October Flotilla Meeting Highlights.

Post by FSO-PB Jonathan James

This months flotilla meeting was outstanding. We had close to 30 members and 3 guests which made for a great time for fellowship and to conduct the flotilla business.

First off, I would like to thank our visitors for joining us Wednesday night. It was nice to meet you all and I hope it was a good experience for all of you. Flotilla meetings are usually the most nitty gritty function of the auxiliary but it is vital to the success of our unit. It allows us as members of a flotilla to come together and plan for the months ahead. It also allows us to get together as friend and catch up on the going on's for the month and recognize members for their hard work.

Speaking of awards.
Paul Ploeger was awarded his 2nd Operational Service Award for more then 341 hours underway this year. That is just outstanding.

Rebecca Easton was awarded her1st Sustained Service Award for 5 years of service in the Auxiliary.

Matt Epstein was awarded his 4th Sustained Service Award for 20 years of service to the Auxiliary. BZ Matt, I know your looking forward to another 20 years of service.


Daren Lewis was officially introduced to the flotilla as District Captain elect and now represents the southern divisions. The District Captain is also responsible as a liaison for the Coast Guard Units in his area. The District Captain delegates some of this to the ASC (Auxiliary Sector Coordinator)BZ Captain Lewis on your new position.








For the program visitors, we have some PV specific materials that you may not be aware of. The most important is the CG-5093 Manufacturer ID Code System, which is the form to sign up the marine dealers as a program partner. The biggest thing this can can do for the dealer is provide them with the quickest recall updates available. There is no yearly renewal unless the business name or location changes.
ANSC 7048 PV Activity Report is another must have. You don't get credit for your visits unless this form is filled out and SENT TO THE FSO-IS.
A program partner sticker is also available for our partners to show their customers at the front door that they care and participates as a program visitor.


A FRIENDLY REMINDER: MEMBER DUES ARE PAST DUE. PLEASE GET YOUR DUES IN TO THE FSO-FN

The Flotilla COW has changed the date to 15 January 2012 due to the Division COW being held on the 7th and would require a good number of flotilla members to participate in 2 COW that weekend. Boarding time and meal cost will be available via email soon.


We voted on a couple VERY IMPORTANT motions at the meeting this month. The first of the two motions is as follows.............. Sorry I can't tell ya on the blog what the motions were. I will have the motions available soon in the flotilla meeting minutes.


Mary Magrant conducted our member training session at the meeting which covered the steps/process to becoming an instructor (IT). The first step to gaining your qualification is to study the Instructor Development Course located at http://www.cgauxed.org/elib/idc.htm
Once finished with the course you need to log onto the E-Learning site and take an openbook, none proctored test.
Once the course and test is completed you can move onto the Personal Qualification Standard (PQS) which is a book that has tasks that must be complete in the presence of a mentor. Once this is completed, your paper work is sent to district and walla. Please call Mary for a more in depth discussion on the steps required.

VE's please remember to submit any Vessel Exam paperwork that has not been entered. The leadership would like to see your numbers accounted for this year.


EVENTS TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDER:
22 OCT Sat: ECP Training Session at MSU.
02 NOV Wed: Division Meeting
09 NOV Wed: Flotilla Meeting. Elections will be held.
12 NOV Sat: HAZWOPER Training and Exercise.
19 NOV Wed: ABS Class. Contact FSO-PE for details.

Flotilla Member Training: Paddle Craft Outreach in 2011

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
At the February Flotilla meeting I will discuss the opportunities for Paddle Craft outreach now available across our RBS program.

Based on estimates of paddle craft participation in the western states we have ~140,000 recreational paddlers in our Division service area. These statistics include kayakers, canoeists, paddle boarders, rowers, and drift boat fishermen. Looking at 2010 Oregon fatalities five of 12 boating deaths occurred while boaters were using these types of vessels.

	Date	Location	Craft	Age	PFD
1	3/6/10	Willamette River (at Jasper)	Canoe	50	N
2	3/22/10	Dorman Pond (near Forest Grove)	Inflatable Raft	73	N
3	3/24/10	Rogue River (near White Horse Park)	Drift	75	N
4	4/24/10	Willamette River (at Dunthorpe)	O/B	57	N
5	5/3/10	Columbia River (near 3 Mile Canyon)	Sailboard	48	N
6	7/23/10	Willamette River (near Sellwood Bridge)	Paddleboard	55	N
7	9/5/10	McKenzie River (50500 McKenzie Hwy)	Drift	63	N
8	9/24/10	Alsea Bay (near Alsea River mouth)	O/B	44	N
9	10/6/10	Pacific Ocean (near Netarts)	O/B	61	Y
10	10/6/10	Pacific Ocean (near Netarts)	O/B	67	Y
11	10/10/10	Columbia River (near Westport)	Sailboat	46	N
12	11/26/10	Willamette River (near Dayton)	O/B	49	N

Traditionally, although Paddle craft safety has been an area of focus for Flotilla 76 in recent years, the Auxiliary has done a mixed job of serving the paddling portion of our recreational boating community. Over the last two years we have seen a rapid increase in the availability of RBS tools to address the recreational paddler. We now have an outstanding toolkit and can expect additional resources in the next few years.

