From the Commander Vito Giardina, DCDR vgiardina38@yahoo.com

Greetings All. Although these comments were made prior to the second quarter AUXINFO report I am pleased to say, in looking at the hours so far, our Division will again have a great second quarter thanks to our dedicated Flotilla leadership and their members. The Division/Flotilla Dashboards will be available for our Division Meeting on July 14th. You’ll be able to see how well your Flotilla did this year vs. last year. National Safe Boating week was a great success thanks to our Chairperson Alan Miles and the Flotilla PA’s. It was their dedication that made it an absolute success. Thanks the all of them. Below is a summary prepared by Alan Miles and sent to D7 of went on during this week: Flotilla 12-1 (Lake Marion)

- Stencil 2 Boat Ramps and hold VE Blitzes at those locations - Will be conducting On water patrols during the event - Show case a PA Booth at a local on the water Restaurant - Obtain Proclamations from Mayors of Orangeburg, Manning, and Sumter SC - Making and Displaying 38 Life Jacket signs to promote PFD at local ramps and Marinas - Mayors to attend VE Blitzes - Press coverage of NSBW events - Ready Set Wear it PFD Inflation Demo

Flotilla 12-2 (Myrtle Beach Grand Strand)

- Participate in a local parade to promote NSBW - Stencil 2 Boat Ramps and hold VE Blitzes at those locations - PA Booths at two Marinas - PA Booth at the Blue Crab Festival - Obtain Proclamation from Mayor of North Myrtle Beach, SC - Making and Displaying 38 Life Jacket signs to promote PFD at local ramps and Marinas - Ready Set Wear it PFD Inflation Demo

Flotilla 12-4 (Myrtle Beach Central Grand Strand)

- VE Blitzes at Two Local Boat Ramps - Hang Posters at various locations around town - Two PA Booths at Local Ramps - Ready Set Wear it PFD Inflation Demo - Making and Displaying 38 Life Jacket signs to promote PFD at local ramps and Marinas

Flotilla 12-6 (Mt. Pleasant)

- Conduct ABS Class - Stencil four Boat Ramps - Making and Displaying 38 Life Jacket signs to promote PFD at local ramps and Marinas - Life jacket demo and training Summerville Salt water Angler PFD DEMO

July 2012

Volume 46, Issue 3

Inside this Issue:

From the Commander 1

Vice Commander 3

Communications 3

Communications Services 4

Human Resources N/A

Information Services 4

Lay Leader 4

Marine Safety 5

Materials N/A

Member Training

Navigation Systems

6

6

Operations N/A

Program Visitation

Public Affairs

N/A

6

Public Education 7

Publications

Vessel Examinations

State Liaison/

AUXAIR

7

7

8

8

Flotilla Reports 12

Past Meeting Minutes 18

Reminder/Directions

Staff Directory

20

21

The Pelorus

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 12, Seventh District

http://a07012.uscgaux.info/

Information contained in this newsletter is for official US Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary use only, under the Privacy Act of 1974. The Auxiliary is guided by the current equal opportunity policies of the Commandant of the Coast Guard. No

person shall be subject to discrimination in the Auxiliary or its programs because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability

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Commander (continued) - PA Event with Sammy the Sea Otter to promote PFD’s - Public Service Messages on local ABS Prime time news channels MAY til September - Coverage on local new shows two times - Will be conducting On water patrols during the event - Splash and Swim event in Charleston Harbor (Marathon Swim Event) - USCG Asset Day on Last day with Local USCG Assets and Helo visit, PA booth. - Obtain Proclamation from Mayors of Mt Pleasant, Summerville, Hanahan, and Daniels Island - Ready Set Wear it PFD Inflation Demo

Flotilla 12-8 (Charleston)

- Stencil 4 Boat Landings - VE Blitzes at 4 Boat Ramps - Making and Displaying 106 Life Jacket signs to promote PFD at local ramps and Marinas - Obtain Proclamation from Mayors of Charleston City , Folly Beach , North Charleston - Conduct Harbor safety patrols - Splash and Swim event in Charleston Harbor (Marathon Swim Event) - Showcase Safe Boating Week on Local Cable News Show with 38 Separate airing times - Ready Set Wear it PFD Inflation Demo

Flotilla 12-10 (Georgetown)

- Obtain Proclamation from Mayor of Georgetown - Conduct safety patrols - VE Blitzes at 4 Boat Ramps - Conduct ABS Class - Making and Displaying 38 Life Jacket signs to promote PFD at local ramps and Marinas - Ready Set Wear it PFD Inflation Demo          

Flotilla 12-12 (Edisto Island)

- Conduct two safety patrols - VE Blitz at Boat Ramp - Making and Displaying 38 Life Jacket signs to promote PFD at local ramps and Marinas - Ready Set Wear it PFD Inflation Demo            

Division 12 - All: We have several Local Sponsors That will be supporting our Division’s NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK with Promotions and Coupons that we can pass out to Boaters that successfully pass a boat inspection or that are observed wearing Life Jackets while underway. Sponsors include: Home Depot Coastal South Carolina; Papa Johns Pizza; California Dreaming; Holiday Inn; Charleston River Dogs Base Ball Team; and Myrtle Beach Pelicans Base Ball Team. More are pending. As you can see by the above, all Flotillas were very busy during this campaign and many more are continuing to get the word out to the “Public”. I say BRAVO ZULU to all. Please try to attend the Division Meeting on July 14th to see the NSBW PPT presentation that Alan Miles has prepared. Thanks to all of you for what you have done. See you at the Division Meeting…

Respectfully submitted, Vito Giardina, DCDR 12

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Vice Commander Al Crothers, VCDR al_crothers@hotmail.com

Again, I’m sure that more numbers are the last thing some of us want to see. But, I want to continue to report on your continued commitment to the Auxiliary. It is shown in the reported hours and activities taken from AUXINFO and AUXDATA. Here are some statistics regarding those activities as of 01Jul12.

