In This Issue:

The PelorusSummer 2014

2

US COAST GUARD AUXILIARYT h e P e l o r u s

FROM THE COMMANDERIt is midyear, we are in the peak of boating season and close to one of the largest evenings on the water, July 4th (Happy

Birthday America!). Again, I want to thank all of you for your support and your service to the boating public, the Active Duty

Coast Guard, our state, ourselves, our flotillas, and to our great nation. Keep up the good work and continue to display the flag in all of the activities you participate in.

Happy Anniversary fellow Auxiliary members. This is the 75th anniversary of the Auxiliary. Rick Leary, SO-PB, is trying to setup a ceremony to celebrate and gain some recognition in the local communities. Please give him some assistance with this and participate in the activity once it gets scheduled.

Thank you to everyone who planned and participated in National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) activities this year. I looks like it was good, as usual. Please make sure that your team provides a final report of the successes to Diane Wiggins, D7 NSBW coordinator, as soon as possible. I’d also like to some award nominations for the teams and individuals who participated from each of the flotillas. It is important for us to recognize the good work that the members are doing. Now, let’s make sure to keep the momentum going since recreational safe boating is a 7 x 24 x 365 task. Continued on

Page Four

Al Crothers

Division Twelve Commander

Division Twelve ~ Seventh Coast Guard DistrictSummer Edition, 2014

3

TABLE OF CONTENTSIn This Issue

The Division Commander’s Report Page 2, 4-5

Report from the Vice-Commander Page 6

In Memory of those Lost Page 8

Lay Leader Phillip Poole Page 9

Commandant’s Change of Command Message

Page 5

State Liaison Report Page 19-20

Staff Officer List & Contact Info Page 21-22

USCG Auxiliary 75th Anniversary Page 10

Welcome Admiral Zukunft Page 7

Flotilla Reports

The Inland Lakes Page 11

Charleston & Edisto Beach Page 12

East Cooper & Georgetown Page 13

Division Staff Officer Reports

Auxiliary Aviation Page 14

Diversity & Inclusion Page 15

Human Resources Page 18

Information Systems Page 16

Marine Safety Page 18

Member Training Page 16

Navigation Systems Page 18

Publications Page 16

RBS Visitation Page 15

Secretary Records Page 17-18

Empire State Building Honors the

USCG Auxiliary 75th Anniversary

On June 23, 2014, the Empire State Building was lit in Light Blue, Red and White to celebrate the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s 75 years of volunteer service to the United States Coast Guard and the boating public. The Auxiliary colors graced the top of this magnificent building, and were visible to millions across the New York metro area.

Admiral Robert Papp, past Commandant of the Coast Guard, praised the 31,000-member force as “…the world’s premier maritime volunteers.” The Auxiliary’s theme for the 75th anniversary is:

“Honoring the Past Preparing for the Future.”

4

FROM THE COMMANDER (CONTD . )There have been a few changes with the active

duty and District 7. LT. Prebeck is the new Sector Charleston AUXLO, and BMC Palmer is the Station Charleston AUXLO. CMDR Seward is the new DIRAUX for District 7. Also, the District 7 material store has been closed. The remaining inventory will be sold at the NACON and DTRAIN (both are in Orlando this year). The store was not working for the District and they had to make a change.

Maintaining your qualifications is important to your participation in the Auxiliary. Please refer to the Training Management Report, in AUXDATA, to see where you stand with maintaining your qualifications for the year. Your IS officer and/or Flotilla Commander can provide one to look at. It will show what qualifications you hold, the number of hours to maintain them, and the current status for the year. An example of an action item is the VE area. All active VE’s were required to take the online workshop by the end of June. Our division is about 70% in compliance with that requirement.

The remaining VE’s will go into a REWK status until they complete the workshop. They will go REYR status at the end of the year, whether they have completed their required exams or not, if they do not complete the workshop. So, please take the workshop and sit through the entire presentation so you can get credit for taking it.

Everbridge drills will start up again now that the database issues seem to be resolved. There may be a few during the summer since it is hurricane season. I will also attempt to perform them quarterly year round. It is very important for you, as the member, to

recognize the 888-888-8888 number and understand what to do in order to respond. There are a few ways in which you can respond.

• Directly, by picking up the call• Phone message, if you can remember (or write

down) the 10-digit number and 10-digit response code.

• Or by computer (the easiest of all) via the link in the email message sent to each and every one registered in the system.

So, please make sure to respond in the best manner you can. Your comfort in the use of the system will certainly make it easier for us to use and utilize the system in the event of a true emergency.

Flotilla Commanders, Staff Officers, and fellow members; please write awards for your fellow members, and/or teams of members if they are doing great things for the public and the US Coast Guard. You are the folks that see what is going on, and the best resource we have to recognize the Auxiliary membership. You can use templates that are online at the District web site under the section, ‘What’s New’. You then send your nominations through your elected chain of leadership to get approval.

