The Coast Cutter February 2012 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 11 Division 11 Flotilla 9 Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 From the Flotilla Commander As I write this message I wonder where January went. I guess the old saying is true that time flies when you re having fun. January was a very busy month with all the bridge transfer work completed. Division had a workshop planning meeting which laid out the direction we will be going in 2012; we will be busy. Here are some of the events coming up: Blackthorn Memorial, Gasparilla, Midwinter Laser Race, Wave Rave Race, Snipe Mid Winter Regatta also Northern area Familiarization Patrols, only to name a few. The Meeting at Station Sand Key this month was very interesting, CWO Morgan Dudley renewed his excitement on the R.F.O. program. This program Ready for Operations will bring all Auxiliarists up to a more level field, to the Gold side in (OPS) operations. This is to sharpen the skills of Coxswains and Crew on any patrol that we do, and better staff. Station Sand Key on B-0 missions, this year it is mandatory for all Coxswains and Crew to be able to go on some patrols to take this short test at Sand Key. There will be a Division Meeting on February 18 th 2012 @ 0900 At Clearwater Air Station. Flotilla 11-9 would like to keep up its fantastic record by having its members attend these interesting meetings and bring home the Commanders Cup, which we have won the last 17 out of 18 times. I would like to welcome our new Staff Members, Tom Brickey for Publications, Richard Miccio Member Training and Mike Booth for Public Affairs. Welcome to our great Staff. Lou Davis, FC
Communications FSO-CM Ralph McCullough Operations FSO-OP James Perse Comm. Services FSO-CS Russell Ray Public Affairs FSO-PA Michael Booth Finance FSO-FN Joe Blevins Publications FSO-PB Thomas Brickey Human Resources FSO-HR Roy Warner Public Education FSO-PE Ronald Foster Information Systems FSO-IS Vicki Pierce Personnel Services FSO-PS Roy Warner Materials FSO-MA Thomas Tormey Program Visitor FSO-PV Al Winning Member Services FSO-MS Michael Howland Secretary Records FSO-SR Bernice Brickey Member Training FSO-MT Richard Miccio Vessel Examinations FSO-VE Richard Tome Navigation Services FSO-NS William Joyce Immediate Past FC IPFC Joe Blevins Fellowship Chairperson Mary Poole & Patty Blevins From the Flotilla Vice Here we are in February already. It has been a very busy month of January with assigning staff position, filing reports, and helping the new members get started, a lot of running around, the room is almost finished, just a few more things we have to do to it. Our training of our members is moving right along. We will be adding new crew, coxswains and radio watch standers soon. We would like to again THANK the members who stepped forward and joined our staff, with you we will have a great year. We would also like to give a big BRAVO ZULU to Thomas Brickey who once again is putting together our Flotilla Directory to be passed out at our February meeting. He has done a great job putting it together. Hope to see you all at the February 20 th meeting. Roy Warner Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 3:00 PM Subject: A Debt of Gratitude Esteemed Auxiliary Shipmates: The black and white words below do not even remotely begin to tell the story of the incredible support that Sector St. Pete has received over the past few weeks from our auxiliarists, even above and beyond that which we get on a routine basis. To a person, each Division and Flotilla answered our plea for help for the multiple high profile events we had over the past week and a half. In short, our auxiliarists were EVERYWHERE! Whether it was the Coast Guard City designation ceremony in Clearwater, the Salute dinner in Tampa, the Blackthorn Memorial ceremony, and of course Gasparilla, we could not have pulled off these events without the dozens of auxiliarists involved. As if that weren't enough, we just concluded the first ever Sector Open House, where over 30 aux members provided support, and even more just came out for the fun of it! I am so thankful to be able to work with such dedicated public servants. Mel- Would you be so kind as to please pass my thanks to Sector St. Pete's auxiliarists? Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't give an extra special shout out to Don Hoge for all of his efforts, day in and day out. Thank you for what you do! Warm regards Captain Dickinson Page 2 31 January 2012
