Derelict Vessel Task Force

Lynn Easton, FL76

By Todd Mains

 “Hey Todd, its Lynn. Do you know about this fifty foot old wooden-hulled cabin cruiser aground by McCuddy’s?”

Phone calls like this one help the Coast Guard accomplish a key mission area.Maritime Domain Awareness is one of the strengths of the Auxiliary. We know our waterways from years of boating, fishing, exploring, and recreating on the water. We know what “belongs” here. We know when something has changed. When we report it, we make a difference.

As a result of the DAVY CROCKETT oil spill and resulting $20+ million cleanup, the Coast Guard has taken an active role in researching “vessels of interest.” These vessels appear to be abandoned or derelict and may pose a current or future threat to the environment or safe navigation. Additionally, these vessels may be an attractive hazard to kids, a platform for other crimes and an eyesore. The focus of the Coast Guard in this matter is safe navigation and environmental protection, but doesn’t it make sense to share information with other government agencies that are interested in these vessels?

With that in mind, Sector Columbia River spearheaded the formation of the Derelict Vessel Task Force. This group has representatives from such agencies as the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Marine Board, Department of State Lands, the Governor’s office, Senator Wyden’s office, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Natural Resources, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Portland Harbormaster, and others. Obviously to make this work the task force needs to know what vessels are out there. Enter the USCG Auxiliary.

These vessels are inherently dangerous because of the many potential hazards they may contain. As always, your safety, the safety of your crew, and the safety of your vessel are your primary concerns. Do not bring your vessel alongside or board a derelict vessel. Check for pollution before you approach. Do not confront any persons that may be onboard. From a safe distance, gather information like location, vessel type, and identifying marks. Call or email your findings to AUX Todd Mains, 503-543-3892 or Todd.Mains@GMail.com. 

What about the vessel Lynn Easton reported? The Sheriff’s Office found the owner and he is cooperating to do the right thing. An ounce of prevention?

M/V Polar Star aka MINDY B in the Multnomah Channel

ECP Training This Saturday

By Jonathan James

For those of you who have not be notified. The communications exercise set for Saturday is canceled due to budget issues. However we are holding an ECP training day on Saturday to allow members who have not been trained or for members wanting a refresher to catch up on some training. The following subjects will be covered on Saturday:

ECP check lists- Pre-deployment, transporting, deployment and post deployment.

Radio Equipment - We will be showing members how to operate each radio and what the primary function of each radio is.

Support Gear - Members will be introduced to and have hands on with the support equipment on the trailer. Items include: spare VHF antennas, HF antennas (variety), power generator, propane powered devices, etc.

Miscellaneous Gear - Show members all the misc gear locations and how to access some compartments.

For those who wish to assist - We have a small trailer with radio gear that needs organized in Pelican Cases along with some gear in the ECP. We will work on putting these cases back in service and making adjustments to equipment in the ECP for better access to watchstanders.

The training starts at 0830 hours at the ECP on board MSU Portland on Saturday 22 October.

Members will be meeting for breakfast at the Galley before the training. So please come join us for breakfast.

It could rain this Saturday, so please see that you bring appropriate rain gear just in case which bring me to another point. The uniform for this training will be ODU.

If you have any questions concerning this training, please send me an email. You can find my email in the member directory on line and the division hard copy.

A hiatus...

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
I've been on a bit of a hiatus here on the Division7.org blog as I've been focused on 2012.

Congratulations to our new Division Commander Brad Schuldt and Vice Division Commander George Sipes.

I am very pleased to see the continuity of leadership in our Division continue. I was a beneficiary of great leaders like Doug Balkema, Carol Bobo and Ken Anderson. I count myself lucky to be followed by Brad and George.

Division 7 has great potential for the year ahead.

Photo: Commander Zamperini, USCG, and Chris Schuldt "frock" Brad Schult as a Division Commander. Official USCG Photo by AUX Peggy Stevens.

You can learn a bit about this tradition on Wikipedia or at the US Navy's FAQ site.

Very respectfully,
Daren
Division Commander - Division 7