Election season is approaching. Notifications of intent to run are due 60 days prior to your flotilla elections. August and September are the deadlines for all of our flotillas. It depends on the month you plan to hold the election. The deadline for Division is 12 August. So, please select election screening committees soon, and establish a lead. I want to

Continued on Following Page

5

FROM THE COMMANDER (CONTD . )encourage the members to consider the Commander and/or Vice Commander roles, and plan for next year.

The Summer Division meeting is at the Mt. Pleasant Water Works Public Meeting Room on 12 July. The address is 1619 Rifle Range Rd; Mt. Pleasant, SC. The remaining 2014 Division meeting is scheduled for 11 October, also at the Mt. Pleasant Water Works Public Meeting Room. Commander’s call is at 0930 and the general meeting is scheduled for 1030.

I look forward to seeing you at meetings, classes, and other functions. It is a pleasure to serve with you.

Thank you for your Time and Service.

Al CrothersDCDR 12

Commandant’s Change of Command Message

To the Men and Women of the United States Coast Guard:

Earlier today, I had the honor of relieving Admiral Papp as the 25th Commandant of the Coast Guard. I am incredibly humbled by this opportunity, and I thank Admiral Papp for his leadership and service to the nation over the last 39 years.

Below you will find the web address to my Commandant's Direction. This document is intended to guide the Service during the next four years. It is founded on our Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty, and guided by the principles of Service to Nation, Duty to People, and Commitment to Excellence. I ask that each of you, whether Active Duty, Reserve, Civilian, or Auxiliarist, take a moment to review its contents.

http://www.uscg.mil/direction

You inspire me, and you have my trust, confidence, and admiration. Together, we will ensure our Service is always ready for the challenges ahead. Semper Paratus!

Admiral Paul F. ZukunftCommandant, United States Coast Guard

6

VICE COMMANDERS REPORT

On June 23, 2014, the Empire State Building celebrated the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s 75 years of volunteer service. The building was bathed in Auxiliary colors, and I hope you had an opportunity to view the television production. An announcement accompanied the presentation that the theme for the 75th Anniversary is “Honoring the Past Preparing for the Future”.

The day following that ceremony, a Coast Guard Unit Commendation was confirmed for member service from June 24, 2009 - June 24, 2014. To me, the mos t impor tan t s ta tement in the g lowing commendation was that in 2013, boating fatalities were the lowest in 50 years. That notable achievement is an incredible score that resulted from the public education, vessel examinations and public affairs efforts of the Auxiliary.

The Coast Guard continues to be gracious in expressing their gratitude for the volunteer work provided by the Auxiliary. We must be mindful that the Coast Guards new missions remain more relevant than ever, in the years since the September 11th terrorist

attacks, as part of the Department of Homeland Security. As the Nation faces challenging economic times, it must not be forgotten that America is a maritime nation. Jobs and foreign trade rely upon our Nation’s ports, and inland waterways. But these approaches from the sea are also used by criminals, domestic or transnational, who seek to do us harm.

The Auxiliary is the Coast Guard’s primary force to provide focus on recreational boating safety, as they simply do not have the available resources to tackle this need. It has been speculated that without the Auxiliary, recreational boating safety programs would pale to a low priority federal initiative. As Auxiliarists, our volunteer work allows the US Coast Guard to control the recreational Auxiliary activities, and to concurrently execute its statutory missions effectively throughout the maritime continuum.

They have sincerely thanked us, and we are excited to be back in the busy public boating season where we can again demonstrate our value. Flotilla records confirm that we are already in high gear with our boating safety classes, vessel examinations, patrols and all the programs we provide. Auxiliary work will continue to ramp up as we move through the July 4th weekend, and will continue towards Labor Day. We perform these duties not because we have to, but because we want to, and we want to be a part of the US Coast Guard mission.

Semper ParatusJohn MurphyVCDR

John MurphyVice Division Commander

7

WELCOME ADMIRAL ZUKUNFT

On 30 May, Adm. Paul F. Zukunft assumed command of the United States Coast Guard in a change of command ceremony at Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC.

Zukunft, a graduate of the US Coast Guard Academy, Class of 1977, is originally from Branford, Connecticut. At the Coast Guard Academy, Zukunft obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Government. He then attended Webster University in 1988 where he received his Masters of Arts degree in Management, and the U.S. Naval War College in 1997, graduating with a Masters of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He is also a graduate of the Asia Pacific Center for Strategic Studies Executive Seminar and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government National Preparedness Leadership Initiative course.

Zukunft was promoted to flag rank in 2006. His six previous flag assignments also include: The Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship; Director of Response Policy, Assistant Commandant for Capability; Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, and Director, Joint Interagency Task Force West.

Additionally, Zukunft served as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon Spill of National Significance in 2010, and directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft during one of the largest oil spills in U.S. history.