Total Hours: 24,354 Marine Patrols hours: 2,753 Search and Rescue hours: 105 Marine Safety hours: 559 Member Training: 839 Recreational Boating

Safety hours: 16,362 Aids to Navigation 60

Public Education hours: 434 Vessel Exams hours: 464 Marine Dealer Visits: 843 Number of VEs: 675 (w/ a 78% pass rate)

Please review the information provided by the Division Staff Officers, Flotilla Commanders, State Liaison, AUXAIR, and National Safe Boating Week in the following articles to see what is going on and what maybe in the works. You are doing a great job. So, keep up the great work. Please be alert and safe during the current hurricane and summer boating season. There may be ongoing Everbridge calling drills during the season per the Commodore’s request. Please respond to the test alerts appropriately. The next division meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2012 at the Mt. Pleasant WaterWorks. Commanders Call is at 0900. The Division meeting is at 1000. The address is included on the reminder page of this publication to obtain GPS or MapQuest directions. The remaining 2012 Division meeting is scheduled for October 13th. These meetings are currently scheduled for the Mt. Pleasant Water Works Community Room. A notice of venue change will be published in ‘The Pelorus’ issue prior to the meeting. The next Change of Watch (COW) will be January 11-12, 2013.

Communications Jim Ramsey, SO-CM jim@USCGAuxiliary.us

Greetings All, Would everyone that has a radio facility please send me a status update of your station? Base stations and fixed mobile units are the only ones required to have an inspection. Also, anyone interested in becoming comms qualified please contact me so we can get you started. Required reading is the Auxiliary Telecommunications Qualification Standard. (TCO). Below is a link to the guide: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/missions/TC-PQS.pdf Let me know if I can be of assistance.

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Communication Services David Hastings, SO-CS davidah@msn.com

Division 12 Flotilla and Division websites are in good shape. However, National is getting strict about the use of email addresses on the websites. Any email addresses used need to have approval of the owner. Please cooperate with your FSO-CS/Webmaster if you are contacted for approval to use your email address. The updated District 7 website has been sent to National for approval. Once approval is received the old site will be taken down. Please help your FSO-CS/Webmaster by giving them updated information to put on your Flotilla and Division websites. Our websites are sometimes the first contact with the public and we need to have up to date and useful information on them.

Information Services Sue Hastings, SO-IS suedso@msn.com

Hurricane Season is here and it is very important that you keep your contact information up to date. Please get any changes in address, phone numbers, and email address to your FSO-IS as soon as possible. The Everbridge emergency contact system is updated once a week from AUXDATA. Everbridge and the AuxDirectory systems will be incorrect if your information in AUXDATA is wrong. The updated AuxDirectory/AuxOfficer II system has been released. This has information on National Departments, District/Division/Flotilla officers, and members. In fact, you can look up information on anyone in the Auxiliary. You can also print out rosters and email lists for any unit without having AUXDATA access. Login is the same as you have for NTC on-line courses. You can update your own information on the 7028 form built into that system, if you pull your own record up in the system. It will go to your FSO-IS for input into AUXDATA when you press submit button. In the past there was a 2-3 week lag time after being inputted into AUXDATA before AuxDirectory was updated. With the new system AuxDirectory will be immediately updated. However, AUXDATA will still need to be updated by your FSO-IS. Link to AuxDirectory/AuxOfficer II: https://auxofficer.cgaux.org/auxoff/ Another area that needs to be kept up to date is your Emergency Contact information. In our area because of evacuations for hurricanes and other disasters, we have been asked to provide a contact name of someone not living in the same household or area. If you haven’t already updated your information, please do so.

Division Lay Leader Rev. Dr. Phillip Poole, SO-LL drphil59@bellsouth.net

Yes, Integrity Matters! A mature king woke up one day to the realization that should he drop dead, there would be no one in the royal family to take his place. He was the last male in the royal family, in a culture where only a male could succeed to the throne – and he was aging. He decided that if he could not give birth to a male, he would adopt a son who then could take his place, but he insisted that such an adopted son must be extraordinary in every sense of the word. So, he launched a competition in his kingdom, open to all boys, no matter what their background. Ten boys made it to the finals of the competition. There was little to separate these boys in terms of intelligence, physical attributes and capabilities. The king said to them, “I have one last test and whoever comes out on top will become my adopted son and heir to my throne.” Then he said, “This kingdom depends heavily on agriculture, so the king must know how to cultivate plants. Here is a seed of corn for each of you. Take it home, plant it and nurture it for three weeks. At the end of three weeks, we shall see

