The Sector Portland galley is back in service

Shipmates,
Renovations to the galley at Sector Portland are complete. The hours are:

Breakfast 0650-0750 (Mon-Sat)
Lunch 1130-1230 (Mon-Sat)

Please remember that unless you are specifically on orders you must pay for all meals. Orders, and thus paid meals, are not provided for Division training.

RBS Ready: Washington & Oregon Boaters Handboks

Shipmates, 

As we execute the Recreational Boating Safety mission there are a few key pieces of material we use. Understanding of these materials, what they contain, where they come from, and how they are used in different circumstances helps each of us be prepared to promote boating safety effectively -- to be RBS Ready.

In the first post in this series we looked at the Federal Requirements & Safety Tips for Recreational Boats, in this post we will look at the closely related boaters handbooks for Oregon and Washington. There is significant overlap between these three resources and you should choose the one most relevant to your location to be your primary Requirements resource. In any case we strongly recommend you have at least reference copies of all three to answer the full range of questions from Oregon and Washington boaters.

Adventures in Boating Washington: Handbook

This 7" X 4" inch, 98 page book contains sections on boating safety and boating law in Washington.

Oregon Boater's Handbook

This 8 1/2" X 11", 52 page book contains sections on safety and boating law in Oregon. The center section contains the boating regulations specific to particular Oregon waters. 

Guidance

Members new to the RBS mission: Choose the Washington or Oregon Handbook based on where you are likely to be pursing the RBS mission most often. Review the relevant handbook for the state specific requirements not contained in the Federal Requirements.

Plan to have multiple copies available whenever conducting RBS activities. Put a copy into the hands of boaters whenever possible - you never know when they will pick it up.

Vessel Examiners: Many examiners leave a copy with every boat on which they conduct an exam. At many launch ramps we inspect both Oregon and Washington recreational boats so it is worth having copies of both handbooks.

Public Education: Much of the material in the handbooks is contained in both the ABS and BS&S books - the exception is the specific state requirements. Every student should receive the relevant handbook.

Program Visitors: The relevant handbook should be stocked at all program partners. These publications are one of our highest demand items.

Public Affairs: The relevant handbook should be available at all PA events to hand out and to use to answer boater questions. At least a few copies of the other State handbook should also be on hand.

Operations: The Federal Requirements should be the primary item carried for RBS but these handbooks are also worth carrying if space permits.

Availability

The publication is ordered via your Flotilla Materials Officer (FSO-MA) from the Oregon State Marine Board for the Oregon handbook and from Washington State Parks for the Washington handbook.

Sea Story: Managing a leak on 242325

Shipmates,
This story originally appeared in the April edition of Flotilla 78's award winning newsletter, Waterways. These stories are always useful as we discuss operational risk management and responding to issues while underway - particularly when the stories involve members we know and facilities we've crewed upon.

The author, Wayne Monroe, offers a lesson learned. What would you take away from this case?

Routine Patrol … Until

Saturday 27March2010 AUXFAC CHESSIE (242325) departed Steamboat Landing Marina for a Safety Patrol on the Columbia River with our target area of operation defined as CRM 85 to CRM 115 and WRM 0 to 8. Since it was spring salmon fishing we expected the river to be crowded and our focus to be “Make Way”. 

We started downriver at 0848 and inspected the damage at Donaldson's Marina from a previous boat explosion and then continued downriver. We monitored traffic from the stern wheeler Columbia Gorge about to enter the Columbia at Kelly Point and decided that the large number of fishing boats warranted running to meet her and escorting her upriver. Bob Wilkinson was at the controls and proceeded to advance the throttle to get CHESSIE on plane. CHESSIE seemed to be struggling and didn't respond well to the advanced throttle setting. 

Our first thoughts were that some equipment was not operating properly; maybe the trim tabs or the trim of the outdrive. After trying different settings and still not getting favorable results Bob finally said, “It feels like she’s heavy with water”. I immediately stepped into the cockpit and raised the engine cover to discover about 6” of water in the bilge. The belt was flinging water and knowing the bilge pumps had been running I felt like the water was probably gaining ground. 