Zukunft has served at sea, commanding the USCGC Rush, USCGC Harriet Lane, and the USCGC Cape Upright. Zukunft’s senior staff assignments include Chief of Operations, Coast Guard Pacific Area and Chief of Operations Oversight, Coast Guard Atlantic Area where he directly supervised all major cutter operations in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He also served as the Chief of Staff of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District in Honolulu.

On February 28, 2014, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced that U.S. President Obama intended to nominate Zukunft for the position of Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, succeeding Admiral Robert Papp. He was confirmed by the Senate on May 15, 2014, and frocked to admiral the same day. He assumed the office of Commandant on May 30, 2014.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh

Johnson (center) presides as Adm. Paul Zukunft (left) relieves Adm. Bob Papp during a change of

command ceremony at Coast Guard

Headquarters in Washington May 30, 2014. U.S.

Coast Guard Photo

8

IN MEMORY OF THOSE LOST

Overwhelming sadness was felt throughout the Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC on 17 May in a tribute to the loving memory of 83 people who died on South Carolina waterways from 2010 -2013. Family members and friends came to remember those who were lost due to boating fatalities, hear each victim’s name called out followed by the toll of a bell, and see the faces of those victims shown on a screen at the front of the church.

The memorial service was sponsored by the Lake Murray Association, and coordinated by the Lake Murray Safety Consortium, comprised of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Lake Murray Power Squadron, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Sheriff’s Department from Lexington, Richland and Saluda Counties, and Lake Murray Association (LMA) representatives.

Eighty-three life-sized silhouette figures surrounded the entire church nave, and served as a constant visual reminder of each of the 83 persons lost in boating accidents. Life jackets were placed in front of the altar. A large screen at the back of the altar showed photographs of many of those who died. As each name was called out, family members and friends in the parish stood up to acknowledge their loved one, and the tolling of a bell rang through the church, a very touching and chilling experience.

After the benediction, a bagpipe player dressed in a traditional kilt played Amazing Grace, filling the room with music and emotion. As the service ended,

the congregation left row by row, starting from the front pew into the entrance hallway of the church where they passed between two rows on law enforcement, military personnel and first responders from all over South Carolina standing at attention. This very special memorial service will be remembered by many people for a lifetime.

During the service, Andy Hyman, President of the Lake Murray Association, gave the message. In it, he called for better Boating Under the Influence (BUI) laws and mandatory boating education. Let’s hope both become a reality in the very near future to provide a safer boating environment to all South Carolina boaters.

The South Carolina Boating Fatalities Memorial ServicePhotos by John Mezynski & Sue Carty, Flotilla 12-3. Article by Sue Carty.

Above Photo: Silhouettes behind altar. Below Photo: Bagpiper playing Amazing Grace.

9

GOD BLESS AMERICA

We celebrate American Independence Day on the Fourth of July every year, but what are we celebrating, America’s craziness? It is only in America, that a pizza gets to your house faster than an ambulance. That there are handicap parking places in front of a skating rink. That drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions, while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front. That people order double cheeseburgers, large fries and a DIET soda. That we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in our driveways and put junk in our garages. That we use answering machines to screen calls and have call waiting so we won’t miss a call from someone we didn’t want to talk to in the first place! That we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight. Hello….but we do have the freedom to do all these things!

Do we celebrate America’s contradictions? We have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller famil ies; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We’ve added years to life, not life to years! We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We’ve done larger things, but not better things. We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but we learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We have built more computers to hold more information to produce more documents than ever, but we communicate less and less. Hello….but we do have the freedom to do all these things!

My dear brothers and sisters, even though there are a lot of confusing things about us as Americans, I still believe that America is the greatest country in the world. Many of us are blessed to have been born and raised here in America. In my travels, I often hear that we need to keep asking God to bless America. Friends, He already has. Now, it’s our turn!

It’s our turn to do something good for America. God has and still is blessing America, but we need to do our part! We can do many good things. We can be good citizens, vote, be patriotic, salute the flag, sing the national anthem, show courtesy to all people (especially, the elderly) obey the laws, pay our taxes, and respect the law and its leaders. And, please, don’t park in handicap parking places when you’re not handicapped! Amen.

God’s love,Phil

Phillip Poole, Lay Leader

10

USCGC AUXILIARY 75TH ANNIVERSARYOn the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, I would like to offer my personal thanks to each member for your faithful service to our fellow citizens. Thanks also to your families who shared your time. Time and talent are the most valuable things a volunteer c a n o f f e r, a n d w e a r e immensely grateful for the unselfish sharing of your time

by all those who are a part of your world. Our success is also due in no small part to the support of our partners without whose financial and cooperative commitments we would not be able to succeed. Together we are the best-trained, most valued maritime volunteer organization in the world!