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Lay Leader (continued) who has done the best job of cultivating the seed. That person will be my heir-apparent.” The boys took their seeds and hurried off. They each got a flower pot and planted the seed as soon as they got home. There was much excitement in the kingdom as the people waited with bated breath to see who was destined to be their next king. In one home, the boy and his parents were almost heartbroken when, after days of intense care, the seed failed to sprout. He did not know what had gone wrong. He had selected the soil carefully, applied the right quantity and type of fertilizer, been very dutiful in watering it at the right intervals, and had even prayed over it day and night, yet his seed had turned out to be unproductive. Some of his friends advised him to go buy a seed from the market and plant it. “After all,” they said, “how can anyone tell one seed of corn from another?” But his parents, who had always taught him the value of integrity, reminded him that if the king wanted them to plant any corn, he would have asked them to go find their own seeds. “If you take anything different from what the king gave you that would be dishonest.” “Maybe you are not destined for the throne. If so, let it be, but don't be found to have deceived the king,” they told him. The day came and the boys returned to the palace, each of them proudly exhibiting a very fine corn seedling. It was obvious that the other nine boys had had great success with their seeds. The king began making his way down the line of eager boys and asked each of them, “Is this what grew out of the seed I gave you?” Each boy responded, “Yes, your majesty.” The king nodded at each answer, then moved down the line. The king finally stood in front of the last boy in line. The boy was shaking with fear. He knew that the king was going to have him thrown into prison for wasting his seed. “What did you do with the seed I gave you?” the king asked. “I planted it and cared for it diligently, your majesty, but, alas, it failed to sprout,” the boy said tearfully as the crowd booed him. But the king raised his hands and signaled for silence. Then he said, “My people, behold your next king!” The people were confused. “Why that one?” many asked. “How can he be the right choice?” The king took his place on his throne with the boy by his side and said, “I gave these boys boiled seeds. This test was not about cultivating corn. It was a test of character; a test of integrity. It was the ultimate test. If a king must have one quality, it must be that he should always be above dishonesty. Only this boy passed the test. A boiled seed cannot sprout. Never!” My dear Auxiliary brothers and sisters, it saddens me to feel the need to share this story, but we do live in a society that has become obsessed with success; many strive for success at any cost. The tragic reality is that many live as though the end justifies the means. Why is this tragic? Because not only are people standing in the pathway to success hurt, such actions also deprive those guilty of forging ahead with blinders on of the life God desires for them. You see, by living a life of integrity, even while accomplishing routine and simple tasks, it constantly presents our Heavenly Father with the opportunity to bestow His countless blessing upon us. Let us all seek those blessings daily as we aspire to be the best we can be. Yes, Integrity Matters! Amen. God’s love, Phil

Marine Safety Bob Mathewes, SO-MS rhmathewes@comcast.net

Congratulations to Walter Runck of Flotilla 12-6 for completion of all the requirements for the Marine Safety Training Ribbon. His application, together with all the supporting documents, has been forwarded to the DSO-MS for his approval. Hopefully it will arrive in time for presentation at the division meeting. We are in a period of transition. Many of the active duty people on the Marine Safety side have moved on to new duty stations. If we are fortunate we will get some new people with a desire to reignite the Aux training program. A recent communication for the DSO-MS said. “For those in your Division that have the desire, there are several vacancies that need to be filled by AUX members. Aux Asst Container Inspectors, Aux Asst Port State, Aux Asst Waterway Mgmt, Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiners, Aux Asst Uninspected Towing Vessel Examiners, Aux Asst Facility Inspector and just as many vacancies in Logistics.” If you have an interest in any of these PQSs, let me know and I will pass the word.

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Member Training Be Moore, SO-MT bemoore7@bellsouth.net

Spring Training got off to a furious start this year as all of Division Twelve flotillas hit the ground running. Training workshops were offered throughout the division, with the mandatory TCT refresher and Operations workshop leading the way. Flotillas also presented Vessel Examination (VE) and Program Visitor (PV) workshops as well as the Sexual Harassment workshop. Of special interest was the Aid Verification (AV) program presented by Richard Daniel of Flotilla 12-8 and the Division Navigation Systems (NS) Staff Officer, Allen James. These programs have greatly enabled our members to shake out the cobwebs and get ready for a busy summer season on the water. We also have several members in crew and coxswain training, who, in a very short time, should be fully qualified. For those who are planning on, or just thinking about becoming a coxswain, we are offing the ICS 210 class on 21 July 2012 at Station Charleston Brass Buckle. This class is required for coxswain (and other qualifications such as aircrew and senior leadership) and is offered on an infrequent basis. So take advantage of this opportunity and get your ICS 210 taught to you by some of the finest instructors in the Coast Guard. Contact your FSO-MT for more details. Congratulations to 12-1 for their three new crew members and to Tommy Timberlake, 12-4, and Ann Graham, 12-6, who successfully completed their Aux Air qualifications (Tommy… Air Crew; Ann…Air Observer). As I’ve mentioned in other articles…. Stay in touch with your member training officers. You will find them deeply involved with all aspects of flotilla activities. And it’s a given…the more involved you are, the more you get out of it. So keep training!!