Secretary's Report - Bernice Brickey - FSO-SR Minutes of January 16th. 2012 Meeting Lou Davis, FC (Flotilla Commander) called the meeting to order at 1900. Lou asked that Roy Warner, VFC (Flotilla Vice Commander) lead the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence for the men and women in uniform serving our Nation. There were 25 members present representing a quorum of the membership. Lou Davis, FC asked for a motion to accept the minutes of the last meeting which was held in November 2011. Motion was made by Alexander Cascione and seconded by David Corum. A voice vote approval carried unanimously. Lou Davis, FC and Roy Warner, VFC presented award certificates to Al Winning, Jim Perse, Bernice Brickey, and Tom Brickey for safety support during the Clearwater Super Boat Races. Lou Davis, FC and Roy Warner, VFC gave the Officer Pledge to Bernice Brickey, Al Winning, Bill Joyce, Ralph McCullough, and Jim Perse to their new appointed FSO Staff positions for 2012. Lou Davis announced the ABS Course for January is cancelled due to the low number of interested parties at this time. The next course will be held 14 February. Additional advertising will be conducted to support coming courses. STAFF REPORTS FSO-NS (Navigational Services) William Joyce Anclote River Marker #4 is missing and has been replaced by a red buoy. Bill asked that all Operation personnel become Aid Verifiers. A course will be held by Division on 3 March starting at 0700 at the Clearwater Air Station. Contact Bill for more details if you are able to attend. FSO-PV (Program Visitations) Al Winning Ended 2011 with total of 624 Marine Dealer Visits. January 2012 visits should be about 55 for a good start in the year. Have setup five Insurance companies in the Tarpon area and visit should bring in results to help in the distribution of Recreational Boating Safety materials. Next area we will be visiting is Palm Harbor with the hopes of adding about 11 companies to our supporters. FSO-OP (Operations) James Perse Our Flotilla held 7 patrols in December with 2 patrols cancelled. FSO-MS (Marine Safety) Mike Howland We were called out for a oil spill in the water off Hernando Beach. Reported that a boat was abandoned in the water and we were finally able to have it taken out for the safety of boaters. Carl Cole s vessel, which had not been renewed as a Facility last year, had a fire on board and appears to be a total loss. FSO-VE (Vessel Examiner) Richard Tome Vessel Examination decals (VE) have been ordered for 2012. VE Day will be Saturday January 7th. at Anderson Park and Anclote River Park resulted in 24 vessel exams. Next VE Day is March 3rd. at both parks. There will be a Examiner Course in March for those interested members. FSO-CM (Communications) Ralph McCullough There were 5 local (training, safety, regatta, Aton) patrols during the month of January with 4 covered by our watch standers. There was also 2 patrols in December covered by our watch standers. Spoke of the requirements for watch stander. FSO-PA (Public Affairs) Michael Booth January course was cancelled due to low enrollment. The ABS course schedule is being added to the website and will be getting flyers out to the public. FSO-PE (Public Education) Ron Foster There will a Safe Boating for Kids scheduled during August at the Tarpon Spring's Library. FSO-HR (Human Resources) Roy Warner Have two new members to begin the introduction. Page 3 31 January 2012
Continued from Page 3 Hospitality Mary Poole and Patty Blevins Thanks to all members who brought items to the picnic/auction. Roy Poole supplied the meat for the picnic, Thanks to Roy & Mary. The host for February is Mike Howland while Sharon Mikus is the hostess tonight January. Thanks to Sharon. FSO-FN (Finance) Joe Blevins Joe was not present and Roy Warner read the finance report. Motion to accept as read was made by Dave Corum and seconded by Ralph McCullough. Motion accepted by unanimous voice vote. End Staff Reports Lou Davis FC and Roy Warner spoke of the hospitality funds and discussed the meal money donations. A motion was made by Thomas Brickey and seconded by Alex Cascione. Motion accepted by unanimous voice vote. Lou Davis FC spoke about the new wall decoration, a row boat paddle, which was donated by the 11th. Division for the Tarpon Springs support of the room facilities for Division training and meetings during 2011. Also the boat anchor was an item at the auction and now on display. Lou recognized Edith and Jim Perse's donation of a computer monitor, keyboard, and wireless mouse for use with our computer systems. Awards William Joyce, Richard Miccio, Dudley Davis, awarded Performance Awards for Operations. Tom Brickey 9th. award Mike Howland 2nd award, Jacob McCullough 3rd. award for Sustained Service. William Dobies - Vessel Examiner Certification David Corum - 69 Vessel Exams in 2011. Visitor Bill Kelly FC Hudson Last Notes Roy Warner thanked the membership for their support during his hard fought campaign for election to VFC 2012. Roy stated that the election trail was very long and hard but he is looking forward to a great year. Lou stated that the painting of the back half of the room area is complete and we now need a work party to move the wall further back and completion of the air duct work. Reminder The Division meeting will be held on 18 February at the Clearwater Air Station. ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO ATTEND AND ALL STAFF OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND! Adjournment A motion was made to adjourn by Ralph McCullough and seconded by Mike Howland. Motion carried by voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 2045. Publisher Thomas Brickey FSO-PB tcb.fl@verizon.net Page 4 31 January 2012
A row boat paddle, which was donated by the 11th. Division for the Tarpon Springs support of the room facilities for Division training and meetings during 2011. Also the boat anchor was an item at the auction and now on display.