R I V E R W A T C H. F l o t i l l a Janet Farmer

Transcription

1 Volume 2, Issue 1 April 2014 R I V E R W A T C H F l o t i l l a I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e : I n f o r m a t i o n S y s t e m O f f i c e r Janet Farmer 1 Passing of Kathleen Barnes COW 3 A Few Words From Jim Watson 4 Calendar of Events 5 Rules of The Road 6-7 Flotilla Minutes 8-9 FSO Reports 10 Dave Thomas Memo 11 Credits 12 Janet Farmer Janet Farmer is currently the Information System Officer of flotilla She was born and lived in Bluffton, IN until October 1984, at which time she moved to Elizabeth City, NC. Janet earned her B.S. degree in Medical Technology from Ball State University after interning at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN. Janet was employed for 20 years at Caylor-Nickel Hospital in Bluffton as a Medical Technologist and Laboratory Director. After moving to Elizabeth City, she was employed for 26 years at Albemarle Hospital, the last 12 years as the Laboratory Information System administrator.

2 P a g e 2 R I V E R W A T C H IN MEMORY OF KATHLEEN BARNES Kathleen Barnes a Coast Guard Auxiliarist and a member of flotilla passed away unexpectedly on March 23, You will be missed. May the seas be at your back and the sun shine upon your face. Rest your oars, we will carry you ashore.

3 P a g e 3 R I V E R W A T C H District COW meeting on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at the Duck Woods Golf/Country Club in Southern Shores, NC. Arch Farmer was awarded 2013 Division 16 Auxiliarist of the Year. Marie Allen was sworn in as Division 16 Secretary. Allen Fredd was sworn in as Commander of Division 16 Jim McKeever recognized as retiring Commander of Division 16

4 P a g e 4 R I V E R W A T C H A F E W W O R D S F R O M J I M W A T S O N As spring is trying to make its way into our area and we have a few warm days it is time to get our flotilla organized for a busy boating season of promoting boating safety, resuming on the water patrols and assisting the active duty Coast Guard when we can help. Over the winter your bridge officers have been busy at work recruiting several new members, improving our ability to mentor additional levels of certification, and increasing our on the water capabilities. In that respect special congratulations to Bob McCall and Arch Farmer for completing their qualification as boat crew. It is one of our primary missions to encourage safe boating practices among recreational boater. To help accomplish this goal the Bob McCall(FSO-PA) has already scheduled to have Coastie at seven public affairs events in this area. He will need lots of assistance in manning these events. Please respond positively when ask to help out. For new members to the Auxiliary there are many avenues to increase your personal involvement. These include taking any number of on-line courses, assisting with public affairs events, administration of flotilla activities, instruction at the public or flotilla level, becoming qualified to conduct VSC (vessel safety checks) or working toward boat crew to name a few. In closing let me wish each of you my best regards. Let us keep our flotilla Always Ready

5 P a g e 5 R I V E R W A T C H C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s A p r i l T h r u J u n e Date Event Location Time Contact Type 04/02 FSO Meeting Villa Restaurant Jim Watson MTG 04/15 Flotilla Meeting Albemarle Hospital Jim Watson MTG/MT 05/07 FSO Meeting Villa Restaurant Jim Watson MTG 05/17 Division Meeting TBA Allen Fredd MTG/MT 05/17 NC Potato Festival Elizabeth City All Day Bob McCall PA 05/17 National Safe Boating Week Nationwide thru 05/23 PA/VE/PE 05/20 Flotilla Meeting Albemarle Hospital Jim Watson MTG/MT 06/04 FSO Meeting Villa Restaurant Jim Watson MTG 06/07 Edenton Water and Music Festival Edenton Waterfront All Day Bob McCall PA 06/17 Flotilla Meeting Albemarle Hospital Jim Watson MTG/MT APRIL SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT MAY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT JUNE SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

6 P a g e 6 R I V E R W A T C H R u l e s o f T h e R o a d Wearing Your Life Jacket With summer just around the corner and the weather getting warmer boaters are ready to enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it s tempting to boat without a life jacket especially on nice days. We have all heard the excuses of why I don t want to wear a life jacket. But modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests or hunting coats. Others are inflatable as compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit the water, when they automatically fill with air. Things to know: There is no excuse not to wear a life jacket on the water! Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position which permits proper breathing. To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type l, ll, lll, or V life for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and over must have at least one Type lv throwable device as well. All states have regulations regarding life jacket wear by children. Adult sized life jackets will not work for children. Special life jackets are available. To work correctly, a lift jacket must be worn, fit snugly, and not allow the child s chin or ears to slip through. Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once a year. Waterlogged, faded, or leaky jackets should be discarded. Life jackets must be properly stowed. A life jacket especially a snug fitting flotation coat or deck-suit style-can help you survive in cold water. All recreational boats must carry one wearable life jacket (Type l, ll, lll, or Type V) for each person aboard. A Type V life jacket provides performance of either a Type l, ll, or lll, life jacket (as marked on its label) and must be used according to the label requirements. Any boat 16 ft. and longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one throwable life jacket (Type lv). Life jackets must be: Coast Guard approved In good and serviceable condition, and