Our history is replete with the service of the Auxiliary to our nation. Those who served before us pointed the way and set the course of excellence in all we do. The Greatest Generation linked arms to help keep our coasts secure when the Auxiliary was in its infancy. They taught boaters how to go about their activities safely, thus enabling the regular Coast Guard to concentrate more on direct law enforcement and military operations. We carry on that proud tradition, teaching classes, performing vessel safety checks, visiting marine dealers, participating in boat shows, public affairs functions, and utilizing our facilities on

safety patrols on the water, in the air, and on the airwaves. We support the regular Coast Guard more than ever before in marine safety, food service, medical, engineering, watch standing, and a myriad of other areas for which we are trained and qualified.

We do these things willingly, for we know that what we do saves lives. With our service we know that our fellow citizens are able to more safely enjoy their time on the water without adverse incidents thanks to our efforts. This is our heritage; this is our purpose. This is the charge given to us by all those who have so ably served over the last 75 years. We will steadfastly maintain the traditions passed to us by those thousands of members who wore the khaki and Coast Guard blue over the years. We will rely on those traditions of our predecessors to give us strength and provide a course line when the going gets tough. We will continue to be Semper Paratus as the Auxiliary has been for 75 years.

Respectfully, Tom MallisonNational Commodore

“A Tradition of Honor, A Legacy of Action”

Tom MallisonNACO

11

THE INLAND LAKES12-1, Lake Marion & the Inland Sea

John Owen, FCCongratulations to all on the 75th Anniversary of

the USCG Auxiliary! During the past few months, Flotilla 12-1 has been busy with promoting safety to the recreational boating public. We assisted Flotilla 12-3 with providing information at the South Carolina Sportsman’s Classic at the SC State Fair Grounds in Columbia. This 3-day event was attended by thousands of people from all over the state. During National Safe Boating Week (NSBW), we received proclamations from the cities and counties surrounding Lake Marion; Mayor’s for Sumter, Manning and Orangeburg, as well as the Clarendon County Council Chair. We were excited that all the elected officials participating with proclamations were photographed wearing life jackets.

To further promote NSBW, we participated in a live radio broadcast interview on WDXY – 105.9 FM “Good Morning Sumter.” This broadcast assisted us to get our message out about Boating Safety and the importance of Wearing a Life Jacket, Getting a Vessel Safety Inspection, as well as taking the About Boating Safely (ABS) Course. Also, the Sumter newspaper, The Item, published a very informative article on 17 May about our flotilla’s efforts during NSBW. The article also gave the SCDNR perspective on their safe boating and law enforcement efforts. We would like to thank our local government officials and media for assisting our flotilla in getting our message to the public. Great job everyone!

12-3, Lake Murray

Don Carty, FCFlotilla 12-3 Lake Murray came up to the task to make NSBW 2014 a success. Publicity, proclamations and activities made the boating public aware of the importance of boating safety, wearing life jackets and of the US Coast Guard

Auxiliary’s presence in the Lake Murray area.

John Mezynski was the Flotilla coordinator for the National Safe Boating Week. Other flotilla members who participated were John Byers, Festus Burchfield, Barbara Burchfield, Donald Carty, Susan Carty, Clayton Goodwin, Russell Jernigan, Billy Lindsay, John Mezynski, Michael Mikutaitis, Peggy Peterson, Kent McCoin and Kenneth Plesser. Great job everyone! Thanks for all your hard work.

Pictured from left: Joe Livingston, Willie Hanton Jr., Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler, and Jay Dahlgren.

12

12-12, Edisto Beach

Be Moore, FCBoating in the spring in the Low Country can

be exciting, exhilarating, and, at times, frustrating due to wind and rain. This spring was no exception. From early spring to early summer, we’ve transgressed from windy, light rain days to summer heat and thunderstorms. Boaters from “far off” places such as Bennetts Point, Edisto Beach Marina, Edisto Beach State Park and Bohicket Marina are once again on the water. This time of year also brings inland folks to the coast with their boats.

With the increased boating activities, Flotilla 12-12 has responded. We have conducted Vessel Safety Checks, held two publ ic affa i rs demonstrations at local events, and have been visible on the water with several safety/marine observation patrols throughout the Edisto Island and ACE Basin AOR. We continue to work closely with the active duty side, acting as the “distressed” vessel for Air Station Savannah rescue helicopters. We also supported the 2014 Charleston Race Week by providing six patrols in Charleston Harbor.

12-8, Charleston

Paul Berka, FCWe had a great turnout for the River Fest which

was held at Colonial Dorchester Park in Summerville on 3 May. Joe Fleming brought the patrol boat and we also had a tent with handouts for the public. This was the first year in which the River Fest has been held, and it was a great event to promote boating safety.

Flotilla 12-8 has four new Boat Crew members. They are Robert Blodgett, William Carter, Russell Cox and Duncan Hutchinson. These new boat crew members have been working almost two years to pass the qualifications for crew. I would like to thank Dwaine Harris and Richard Daniel for their personal efforts to training and preparing the candidates for crew qualifications, as well as Tom Jerussi and Randy Glas for providing their facilities for the two boat drills.

