Support Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
In the next few weeks you will receive a solicitation from Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. Our shipmates at CGMA do an incredible job of filling the gaps for members of the Coast Guard family who have an issue that is not otherwise addressed. I've seen this in action for Active Duty and Auxiliarists. If you are in a position where you have resources for charitable giving I would encourage you to review the CGMA website and consider the CGMA for a portion of your giving. We are a family as members of the Coast Guard and we, in the words of the CGMA, "take care of our own".

Be safe out there and look to the safety of your shipmates.... CGMA is part of that for those of us who are able.

Daren

COAST GUARD MUTUAL ASSISTANCE

WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance provides benefits to all parts of the CG Family - Active Duty, Reserves, Spouses, Retirees, Auxiliarists, etc.

ADM Papp is calling this year “The Year of the Family”. The CGMA wants to let the members of the USCGAUX know about the program and resources offered to the members of the CG Family. Annually, the CGMA contacts the Auxiliary members to request contributions. I know of some District 13 Auxiliary members that have been given assistance through the fund. 

The purpose of the CGMA is to assist persons during a time of financial need. Assistance is provided through counseling, short-term interest-free loans, financial grants, referrals and other related means. 

There are a large variety of conditions and situations usually every day essentials including emergencies, housing, and medical needs that are beyond the individual’s ability to meet at the time assistance is requested. Authorized Assistance is for situations requiring immediate attention, essentials, and to solve temporary problems, each case will be considered on its own merits, on a personalized and timely basis and with confidentiality. 

Assistance is meant to be used to supplement, not replace other forms of available assistance. 

The final contribution total for District 13 Auxiliary 2010 Drive was 16 contributions totaling $677.

The campaign for 2011 is 1 April to 31 April. “Promo Packages” will be sent to Auxiliarists prior to the start of the campaign, any amount you can contribute will be welcomed. With 1669 members in District 13, a one dollar contribution by each member can make a difference toward helping someone in need. It could be one of our fellow members in District 13. 

See http://www.cgmahq.org/ for information on CGMA.

Jo Ann Grubb, CGMA D13

2011 Make Way Ramp Education Kickoff on 03-04 April (Saturday and Sunday)

By Josh Sharkey

On Saturday 03 April and Sunday 04 April 2011 we will be kicking off our 2011 Make Way Education efforts with a presence at ramps and other selected locations around the region. These ramp education efforts will be backed by a focused law enforcement operation. The Make Way program on the ramps and on the water is a critical program to save lives, prevent collisions and protect the marine environment.

The response to online scheduling as we’ve used at recent Boat and Sportsmans Shows has been very positive so we are going to test this method for the ramp scheduling.

Please plan to be at your assigned location ready to go at sunrise (0650) and if at all possible be on site earlier as early launching starts as early as 0500. Please continue operations until 0900, whenever the boats have completed launching, or when you run out of flyers. We welcome any member that would like to assist to sign up, this operation is not just for Vessel Examiners. If you would like to sign up please email me: sharkbait79@comcast.net



While this is a mission some of us conducted last year it is new to others. To help members understand the issues and to promote consistency in our message we have prepared a mission job aid. I encourage all participants to review the job aid and provide feedback based on your prior experience and what you learn over this two morning effort.

To download or print the job aid please visit the following link here

Materials:
There will be materials for you to hand out in the Auxiliary office at MSU Portland the week prior to the event. The materials will be packaged and labeled for each shift at each ramp. Please coordinate with fellow participants at your ramp to assure you are not doubling up on supplies. If you think your shift will require more than 60 flyers please consider making additional copies.

Flyers for FL71 ramps will be sent by mail to FC Mullinax to avoid the long transit.

Once the packets are ready for pick-up all watchstanders will be notified. The target date is Saturday 26 March for the packets to be available.

Please only take your day and ramp's packet (unless you have agreed with someone to pick it up for you).

Please coordinate with any fellow watchstanders to avoid a trip to MSU to pick up a packet that has already been picked up.

Please write your name down on the log sheet so we know who picked up the packet.

Vessel Exams:
While this is not a VE focused operation VEs are welcome and encouraged to do VEs as time and conditions permit. Please focus on maximizing the quantity and quality of contacts which carry the Make Way message. Doing VEs, particularly if someone else is passing out flyers and having brief conversations may be the most effective approach for those particular boaters.

Reporting:
Once complete with your watch please email me and your Flotilla Commander with the following:

• Name and member number of the watchstanders
• Your ramp and day
• Number of flyers distributed (it may be easier to count the remaining flyers, if any)
• If you ran out of flyers could you have distributed more and if so an estimate so we know how to better provision the ramp in the future
• Any suggestions

We will be reporting the results to the MSU Command. This is a mission which can be reported as public affairs on your 7030.

