the water for trainees Calum Cecil-Wherity & Ed Boring, crew Jane Smith & Sonia Foster, and coxswain Wally Smith. The Ray Burch Memorial Radio Tower was being staffed by trainee Steve Daley and TCO Dudley Clarke. The Harbormaster contacted the Tower and requested that the patrol keep an eye out for whales in the vicinity of Santa Cruz. Whales had been around the area for a couple of days. Upon exiting the Harbor, 219 proceeded toward a large congregation of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), and other vessels. The birds and the spouts from the whales were immediately visible. USCG AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 6-10 NOVEMBER 2011 Page 4

5 Whale Ho! Two points off the starboard bow! The whales, estimated at five or six, remained in the vicinity of a triangle stretching from the end of the wharf to the Mile Buoy to Steamer s Lane. In fact, a large group of spectators was assembled at the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf and enjoyed some great views of the whales. The number of small and large vessels whale-watching continued to grow through the day. On several occasions, the whales surfaced quite close to boats. Whale Ho! Two points off the port bow! Follow the birds! The patrol remained in the vicinity of the whales and the myriad of vessels all day keeping a watchful eye for the safety of both the boaters and the whales! There was ample opportunity for helm time for trainee Calum as well. Calum piloting the 219. Whale Ho! Dead ahead! Kayak off the port bow kayak off the starboard bow! We could always spot where the whales were feeding just look for the birds! USCG AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 6-10 NOVEMBER 2011 Page 5 Flukes! The crew agreed during the post patrol debrief that this day was one of the best any of us could

6 remember for a long, long time! The weather, the sea conditions, the wildlife whales, sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, and the birds! made for some spectacular viewing. The quantity and variety of vessels in the immediate vicinity kept the crew constantly vigilant as well. This was a GOOD DAY! -Wally Smith, DCDR 6, Coxswain Editor s Notes Thanks to all our contributors for their help in creating this newsletter. We can t do this without you. Have something to share? Please submit your photos, stories, and comments for inclusion in the newsletter to CC.CGAUX@gmail.com. USCG AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 6-10 NOVEMBER 2011 Page 6

7 2011 FLOTILLA LEADERSHIP FLOTILLA COMMANDER (FC) Jane Smith FLOTILLA VICE COMMANDER (VFC) Lynda Dossett IMMEDIATE PAST FC (IPFC) Wally Smith COMMUNICATIONS (CM) Wally Smith COMMUNICATION SERVICES (CS) Lewis Keizer FINANCE (FN) Walt Weston HUMAN RESOURCES (HR) Cecil Claspell INFORMATION SERVICES (IS) Lynda Dossett MATERIALS (MA) Jane Smith MARINE SAFETY (MS) Scott Richert MEMBER TRAINING (MT) Wally Smith NAVIGATION SYSTEMS (NS) Bruce Simpson OPERATIONS (OP) Wally Smith PUBLIC AFFAIRS (PA) Jane Smith PUBLIC EDUCATION (PE) Milt Entwistle PROGRAM VISITOR (PV) Stan Wolfberg SECRETARY / RECORDS (SR) Kevin Sheehan sheehan@fska.com VESSEL EXAMINER (VE) Stan Wolfberg s_wolfberg@yahoo.com PUBLICATIONS (PB) Cecil Claspell CC.CGAUX@gmail.com