In addition to the new crew members above, Jay Bird, Kelly Duncan and Dwaine Harris re-qualified for Boat Crew. Also, Randy Glas and myself were re-qualified as Coxswain. We have additional members who have been in training for boat crew, but were unable to make the QE held in June. The current plan is to have another QE in September.

One of our members, James E. Curran Jr. has decided to retire from the Auxiliary. He has over 25 years of experience, and we would like to extend our thanks to him for his many years of loyal service and dedication. We wish him all the best.

CHARLESTON & EDISTO BEACH

13

EAST COOPER & GEORGETOWN12-6, Mount Pleasant

Scott Heisler, FCBoating season is definitely upon us. Not only did

we have a great National Safe Boating Week turnout, but we taught twenty-three students in our About Boating Safely (ABS) course on Saturday, 17 May. Thank you to our instructors for the weekend, Andy and Phil Poole.

On 13 May, I attended the Mt. Pleasant town council meeting for the reading of the NSBW proclamation by Mayor Linda Page, and our town council representatives, all sporting life jackets with us. The event was attended by our FSO-PA Rick Leary, myself, several active duty Coast Guard members led by Captain Rodriguez, USCG, and members of the SC DNR and local Police forces.

We had an especially attentive audience that night because there was also a well-attended Police award given, a recognition of the South Carolina Special Olympics Team (all from our area), and a large contingent of our fellow citizens waiting to weigh in on proposed new construction developments at Shem Creek. Due to this high level of attendance, I would say that our message was well received by a lot of our friends in the community.

In addition to the town hall events, we participated in Vessel Safety Checks, patrolled the local waters and participated in a static display of various Marine Safety, Law Enforcement, Coast Guard and Auxiliary boats at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina at Patriots Point. Thanks to everyone who showed up for this event.

Things are rolling along in June. We have new members this year, new trainees, and more people to call every month. Thank you for making the Auxiliary and Flotilla 12-6 great! Your dedication and hard work make all of this possible.

12-10, Georgetown

Rick Bankert, FC

2014 is shaping up to be a productive and busy year for Georgetown, Flotilla 12-10. We’ve been active on the water, in the classroom teaching boating safety courses, holding Public Affairs events, and in the area of recruitment. The Flotilla has also been training Boat Crew and Coxswains for recertification.

We continue to offer support for Station Georgetown. We have also begun to revitalize our Program Visitor efforts. We are looking to finish the year with continued strong efforts and contributions from our members.

Flotilla 12-6 VFC and FSO-MT Ann Marie Graham

onboard her OPFAC PWC “VooDoo” during a recent operational activity. US Coast Guard

Auxiliary photo by Bob Weskerna.

14

Ron Sain & Daniel Wolski at Charleston Executive Airport.

Division 12 Auxiliary Aviation was more active in the second quarter of 2014, with warmer offshore water temperatures and increased boating activity. The three pilots in Division 12, Ken Plesser, 12-03, Jay Byers, 12-03, and Ron Sain, 12-06, flew logistic and marine observation missions. Al Baglia, 12-03, will soon join the existing Division 12 pilots.

Steve Jacobs, 12-08, has acquired a Robinson R44 helicopter, and plans to build time and Coast Guard requirements to fly his helicopter for Auxiliary Aviation. Steve will fly out of Charleston.

Ann Marie Graham, 12-08, fulfilled the ground school, cockpit, and syllabus requirements for Air Crew this past quarter. After completing the Airman B test, she will petition for Air Crew status.

Ron Sain, 12-04, flew a Waterways Management Mission for CWO Daniel K. Wolski, BOSN2, to evaluate boating use, traffic and Aids to Navigation on the Savannah River up to Augusta, Georgia. The one remaining ATON is mid river, one hundred yards from the Georgia Power Nuclear Station. The proximity to the power station precluded photography.

Auxiliary Aviation in Division 12 is growing, both in personnel and assets.

Respectively submitted,Ron Sain (12-04)AAAC District 7

AUXILIARY AVIATIONRon Sain, AAAC, Flotilla 12-2

15

DIVISION STAFF OFFICER REPORTS

Diversity & Inclusion

Al Crothers, SO-DV

Diversity is about our commitment to embrace men and women of all racial, cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as full,

equal, and vital members of our organization.

Our Diversity and Inclusion program has taken hold in nearly every unit. Flotilla 12-1 and 12-6 have completed the requirements to earn the National Commodore’s (NACO) Three Star Award for Diversity Excellence in 2014. It is time for the remaining units to pursue the same award. Use the following link to determine what requirements remain in your units pursuit of the award.

Diversity Excellence Award

Please work with your FSO-DV or Flotilla Commander, if an FSO has not been named, to see what can be done within your flotilla to complete the requirements.

District Goals for DiversityThere are two main GOALS we ALL should be focusing on at this time.1. Filling any FSO-DV position vacancy.2. Scheduling at least one of the two PowerPoint

presentations on diversity.