Navigation Systems Allen James, SO-NS jamesan38@bellsouth.net

NS has been given the large task of photographing all Federal ATONs in the Charleston area, Little River Inlet and Winyah Bay Jettys. Thanks to the Flotillas at Edisto Island, Mt Pleasant, Charleston, and Georgetown for their continued good work. Station Charleston has expressed their thanks for the work completed. This task will take several months to complete. A note for the Flotillas on our inland Lakes, in order to be certified as an Aides Verifier, under the new program you will have to be certified at and by a coastal Flotilla Training Officer. This is due to no Federal aides on the lakes to report on. Those who have been certified in the past are grandfathered in and require no recertification but should update themselves on the new program.

Public Affairs Karl Gettman, SO-PA gettmannk@gmail.com

All of the Division 12 Flotillas were extremely busy during NSBW. Many Proclamations were done as well as VE’s and patrols. Flotilla 12-6 was able to obtain airtime on the local ABC Station for public safety announcements for the entire boating season. Kudos to Jennifer Heisler, FSO-PA for 12-6. Across the division Flotilla’s are continuing to promote ABS classes and VE’s. Patrols (which are not really a purview of PA) are also in full swing. There are a number of Auxiliarists that are working on being re-qualified this year. Flotilla 12-10 has finally been told that the new “Coastie” is being shipped. Hopefully by meeting time there will be more information. We look forward to this being a great addition to Division 12’s public affairs efforts.

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Public Education Rick Bankert, SO-PE rgbsc@yahoo.com

Thank you to all the FSO-PE's that continue to do a great job offering classes and sending in the monthly reports. There is a District PE officer that loves to read the information we provide every month. In fact, below are the latest requests from "above." I will appreciate your efforts and time given to the monthly reports. Here is the requested information:

1. We actually want information not available online. 2. We would like to see attendance information and obstacles they confront. 3. What they like about the programs the Auxiliary is offering and what they see as needs, such as more short classes (2-4 hours in length). 4. What are the Flotillas goals for PE and what can we do to help them achieve those goals. 5. Communications between the SO-PE’s and the Flotillas is lacking in many areas and without their feedback we simply don’t know what is really going on in the field. 6. We would like to see more photos from the Flotillas of classes they hold, attendance photos showing faces and of instructors doing their jobs. 7. We also need to know what the quality of instructors are at the Flotilla level.

Please realize that these requests are coming down from "above." I understand that there will be times when all these requests will not apply to your monthly program. Send me what information you have - when you have it.

Publications Al Crothers, SO-PB al_crothers@hotmail.com

Thank you to those who have provided contributions to this edition of ‘The Pelorus’. Your contributions make the difference. The articles are informative and everyone looks forward to the quarterly update/plan for your area of responsibility or flotilla. News, advice for working with the public, and working with the Coast Guard continue to be good ideas for these articles. For the FSO-PB Officers: The district requires a monthly report from the division staff officers. So, each officer needs to send a copy of their flotilla newsletter, to me, by the 10th of every month. Or, at a minimum, send notification that a new flotilla newsletter is available via your flotilla web site. I include these documents or links with the monthly district report. Thank you for your participation.

Vessel Exams Andy Poole SO-VE nauticalpilots@gmail.com

Ahoy Shipmates! This quarter’s SO -VE input covers the 2011 Recreational Boating Statistics recently released by the US Coast Guard and a review of over ten thousand recently submitted Vessel Safety Checks. The Recreational Boating Statistics for 2011 were released on May 16, 2012. From 2010 to 2011, total reported accidents decreased less than one percent from 4,604 to 4,588, deaths increased 12.8% from 672 to 758, and injuries decreased 2.3% from 3,153 to 3,081. Property damage totaled approximately $52 million. The fatality rate measured 6.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, a 14.8% increase from last year’s rate of 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. Operator inattention, improper lookout(s), operator inexperience, excessive speed, and machinery failure ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents. Alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 16% of the deaths.

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Vessel Exams (continued) Seventy percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84% were not reported as wearing a life jacket. Only 11% of the deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received boating safety instructions. The following data represents a sampling of 10,065 Vessel Safety Checks (VSC): 74.873% passed the VSCs and 25.127% failed the VSCs. Items that Failed (Note: This is a percentage of ALL vessels examined and some had two or more items that failed so these numbers will not add up to 100%.) Display of Numbers 5.435%; Registration/Documentation 5.574%; Personal Flotation Devices 2.832%; Visual Distress Signals (Coastal Waters) 12.221%; Fire Extinguishers 4.501%; Ventilation 1.451%; Backfire Flame Control 1.639%; Sound Producing Device 5.156%; Navigation Lights 8.465%; Pollution Placard 2.375%; MARPOL Trash Placard 2.802%; Marine Sanitation Device 2.921%; Navigation Rules 2.742%; State and Local Regulations 10.432%; Overall Vessel Condition 4.670%. Recommended Items not Found: (Note: These items are not required to pass the VSC.) Marine Radio 33.433%; Dewatering Device & Backup 14.347%; Mounted Fire Extinguishers 21.570%; Anchor & Line for Area 11.257%; First Aid and PIW Kits 27.928%; Inland Visual Distress Signals 24.252%; Compliance/Cert. of Compliance 28.246%. Division Twelve Data: The running VSC totals for Division 12 are: (Note: As of June 10, 2012) 12-1: 55 12-3 61 12-4 47 12-6 534 12-8 151 12-10 63 12-12 12 Total 923 Last year Division Twelve averaged 241 VSCs per month. This year, the division is averaging 185 VSCs per month. (Note: 5.1 month total.)

