THE SCUTTLEBUTT

Dec. 2006 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Scuttlebutt Flotilla 12-8, 7th District Charleston, South Carolina Vol. 32, No. 12-Dec. 2006
Page 1

Flotilla Web Site: http://www.uscgauxcharleston.org

Commander s Corner
Allen James, FC 12-8 Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Enjoy the holidays with your family and friends and remember those in need. Our missions go on in December. Richard needs coxswains and crew for our assigned patrol dates. Check with Richard and get on board. Plan ahead so you can serve! Our PSI activity is complete. All member packages have been sent and I expect they will be approved. Some members are showing in Division IS as not completing some of the required ICS courses. Remember, when you receive the letter indicating you passed, a copy must be sent to Chris who will forward it to Don Davis. It must show in Don's records or you don't get credit!!!!! There will be NO staff/membership meeting in December. The Kreiling's party will serve as an informal meeting. Any questions concerning the flotilla please call Joe or me. We met our goal of $250 for the Sector's Morale Fund. There is one more request for funds to purchase phone cards for those military members over seas. Again our goal is $250 and the flotilla will give $100 leaving approximately $3 per
(Continued on page 2)

Vice Commander
Joe Fleming, FC 12-8 my desk looking at all my paper work for the year 2006, thinking about how much I have enjoyed all the work it represents, time on the water with friends and colleagues, trainInside ing and patrolling our harFC ............. 1 bor. Some of the time, it VFC .......... 1 represents that we have AN............. 4 made a difference in some- CM ............N/A ones life out there. This, to CS ............. 3 me, is the most rewarding Fellowship 4 IS............... 5 part of it all. Another reMA ............N/A warding part is the fellowMS .............N/A ship we have with each MT ............ 2 other. We know how to be OP ............. 4 professionals at our job and PA ............. 3 have fun doing it. Im lookPB ............. 2 ing forward to 2007 bring- PS ..............N/A ing us even more rewards, PV..............N/A for our time and training. SR ............. 6 Patrol/coxswain VE............. 7 training this past week with Calendar... 8 Trivia........ 5 Frank and Richard was lots of fun. We gave the DUCK (Franks boat) a good work out. Man over board, running plotted courses, search and rescue and anchoring. Yes the DUCK performed very well! After a long day on the water we secured the Duck in her berth for
(Continued on page 2)

Im at

Confidentiality Notice: Telephone numbers and addresses of members are protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. As a matter of policy, rosters of names, addresses and telephone numbers shall not be made available to the general public or any outside organization. Privacy of all rosters shall be safeguarded and the page clearly labeled. The publication of these rosters, addresses, and telephone numbers on any computer on-line service including the Internet is prohibited by the Privacy Act of 1974. The Auxiliary is guided by the current equal opportunities policies of the Commandant of the Coast Guard. No Person shall be subject to

Dec. 2006

Scuttlebutt

Page 2

Publications
Bob Mathewes, FSO-PB

Member Training
Bob Mathewes, DSO-MT D7

his month we fell down on our participation in the Scuttlebutt. Only thirteen of the eighteen expected articles were forthcoming. That makes for a 72% rate of submissions. That ties July as the worst month of the year. Your article is your monthly report to the flotilla. It is as much a duty of your office as anything else you do. That means it is mandatory every month, not just those months that the mood strikes you. I want to salute those staff officers who have not missed having a submission for any issue. Those maintaining 100% participation were: Hap James, FC; Richard Daniel, AN/OP; John Sikes, CS; Barney Holt, PA; Shirley Wolf, SR; and Joe Fleming, VE. MT and PB didnt miss an issue but I dont give those two guys a choice. If you are asked to fill a staff office next year, remember that includes a monthly article for the Scuttlebutt. Bob Mathewes, FSO-PB
(FC Continued from page 1)