The goal is to have these complete in the in the first quarter and certainly before NSBW. There are great references (Resources, News, and Outreach Programs) for all of us to read in order to understand the directorate ourselves. You can find a list of those on the cgaux.org Diversity & Inclusion page. Below is the URL:

Diversity & Inclusion Directorate

Program VisitationDwaine Harris, SO-PV

This year marks the sixth annual Operation Dry Water, held from 27-29 June, 2014. If you haven’t read about it, make sure to double

check your email. Marine law enforcement agencies throughout the 56 states and territories will intensify BUI awareness, and enforcement through increased patrols and established sobriety checkpoints.

Program visitors are ambassadors for the USCG Auxiliary to the boating public, and one of our jobs are to be well informed about what is going on in our area of operation. I am still amazed at what I find in our many newsletters and magazines published by the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Make sure to read and enjoy the many articles that apply to Recreational Boating Safety.

16

Information SystemsSue Hastings, SO-ISAs we are at the half way point in the

year, please make sure that your mission activity and logs are turned in for the first half of the year. This will help your IS

officer in keeping your records up to date.

Also check your address and contact information as we are now in the hurricane season and the Coast Guard and Auxiliary Leadership want to make sure that all our members are safe and we have the correct address, phone numbers, and email addresses in case of emergency.

The best way to do this is to use the 7028 Webform which you can access from the Auxiliary National website or through the Auxiliary AuxDirectory. While you are updating your contact information, you can also update other information such as your availability, skills bank and occupation info. Once you submit this, an email will go to your FSO-IS (or SO-IS) who will update AUXDATA.

A change has been made in certifying IS inputters. All new IS officers will have to attend the AUX-10 C-School. If there is a possibility that you will move into this position within the next year or so, please make sure to sign up for the AUX-10 C-School. Work with your Flotilla Commander on this to make sure you get the proper paperwork submitted. If you have any questions or problems, please let me know.

Member TrainingRichard Daniel, SO-MT

June was a very busy month for training. Two-boat drills were set up in preparation of upcoming QE of Coxswain re-certification, crew re-certification and New crew certification. We had a hands on GPS workshop that covered both classroom, as well as applications on two different facilities.

The QE was held, and successfully completed. This included entering waypoints in the GPS and going to location, docking the tow to the dock and transferring the distressed vessel to the dock. This also included a night navigation exercise for the coxswain. All the crews did an excellent job. This proved that practicing was the difference. Never Stop Learning. ICS 300 was included in the months activity.

Many thanks go out to all the operations folks taking part, the out of town QE’s, and in particular, St Johns Yacht harbor for hosting our training. Please make it a point to share your knowledge with new members so they too can get in the learning mode.

PublicationsWilliam Carter, SO-PB

We are now in the middle of Summer, and at the peak of activity for recreational boating. Make sure to check your Flotilla calendar regularly to stay informed on public affairs events, vessel safety checks, and safety courses. Your Flotilla’s newsletter (or website if they don’t currently publish one) is one of the best tools to keep you informed.

DIVISION STAFF OFFICER REPORTS

17

SECRETARY RECORDS

Minutes from Division 12 Meeting

Mt. Pleasant Water Works, Mt. Pleasant, SCSaturday, 11 April 2014

• The meeting was called to order at 1020 hours by Al Crothers, DCDR

• The Pledge of Allegiance was led by John Murphy, Division Vice Commander.

DCDR Welcome/IntroductionsAl Crothers welcomed everyone and reviewed what

was discussed at the Commander’s Call meeting.We still have Division Staff Officer positions open:

Public Education, Vessel Safety Examinations, and Communications.

We are half-way into 2014. Members are encouraged to make their suggestions for the Change of Watch location next year.

Minutes ApprovedThe January meeting minutes were approved at

Commander’s Call.

Awards• Al Crothers gave out awards for the Flotilla

Leadership Training in Savannah.• Awards were also presented for Meritorious

Teamwork, Auxiliary Achievement and Commandant’s Letter of Commendation.

Staff Officer ReportsPlease see reports published in The Pelorus.

Guest CommentsBob Weskerna commented on the dashboard and

CPAC. C-School has received funding. Requests must be submitted by 26 June.

Roster of members and guests present

12-1COMO Jay DahlgrenWilliam Hayes, VFCRon CunninghamJoe Owen, FC

12-2Carl BrownJeanette Brown, FCAlma Lyerly

12-3Sue Carty

12-3 (contd.)Don Carty, FCBarbara BurchfieldFestus Burchfield

12-4Oliver Leimbach, VFC

12-6Bob Weskerna, DCOSJackie WeskernaAl Crothers, DCDRDeborah Lee

12-6 (contd.)Rick LearyScott Heisler, FC

12-8William CarterPaul Berka, FCRichard Daniel

12-10John Murphy, VCDRVito Giardina, IPDCDRReggie Holler

12-10 (contd.)Rick Bankert, FCEd Wosniak, VFCHap JamesSue HastingsDavid Hastings

Continued on following page

Deborah Lee, SO-SR

18

SECRETARY RECORDS (CONTD . )

If your past awards are not in AUXDATA, please make sure to let Al Crothers know.

