http://www.uscg-auxiliary.com Vol. XLII – No. 2 –February 2010

NEXT MEETING:

WEDNESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2010

Des Plaines Park District

Prairie Lakes Community Center

515 East Thacker, Des Plaines, Illinois

19:00 hours—EARLY FOR MT!

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THE AUXILIARY AT STRICTLY SAIL, JANUARY 2010

AGENDA Barry will instruct us in -- Instructing!

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 39-02 Des Plaines, IL 9TH WR

FC Robert Reczek VFC Chas. Hague FSO-PB Chas. Hague

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY Flotilla 3-02, (9th WR) Monthly meeting, 20 January 2010, 19:30 ATTENDEES: Bob Reczek Barry Jacobson Chas. Hague Jim Davy Jerry Warych

Bill Robinson Dave Traiforos,

DIVISION MEETING REPORT: AUXDATA still being worked on. Conference will be 19-21 February. Will include: 3 hour first aid class, FC Academy (Chas. Enrolled) and District Store. VFC 2010 decals will be available in late January. Amy Seeley will help implement Flotilla web sites. Check out new web site www.chicagosafeboating.com. New division name is “Wilmette Chicago division” will meet 1st Tuesday at Skokie CHDIRAUX No texting while driving on Official Business or in Govt. vehicle STAFF REPORTS: Communications: Bill Robinson -- Needs contact information of DCM officer

Computer Svc: Bill Robinson -- Report is “From the Web” section of Bilgewater

Finance: Ron Tragasz -- Finances reviewed and approved

Information Svc: Bob Reczek -- AUXDATA still not working

Materials: Jerry Warych -- Nothing to report.

Member Training: Barry Jacobson – Will do Instructor workshop before Feb. meeting, Vessel Exam in March, Program Visitor in April.

Operations: Bob Reczek – Rescue boat 067 needs repairs.

Public Affairs: Barry Jacobson -- Members of our Flotilla will be working at the Chicago Boat/RV show, Strictly Sail, Bass Pro shops and Our World Underwater.

Publications: Chas Hague – Jan roster went out in Bilgewater

Public Education: Chas. Hague – trying to set up for sailing class in July

Personnel: George Schmidt – Nothing to report

Program Visitor: Mike Schlachter -- No report

Vessel Exam: Jim Davy -- Flotilla did 86 Vessel Exams in 2009

OLD BUSINESS: Thad Allen sent letter to all concerning Haiti.

NEW BUSINESS: none

Meeting concluded at 20:06. Jerry supplied snacks.

From the Web

by Bill Robinson, FSO-CM

*** New BS&S Errata Sheet *** A new Errata Sheet for Boating Skills & Seamanship (BS&S) is now available on the E-Library Resource Center. (http://www.cgauxed.org/elib/courses/bss/BSS_Errata.pdf) Two changes are posted. One is to Chapter 1 and the other to Chapter 4. Please add these corrections to your BS&S presentations. *** The 2010 VSC Decals Are Available *** The 2010 VSC decals have been shipped to the Auxiliary National Supply Center (ANSC). The overall supply should be more than adequate to meet our demands and the demands of our partners. Instructions are at http://safetyseal.net/pdf_files/2010-Decal-Announcement.pdf The quantity of decals received at each unit level will be a function of the past year’s performance. ANSC has already been given the quantities and will deliver that number of decals and VSC Examination Record forms, ANSC 7012, upon receiving your order request. Either the unit’s elected officer or the materials office must place the order. The Order Form is at http://safetyseal.net/pdf_files/VSCDECALFM-2010.pdf *** 2010 National Scout Jamboree *** The 2010 National Scout Jamboree is being planned for 26 July to 4 August 2010 at Fort A. P. Hill VA. Auxiliarists who are interested in being part of the Coast Guard 2010 National Scout Jamboree Task Force can find full particulars and contact information on the Auxiliary’s “What’s New” web page at http://www.cgaux.org/members/whats_new/announce.php. *** Form 7029 Video *** Last month we went into some detail on the new ANSC 7029 form. A short video is also available explaining these changes. You can view it at http://forms.cgaux.org/7029video.html As of this writing, the new 7029 form is still not available in an email version. If you have a scanner, you might want to try what I did: 1) Fill out the form on your computer, 2) Print a copy, 3) Scan it into your computer as a .pdf file, 4) Send this file to the FSO-IS as an email attachment, 5) File the printed copy for your own records. Of course, if you don’t have a scanner, or you don’t want to mess with the above process, you can always fill out the form the old fashioned way and send it by snail mail (although this will cost you 44 cents). *** What-To-Do-To-Fill-Up-A-Page Department *** - A committee is a gathering of people who, singly, can do nothing; but together can decide that nothing can be done. - The early bird may get the worm, but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese. - A clear conscience is usually a sign of a bad memory.