I told crew person Betsy Allen to contact Sector Portland and alert them to the situation and ordered Bob to head for the beach at Terminal 6. We did beach the boat and the pumps removed most of the water in about 10 to 15 minutes. A thorough search failed to expose the source of the leak. By this time Todd Mains arrived in Red Dog and, assuming the leak was coming from the engine while it was running – the water was warm, we decided to tow the boat to Sells Marine Repair in North Portland Harbor.

 Once underway, more water entered the boat but the pumps were keeping up with it and we had manual pumps deployed to supplement the electric pumps in case we lost power. More searching finally revealed that the water filter for the built-in live tank had sustained a crack and was leaking only when CHESSIE was making way. By the time we discovered the through-hull that supplied the live tank pump we were almost to Sells but we were able to close the valve and the water leak stopped instantly. We were able to make our way to the dock under our own power. We monitored the situation and satisfied ourselves that with the valve closed the problem was neutralized and we felt confident leaving CHESSIE unattended at Sells until Monday when they could make the necessary repairs. We secured our patrol at 1151. 

Lessons learned: Check out the worst case scenario first and then work backwards to the lesser possibilities. (Look in the bilge first.) All repairs have been made and CHESSIE is again fully operational and awaiting her next scheduled service for the Coast Guard.

Respectfully submitted, Wayne Monroe, FSO-NS FL78

April 2010: Commander's Daymark Comments

Guardians,

As I write this [Note: This was prepared on 21MAR to meet the Daymark publication schedule] we've just completed two days of focused outreach to Columbia and Willamette fishermen participating in the Spring salmon run. Over two days you made contacts with 750 fishermen launching from locations around our region. I had the opportunity to see a number of you in action on the ramps, in the Incident Command Post, and on the water. It was an impressive effort and I thank everyone who participated in planning and executing the effort. Bravo Zulu! Beyond simply looking at the numbers this operation showed a number of our strengths. First, our members local knowledge helped the Coast Guard understand the issue and allowed us to approach the effort effectively. This local knowledge is something that the active duty simply cannot accumulate in the short few years they are here. Second, our Flotillas took different approaches to organizing their ramp presence and made changes on the fly as the situation developed. As we try different approaches and then share what we've learned we build experience among our membership and find the best methods to meet our missions. Third, we used a wide variety of member skills and capabilities including our surface and air facilities, our PA and VE teams, and our communications teams.

As we consider our activity and our goals it is important not only to gauge ourselves against other units or our past performance but also against the size of the task we face. To put this task in context please keep these facts in mind about the area we serve in Washington and Oregon:

- 2.25 million residents

- 80,000 registered boats* and many visiting boats from the surrounding area and further afield

- 66,000 people getting on the water to kayak at least once each year*

- 66,000 people getting on the water to canoe each year*

- 2,500 port calls of commercial traffic*

- Large number of waterside facilities

- Numerous major ports

- Significant critical environmental habitat

- Critical highways, bridges, rail, pipelines and other infrastructure

- Year-round boating and fishing events

- Unexpected weather and regular high winds

- Significant history of, and potential for, natural disasters including storms, floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, ...

- Cold snow fed rivers

- ...all focused in a relatively few square miles of rivers which are the heartbeat of our region

With 248 Auxiliarists we need to think creatively to approach these challenges as individuals, in teams, as Flotillas and as a Division. What's your idea?

Respectfully,

Daren Lewis

*Estimates based on State/regional statistics

April Division Meeting: Rose City Yacht Club

Shipmates,
A reminder, we'll be meeting at the Rose City Yacht Club tomorrow night rather than Sector Portland.


Division 7 Meeting
1900 Monday April 5, 2010
ROSE CITY YACHT CLUB

3737 NE MARINE DRIVE

Hope to see you there!

Leadership: Polishing boots

Note: Each April the CG-133 (Coast Guard Leadership and Professional Development)  sponsors a Leadership Campaign to focus attention on the topic of leadership. Over the course of the month we'll have a number of posts focused on leadership as part of this year's "Spotlight on Leadership".

Shipmates,

The Coast Guard's twenty-eight leadership competencies (HTML/PDF) are organized into four broad categories:

• Leading Self 
• Leading Others 
• Leading Performance and Change 
• Leading the Coast Guard 

I had cause at this week after the Flotilla Crew/Coxswain Academy to consider two points related to the first of these categories, Leading Self.