State Liaison Officer Barbara Burchfield, BC-BSS, SLO-SC bdburchfield@earthlink.net

Festus Burchfield, SLO-SC fburchfield@earthlink.net

The Atlantic South States report is respectfully submitted covering the fifteen states in Districts 7, 8CR and 8ER for the months of March, April and May, which includes National Safe Boating Week. The reports submitted by the State Liaison Officers show their dedication and enthusiasm to the RBS missions. The SLOs demonstrated some innovative ways to engage the public for boating safety in addition to developing solid partnerships with other agencies. I am very appreciative of the SLOs time, efforts and energy in RBS Outreach, as well as receiving the reports and many photos that help us all understand the ground work involved. Thank you all. SOUTH CAROLINA: Barbara & Festus Burchfield

2012 National Safe Boating Week SLO-SC provided and arranged the Safe Boating Week Proclamation that was signed by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. In addition, Division 12 had proclamations from Sumter, Manning, Orangeburg, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Mt Pleasant, Charleston, Folly Beach, Hanahan, North Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties, representing the impressive efforts of 7 of the 8 flotillas. Division 12 also had approximately 50 personnel supporting the Ready-Set-Wear It! campaign on May 19.

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SLO-SC provided assistance with state and county contacts to flotillas for NSBW ramp stenciling projects.

RBS News and Articles Barbara, SLO-SC, submitted a story for the Navigator online magazine titled “Partners with Purpose” which underscores the importance of building partnerships. SLO-SC quarterly report is published in the Division 12 quarterly newsletter, The Pelorus. 2012 Public Education PE courses in South Carolina continue to make progress in the number of classes given and the student registrations. According to Lt. Billy Downer, head of SCDNR Boating Education, there was a 15% increase in students during 2011. Downer attributed this 15% increase directly to the addition of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary classes and students. There are 27 ABS classes advertised on SCDNR’s boater education website calendar so far in 2012. As of the date of this report, ABS classes have been completed:

#Classes #Students Age < 17 years

16 221 47

SCDNR-US Coast Guard MOU Update Bruce Wright, RBSS, provided SLO-SC with a copy of the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and U.S. Coast Guard. The existing MOU dated 2001 remains in effect while the draft proposal remains unsigned.

Meetings with SCDNR Director & Boating Law Administrator Colonel Chisolm Frampton was appointed on April 17, 2012, to head up SC DNR’s Law Enforcement Agency, replacing Colonel Alvin Taylor who was appointed to Director, DNR, on March 17, 2012. Burchfields met with Taylor and Frampton and Barbara introduced Col. Taylor at the Lake Murray Association public meeting on April 24, 2012 to the membership.

Whistles for Girl Scouts SLO-SC arranged for delivery of 100 whistles from SCDNR via Flotilla 12-6, East Cooper for use by the Girl Scouts of America.

Meetings & Public Events SLO-SC attended Lake Murray Safety Consortium (LMSC) meetings on March 14 and April 18, 2012, and provided

meeting minutes for the membership. We invited Bryan Johnson, USCG Sector Charleston, to the March 14 meeting. Johnson is a Marine Investigator, a civilian billet, representing the Prevention Department for U. S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston. Johnson explained the Coast Guard’s role for commercial and charter vessel accident investigations and inspections in federal waterways. For Lake Murray the Coast Guard has jurisdiction over the inspected vessels and share responsibility for the uninspected commercial vessels. Enforcements are usually ticketing and issuing civil penalties and they prosecute via the Justice Department or U.S. Attorney’s office. The Coast Guard often conducts joint law enforcement investigations with other agencies such as DNR. He was accompanied by ENS Walter Hutchins is in training to become a marine accident investigator.

Attended Lake Murray Association (LMA) board meetings March 12, April 9, and May 14.

Lake Murray Association Quarterly Public Meeting April 24 in Lexington.

Attended SC first responders Helicopter Landing Zone Safety Team Program training on April 7, given by Regional One Air Medical at Lake Murray for statewide representatives from fire departments and medical rescue agencies. Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) is fashioned after National Incident Management System (NIMS) with specific response & procedures to coordinate all statewide resources.

Liaison Research and Responses to Flotilla Inquiries: Flotilla 10-1 questioned the DNR policy about Vessel Safety Checks in South Carolina with regard to a changed

Auxiliary Memorandum of Understanding. SLO-SC researched the MOU and discussed this with D7 Recreational Boating Safety Specialist (RBSS) Mr. Bruce Wright. In reviewing the contents of the now-rescinded Auxiliary MOU, there did not seem to be any impact on the Auxiliary vessel examination program in South Carolina which may be

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caused by the absence of this MOU. The MOU between SCDNR and US Coast Guard specifically states that SC DNR fully supports the Auxiliary vessel safety check program.