7 P a g e 7 R I V E R W A T C H R u l e s o f T h e R o a d Wearing Your Life Jacket (cont.) The appropriate size for the intended user. Accessibility: Wearable life jackets must be readily accessible. You must be able to put them on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.). They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them. Throwable devices must be immediately available for use. Inflatable Life Jackets: Requires the user to pay careful attention to the condition of the device. Inflatable life jackets must have a full cylinder and all status indicators on the inflator must be green, or the device is NOT serviceable, and does NOT satisfy the requirement to carry life jackets. Coast Guard Approved inflatable life jackets are authorized for use on recreational boats by person at least 16 years of age. We have just touched the surface with regards to life jackets. If I can only stress one thing about wearing a life jacket, it would be this the best life jacket is the one you will wear.

8 P a g e 8 R I V E R W A T C H Flotilla Meeting Minutes 17 FEBRUARY 2014 Albemarle Hospital, Elizabeth City, NC Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Guest Introductions F l o t i l l a M e e t i n g M i n u t e s F e b r u a r y The meeting was called to order at 1900 hours. Pledge of Allegiance and moment of remembrance, introduction of guests The following members (16) and guests (1) were in attendance: A quorum was present. OFFICE NAME Present FC Commander James Watson BQ X VFC Vice Commander Archie Farmer BQ X IPFC Immediate Past Cmdr Allen Fredd AX X FSO-SR Secretary/Records Marie Allen BQ FSO-FN Finance Bob Mueller BQ X FSO-CM Communications Dave Thomas AX FSO-CS Communications Services Jim McKeever BQ X FSO-DV Diversity Vacant FSO-HR Human Resources James Watson X FSO-IS Information Systems Janet Farmer X FSO-MA Materials Ron Hopkins BQ FSO-MS Marine Safety Allen Fredd X FSO-MT Member Training Jim McKeever X FSO-NS Navigation Systems Allen Fredd X FSO-OP Operations Jim McKeever X FSO-PA Public Affairs Robert McCall, Jr. BQ X FSO-PB Publications Tom McBride X FSO-PE Public Education Ron Hopkins FSO-PV Marine Dealer Visitor Allen Fredd X FSO-VE Vessel Examiner Archie Farmer X Members: Pat McKeever BQ X Mike Barnes BQ X Kathleen Barnes BQ X Edward Eadie, Jr. BQ X Ann Mueller X Guests: Capt. Al Keith USCG Minutes of the previous meeting : Accepted - Yes with 2 amendments.

9 P a g e 9 R I V E R W A T C H F l o t i l l a M e e t i n g M i n u t e s F e b r u a r y Secretary/Records (SR) M. Barnes moved 17 DEC 2013 minutes be accepted with changes: (1) New Business (Delete Need to select a different pre-meeting dining location. J. Watson will contact City Grille. Add Members discussed whether or not to change the pre-meeting dining location. J. Watson will gather information. ) (2) Next Meeting will be 18 FEB 2014, not 21 JAN 2014, because the COW was held on 12 JAN B. Mueller 2nd the motion, motion carried. Finance (FN) Beginning Balance: Receipts: Disbursements: 0.00 Ending Balance: $ 6, (both accounts) (dues).16 (interest) $ 6, (both accounts) The proposed 2014 budget was discussed. A. Farmer moved to add a line item for moving the storage shed to Station Elizabeth City and moving $ out of Reserves to balance the budget, 2 nd by J. McKeever. Motion carried. Sick Bay Nothing to report. Flotilla Commander's Report Flotilla Vice Commander's Report Guest Comments / Announcements Old Business None. New Business A. Fredd moved the flotilla's savings and checking accounts be moved to Gateway Bank, 2 nd by J. Farmer, motion carried. Division Report - A division workshop was held 8 FEB 2014 with 41 attendees. Awards - A. Fredd was awarded the Sustained Service Certificate. B. McCall was presented with the VE Certificate and the PV Certificate. Upcoming Events - 05 MAR- FSO meeting, Villa Restaurant, 1800 hours 15 MAR- CAP Boating Safety Class Next Meeting 18 MAR 2014, Albemarle Hospital, Elizabeth City, NC, 1900 hours Adjourned A. Fredd moved to adjourn, 2 nd by K. Barnes, all approved. The meeting was adjourned at 2020 hours, followed by a presentation by Al Keith, Sr. Instructor with the Jr. Cadet Leadership Program (ROTC) at Camden High School, about their program. Prepared by Pat McKeever and Marie M. Allen Respectfully submitted on /s/ by Marie M. Allen, FSO/SR