he end of the year is always a time of reflection. It is a time to look back to see what we accomplished during the previous twelve months. I think that we have had a fairly successful year from the standpoint of training. We had two new AUXOPs. Six members passed AUXCOM and six passed AUXSAR. Two members became VEs and one passed APC. We have three new crewmembers. Eight coxswains and two crew completed 5 yr requals. Last but not least we had thirty-seven members pass ICS-100, thirty-eight passed ICS-200, thirty-three passed ICS-700 and thirty-nine passed ICS 800. Now for a look forward. The word is that all workshops will be required by 7th district next year. That will keep us busy. We will have one coxswain and three crewmembers due for 5 year requal in 2007. Please dont wait until the last minute. Get it done early and avoid the rush. Bob Mathewes, SO-MT 12

member IF all would give. Please give a little extra! To all, be Happy, be Safe and remember those in need! Hap James, FC 12-8
(VFC Continued from page 1)

clean up. While we were cleaning, a boater came up and requested a vessel exam. What a nice way to end the day, with a vessel inspection. I am looking forward to seeing everybody at the Christmas party. Have a safe one. Joe Fleming, VFC 12-8

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Dec. 2006

Scuttlebutt

Page

Communication Services
John Sikes, FSO-CS ave you ever thought you deserved something for nothing? Well, that's what we in the Auxiliary can get. "How?" you might ask. Simply by using a search engine, supplied by Yahoo, that benefits non-profit organizations; in our case the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association. To find out more about GoodSearch, you can use this link: http://www. goodsearch.com/About.aspx , or you can access the site through a link on our flotilla's web site. You can of course go to the GoodSearch web site at www.goodsearch.com. Once there, enter the following to identify our charity: "Coast Guard Auxiliary Association (St Louis, MO)" without the quotes of course. On this site there's a link to add GoodSearch to your Internet Explorer, Firefox, or MAC toolbar to make it easier to use. You might recall that I've brought this up in the past, and you haven't heard the end of it yet. When the program was first introduced there were some 16,500 searches using the Association's identity that first month. Since a penny is donated to the charity (the Auxiliary Association) for each person using the search engine, that amounted to some $165 being donated to the Association that month. Over the six or eight months since that time, usage has dwindled to only 5,600 in the last month, resulting in only $56 going to the Association for the month. Those who use a search engine to do their searches (and who of us does not?) can certainly help with this by checking out GoodSearch and possibly adding it to our toolbar, or at the minimum, adding Good-

Search to our Favorites list. Personally, I have been using GoodSearch since first hearing about it. While I may not use it every day, there are days when I may use it eight or ten times to research various things of interest, both personal and business related. We've all heard the term "Found Money." Well, this is certainly Found Money for the Association. Their plans are to use this money to benefit programs of the Auxiliary such as printing and distribution costs for materials for the public education program as well as others. Why not give GoodSearch a try? If nothing else, add it to your Favorites list. Once the "Coast Guard Auxiliary Association (St Louis, MO)" terminology is entered on your computer, it should be saved for future use -- just start to type in Coast in the fill-in blank and a pulldown menu should give it as a choice. John John Sikes, FSO-CS

Public Affairs
Barney Holt, FSO-PA Judging from the traffic I've seen out there, this unseasonably warm weather is keeping a a lot of boaters in the water longer than normal; yet another reminder Semper Paratus is a year-round frame of mind. We always need to be promoting boating safety, regardless of the time of year. Speaking of which, get ready for the first and biggest of 2007's boating shows, the North Charleston Boat Show January 26-28. Hope you will be able to come out and show the colors to the boating public for a few hours! Barney Holt, FSO-PA

Dec. 2006

Scuttlebutt

Page 4

Operations/ATONS
Richard Daniel, FSO-OP

elcome to the year end everyone and thank you so much for all your participation and support with Operations this year. We have been truly blessed to take a small part in our large effort in supporting the Coast Guard and the Public. We have successfully conducted weekly patrols on the water in 2006. Many different Operation Facilities have served on the water in 2006. We also saw a very good cross section of Crew and Coxswains take part in Operations and AN this year. From all of us in Operations, we thank every person taking part. We also ask anyone not in Operations to give serious consideration to start Crew training so you can be part of a very worthwhile program. The last ATON Patrol was a night patrol that completed the ATON Program for 2006. These patrols are working patrols that last many hours. They require extra effort by the entire crew. There are no passive activities on this type patrol. They require the use of all your skills and super alertness toward safe navigation through the night waters. We thank everyone who took part this year and ask you to continue your efforts in 2007. We completed the successful Crew training and qualification of Eric Kilpatrick, Tom Jerussi and Bobby Baker in 2006 with the Coxswain training started with Frank Leister and Joe Fleming. As the Operations Officer in 2007 we will continue their training as well as an open invitation to others to begin theirs. We have lots of good qualified Crew and Coxswains but we can certainly use more. Additionally, we would like to see you offer your boat as an Operational Facility. In closing out the year I wish to sincerely thank everyone for their time and talents offered but most of all for the wonderful fellowship you have given each of us. Happy Holidays! Richard Daniel, FSO-AN/OP