Flotilla 2-5 questioned the SCDNR Boating Laws & Responsibilities Handbook concerning whether Visual Distress

Signals (VSC) are required in state waters. DNR Lt. Downer confirmed that VDS are not required on state waters; the bullet may be confusing, but it is meant to be a second note after the first which states requirements for vessels on federally controlled waters. DNR will look at this for the next printing of handbooks in 2013. Further clarification on the subject was provided:

SCDNR adopts all Federal laws for recreational boating.

Visual Distress Signals are not required except outside the three mile limit. VDS are not required for inland waterways and the ICW.

Flotilla 12-3 inquired about DNR’s position for Auxiliary Aids to Navigation training at Lake Murray. SLO-SC researched this request and DNR responded: “Anyone can report a problem with aids to navigation on the lakes. Anyone can report a discrepancy to DNR’s Dispatch (aka Radio Room) at 800-922-5431 or call DNR at 843-953-9378 (Mon-Fri, 0830-1700).” We also found that the Lake Murray navigation signs and lighting are maintained by Lake Murray Country; not DNR. DNR has the lake buoys and informational buoys, such as “no wake zone” buoys. Also noted is that Lake Murray is absent of many of the variables for Auxiliary Aids To Navigation training, such as range lights & markers, dolphins, floating & fixed pylon buoys, different flashing lights, and sound buoys.

SCDNR Boating Handbooks Distribution The annual distribution of SCDNR Boating Laws & Responsibilities Handbook began on May 15 when Burchfields picked up the inventory from DNR for the 3 Divisions with flotillas in South Carolina. This year Paddlesports boating has been included in the 2012 handbook on page 45. In this photo Lt. Billy Downer, SCDNR Education transfers cases of SC Boating Laws & Responsibilities Handbooks to Barbara and Festus Burchfield for distribution to the Auxiliary. (Photo is courtesy of SCDNR)

Inter-agency cooperation and partnerships in SC SLO-SC took part in and gave assistance to the Lake Murray Association application for BoatUS Grant via a highly competitive Facebook contest. LMA received $3,614.00 in grant money to be used for boating safety signage at Lake Murray. Flotilla 12-8, Charleston, monthly meeting on February 08, 2012, was attended by visitor and guest speaker Corporal Greg Brown (SCDNR). Brown gave a presentation on the Courtesy Boat Inspections that DNR gives at boat landings and in the water - an informative and educational lecture. Flotillas 12-6, East Cooper and 12-8, Charleston held a multi-agency event on May 19. The NSBW kick-off public event was held at Mount Pleasant Water Front Park with participation from Auxiliary, Coast Guard, law enforcement, Isle of Palms Fire Rescue, and SC DNR, complete with media coverage.

South Carolina county officials teamed up with Division 12 local flotillas during NSBW to approve stencil paintings on county boat ramps with safe boating messages such as “Wear It”. Alan Miles, 2012 NSBW Division 12 Coordinator, brought event planning, resources and keen interest to the participating flotillas. Alan also made large PFD signs for each participating flotilla; he is seen in this photo delivering two signs to Flotilla 12-2, Little River SC for display at local boat ramps.

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AUXAIR Ken Plesser, ADSO-AV kenplesser@windstream.net

Summer is upon us, the water is warm so that we can fly offshore, and the AuxAir program continues to prosper and grow. Data for 2012, up through and including the month of May, reveal that we are running 9% ahead of 2011 both in missions flown and total flight hours. In last quarter’s Pelorus, I noted that Division 12 had a disproportionately large fraction of the trainees at the February AuxAir Workshop. Many of these trainees are now progressing through the program. Tommy Timberlake (12-4) should be qualified as Air Crew by the time that this article is distributed, and Ann Marie Graham (12-6) and Mark Miller (12-2) are well on their way to qualification as Air Observer. Others who joined the Auxiliary to fly, and who are now waiting on completion of their personal security investigations, have completed the requisite ICS and Auxiliary training courses. In early June, I had the opportunity to attend the Change of Command at Air Station Savannah. As CAPT Tobiasz departed for a National Security Fellowship assignment at Harvard University, he was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal by RADM Baumgartner. The accompanying citation read, in part, “With shrewd operational and fiscal insight, he also revitalized and employed Auxiliary Air assets to reallocate $6.3 million in MH-65C flight hours to higher priority missions.” This is what we do… provide aviation support throughout Sectors Charleston and Jacksonville so that the active duty can focus their scarce aviation resources more fully on saving lives and property.

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Flotilla 12-1 Lake Marion Joe Livingston, FC 12-1 http://a0701201.uscgaux.info jlivingston@super-sod.com

From all reports National Safe Boating Week 2012 was a real success, and once again, Flotilla 12-1 stepped forward to help make it so in our AOR. A VE blitz, several safety patrols, stenciling at boat ramps, proclamations secured from the cities of Sumter, Manning, and Orangeburg, and PA activities, all contributed to the purpose of NSBW – a concentrated effort to present the message of boating safety to the boating public. As usual we had great participation with almost all of our members involved in these activities in one way or another. Bravo Zulu to all who contributed time, effort, and assets to the cause! We intend to maintain the momentum and continue these activities through the rest of the boating season. We have plans to stencil the “Wear It” and “Life Jacket Zone” messages on many more boat ramps. Of course, our VE efforts will continue, and we are planning more VE blitz’s during the season. Flotilla safety patrols will continue throughout the year, and we continue to collaborate with DNR to provide safety support for organized lake events. We will continue to set up Public Awareness booths and present our boating safety message to the public, and we will continue to get the message out through the media as well. The short story is that we have really just started the boating season in earnest with NSBW, and there is lots more to be done to promote boating safety on Lake Marion. --- Flotilla 12-1 - SEMPER PARATUS!

