Volume XV, Issue 12

Inside this issue:

From the Commander

2

Awards and

Recognition

2

Around the District 4

12 Days of Boating

Change of Watch

7

8

Christmas Ship

Returns to Chicago

Calendar

10

13

Check the Activities

and Events Calendar

for important dates

WATERWAYS 78 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 78, Division 7

December 2012

VANCOUVER, Washington—Newly elected leadership

for 2013 is sworn in during the Flotilla 78 Change of

Watch. Hall Guttormsen on the left will serve another

term as Flotilla Commander and Joel Hernandez on the

right will serve as the new Vice Flotilla Commander.

Photo by Dana Bergdahl, FSO-PB.

Vancouver, Washington

Even though changes are in the wind, the close of 2012 is

neither an ending nor a beginning. Two ABS classes oc-

curred in November and one in December. It is a time of the

year when most are huddled by a warm fire. Winter has

arrived with a flourish of snow. It is a time for rest and re-

vival. (Revive comes from the Latin word revivere, “to make

live again”.)

We gathered together for the Change of Watch ceremony to enjoy fellowship and celebrate.

It was a time of celebration and fellowship. Thanks to our own Chuck Gehle who shared his

insight and inspiration as the Change of Watch speaker. Special thanks to Dana Bergdahl for

organizing the event and creating an entertaining year in review. New officers are stepping

up to the responsibility of dedication and an additional time commitment. The experienced

officers are bracing for another year. The IS officer is swamped with year-end paperwork.

New forms are being submitted to keep the Flotillas’ paperwork flowing. A renewed finance

officer is coming back and an audit is coming in January. For the Flotilla, there is no quiet

time by the fire, only the work to continue saving lives by what we do, and through the time

we commit, even with the changes in the wind.

I am continually inspired by the creativity and generous spirit of our members who are a posi-

tive force in our community. I appreciate the fact that our members are highly skilled indi-

viduals who choose to share their time and energy as members of the USCGAUX, especially

Flotilla 78. May each and every member enjoy revival and a sense of satisfaction in 2013 as

valued members of Flotilla 78.

Respectfully Submitted,

Hall Guttormsen

Flotilla Commander—78

From the Commander

Page 2 Waterways 78

Volume XV, Issue 12 Page 3

Awards and Recognition

Recreational Boating Safety

John Hilbrands

APC Course Completion

Barry Owens

Are you interested in learning a new skill or gaining

more knowledge about the Auxiliary? Training is at

your fingertips. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary of-

fers a variety of advanced courses, leadership

courses and value added training to its members.

Visit the Auxiliary training site at http://

wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=t-dept and ex-

pand on your knowledge!

Page 4 Waterways 78

For many, one of the highlights of the

holiday season is the annual Christ-

mas boats afloat around the various

waters of District 13. These lighted

vessels are a tradition for many

across the Northwest. What many

observers do not recognize is the po-

tential hazards that boat captains face

at night.

Boat captains, with their festive ves-

sels, rely greatly on the U.S. Coast

Guard Auxiliary's night patrols. Night

patrols are more intensive than those typically conducted during daylight hours. Po-

tential hazards faced by Christmas light boaters include icy docks, debris and obstruc-

tions in the water, tugs with barges in tow, bulk carriers and other unseen dangers.

Auxiliarists involved in the night patrols must maintain a high level of situational

awareness. Darkness and poor visibility make for difficult navigation, requiring crews

to be on a heightened state of alert. Crews must ensure that all electronics are work-

ing properly to assist in navigational efforts.

Around the District: Christmas Boats Afloat By Dana Bergdahl, FSO-PB, Flotilla 78

PORTLAND, Oregon—A lighted Christmas boat navigates the

Willamette river underneath the St. Johns Bridge on December

16, 2012. Photo by Joann McCollum, FSO-MT.

Page 5 Volume XV, Issue 12

Aids to navigation are an additional critical asset to Auxiliarists and Christmas

lighted boat captains. Through year-round efforts, Auxiliary aids verifiers help to

ensure ATONs are functioning properly by reporting any discovered discrepancies

to the Coast Guard.

Recreational boating safety is the number one priority of the U.S. Coast Guard

Auxiliary. It is the Auxiliary's commitment to safe boating classes, program visits

and a variety of public affairs events that keep our waters safe. The holiday sea-

son is no exception. The next time you observe a Christmas boat event, remem-

ber those volunteers who not only decorate their vessels for the season, but the

Auxiliarists who help to keep waters safe.

Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season afloat this winter.

PORTLAND, Oregon—An Auxiliary facility from Division 7 patrols during the Christmas boat event o n the Wil-

lamette River near downtown Portland. Photo by Joann McCollum, FSO-MT.

Page 6 Waterways 78

“The person who goes farthest is

generally the one who is willing to do

and dare. The sure-thing boat never

gets far from shore.” - Dale Carnegie

PORTLAND, Oregon—Left to right: Flotilla 78 Auxiliarists Hall Guttormsen, Chuck Gehle and Todd Miller prepare

for Christmas Ships patrol. Christmas Ships are an annual tradition on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.