Starfish Drive, Johns Island. The party starts at 1800 Please go to Mapquest.com for directions. Its always a festive occasion, and we look forward to the usual large crowd of celebrating members. Please let me know that youll be attending and what your contribution to the table will be (so we dont end up all desserts.) I need to know by 9 December. Email Orestein@netrockets.com or 8210233. Jane Orenstein, Fellowship DIRECTIONS TO THE PARTY
OVER THE RIVERS AND THROUGH THE WOODS TO KREILINGS HOUSE WE GO
Most of you good folks know the way, but here is a quick review of how to drive your sleigh. In other words, how to git cheer from thar Coming from Summerville/ Monks Corner/ North Charleston Continue South on 26 to 17S. Coming from Mt Pleasant/Isle of Palms -- Continue on Route 17S Cross over the Ravenel Bridge When you pass the Round Holiday Inn, move over to the left lane. You will see an overhead sign saying Folly Beach .(RT171). Turn left here. You will be on Folly Road and will pass the South Windmere Shopping Center, on your right . You will then be approaching the ICW Wappoo Cut Bridge and should move to the right lane. After crossing the Bridge, turn right at the Traffic light, onto Maybank Highway. Continue on and you will pass through a golf course. You then will cross over the Stono River Bridge. At the next Traffic Light Turn left onto River Road. Continue on for 1.6 miles. On your left you will see a lampost and a large sign saying Shoreline Farms. KEEP ON GOING to the next Lampost. Turn left, this is Starfish Drive.. There will be a Silver 12 8 sign and an AUX Flag on the top of the Shoreline Farms Sign.Continue for about mile. Our house is on the left side of the road and it is heavily wooded so plan on parking on the road. There will be plenty of lights to see by. Note to the Ladies --- I should remind, that we have a Gravel Driveway. And is not very conducive to wearing heels. I suggest the best footwear dujour would be low heel shoes. If you have any problem:Our Telephone number is 559 - 5221 W e S ta rt P o lish in g th e Fo rth C o rn erston e a t 1 8 0 0 h o u rs. S ee yo u all th en .

Fellowship
Jane Orenstein

at., Dec. 16 is the date for our covered dish Holiday Party. The Kreilings have again graciously invited the flotilla to their home at 2668

Dec. 2006

Scuttlebutt

Page

CHECK THIS OUT!

If you go to this web site, wwwLetsSayThanks.com , you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can 't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them...

Information Services
Chris Thomas, FSO-IS
Welcome to another episode of The Litter Box. I see that my accolades might have been a bit premature. Of late, I have been getting reports that seem to be regressing in quality and quantity. Its obvious that not many of you read the Scuttlebutt. Not everyone is involved in missions, and yet I am receiving many more mission reports than I am 7029 reports. Do not hold the 7029 form until you have enough items to fill it up. I want to receive a 7029 form from each and every member, every month; and not before the end of that month. No excuses! Im still receiving incorrectly filled 7029 forms. Heres a quick reminder: 1. Each entry where you have attended an event, such as a flotilla meeting, should be accompanied by a Prep and Travel time as well. 2. Place a 0 in the Activity box if you have participated in a mission or any activity where your actual time is recorded on a different form. 3. Keep your entries brief and to the point. Heres a quick reminder for filling and fil-