Flotilla 12-8 Charleston, & Paul V. Thomas, FC 12-8 Detachment 12-8A (Citadel) paul.thomas@sba.gov

www.uscgauxcharleston.org

This quarter was a sad time for the members of Flotilla 12-8. Our long time member and matriarch of the flotilla Marguerite Bishop passed away. The flotilla paid tribute to Marguerite at the funeral home by reading a poem by Tennyson called ‘Crossing the Bar’. The flotilla along with the gold side provided four pall bears to carry our shipmate to her final place of rest. Final honors were rendered to our shipmate by Alan Miles who piped her home. A copy of her memorial reading is below.

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Our citadel detachment remains active and for the first time since its inception has had two of its members be recognized by the Citadel. Detachment member William Singletary received the Scholastic Excellence award and Detachment member Stephen Bowden received the Military Excellence award.

I am pleased to announce that in spite of the weather that Mother Nature handed us, that National Safe Boating Week was our biggest PA event of the year. There were boat patrols, VE blitzes, as well as television, newspaper and public service announcements. Overall it was a very successful week with broad flotilla support and camaraderie. The concrete

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walkways of four boat landings were painted with safety messages. Nineteen painted signs were installed at each of the landings, to remind the boating public of the nineteen lives that were lost on South Carolina waterways in 2011. Ready, St Wear was held on May 19 at the Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park, with the participation of several different municipalities and organizations showcasing their boats and safety/rescue equipment. Flotilla 12-8 received proclamations from mayors Joe Riley, Keith Summey and Tim Goodwin. We honored Jason Miller in May for his work with our flotilla, see attached pictures.

June started off with a bang in that the first tropical storms were in May. The flotilla held a picnic at the June meeting and a good time was had by all. Now that summer is officially here we will be increasing our boat patrols to try and keep the public safe.

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Flotilla 12 12 Edisto Island Karen Andrews, FC 12 12 a0701212.uscgaux.info/ beagles5@bellsouth.net

We have done several VE blitzes at the State Park and had a good showing' On April 7th we had a booth for the Art Guild and on May 5th we had a booth for the Kings Daughters there was a good showing at both We will continue to be out on patrols and taking pictures of the ATONs in our AOR for ANT Charleston

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Past Meeting Minutes Deborah Lee, SO-SR awendeb@yahoo.com

Minutes from Division 12 Meeting Waterworks, Mt. Pleasant, S.C

Saturday, April 14, 2012

The meeting was called to order at 1030 hours by Vito Giardina, Division Commander. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Al Crothers, Division Vice-Commander. Invocation was given by our Lay Leader, Dr. Phillip Poole. Division Members in Attendance: 12-1 Joe Livingston, COMO Jay Dahlgren, Perry Moses, Sue Carty, Don Carty, Ronald Cunningham, John Owen 12-2 Terry Skorup, Jeanette Brown, Carl Brown, Alma Lylery, Joyce Slengaland, Judy Ask 12-3 None 12-4 Chuck Budnick, Tommy Timberlake 12-6 Al Crothers, Phillip Poole, Andy Poole, Rick Leary, Deborah Lee, Jim Ramsey 12-8 Paul Thomas, Alan Miles, Bob Mathewes, Agnes Wright, Paul Berka 12-10 Vito Giardina, John Murphy, Sue Hastings, Reggie Hollar, Karl Gettman 12-12 Karen Andrews, James Andrews DCDR Welcome/Introductions: Vito Giardina, DCDR, welcomed members and guest BMI Jason Miller who will be leaving June 22. Vito thanked 12-8 for the refreshments. Flotilla 12-4 will provide refreshments for the July meeting. Division Minutes October Division meeting were approved at Commander’s Call as listed in the Pelorus newsletter. DCDR comments: Vito talked about the first quarter being off to a slow start. The number of submitted hours has dropped compared to last year. Please make sure you are using the 7029 form to insure that all hours are being captured. VCDR comments: Al thanked everyone for their time and efforts in the Division. Please read Phil’s article in the Pelorus. Items Discussed at Commander’s Call Vito reviewed items discussed at the Commander’s Call meeting. Division Staff Officer Reports Please read these reports published in the Pelorus newsletter. Publications - Al Crothers Thank you for your contributions. There is a need for someone to take this position next year. Communication Services Any instruction manual is now available on a CD. You can Google ANSC-2015A. Please read information in the Pelorus. Human Resources – John Owen Please read information in the Pelorus. Information Services – Sue Hastings Members, please you contact information up to date. Public Affairs- Karl Gettmann Please read the information in the Pelorus. Flotilla PA, please send in your reports. Program Visitation – Perry Moses Thank you to for the reports you send in.