Safety:
Please work in teams, this is a great opportunity to bring along a newer member. Please wear life jackets for flotation, visibility and to show responsible boating behavior. Per our standard practice life jackets are required if you will be on the dock.

Names added to the sign up list will represent official assignment to duty per the AUXMAN by the DCDR 7 and SO-VE 7. If you do not sign up initially and decide you would like to help at a later date, the Division leadership would be happy to assist by providing proper assignment to duty via email.

Be safe out there and look to the safety of your shipmates.


Thank you,
Josh Sharkey

Congratulations Elisabeth!

By Daren Lewis

Our shipmate, Elisabeth Hanna, has been selected as the Enlisted Person of the Year for District 13. She will now represent the District in the selection for the Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year.

The many of us who have had the opportunity to work with and learn from  Elisabeth are all well aware of how she exemplifies the Coast Guard values. She is an exceptional Guardian and an exceptional person.

Here is a note from Wes Hanna who puts it best:

My wife, Elisabeth, was selected to represent District 13 for the Enlisted Person of the Year award last night. The award recognizes those who exemplify Coast Guard values, personal and work ethics and demonstrate leadership and teamwork. Elisabeth puts her whole heart into her Coast Guard work, and I am always very proud her.

Elisabeth is likely already on her way back to Yorktown, VA to continue Boatswain's Mate "A" School.

Congratulations Elisabeth! We are honored to have you as a shipmate.

Mark Bezos on why we serve

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
As I look at the schedule for the weekend I see us underway on the rivers, our crew candidates conducting PPE swim training, our coxswain candidates training on effective SAR patterns, our members on the ramps handing out flyers to inform fishermen about the Davy Crockett response, preparation of the Emergency Command Post for deployment, a Vessel Exam day at Marine Park, and all the other activities that make up our weekend of service.

I'm honored to serve with each of  the 247 of you as we conduct these missions in service of our friends, neighbors and Nation.

A few days ago I saw one of the clearest descriptions of why we serve. Why it isn't just about the big saves but also about the little acts of kindness that make our service, and our lives, rich.

I often state without reservation that I get far more out of my service as an Auxiliarist, as a shipmate, and as a Guardian than I "put in". Mark Bezos, a volunteer firefighter, reminded me why. Listen to Mark's short and entertaining talk. Recognize yourselves. Recognize that when you encourage a friend or a stranger to join us or any other worthy cause you are giving a gift, the gift to be of service.



Bravo Zulu Mark and thank you!

Thank you for your service. Look to the safety of your shipmates,
Daren

Davy Crocket Incident Support Request: 19-20 March 2011

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
We have a request to support the Davy Crocket Incident response by distributing flyers during the early mornings this upcoming weekend, Saturday 19 March and Sunday 20 March. The intent is to get information to the maximum number of boaters.

While this is a short notice request it is an important one and directly supports the most significant marine safety incident in the Sector AOR in many years. This is our core area of competency and we owe our shipmates our full support as they work to protect the environment and the lives of the response team.

The request is to cover three ramps:

• 42nd St.
• Chinook Landing
• Camas/Washougal

The launching period for fishermen is fairly brief so we've set a single shift of 0630-0900. Being on hand before 0630 is likely to be helpful and you will likely be done before 0900.

Signing up: As with our recent shows we are using an online schedule which will be updated as members step forward. Please send an email to me - veryuseful@gmail.com to volunteer for a shift. 

Ideally we will have two members at each ramp. We will be simply handing out the flyers and briefing boaters as they launch.

Logistics: Each shift at each ramp will have a packet at the Auxiliary office at MSU Portland late Thursday evening. One member of the team is asked to pick up the packet -- please coordinate with your watch mates. The packet will contain 50-100 flyers and an ICS 214 to report your time to the ICP. We will contact you after your shifts for reporting your activity - the ICS 214 is for reference so we all know what information will be requested.

If the watch bill above does not display please visit: https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0AvHhc1QsrrWwdHZZdDFHUkFTdGdrbG42RmtuVkJZeVE&single=true&gid=0&range=A2%3AF17&output=html

Photos: Flotilla 73 Crew Coxswain Academy first on-the-water training day

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
Here are a few photos from the afternoon session of Flotilla 73's Crew Coxswain Academy on-the-water training day on Saturday. The Academy has candidates from across the Division and even beyond.

Vessel Examination: The mounted fire extinguisher debate

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
Proving once again that there is always something to learn, the issue of mounting of fire extinguishers came up at our Vessel Examiner workshop this month.