ing 7030 forms. 1. Do not use 22A for a mission. You will receive no credit for the mission. 2. Do not use your facility number. Use only the state registration number. 3. In the Location area, input the city of origin, not the area served or patrolled. Put that in the Remarks area. 4. Do not write all the way to the end of each line in the Remarks area. For what ever reason, it gets cut off. Heres a quick reminder for filling and filing 7038 forms: 1. Remember to fill in the High Focus and the 1st Time boxes. Its mandatory. 2. Trainees will receive credit for their inspections only if a statement from the lead person has been entered in the Remarks area. Again, its mandatory. 3. Again, Do not write all the way to the end of each line in the Remarks area. Go about of the way through and then continue on the next line. Im still receiving inquires as to the whereabouts of your information. Please read my article in last months Scuttlebutt. Again, I urge each and every member to keep track of his or her own activities and the information that you are sending me. You should all be capable of logging in to AuxData. Those of you, who are having trouble logging in or are in need of a password, please contact me. The end is nearthe end of the year that is. I ask that all members take the time to get their paperwork in order. This means completing a 7029, if you havent already done so, for each and every month of service. It also means having Decembers 7029 form ready to be filed by the beginning of January, 2007. Until next time, thank you and God Bless. Chris Thomas, FSO-IS 12-8 E-Mail: Irish29483@earthlink.net (843) 873-8345 Fax: (800) 860-6189

Nautical Trivia
No trivia question this month. Enjoy the holidays. Last months answer is USCGC Storis (WMEC 38). She was commissioned in 1942. Correct Answers came from Dick Clarke, Dick McLaren, John Sikes and Agnes Wright.

Dec. 2006

Scuttlebutt

Page 6

Secretary Records
Shirley Wolf, FSO-SR Flotilla 12-8 Membership Meeting Minutes 08 November 2006 The meeting was called to order by FC Allen James at 1900 and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Henry Wolf FSO-MA. Members present: Robert Baker, Tom Beauchemin, Jerome Bishop, Marguerite, Dan Cowley, Dean Creed, Richard Daniel, Jim Davis, Hugo Endris, Joseph Fleming, Barney Holt, Allen James, Tom Jerussi, Eric Kilpatrick, Ellen Kreiling, Robert Kreiling, Frank Leister, Robert Lovinger, Robert Mathewes, Jane Orenstein, Robert Orenstein, John Smoak, James Tindall, Robert Wieland, Henry Wolf, Shirley Wolf, and Agnes Wright. Guests/Visitors: Division Vice Captain William Riley, Robert Gaut, Donald McAllister, and Allen Miles. FC Allen stated that twenty eight members were present, establishing a quorum. Marguerite Bishop concurred. FC asked that the September meeting minutes be approved as written in the Scuttlebutt. Robert Orenstein so moved, Henry Wolf seconded, minutes approved. FC reviewed the financial report and recommended it be filed. Presentation of Awards: FC presented the Auxiliary Members Service Award certificate for 35 years to Marguerite Bishop; Certificates for completion Team Coordination Training were presented to Richard Daniel, Dean Creed, Robert Orenstein and Robert Wieland; Sustained Auxiliary Service Certificate Procedures OPFAC award was presented to Frank Leister; Certificate of completion for the Communication Specialty Course were presented to Henry Wolf and Shirley Wolf. Staff Officer Reports: None

Comments to and from FC: Lack of participation is a continuing problem. We need suggestions on how to involve all members. Low participation was experienced for the Change of Watch dinner. Members are encouraged to e-mail or call him with suggestions for the 2007 Change of Watch dinner. Old Business: VFC Fleming is still working on purchasing a trailer for the flotilla. FC called for ideas to help the Coasties celebrate Thanksgiving. New Business: FC stated that since a quorum is established, vote was taken to approve increasing Flotilla dues to $35 effective CY 2008. Majority voted to accept the increase. Crew qualified members encouraged to make sure their crew time is current. All on-water patrols have been scheduled for November. Jane Orenstein, Fellowship stated that in lieu of the December meeting there will be a Christmas Party to be hosted by Robert and Ellen Kreiling on 16 December at 1800. All members and their significant others are invited and encouraged to attend. Please call Jane Orenstein as soon as possible as to whether or not you will be attending. Also, if you will be attending, please specify which dish you will be bringing. FC stated that there are changes in Operations: Requirement for underway hours changed from eight to twelve hours. Three year QE instead of five years. ACN no longer required as of 01 January 2007. Robert Mathewes FSO-MT stated that FC Allen James is willing to continue in his position for another year. He called for nominations from the floor three times. There were no nominations. Nominations were