Photo by Joann McCollum, FSO-MT

Page 7 Volume XV, Issue 12

12 Days of Boating... By Dana Bergdahl, FSO-PB, Flotilla 78

On the first day of boating, the Coxswain gave to me, a life

jacket for my safety.

On the second day of boating, for you and for me, I checked my lighting so all could

easily see.

On the third day of boating, the forecast was a blunder, so I stayed home and left my

boat under cover.

On the fourth day of boating, I realized in just, that a cleaning of the hull was a must.

On the fifth day of boating, I took a thorough peek, to be sure my boat had not a leak.

On the sixth day of boating, I noticed a vessel exam I was without, so I gave the Coast

Guard Auxiliary a shout.

On the seventh day of boating, before my evening retire, I checked the date on my ex-

tinguisher so it was prepared for fire.

On the eighth day of boating, with my loved ones I did go, to an ABS class so safety

we would know.

On the ninth day of boating, it was plain to see, that my radio equipment was working

properly.

On the tenth day of boating, wouldn’t you know it, I forgot to check my fuel which re-

sulted in having to row it.

On the eleventh day of boating, I got much smarter, I checked the fuel and even my

starter.

On the twelfth day of boating, the Coast Guard said to me, “remember safety first and

a happy boater you will be!”

Page 8 Waterways 78

As 2012 comes to a close, Flotillas across the nation take part in an annual Change of Watch, welcom-ing those who will lead their Flotillas for the coming year. Flotilla 78 is no exception. This year’s Change of Watch was celebrated with a fine meal including ham provided by the Flotilla and a variety of dishes brought in by members. Flotilla 78 member, Chuck Gehle, was the guest speaker who in-spired members sharing his Auxiliary and personal life experiences. Comradeship between members was un-mistakable as seen through a year in review of pictures created by Dana Bergdahl.

Change of Watch Change of Leadership

and a New Year on the Horizon

By Dana Bergdahl, Flotilla 78, FSO-PB

VANCOUVER, Washington—Brad Schuldt, Division Commander,

listens to inspiring stories told by Auxiliarist Chuck Gehle during

the December Change of Watch for Flotilla 78. Photo by FSO-

PB.

Page 9 Volume XV, Issue 12

Brad Schuldt, Division Commander, swore in members Hall Guttormsen and Joel Hernandez as Flotilla Commander and Vice Flotilla Commander for the coming new year. The evening was truly a celebration of vol-unteerism at its best. Flotilla 78 members look forward to the coming year and the continued effort toward savings lives through recreational boating safety educa-tion and outreach. As another year closes, a new chapter be-gins on January 1, 2013, for the Coast Guard family across the nation. As Auxil-iarists, we are proud to be a part of the tradition of saving lives and we will be Semper Paratus. VANCOUVER, Washington—Auxiliarist Donovan

Murphy addressed the Flotilla with thanks after re-

ceiving a jacket for his many years of service in

Flotilla 78. Photo by Dana Bergdahl, FSO-PB.

VANCOUVER, Washing-

ton—Auxiliary members,

friends and family gather

together for the Change

of Watch dinner on De-

cember 22, 2012. Photo

by Dana Bergdahl, FSO–

PB

Page 10 Waterways 78

‘Christmas Ship’

Returns to Chicago Written by Chief Petty Officer Alan Haraf.

Loaded with more than 1,300 Christmas trees from northern Michigan, the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw once again served as Chicago’s Christmas Ship, continuing a tradition from the late 1800s in Chicago and resurrected 13 years ago. The original Christmas Ship, the schooner Rousse Simmons, made the same transit down Lake Michigan each year, bringing trees and wreaths to the people of Chicago. Setting up shop along the Chicago River in downtown, Capt. Herman Shuenamann and his crew became a well known and expected group as each Christ-mas season neared.

During their journey in 1912, Schuenamann en-countered a strong November storm. High winds

and seas battered his ship and cargo of more than 5,000 trees. By the time he reached the area off of Ke-waunee, Wis., members of the Kewaunee Life-Saving Station had spotted the ship low in the water with tattered sails and flying its flag at half mast to signal that it was in distress. Logs from the station show a surfman spotted the Simmons at 2:50 p.m. and alerted station keeper Nelson Craite. However, Craite found the station’s gas tugboat had left earlier in the day and, around 3:10 p.m. telephoned the Two Riv-ers Station, located just south of Kewaunee. A power boat was launched on what was thought to be a res-cue mission, but the Simmons was not seen again.

One hundred years after that fatal journey, the Coast Guard and the Chicago maritime community con-tinue to re-enact bringing trees to deserving families in Chicago.

Capt. Dave Truitt, founding member of Chicago’s Christmas Ship Committee, was instrumental in resur-recting the tradition back in 2000 when the original Mackinaw proudly served as the first Christmas ship. During the transit down Lake Michigan each year, the Coast Guard and a member of the Christmas Ship Committee aboard the ship conducted a solemn wreath toss near the wreckage of the Rouse Simmons, which was located in 1971.