Before I break into my research on the topic let's agree that mounting of ALL fire extinguishers is a good idea and something we need to promote while doing VEs.

Into the debate:


The latest version of "A boaters guide to the Federal requirements for recreational boats" states on page 21:

"...and must be provided with a mounting bracket. While not required, it is recommended that extinguishers be mounted in a readily accessible location."

Easy right? Recommended but not required. Unfortunately it isn't that easy. First, the text may simply apply to "readily accessible location" but even if we assume there is no general mounting requirement for ALL extinguishers that isn't the end of the story.

The USCG does not actually test portable fire extinguishers for recreational boat use. The Coast Guard relies on third party testing labs to do the testing and maintain oversight of fire extinguisher manufacturers. These third party testing labs may set additional conditional requirements for their certification to apply.

I pulled my home ABC extinguisher from the mount in the pantry and had a look at the label. In the UL section (not the manufacturers instructions) we see the following:

Marine Type U.S.C.G.
Type A Size II, Type B:C Size I
U.S.C.G. Approval Number 160.028/EX1793
Valid only with bracket P/N 466400


The key part is this last "Valid only with bracket P/N 466400". This means the U.S.C.G. Approval only exists when the extinguisher is in the required bracket.

Bottom line, we need to check all extinguishers. If an extinguisher has this or a similar note from a third party testing agency, as part of the U.S.C.G. approval, the extinguisher must be mounted in the bracket to be counted as a required extinguisher.

A few key points:

• Unmounted extinguishers are acceptable if they are excess to the requirements and there are other mounted or extinguishers not requiring mounting that meet the requirements.
• You are unlikely to know if the bracket provided is the required bracket - we can allow passage of properly mounted extinguishers in these cases.
• You need to remove portable extinguishers to do a proper check. Seeing them is not sufficient to assure they are USCG Approved and to check to see if the contents are caked and packed.
• Please explain the issue to boat owners if the issue arises (i.e. "There is no general requirement that all extinguishers be mounted but THIS particular extinguisher is only approved when mounted as it says in the U.S.C.G. Approval notice right here on the label.")
• Remember, we are seeking 100% voluntary compliance with the requirements before we issue the VSC decal. This applies to mounting of those extinguishers that require mounting.

Thank you to everyone who offered a perspective on this question. I'd welcome additional feedback. I am also seeking photos of USCG Approved extinguishers without a mounting requirement and/or those approved by other third party testing agencies. The first member to provide photos of either instance gets a customized pint glass.

Quick tips: Using a feed reader to keep track of Coast Guard news and blogs

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
Recently Brad asked me how I keep up with Coast Guard and Auxiliary news and blogs. A key tool to fighting this information overload is a feed reader (also known as a feed aggregator).

I use the Google service Google Reader but there are many alternatives.

In this "Quick Tips" video I show how I use Google Reader and identify some key sites to follow. See the list at the end of the post for these key sites.

Note: These quick tips videos are intended to quickly answer questions and provide tutorials. They are not scripted nor heavily edited. Please excuse any errors and the informal speech. If you have a question about this video please add a comment and an answer or new video will be provided. On these demo videos it helps to go to the YouTube site select the high resolution option and go full screen: HD LINK



Key sites list and feed URL:


Official Coast Guard Blogs

• Coast Guard Compass: feed://coastguard.dodlive.mil/index.php/feed/
• ALCOAST RSS Feed: http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/rss/alcoast.xml
• Coast Guard Marine Safety: feed://cgmarinesafety.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
• On Scene - The Journal of USCG Search and Rescue: feed://uscgsar-onscene.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
• USCG Pacific Northwest (D13) Blog: http://feeds.feedburner.com/UscgPacificNorthwest
• USCG D13 Auxiliary Blog: http://d13cgaux.blogspot.com/
• Division7.org: http://feeds.feedburner.com/Division7
• Flotilla 73: feed://sites.google.com/site/uscgaflotilla73/announcements/posts.xml
• Spirit of 76: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/fl76

External key blogs about the Coast Guard

• The Unofficial Coast Guard Blog: http://feeds.cgblog.org/UnofficialCoastGuardBlog

External links do not imply endorsement of the content. Fair notice, I'm a former contributor to the Unofficial Coast Guard Blog.

Getting to Know AUXINFO: Finding VE Count by Month

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
We are all aware the data systems we use in the Auxiliary are challenging. I'm very excited by the tools emerging from our National IT organization but in the meantime we've got to use what we have. The tool any member can access is AUXINFO -- the public face of AUXDATA. In this brief video tutorial I show a particular task -- finding VEs in the Sector by month. While you may never need to do this particular task the tutorial may prove useful as you explore the AUXINFO system.