We wear boots with our ODUs. The Auxiliary Manual does not say much about care of these boots and the CG Uniform Manual only notes that they should be well blackened. The Coast Guard cultural standard is that boots should be polished. Over the years since I bought the boots I currently wear I'd regularly taken the black Kiwi and shoe brush to my boots. Recently this boot first-aid has had less and less effect. At the Academy SN Elisabeth Hanna, FL76 member and one of our Coxswain candidates, shared her active duty perspective on the wearing of the ODU. Listening to Elisabeth I looked down at my boots I realized that I'd drifted more than a bit and my boots no longer reflected the standard to which I hold myself. The next day I decided it was time to learn how to polish my boots and it turns out to be a great metaphor for leading self. A good polish requires simple tools, lots of work and time, putting on thick layers of polish and working each of these down followed thiner and thiner layers, getting a little better at the process with each step and seeing slightly better results. While perfection isn't possible, knowing excellence is out there somewhere makes one keep working.  My boots are not yet where I'd like to be but, like my journey to leading self, I am on the path.

The second "leading self" moment came after reflecting on my contributions during Elisabeth's presentation on the ODU. As is my habit I offered a few clarifications. While correct these additions were not appropriate to my role at the time. I was there as a mentor to the candidates not to teach - if each of us were to offer our POV from the back of the room the instructors would never get to the points of their lessons. The class time belongs to the students first, those of us observing should do just that, observe. There will always be times to offer those clarifications, additions and comments it may just not be right then. Too often those of us in leadership use our role to talk when we should be listening. We've got plenty of time in the bully pulpit -- part of leading self is knowing when to let others speak. To paraphrase Epictetus, "I was given two ears and one mouth… you should use them in that proportion".


This isn't to tell you to polish those boots or listen more, the point is to lead ourselves. I invite you to join me on the journey.

Daren

RBS Ready: Recommendations?

Shipmates,
As a new member I found the number of opportunities for service in the Auxiliary overwhelming. My fellow members were enthusiastic advocates for various mission areas and over the years I found my niche.

Looking back on my experience I realize that much of the knowledge I use  in my Auxiliary pursuits was hard won, not because there was too little information and training but because there was too much. The times when a mentor took me aside and told me "this is what is important, this is why, and this is how you use it" were invaluable.

In the coming months I'd like to offer these insights to our new members and to members looking to expand into new mission areas with a specific focus on the Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) mission. The objective is to simplify the path from interest in RBS, to qualification, and on to mastery.

Why the focus on RBS? 
First, the RBS mission is designated by the Commandant as Job #1 for the Auxiliary:

As the leading volunteer organization in the Department of Homeland Security, it [the Auxiliary] is an essential component of our daily operations and an effective resource primed to prevent and respond to catastrophes in the maritime region. Fittingly, the core strategic purpose of the Auxiliary is to continuously hone its expertise to perform three prioritized functions: 

(1) Promote and improve recreational boating safety; 

(2) Support Coast Guard maritime homeland security efforts; and 

(3) Support the Coast Guard’s operational, administrative, and logistical requirements.

 - USCG Auxiliary Policy Statement, ADM Thad Allen

Second, you can start doing RBS missions right away as a member of our Public Affairs team. The core qualifications in the RBS area (Vessel Examiner, Program Visitor, and Instructor) are straightforward  and, with the help of a good mentor, quick to achieve. These qualifications serve as a good introduction to the qualification process.

Third, the RBS missions are "Good to Go" missions. This means you can call up or email the responsible staff officer or your Flotilla Commander, request assignment to duty, and go do the work. Planning, formal POMS orders, and budget are not required. [Safety note: I request you always take along another member - this is a great opportunity to take along a newer member and introduce them to the RBS mission.] 

What do we need from you?
We need to know what pieces of literature, handouts, and knowledge are most critical to your success in RBS missions. What do you use? What do you say? Most importantly, what works?

See our first RBS Ready post on the Federal Requirements as an example approach: http://www.division7.org/2010/03/rbs-ready-federal-requirements-safety.html

Thank you for your service.