The tools:

• The 7012a Paddle Craft Vessel Exam Form
• The Paddle Smart sticker
• Paddlesports America class
• A growing variety of posters and flyers
• Traditional Surface Operations: Whistles to assist paddlers with rules compliance
• D13 Paddlecraft Operator Program
• For kids Boating Sidekicks - Smart Start for Paddlers (Flash webpage - great for kids)
• Federal Requirements for Paddlers (USCG D1 webpage)
• OSMB: Paddling Oregon Safely (pdf)
• Flotilla 76: Cold water effects | Pacific Northwest water temperatures & cold water effects
• Flotilla 76: Paddle safety tips
• ....many, many more

The challenge and opportunity is to knit these tools together into a program that reduces injury and death of paddlers across the District and the Nation.

Oregon State Marine Board post-season Law Enforcement Conference

Many of our Oregon law enforcement recreational boating safety partners were recognized by the Oregon State Marine Board last week.

The Oregon State Marine Board recognized marine law enforcement officers from around the state for their outstanding performance and contributions during the 2009 boating season at their annual post-season conference on October 13, in Bend.

The day-to-day efforts and outstanding heroism of the Officers, Deputies and OSP Troopers recognized comes as no surprise to those of us who work with them on the ramps and the waterways of Oregon.

Bravo zulu to those recognized and all our Oregon and Washington LE partners.

Press releases describing the contributions and awards, by county, can be found here: http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/news/OSMBnews.shtml#October_2009

Vessel Safety Checks for canoes and kayaks? Requirements and recommendations

The answer in short is Absolutely! While the equipment requirements for canoes and kayaks are minimal the Vessel Safety Check is an outstanding opportunity to discuss safety issues in general and focus on those issues most relevant to our area.

Requirements:
1) A type I, II, III or V Life Jacket for every person aboard. This life jacket must be of appropriate size for the intended wearer and in good condition. Ideally the life jackets are worn! (See the Federal requirements here, the Oregon requirements here, and the Washington requirements here)

2) A sound producing device for signaling, typically a whistle. The best location is attached to the Life Jacket of the operator. (See the Federal requirements here)

3) If operating at night appropriate lights. The navigation rules allow the use of a white lantern or flashlight for vessels under oars or you may have running lights like those used a sailboat under sail. The lantern or flashlight should be readily available and bright is best. (See the Federal requirements here)

4) If operating under the following conditions "All vessels used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and those waters connected directly to them, up to a point where a body of water is less than two miles wide, must be equipped with U.S.C.G. Approved visual distress signals. Vessels owned in the United States operating on the high seas must be equiped with U.S.C.G. Approved visual distress signals." You must carry approved, non-expired night signals. You are not required to carry day signals. (See the Federal requirements here) These conditions generally don't apply to boating in our area until you get downriver near Astoria.

Recommendations:
Wear your life jacket

Carry a dewatering device, a pump and/or a bailing bucket.

Be aware of the special conditions on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers

• High levels of commercial vessel traffic including deep-draft ships, tugs with barges and passenger vessels
• Many recreational boaters operating in a very constrained waterway - there are lots of us in very little space
• Snow fed rivers with very cold water much of the year
• General water quality issues in some areas and sewer overflow conditions in periods of high runoff
• Occasional heavy river level fog which seriously reduces visibility

Be comfortable in the water, out of your boat.

Obtain the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for kayaking and canoeing.

Always boat with a group. Three boats is a recommended minimum.

Know how to self-rescue. Practice! Practice! Practice!

File a float plan, with friends or family so someone can call for search and rescue if you are overdue.

Bring appropriate safety, rescue, and navigational aids, and more than adequate food, water, and extra protective clothing. Do not wear cotton!

Pick an activity level that matches your ability, and progress to more demanding challenges.

Monitor your physical and emotional condition, and watch the other members or your group for fatigue, illness, and changes in behavior.

Know and follow all local, state and federal laws.