Cmdr. Michael Davanzo, commanding officer of Mackinaw, addressed the crew on the buoy deck amid howling winds and freezing temperatures, drawing comparisons to the weather the crew of the Rouse Simmons must have experienced. He talked with the crew of 60 about the importance of continuing and honoring traditions established by vessels on the Great Lakes.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Ashley of the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw works with a youth volunteer while unloading Christmas trees from the ship. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Alan Haraf.

Page 11 Volume XV, Issue 12

Leading the ceremony was Petty Officer 2nd Class Nichol Billow, a food service specialist. During the ceremony, she read the names of those lost, and rang the ship’s bell for each name. The ceremony concluded with moment of silence from the crew. An aircrew from Air Station Traverse City also partici-pated by conducting a wreath toss into lake Michigan near the Chicago Lighthouse before performing a fly-over.

After performing seasonal buoy retrieval operations, the Mackinaw arrived at Navy Pier to an official welcome on Friday, Nov 30, in preparation for the public ceremony and tree offload the next day. Da-vanzo provided a history of the Christmas Ship tradition to the crowd in attendance before Rear Adm. Mike Parks, 9th Coast Guard District commander, congratulated the Christmas Ship committee and pledged the Coast Guard’s continued support to a great event that brings joy and the spirit of Christ-mas to so many people in Chicago.

The two-day event culminated with hundreds of youth volunteers and the crew of the Mackinaw unload-ing the evergreens for distribution into various communities throughout Chicago. While it took nearly five hours to unload the more than 1,300 trees, the smiles from the deserving families as the Christmas Ship tradition lives on was well worth it.

Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, serving as this year’s Christmas Ship, arrives at Navy Pier carrying 1,300 Christ-mas from northern Michigan for deserving families in the Chicago area. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Alan Haraf.

Story from Coast Guard Compass.

Page 12 Waterways 78

PORTLAND, Oregon—A lighted boat cruises the Willamette River near downtown Portland during the

annual Christmas Ships parade of boats. Photo by Joann McCollum, FSO-MT.

Page 13 Volume XV, Issue 12

December 20 Flotilla 78 Member Meeting 1930 Change of Watch Dinner (WA Fish & Wildlife Bldg., Vancouver) December 25 Christmas Holiday January 1 New Years Holiday 2013 January 2 Fellowship Breakfast 0800 (Vancouver Plaza I-Hop) January 2 Division Meeting 1900 (MSU Portland) January 11-15 Portland Boat Show January 16 Crew and Coxswain Training 1900 (MSU Training Deck, Portland) January 26 About Boating Safely Course 0800 (Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Bldg. Vancouver)

Activities and Events Calendar

Page 14

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Confidentiality Notice of the

Privacy Act

The disclosure of the personal information contained in this publication is subject to the provisions contained in the Privacy Act of 1974.The subject Act with certain exceptions prohibits the disclosure, distribu-tion, dissemination, or copying of any material containing the home address, home telephone numbers, spouses’ names, and social security numbers, except for official business. Violation may result in disciplinary action by the Coast Guard and/or civilian criminal sanction.

Waterways 78 – A Coast Guard Auxiliary District 13, Division 7, Flotilla 78 Publication is

authorized IAW COMDTINST 1800.5D & COMDTINST M5728.2C. Published twelve times

yearly and circulated to Auxiliary members of Flotilla 78 via mail, electronically and on the

Flotilla 78 web site at www.flotilla78.org. Waterways 78 contains news of general interest,

suggestions, and information for Coast Guard Auxiliary members. The views and opinions

expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of Homeland Security or the U. S.

Coast Guard. Material is informational only and not authority for action. Internet release is

authorized.

Editor – Dana M. Bergdahl

Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard Auxiliary FSO-PB #78

PO Box 822740 Vancouver, WA 98682

503-828-8222 Photos and articles by the editor unless otherwise noted.

Publishing Deadline: 15th of each month

FC Hall C. Guttormsen

VFC Gay Sipes

IPFC George Sipes

FSO-CM Warren Cook

FSO-CS Dana M. Bergdahl

FSO-HR Karen Harmon

FSO-FN Lance Harmon

FSO-IS Barry Owens

FSO-MA Donald G. Lewallen

FSO-MS Todd Miller

FSO-MT Joann P. McCollum

FSO-NS Wayne A. Monroe

FSO-OP Donald G. Lewallen

FSO-PA John F. Hilbrands

FSO-PB Dana M. Bergdahl

FSO-PE Karl Johnston

FSO-PV Elizabeth W. Allen

FSO-SR Barry Owens

FSO-VE Rodger Plymate II

2012 OFFICERS

Coast Guard Alaska is back on the Weather Channel

with new episodes. Tune in for inspiration as a great

way to spark continued enthusiasm about your vital

role as part of the Coast Guard family in the Auxiliary!