Be safe and look to the safety of your shipmates,
Daren

Coast Guard News: VADM Papp's confirmation hearing to be the 24th Commandant

Shipmates,
VADM Papp appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on 18MAR as part of the confirmation process to become the 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard. I encourage you to view VADM Papp's statement to the Committee. The vision VADM Papp laid out gives me great faith in the future of our service. The statement begins at 65:30 an ends at 75:55 - you can use the bar the bottom of the video to move forward to the 65th minute.

Vice Admiral Robert J. Papp refers to his notes before answering a question during his Senate confirmation hearing to be named the 24th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard illustration from a photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Victoria Bonk-Meyers.)

RBS Ready: Federal Requirements & Safety Tips

Shipmates,
As we execute the Recreational Boating Safety mission there are a few key pieces of material we use. Understanding of these materials, what they contain, where they come from, and how they are used in different circumstances helps each of us be prepared to promote boating safety effectively -- to be RBS Ready.

One of our key tools is the publication Federal Requirements & Safety Tips for Recreational Boats. This 4 inch by 8 1/2 inch, 56 page publication has six major sections:

• Registration, Numbering & Documentation
• Law Enforcement
• Equipment Requirements
• Vessels Operating Offshore
• Operating Procedures
• Safety and Survival Tips

When supplemented with Oregon or Washington boaters guides for local information this publication contains all the basic requirements for our RBS audience. Be sure to review the center of the publication, pages 26-28, which contains a Quick Reference Chart of requirements based on vessel length.

Guidance

Members new to the RBS mission: Consider this publication one of your key resources and carry multiple copies whenever conduction RBS missions - one for yourself and other copies to give to boaters. Familiarize yourself with the key sections and the major requirements. There is nothing wrong with referring to the Federal Requirements to answer boater questions. We always emphasize correct answers over potentially imperfect memorization. It helps a great deal to give a boater a copy with the pages relevant to their questions marked in some manner. Pointing out the section and then folding down the corner of the page is effective. Familiarization with the Requirements will come with time and your need to reference the publication regularly will diminish.

Vessel Examiners: Many examiners leave a copy with every boat on which they conduct an exam.

Public Education: Most, if not all, of the material in the Federal Requirements is contained in both the ABS and BS&S books. Nevertheless it is a good idea to provide a copy of the Requirements for students to put aboard their boats for reference.

Program Visitors: The Federal Requirements should be stocked at all program partners. This publication is one of our highest demand items.

Public Affairs: The Federal Requirements should be available at all PA events to hand out and to use to answer boater questions.

Operations: Copies should be carried aboard operational facilities where possible to be used to answer boater questions durning underway RBS activities and if approached by boaters underway or while at a stop.

Availability

The publication is ordered via your Flotilla Materials Officer (FSO-MA) from the Auxiliary National Supply Center (ANSC) with stock number 3006. The maximum quantity in each order is 200.

3006 PAMPHLET, FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RECREATIONAL BOATS (BR) - Contains information about Federal boating laws, equipment requirements, and safety recommendations for recreational vessels. Loaded with charts, graphics, and diagrams, this brochure covers navigational rules, cold water survival and life jacket requirements. (You’re in Command Boat Safely) (MAX 200) (REV. 2007)

Operations Safety: Wearing of Jewelry on Patrol

Shipmates,
Please review our SO-OP Don Verkest's comments on an email distributed by the D13 Auxiliary Chief of Staff reinforcing the long standing policy on the wear of Jewelry while on patrol. I went ringless a few years ago, after I realized I'd forgotten and operated with my wedding band. I had a discussion with my wife and got permission to limit wear of my ring to special occasions - my key responsibility to my family is to come home whole and healthy.

Be safe and look to the safety of your shipmates by assuring we meet this policy -- every time.

Peter Raiswell's message leaves no room for interpretation. Jewelry of any kind is not permitted on patrol. It must be removed prior to getting underway and is best left at home. We will give this latest clarification more emphasis with the Academy members and it should also be covered with OP members at the Flotilla level. 

Don Verkest, SO-OP

Subject: Jewelry on patrol

We will discuss this further during our EXCOM conversation but this is a quick heads up.