10 P a g e 10 R I V E R W A T C H Navigation Rules Rules of the Road FLOTILLA FSO REPORTS 14 FEBRUARY 2014 FSO-CM DAVE THOMAS - No new info FSO-CS JIM MCKEEVER - Flotilla web site functional FSO-DV FSO-HR JIM WATSON FSO IS JANET FARMER - Reminder for members to complete 7029s FSO-MA RON HOPKINS - Completion of dry suit sets on order FSO-MS ALLEN FREDD FSO-MT JIM MCKEEVER - Training class for crew started FSO-AN ALLEN FREDD - No activity during cold weather FSO-OP JIM MCKEEVER - Possible 2 boat training with ECBS when cold weather gear available. FSO-PA BOB MCCALL - Schedule for 2014 PA & Coastie events being developed FSO-PB TOM MCBRIDE - Need items for newsletter from members FSO-PE RON HOPKINS - ABS class for Civil Air Patrol 15 March FSO-PV ALLEN FREDD - Prep for visits in early Spring FSO-VE ARCH FARMER decals available.

11 P a g e 11 R I V E R W A T C H Subj: Monthly Staff Officer Report To: VFC There are two items this month that deserve the attention of flotilla members particularly those holding coxswain or crew member qualifications. 2. Those vessel facility owners with newer VHF/FM radios having the capability, by direct wiring between the GPS and VHF/FM radio, to automatically transmit latitude and longitude position on channel 70 in emergency situations when the Distress: button is pushed. Some of the newest radios, (the Standard GX1700 for example) has a GPS built in and interunit wiring is not needed. However, the various displayed position formats may lead, in the worst situation, to an error of 16 nautical miles. Consider the three position format conventions: 1) Degrees, minutes and seconds. This is the most common, accurate and familiar format. The position shown on the GPS is DD degrees, MM minutes and SS seconds. DD/MM/SS. It is said exactly as displayed. The position displayed is the actual position, i.e., there is no error. 2) Degrees, minutes and decimal minutes. The position shown on the GPS is DD degrees, MM.MM minutes (no seconds). It is said DD Degrees, MM point MM Minutes North; DD degrees, MM point MM minutes West. This format will result in an error of 0.46 nautical miles as the result of interpolation within the firmware. And it cannot be compensated for. 3) Degrees, decimal degrees. The position is displayed as DD.xxxxN degrees, DD.yyyyW degrees. No minutes nor seconds are displayed. This is the most inaccurate position display and results in a 16 nautical mile error (distance between displayed and actual position). Again this is the result of interpolation within the firmware and cannot be compensated for. 3. The second item applies to all in the operational program and it deals with something we all face... reduced capability due to age. I am indebted to the Flotilla Safety Officer from the Ft. Myers Power Squadron for this information. 1) 10,000 people per day turn 65 in America, may of them boaters. Senior boaters, including in the Auxiliary, are the fastest growing segment of the boating population. Former Coast Guardsman James Eastman contends we are in denial about the problem; his research shows that 80% of senior boaters just ignore the effects of aging. He asks us to become one of the pro-active 20% of senior boaters that are aware of our diminishing skills and asks that we adjust our boating habits and implement common sense changes. I for one, have voluntarily given up my coxswain qualifications; I won t be a threat to myself or my crew members or worse yet becoming part of the rescue mission. But consider installing grab rails, I increasing non-slip surfaces, making check lists, and even having commercially available emergency medical help buttons separate from the radio distress capability on your boat. When out on your boat and not under orders, make sure you have a companion aboard available to assist when necessary. But who wants to admit we are losing our faculties? Don t be afraid to admit your reduced mental and physical capability admit it and implement changes to address the problem. Know your limits. Lastly visit the website Respectfully, David H. Thomas, ll FSO-CM 16-01

12 P a g e 12 R I V E R W A T C H Tom McBride Editor cgretire97@hotmail.com Jim Watson FC jwatson@inteliport.com Rules of The Road: Life Jackets reprinted in part from Boating Safety Resource Center website. Special thanks to: Jim Watson for his pep talk article. Janet Farmer for photos. Dave Thomas for FSO report. C r e d i t s