*** CHICAGO'S CHRISTMAS SHIP TENTH ANNUAL EVENT *** By Steven C. Evenstad, Flotilla 36, D9-WR, Wilmette, IL Liaison, Executive Committee, Chicago's Christmas Ship - Tenth Annual Event From SITREP; National emagazine After seeing numerous SITREP articles from other parts of the country, we finally have one from the Chicago area. Read on... December 4 & 5, 2009. The 9th Coast Guard District public affairs and humanitarian mission conducted this tenth annual event, a cooperative marine community event of substantial complexity. The event was assisted greatly by many local organizations, including among others, the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary the Navy League, the Chicago Police Marine Unit, Chicago Fire Department and the Army Corps of Engineers. On the opening day, Friday December 4, The USCG Cutter MACKINAW arrived at the Navy pier. The vessel was escorted by Chicago Fireboat and police boats. The Rickover Military Academy Band provided the background music. Auxiliarists John Reinert, Ed Burns and Jyneen St John provided line handling for ship’s docking. After being welcomed by Chicago’s Christmas Ship’s Official Party, the cutter welcomed aboard a field trip by Manteno School, with just under 500 children (8 fully loaded school buses) for a ship's tour. Cutter decorating by Chicago’s Marine Community volunteers, assisted by ships crew, took place during the afternoon hours. On board tours by participating youth groups and other school children continued throughout the day. Auxiliarists John Reinert, Ed Burns, Matt Gies and Janice Jones conducted the Seapartners, America's Waterway Watch, Invasive Species and Fish Barrier programs. Auxiliarist Rick Tamraz coordinated the ship tour personnel. The second day of the event, Saturday, started well before 0800. Participating Auxiliarists arrived, most having received a tasking briefing prior to the event. Refreshments for registered volunteers were provided by McDonalds, as well as the Salvation Army Disaster Response Unit, which was on scene providing coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts. Auxiliarist Steven Evenstad, working as the volunteer coordinator, electronically registered and directed the 434 volunteers. At 0930 volunteers commenced off-loading trees from USCGC MACKINAW. Auxiliarists Jyneen St. John, John Reinert and Ed Burns supervised volunteers for off loading of trees and loading of trucks. This was an exceptional challenge which was executed with good order. No injuries or incidents were reported. In the time span from 1030 hrs. - 1150 hrs. 1,540 Christmas Trees were off loaded from the deck of CGC MACKINAW and loaded into 22 trucks for distribution to families who would otherwise not have a tree. The Taft High School Choir with 40+ participants, coordinated by Auxiliarist Jay Katzman, began the program with a wonderful holiday presentation. Following the choir, Lee Murdock sang our signature song, “When the ‘Big Mac’ comes into the Harbor.” Off-loading of trees was suspended at this point to allow all to enjoy the presentations. Following presentation of the colors, a memorial wreath ceremony was held in honor of those lost at sea. The presentation of the wreath was by US Merchant Marine Officers Honors Unit. Special guest speakers Capt. Luann Barndt, USCG, Commander Lake Michigan Sector and CDR Scott Smith, Captain of the USCGC MACKINAW, gave inspired addresses which included the history of the Chicago Christmas Ship ROSE SIMMONS, the ship which was last seen on November 23, 1912, with distress signals flying. The presentation of trees to recipient families was made by Capt. George Lisner, Chicago's Christmas Ship. Our Master of Ceremonies called for a “Chicago send off” to the Christmas tree trucks. After the last truck departed, The CG Cutter MACKINAW remained at Navy Pier, open for public tours for the remainder of the weekend. In all, 32 Auxiliarists participated in Chicago's Christmas Ship - Tenth Annual Event, helping making the event a spectacular success. As with all events of this magnitude, next year's program is already being planned.