The "no rings" policy is real and will be enforced. it is in the boat crew manual and applies to the auxiliary. There are no waiver capabilities unless we can get the policy changed nationally. So that leaves us with the active duty policy that specifically says no rings. Check the boat crew manual, here is what it says:

"The wearing of jewelry, including rings, wristwatches, necklaces or other items not consisting of organizational clothing, PPE, or uniform articles by boat crew members engaged in hoisting, towing, or other deck evolutions where the potential for snagging exists is prohibited. OICs and coxswains will address this during all pre-underway briefs and coxswains shall ensure jewelry is removed prior to beginning all deck evolutions."

If someone is injured disobeying this policy not only are they not covered by the USCG for liability etc but the coxswain will also be held accountable with probably loss of coxswain status. Serious stuff.

I realize there are situations where a member either cannot or will not remove a ring etc. If that happens there is no option at the moment but to remove the person from a deck evolution as specified. Even if that means calling off a patrol. The OTO will post more on MII. There is no provision at present to wrap a ring in duct tape etc.

This is not what a lot of members want to hear, but it is the way it is. We have to enforce it. All coxswains will need to be made aware of the need to enforce the rule, as well as crew personnel.

Peter

Peter Raiswell, Chief of Staff, US Coast Guard Auxiliary District 13

Putting the U(niform) in ODU

Shipmates,
With the availability of the new Untucked-ODU to the Auxiliary and the mandate to change our office collar insignia to the new black "A" versions by 31DEC10 it is time to revisit the standards for application of tapes and devices to the ODU so that we can be uniform in our wear of the Coast Guard uniform.

As you walk around Coast Guard units across the country you will see a number of these issues on the uniforms of all three uniformed components of the Coast Guard - Active, Reserve and Auxiliary. All of us have faced challenges due to availability of proper tapes and sew-on devices.

As you purchase new uniforms and work to meet the 31DEC2010 deadline for new officer devices please adjust your ODUs to meet the current uniform standards. As Auxiliarists we can strive to lead the way!

1. Material
With the ODU we have a new material - the tapes should be the same material as the uniform "nylon/cotton poplin material matching the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) in CG Blue 3362". The webbing type tape material is now obsolete.

2. Placement of name, auxiliary tapes, and device.
Name and auxiliary tapes should run the full width of the pocket and go directly above the pocket with no gap between the pocked and the tape. Many members have a 1/4' gap similar to the  placement of the plastic name tag we wear on our Tropical Blue uniform - sew-on tapes go immediately above the pocket with no gap.

A single device tape may be worn above the Auxiliary tape - also running the full width of the pocket.

3. Sewing of tapes
"Tapes will be sewn on with matching blue thread 1/16 inch from the edge with a minimum of six stitches per inch. Sew-on stitching will not run through the embroidered lettering."

Be sure to fold the ends of the tape under so there is no exposed unfinished edge which can unravel.

4. Sew on insignia
Metal devices are no longer authorized. As of 31DEC2010 our devices are to be the new style with Black "A"s in place of Red or Blue "A"s. Our office insignia are to be sewn on a line bisecting the collar    with the bottom of the device (not the sew on patch) 1 1/8 inches from the collar point [Except FC/ADSO and DCAPT devices which are placed 1 1/2 inches from the collar point]

Sources:
My preferred source of ODU tapes is the Uniform Distribution Center http://www.uscg.mil/hr/udc/

Name tapes from the UDC cost $4.12 for four, and Auxiliary tapes cost $1.03 each. The UDC does not charge for shipping and recent orders have taken about a week.

Collar and qualification devices can be ordered from the District Store. http://shopauxiliary.com/membershipsignindist.php

References:

USCG Uniform Regulations - CIM 1020.6F
http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/1000-1999/CIM_1020_6F.pdf
3.F.2. Cloth and U.S. Coast Guard Nametapes

Both the wearer's nametape and the "U.S. COAST GUARD" nametape will be worn on the ODU. The cloth nametape with the wearer's name will be centered directly above the wearer's right chest pocket. The “U.S. COAST GUARD” nametape will be centered directly above the wearer's left chest pocket. Nametapes will not be shorter than or extend beyond the width of the ODU breast pocket. The cloth nametapes will consist of a nylon/cotton poplin material matching the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) in CG Blue 3362 and white block letters 5/8 + 1/16 inch high by 5/16 inch wide military block letters. Only the last name will be represented on the wearers right name tape. Surnames that have a combination of upper and lower case letters are authorized (i.e. McDONALD). Both nametapes will be one inch in height and eight inches wide. For last names that exceed 15 characters, the letter width will be reduced to allow the name to fit on the tape. Tapes will be sewn on with matching blue thread 1/16 inch from the edge with a minimum of six stitches per inch. Sew-on stitching will not run through the embroidered lettering.