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Vessel Exams – Andy Poole Remember to send in your reports. So far, our division has completed 368 VE exams for the first quarter. Flares – not required for inland, but encouraged. State Liaison Officer- Barbara Burchfield Please read information in the Pelorus. Public Education – Rick Bankert Please read information in the Pelorus. Marine Safety – Bob Mathewes Please read information in the Pelorus Materials – Michael Mikutaitus We will need a new MA-SO for next year. New Business BM1 Jason Miller thanked everyone for their participation and efforts in helping Coast Guard Station Charleston. His new location will be Hobucken, North Carolina on the Intracoastal Waterway. Go visit him! COMO Jay Dahlgren encouraged all members to attend a class at C-school. Please contact him with requests. Presentation of Awards/Certificate Human Resources Challenge Coin Award 12-01 Lake Marion 1st – FC Joe Livingston 12-02 Grand Strand 1st – FC Jeanette Brown 12-03 Lake Murray 2nd - FC Martin Delk 12-12 Edisto Beach 2nd – FC James Andrews Mentor Certificates for Division 12 Carl Brown 12-2 Donald Davis 12-3 Oliver Leimbach 12-4 Festus Burchfield 12-6 Ron Foreman 12-6 Paul Thomas 12-8 Be Moore 12-12 Announcements, Summer Division Meeting, July 14th, Mt. Pleasant Waterworks, District Fall Conference, St. Petersburg, Florida A motion was made by Paul Thomas that the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Chuck Budnick. The meeting was adjourned at 1215 hours. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Lee SO-SR

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REMINDER The Division 12

Divisional Meeting

is July 14th

in the

Mt. Pleasant Water Works Community Room.

1619 Rifle Range Road; Mt. Pleasant, SC

Commanders Call will be at 0900 hours;

The Division meeting is at 1000 hours.

Refreshments will be available. But, please remember they are not allowed in the meeting room per our ‘Use Agreement’ with The Water Works staff.

The Uniform for the Division Meeting is Tropical Blue. ODUs are authorized only if a member has a patrol following the meeting

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Division Commander Vito W. Giardina, DCDR vgiardina38@yahoo.com Division Vice Commander Al Crothers, VCDR al_crothers@hotmail.com Immediate Past Div Commander Robert A. Weskerna, DCAPT-N bobweskerna@aol.com Communications Jim Ramsey, SO-CM jim@USCGAuxiliary.us Communications Services David A. Hastings, SO-CS davidah@msn.com Finance John Murphy, SO-FN johnj@sccoast.net Human Resources John Owen, SO-HR j2owen@bop.gov Information Services Sue Hastings, SO-IS suedso@msn.com Lay Leader Rev. Dr. Phillip Poole, SO-LL drphil59@bellsouth.net Materials Michael Mikutaitis, SO-MA michaelcae@yahoo.com Marine Safety Robert H. Mathewes, SO-MS rhmathewes@comcast.net Member Training Be Moore, SO-MT bemoore7@bellsouth.net

Navigation Systems Allen James, SO-NS jamesan38@bellsouth.net Operations Joe Fleming, SO-OP joeflemingjr@comcast.net Public Affairs Karl Gettman, SO-PA gettmannk@gmail.com Publications Al Crothers, SO-PB al_crothers@hotmail.com Public Education Richard Bankert, SO-PE rgbsc@yahoo.com Program Visitation Perry Moses III, SO-PV pmosesiii@sc.rr.com Secretary/Records Deborah Lee, SO-SR awendeb@yahoo.com Vessel Examination Andy Poole, SO-VE nauticalpilots@gmail.com Director’s Division Security Liaison to Division 12 Vito W. Giardina, DDSL 12 vgiardina38@yahoo.com Al Crothers, ADDSL 12 al_crothers@hotmail.com State Liaison Officer Barbara Burchfield, SLO-SC bdburchfield@earthlink.net Festus Burchfield, SLO-SC fburchfield@earthlink.net AUXAIR Ken Plesser, ADSO-AV kenplesser@windstream.com

Flotilla 12-1, Lake Marion Joe Livingston, FC jlivingston@super-sod.com John Owen, VFC j2owen@bop.gov Flotilla 12-2, Grand Strand Dorothy Schoch, FC msdot@sccoast.net Carl Brown, VFC candjbrown@hotmail.com Flotilla 12-3, Lake Murray Michael Mikutaitis, FC michaelcae@yahoo.com Gerry Ruschkofski, VFC g_ruschkofski2010@sc.rr.com Flotilla 12-4, Central Grand Strand Chuck Budnick, FC c.budnick@att.net Thomas Timberlake, VFC timberlake2010@live.com Flotilla 12-6, East Cooper Ron Foreman, FC ronf.cgaux.1206@gmail.com Andy Poole, VFC nauticalpilots@gmail.com Flotilla 12-8, Charleston Paul Thomas, FC paul.thomas@sba.gov Paul Berka, VFC phberka@comcast.net Flotilla 12 10, Georgetown John Murphy, FC johnj@sccoast.net Richard Bankert, VFC rgbsc@yahoo.com Flotilla 12 12, Edisto Island Karen Andrews, FC beagles5@bellsouth.net Cliff Songer, VFC cdsong4@bellsouth.net

Division 12 Staff Directory (2012)