- Pictures on next page -

(L to R) Capt. George Lisner, CCS Executive Director; CDR Scott Smith, Captain CGC Mackinaw;

CAPT. Luann Barndt, CO Sector Lake Michigan

(L to R) Auxiliaris Jyneen St. John and MSTC Greg Morris, Coast Guard Project Officer

Coast Guard Cutter MACKINAW, moored at West wall, Navy Pier

One of twenty two trucks used to transport trees to recipient families

North Suburban Young Marines Color Guard, Presentation of Colors

School kids enjoying a trip to the Christmas Ship

BONNIE, CHAS, BOB N., AND BOB RECZEK AT BASS PRO SHOP

COASTIE AT STRICTLY SAIL

USCGC FORWARD IN HAITI

FELLOWSHIP!

FLOTSAM

February 2010

UPCOMING EVENTS 19-21 Feb 2010: Our World Underwater, Rosemont (same weekend as) 19-21 Feb 2010: District Conference 27 Feb: Chicago Maritime Festival, History Museum 10 April: ABC Class, Prairie Lakes

SNACK LIST

February: Jim Davy March: Chas. April: Bob Reczek

SHAKE IT (NOT)

From Jim Davy: Some examiners have been taught that they have to shake or tilt a dry chemical extinguisher to "feel" the powder moving inside or to tap the bottom to free up any caked material. This procedure should not be used as it may actually clog the pick-up tube.

AND ANOTHER NEW FORM

As of 10 January, the trusty old 7030 form has been changed too. The differences are not big – more missions have been included. Best bet is to download one with the instructions. Also note that the new 7029 is designed to be turned in once a month—not hung onto forever, like some of us used to do. ORION FLARE TRAINING

The Orion signal people have put together a nifty video that shows how to use handheld, meteor and parachute flares. Watch it, take a quiz, and they’ll send you a package of safety stuff. Go to Shop Auxiliary, sign in, and click on the “Orion” logo. You get points for doing VSC’s, too! (Note: Both of the preceding items came out of “For Safety’s Sake”, the National Vessel Exam publication. Check it out.) SHINE OUT YOUR LIGHT

Don Terras at the Gross Point Lighthouse in Evanston is hoping to get more Auxiliarists to be docents. The lighthouse is open weekends during the summer. Docents answer questions and take tours to the lantern room at the top of

the tower. Why buy a Stairmaster? Volunteer by E-mailing Don at djterras@att.net. BOAT SHOW MANIA

January was a big month for Flotilla work at the boat shows. 13-14 January had Bob Reczek down at the Chicago Boat and Outdoor show at McCormick Place. He talked to a Canadian man who bought a boat, but said he won't be using it much this year as his helicopter pilot job is taking him to the Amazon River! On the weekends of the 16th and 23rd, Bass Pro Shop had us in for their in-store boat show. Most of the people here were small lake, river boaters and fishermen. Barry and Chas. did presentations on boat safety and required equipment. (When I did it, BPS had lost the video, so I had to make it up with Bob Reczek’s help.) Then on 28-31 January we had a big presence at Strictly Sail—a 40 x 30 foot exhibit space with a 25-foot rescue boat and Coastie. We also put on a Cold Water Survival seminar. The people here were more serious and experienced boaters – lots of interest in the knot-tying! ONE IN A MILLION

The Coast Guard has saved over a million lives since 1790, and the Coast Guard Foundation is looking for stories of these heroic rescues. If someone you know is “One in a Million,” send their story to www.one-in-a-million-rescued.org. READ THE CHART FIRST

It was past 0100 on a dark, rainy night, and the sailors on the yacht were anxiously looking for the entrance to the harbor. At last, they spotted white-over-white range lights. The lined their boat up with the lights and headed in, steering between the red and green lights on the channel buoys that they could now see far ahead. All was well. Then a voice came over the radio: “Vessel directly in front of me! this is container carrier MV Gigantic! Please alter your course immediately!” It was then that they consulted the chart and learned that this channel didn’t have range lights. They also realized that lights on buoys would blink, not be steady-burning lights like a ship’s markers….