ALAUX 033/09 - AUXILIARY SEW-ON INSIGNIA
http://cgls.uscg.mil/pipermail/chdiraux-l/2009-August/000032.html

1. Coast Guard specifications for sew-on versions of Auxiliary insignia (i.e. - collar insignia for elected/appointed offices; qualification devices) have been developed and applied to production through the Coast Guard Exchange System (CGES). These new Auxiliary sew-on insignia have begun to arrive at CGES stores across the country.

2. The collar insignia have a black "A" sewn on them. They represent the new sew-on standard for Auxiliary elected/appointed offices, and they replace sew-on insignia that have either a blue or red "A".

3. Recognizing that many Auxiliarists wear sew-on insignia that have either a blue or red "A", a phase-in period is established for transition to these new sew-on insignia. The phase-in period shall end on December 31, 2010. After that date, the new sew-on insignia shall be the only authorized sew-on insignia for wear on appropriate Auxiliary uniforms.

4. In addition to availability at CGES stores, these insignia will also soon be available for order through:

- The Coast Guard Auxiliary Association Inc. web site (www.shopauxiliary.com - use the "District Materials Stores" link and login with your Employee ID and Auxiliary e-Directory password).
- The Vanguard web site (www.vanguardmil.com/store/index.php).

ALAUX - AUXILIARY SEW-ON QUALIFICATION INSIGNIA
23 September 200
http://kb.cgaux.info/kb/?View=entry&EntryID=600

1. The Coast Guard Auxiliary sew-on qualification insignia announced in ALAUX 033/09 are authorized for wear on the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU), Working Blue, and Hot Weather Uniform (i.e. - only the Coast Guard dark blue short-sleeve shirt alternative) described in the Auxiliary Manual (Commandant Instruction M16790.1 series).

2. In accordance with Coast Guard Uniform Regulations (Commandant Instruction M1020.6 series), only one Auxiliary sew-on qualification insignia is authorized for wear on the ODU. By extension, this also applies for Working Blue and the Hot Weather Uniform authorized for wear by Auxiliarists. Such insignia shall be centered directly above the "USCG AUXILIARY" cloth tape immediately above the wearer's left breast pocket. Embroidered insignia shall be the same size as the metal insignia, centered on a tape the full width of the pocket. The tape shall not exceed the width of the pocket. If an Auxiliarist has earned more than one qualification insignia, then the insignia that is worn shall be at the discretion of the Auxiliarist. Temporary/conditional sew-on qualification insignia shall not be worn on these uniforms.

3. Pursuant to ALCOAST 074/09, the Auxiliary sew-on AUXOP device is authorized for wear on these uniforms. It is the only Auxiliary device so authorized. It shall be centered directly above the cloth nametape immediately above the wearer's right breast pocket.

4. These provisions shall be incorporated into the next change to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Manual.


ALCOAST 427/07 - OPERATIONAL DRESS UNIFORM (ODU) CARE AND WEAR POLICY
http://kb.cgaux.info/kb/?View=entry&EntryID=365

1. AFTER 15 JULY 2007, ALL ACCESSORIES WORN ON THE ODU SHALL BE EMBROIDERED, INCLUDING COLLAR RANK AND SPECIALTY INSIGNIA. ALL COLLAR RANK INSIGNIAS, WITH EXCEPTION OF O3 AND O6 SHALL BE PLACED ON THE IMAGINARY LINE BISECTING THE ANGLE OF THE COLLAR WITH THE BASE OF THE INSIGNIA (NOT THE EMBROIDERED PATCH) APPROX 1 1/8 INCH FROM COLLAR POINT. DUE TO THEIR HORIZONTAL FORMAT, EMBROIDERED O3 AND O6 RANK INSIGNIA SHALL BE PLACED 1 1/2 INCHES FROM THE POINT.