A new Vessel Safety Check manual will be coming out soon. Make sure to check online at the National website.

Announcements• Summer Division 12 Meeting will be held on 12

July at the Mt. Pleasant Water Works.• NACON will be held in Orlando, Florida from

21-24 August.

• D-TRAIN: Will be held at the Florida Mall Hotel & Conference Center from 18-20 September. DSO’s will be funded.

• Fall Division 12 Meeting will be held on 11 October at the Mt. Pleasant Water Works.

Meeting AdjournmentVito Giardina made a motion that the meeting be

adjourned seconded by Paul Berka.

Respectfully submitted,Deborah Lee, SO-SR

Human Resources John Owen, SO-HR

I want to thank all those members who volunteer their time to wear

the Auxiliary uniform and talk to the public. This action is the number

one reason for people to seek further information about joining the Auxiliary. I frequently speak to potential members and always ask how they heard about us.

The majority mention their initial contact with an Auxiliary member during a boat show, community event or at a boat ramp/marina. Whatever impression was made, it was always a positive and lasting one. That first impression is important, so keep up the good work! Please remember to invite potential members to check out the Auxiliary website and to open the various directorates, which will provide a starting point for understanding what the Auxiliary is involved with.

Marine SafetyRick Bankert, SO-MS

We have several flotillas that are doing a great job with Marine Safety. Thanks to all for the monthly reports and news. The Sea Partners training pdf file can be found at the following link:

Sea Partners Training Guide

I hope all FSO-MS’s consider using the program (if they do not currently do so). Make sure to continue keeping me informed of your MS activities.

Navigation SystemsAllen James, SO-NS

All Aids-to-Navigation (ATON) patrols should make sure to report any discrepancies, any time they are noticed. Members who wish to become qualified as an ATON verifier should contact their FSO-NS for more information.

19

STATE LIAISON REPORT

DNR reported that 2013 recreational boating safety fatalities and accidents in the State of South Carolina:

* Represents the number of private pond fatalities that are included in the total. Boating safety regulations are not enforced on private ponds. Source: DNR Accident Investigations Office 3-21-2014.

FATALITIES INJURIES ACCIDENTS

2013 24* 108 4*

2012 14 111 0

2011 19 98 4*

2010 26 107 4*

Continued on following page

Barbara Burchfield, SLO-SC

Online CoursesThere has recently been an inquiry concerning if

‘un-proctored” online courses, and DNR’s classroom courses that are less than 8 hours would satisfy the Auxiliary requirements. We contacted E-Department to clarify the boating safety course Auxiliary requirements for BQ status (AUXMAN Chapter 8, B.1.c). This initiated a request by Nan Ellen Fuller, DCDR 2, on 4 FEB, for written guidance in the form of a D7 Help Desk Knowledge base article.

ABS Course VenuesAlso is the inquiry about holding ABS classes in an

Auxiliarists home: Although there is nothing in AUXMAN that directly addresses this, the Auxiliary leadership, OTO and DIRAUX strongly discourage it members from doing this. We believe that is meant to protect the Auxiliarist from any perceived issues, problems and/or liability that could arise.

Distress Signal RequirementsInquiry about visual distress signal requirements

during vessel examinations: We researched this with Captain Downer, SCDNR Boater Education, and Chief Palmer, USCG Station Charleston, who were unified in their policy assessments. Policy clarification, along with both parties comments were sent to SO-VE for distribution to all vessel examiners in Division 12.

SC Policy & Vessel RegulationsInquiry concerning SC policy and regulations

concerning vessels: “You can use your boat for 60 consecutive days in the state of South Carolina as long as your boat is currently registered in your state and a valid decal is on the bow of your boat. You must have your registration card on the vessel when operating it in South Carolina.” Source listed on the below link:

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/faqs.html#nineteen

Assistance with policy and best practices clarifications:

20

STATE LIAISON REPORT (CONTD . )

A Memorial service for recreational boating fatalities was held 17 May in Lexington, sponsored by Lake Murray Association and Lake Murray Safety Consortium. (See article on page seven) We contributed to the planning, preparation and widespread media coverage for this event, bringing safety awareness at the start of NSBW.

CDR Brian Lefebvre, USCG Sector Charleston, and SLO-SC met with SC Governor Nikki Haley on 13 May at the State Capitol for a formal proclamation declaring 17-23 May as Safe Boating Week.

Distribution of 2014 SCDNR Boating Law & Responsibilities handbooks was completed for flotillas in Divisions 2, 10 and 12.

We were contacted by the family of Keith Sullivan, who drowned in Georgetown in January, and we assisted them by partnering Rick Bankert, FC Flotilla 12-10, as the local liaison for a memorial service in Georgetown’s Harbor Front Marina on 17 May. The family was very appreciative of the Auxiliary participation and response.