Dec. 2006

Scuttlebutt

Page

closed. Unanimous ballot cast for FC Allen James. Robert Mathewes FSO-MT stated that VFC Joseph Fleming is willing to continue in his position for another year. He called for nominations from the floor three times. There were no nominations. Nominations were closed. Unanimous ballot cast for VFC Joseph Fleming. Division Vice Captain William Riley administered Oath of Office to FC Allen James and VFC Joseph Fleming. DVC congratulated FC and VFC and others for helping with the Edisto Flotilla. He stated that the Division Change of Watch will be held in Myrtle Beach 27 January. Brochures are scheduled to be distributed next week. All members are invited to attend. FC reminded members to e-mail him with suggestions for our 2007 Flotilla Change of Watch. Suggestions from the Floor for improving our monthly meetings: Audio/Visual material e.g. maritime bloopers Invite Gold Side in to talk about current on-water activities Tour of the Yellowfin before a meeting Conduct a meeting on the Dallas Conduct a meeting at the Johns Island airport to include a tour of the helicopter FC requested that members consider opening their check books and their hearts to make a happier holiday for our brothers and sisters on the Gold Side. Please send checks to: Frank Leister, 31B Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Also, donations will be accepted at the Christmas Party to purchase telephone cards for troops in Iraq. Robert Orenstein encouraged members to visit the letssaythanks.com website. All you have to do is choose a card, select or write a message of encouragement and thanks to a member of the troops overseas. Hallmark

will forward this card for you. Meeting adjourned at 1800 on motion made by Marguerite Bishop, seconded by Robert Orenstein. 13 December 2006 meeting cancelled in lieu of Christmas Party to be held 16 December at 1800 at Robert and Ellen Kreiling, 2668 Starfish Drive, Johns Island. Next meeting: 10 January 2007 at the USCG Base at 1900. Minutes submitted by FSO-SR Shirley Wolf.

Vessel Examinations
Joe Fleming, FSO-VE

essel inspections for the year started out slow, but picked up with the warm weather. At the same time, member participation dropped off. I would like to see some new faces join us with our boat inspections, its a good way to spend a morning and the rewards, for the public, are appreciated. If anyone has any ideas to increase participation, I am open to suggestions. I would like to see us cover 2007 with our strongest turnout yet. Two members have recently completed their qualifications as vessel examiners; I look forward to more members attaining this position. Due to the holidays I will not schedule another blitz until January, time and date will be posted in the next Scuttlebutt. Joe Fleming, FSO-VE

Happy Hanukkah

Dec. 2006

Scuttlebutt

Page 8

December 2006
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 3 10 17 24
Christmas Eve

2 9 16
Christmas Party The Kreilings

4
Full Moon

5 12 19 26

6 13 20
New Moon

7 14 21 28

8 15
Hanukkah Begins at Sundown

11 18 25
CHRISTMAS

22 29

23
Hanukkah ends

27

30

31
New Years Eve

Flotilla Officers
Flotilla Commander Allen James jamesan38@bellsouth.net Communication Systems John Sikes jsikes@netrockets.com Materials Hank Wolf hgw39@bellsouth.net RBS Visitor Barbara Yeatman doberdoo@bellsouth.net Flotilla Vice Commander Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net Fellowship Jane Orenstein orenstein@netrockets.com Marine Safety Lou Mintz lcmintz56@netzero.net Personnel Services Bob Orenstein Aids To Navigation Richard Daniel rbdaniel1829@aol.com Finance Frank Leister Communications Dick Clarke clarkerc@netzero.net Information Services Chris Thomas irish29483@earthlink.net Operations Richard Daniel rbdaniel1829@aol.com Public Education Vacant

FCL@Lwinslow.com
Member Training Bob Mathewes rhmathewes@att.net Public Affairs Barney Holt HoltW@cofc.edu

orenstein@netrockets.com

Publications Bob Mathewes rhmathewes@att.net

Secretary Records Shirley Wolf saw41@bellsouth.net

Vessel Examination Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net