Make Way Education Surge Operation Report (19-20 March 2010)

Shipmates,
On Friday and Saturday we had members on local boat ramps around the region, in the Sector Portland Incident Command Post, on the water and in the air for a major education effort to inform boaters of their obligations under Navigation Rule 9. Over the two days we made an estimated 615 contacts on local boat ramps. This is an outstanding performance and a credit to each of you who participated in the planning or execution of this effort.

We've prepared a video with an overview of the operation and some scenes from around the area showing the variety of our participation.

Thank you for all your hard work.



If the video does not show please view it on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYCNuIl0cYQ - remember to choose 720p if your internet connection supports HD.

While this was a focused effort over two days it can be replicated on a smaller scale by any member by getting a buddy, asking your FC, VFC or appropriate FSO to assign you to duty, and heading out to a ramp on any weekend morning in heavy fishing season to champion the message of boating safety.

Information specific to the Make Way mission can be found here: http://www.division7.org/2010/03/2010-make-way-ramp-education-kickoff-on.html

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

Managing risk: Another perspective

Shipmates, I post very little external content on the Division blog. Yesterday one of the photographers I follow online, Chase Jarvis, posted about a new project which is about risk. The first video in the post is about Jason Sutherland, a skateboarder. As you listen to Jason you will hear many of the same points we constantly discuss about risk, managing risk, and the value of practice should things go haywire. Chase is an incredible storyteller as this work clearly illustrates. I hope you enjoy this particular perspective and I look forward to your feedback.

First my video introduction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwVuR-T5omw):



View the Jason Sutherland video by Chase Jarvis here: http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2010/03/exploring-risk-conversation-yields.html or go to YouTube and watch the video in HD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSEt54GZ_pc&feature=player_embedded

The second video is just as worth watching "Glass blowing isn't something you want to do with just anybody".... isn't that the truth.

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

Flotilla 73 Crew/Coxswain Academy Resource Page

IPDCDR Doug Balkema (a FL73 Member) discusses portable
pump operation at a training event earlier this year.

Last night the Flotilla 73 Crew/Coxswain Academy kicked off for 2010.  The Academy trains candidates from across the Division and also has candidates from Division 6 again this year.

FC73 Brian Rollins has developed a resource page for the Academy at: http://www.flotilla73.org/crew-academy

This page has links to all the required manuals as well as the schedule.

Since its inception the Academy has proven highly effective in preparing new crew and coxswains as well as improving the skills of those already in the program. Thanks to the very hard work of IPFC73/SO-OP7 Don Verkest and the Academy cadre we have a larger, safer and more effective operations program.

Changes in the Auxiliary Sector Coordinator role

Shipmates,

Hopefully you all received notice today regarding the transition and appointments for our Auxiliary Sector Coordinator - Sector Columbia River and AUX-C - Portland. These changes reflect our ongoing effort as a District to anticipate the needs of the Coast Guard and organize ourselves proactively to meet those needs.

Personally and as DCDR I've very pleased to see Todd and Lynn assume these new roles. For both of these shipmates this is a continuation of their current excellent efforts. They each have my personal commitment to make the transition a success and lay the groundwork for our future partnership with the new Sector and our new Portland Field Office. 

Congratulations Todd!

Congratulations Lynn!

As the Coast Guard moves forward with changes to Sector Portland and the establishment of Sector Columbia River the Auxiliary is making changes to ensure we stay current with requirements associated with the active duty changes.

Effective immediately CMO Hoppman announces the following appointments:

ASC Sector Columbia River: Todd Mains

AUX-C Sector Field Office Portland: Lynn Easton

Please join me in congratulating these officers on their appointments. Although the actual sector changes within the Coast Guard will take place over a period of several months, we are making these changes now to provide maximum support and flexibility in the coming months.

At this time jack Bradbury is relinquishing his appointment as AUX-C group Air Station Astoria. Jack has served with distinction in this position for several years, and we all owe Jack a big "Thank You and Bravo Zulu" and a debt of gratitude for the service he has provided in this position. Thank you Jack.

Peter

Peter Raiswell

Chief of Staff

US Coast Guard Auxiliary District 13