We also assisted flotillas with DNR contacts for NSBW vessel safety check coordination.

Attendance• Met with SC BLA representative.• Coast Guard Auxiliary Sector Coordinator (ASC)

Teleconference monthly meetings with US Coast Guard Sector Charleston and Coast Guard Auxiliary leadership helps to communicate important current events/issues.

• Attended Flotilla 12-3 meetings.

• Attended Awards Webinar training by Lt. Franklin, Sector CHS AUXLO.

• Division 12 quarterly meeting.• Lake Murray Safety Consortium meeting; multi-

agency and law enforcement group promoting an alliance for safety.

• Lake Murray Chamber of Commerce, Lake Murray Association, Sea Tow-Lake Murray, TowBoatUS-Lake Murray, and other boating safety partners

News releases, articles, photos, and stories:• News release–external media; NSBW, SC Boating

Fatality Memorial Service.• Hosting a boating safety quiz to be published in

each quarterly issue of the Lake Murray Association newsletter LakeLink.

• SLO quarterly reports published in Division 12 newsletters.

• Flotilla newsletter reports and articles submitted monthly.

DIVISION 1201 JAN TO

31 MAY 2014

Number of ABS Classes 13

Number of students graduated 129

Students under the age of 18 17%

Students registered at DNR website (includes 2 ABS classes not listed on DNR

website)

37%

Public Education Results

21

DIVISION STAFF OFFICERSDivision Twelve Bridge

Division Commander Al Crothers al_crothers@hotmail.com Vice Division Commander John Murphy johnj@sccoast.net Immediate Past Division Commander Vito Giardina vgiardina38@yahoo.com

Flotilla Commanders/Vice Commanders12-1, Lake Marion & the Inland Sea FC John Owen jowen5150@aol.com VFC William Hayes wrhayes12167@yahoo.com 12-2, Grand Strand FC Jeanette Brown jeanettebrown37@yahoo.com

VFC Stephen Clay sfclay65@gmail.com 12-3, Lake Murray FC Don Carty boat4bass@ftc-i.net VFC Festus Burchfield fburchfield@earthlink.net 12-4, Central Grand Strand FC Thomas Timberlake timberlake2010@live.com VFC Oliver Leimbach ogleimbach@sc.rr.com

12-6, Mount Pleasant FC Scott Heisler heisler.scott@gmail.com VFC Anne Graham wavejumper911@gmail.com 12-8, Charleston FC Paul Berka phberka@comcast.net VFC Dwaine Harris dwaine108@aol.com 12-10, Georgetown FC Rick Bankert rgbsc@yahoo.com

VFC Edward Wozniak ednatwoz@sc.rr.com 12-12, Edisto Beach FC Be Moore bemoore7@bellsouth.net VFC Karen Andrews beagles5@bellsouth.net

Division Support StaffAUXAIR Auxiliary Aviation Ron Sain jrsain@charter.net DDSL-12 Director’s District Security Liaison Vito Giardina vgiardina38@yahoo.com

ADDSL-12 Assistant Director’s District Security Liaison Al Crothers al_crothers@hotmail.com SLO-SC State Liaison Officer Barbara Burchfield bdburchfield@earthlink.net SLO-SC State Liaison Officer Festus Burchfield fburchfield@earthlink.net

22

DIVISION STAFF OFFICERSDivision Staff Officers

SO-CM Communications Walter Runck auxwar@gmail.com SO-CS Communications Systems David Hastings davidah@msn.com SO-DV Diversity & Inclusion Al Crothers al_crothers@hotmail.comSO-FN Finance Vito Giardina vgiardina38@yahoo.comSO-HR Human Resources John Owen jowen5150@aol.com

SO-IS Information Systems Susan Hastings suedso@msn.com SO-MA Materials Michael Mikutaitis michaelcae@yahoo.com SO-MS Marine Safety Rick Bankert rgbsc@yahoo.com SO-MT Member Training Richard Daniel rbdaniel1829@aol.com SO-NS Navigation Systems Allen James jamesan38@bellsouth.net

SO-OP Operations Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net SO-PA Public Affairs Rick Leary rleary.uscga@gmail.com SO-PB Publications William Carter uscgauxcharleston@gmail.com SO-PE Public Education John Murphy johnj@sccoast.netSO-PV Program Visitation Dwaine Harris dwaine108@aol.com

SO-SR Secretary Records Deborah Lee awendeb@yahoo.com SO-VE Vessel Safety Exams Everette Shaver captshaver@gmail.com

From the EditorI appreciate the feedback from everyone on the layout for The Pelorus. If anyone has photos they would like to

see used for the front cover of upcoming editions, please feel free to send them to me. My only request is that the photo be rectangular in shape as it will be easier to insert into the cover. Thanks again for the great feedback.

William Carter, SO-PB, Division 12

Confidentiality NoticeTelephone 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 publications of these rosters, addresses, and telephone numbers on any computer on-line service including the Internet is prohibited by the Privacy Act of 1974.