Be visible - wear bright colors so others can see you between waves or in the fog. Carry a bright light, flares, and whistle to signal your position.

Take a boating safety class offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Safe Summer SITREP: Columbia Slough Regatta

Hosted by the Columbia slough watershed council, this annual celebration of the slough is the largest one-day paddle in Oregon. The council provides 15-20 paddle craft on a reservation basis and encourages the public to bring their own boats.

Flotilla 76 has participated in a number of paddle craft focused events in recent years. This is the first event where we developed focused paddle craft education materials (handouts & posters). The paddling specific material developed was based on the work done in District 1 for their Paddle Safe 2009 campaign.  Seven vessel exams were conducted – we have some gaps to fill in our knowledge to maximize the educational value of vessel exams for paddlers. We plan an ongoing outreach effort to the padding community and will be receiving two kayaks next week funded by a boating safety grant from OSMB. We will use the kayaks as static displays and hopefully as operational facilities, within the limitations of such vessels, in the future once we have PCO qualified members.

A PDF versions of the new cold water poster can be found here (matrix only) or here (matrix and PNW information).

A PDF version of the paddling safety poster can be found here.

Please send me any corrections or additions to these three posters and I will update them for our next event.

Paddle Craft Safety

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the American Canoe Association (http://www.americancanoe.org ) offers some basic safety tips:

• Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
• Be comfortable in the water, out of your boat.
• Obtain the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for kayaking and canoeing.
• Always boat with a group. Three boats is a recommended minimum.
• Know how to self-rescue. Practice! Practice! Practice!
• File a float plan, with friends,,family, or the authorities.
• Bring appropriate safety, rescue, and navigational aids, and more than adequate food, water, and extra protective clothing. Do not wear cotton!
• Pick an activity level that matches your ability, and progress to more demanding challenges.
• Monitor your physical and emotional condition, and watch the other members or your group for fatigue, illness, and changes in behavior.
• Know and follow all local, state and federal laws.
• Be visible - wear bright colors so others can see you between waves or in the fog. Carry a bright light, flares, and whistle to signal your position.
• Take a boating safety class offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Resources:

• USCG: Boating Sidekicks - Smart Start for Paddlers (Flash webpage - great for kids)
• USCG First District Auxiliary: Federal Requirements for Paddlers (webpage)
• OSMB: Paddling Oregon Safely (pdf)
• Flotilla 76: Cold water effects | Pacific Northwest water temperatures & cold water effects 
• Flotilla 76: Paddle safety tips

Sector Portland also requests you clearly mark your boat with your name and phone number:

• If your Paddlecraft is found, it can be returned to you 
• A simple phone call can help us determine if you are OK, or separated from your paddlecraft and in need of assistance

Oregon State Marine Board on Twitter and YouTube

Our friends (and great boating safety partners) at the Oregon State Marine Board are now on Twitter and YouTube.

Follow OSMB on Twitter
Watch and subscribe to the OSMB videos on YouTube

Fitting life jackets for kids

A repost from the D13 blog:

As we enter the boating season and get life jackets out of storage for the first time since last season it is important to pay particular attention to the fit of the life jackets for the kids on our boats. As all parents know, growing out of clothes and shoes is a constant challenge. Children grow out of life jackets too. Life jackets need to be carefully fitted to children in order to be effective. Children can fall out of life jackets that are too large or improperly fastened and may not receive sufficient flotation from a life jacket that is too small. Even a life jacket that appears to fit may allow a child to shift downward so that their face is immersed once they enter the water.

• Choose the right size.
• Make sure it is in serviceable condition.
• Buckle all the buckles, tie the ties, zip the zippers, and use the straps... including the crotch strap if equipped.
• Tighten the straps, the life jacket should be snug as it will loosen in the water.
• Pick the child up with the life jacket, vest types should not pull up above the ears.
• Make sure kids wear the life jacket and wear yours. You are not only modeling good behavior but you will also be able to assist your kids if everyone ends up in the water. WEAR IT!

This last weekend U.S.C.G. Auxiliary Flotilla 76 participated in the annual SafeKids day at the Oregon Zoo. Along with our partners, AMR River Rescue, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and the Army Corps of Engineers we talk to thousands of parents and kids. We fit many of the kids with life jackets and show parents the key elements of proper life jacket wear. In this video Taneka Means of AMR River Rescue and Robert Smith of Oregon Parks and Recreation demonstrate fitting a life jacket:



For a longer version, with more information on fitting a life jacket from Melissa Rinehart of the Army Corps of Engineers, Tim Young and Earl Markham of the USCG Auxiliary as well as beach safety from Robert Smith watch this (5 mins):

Navrules: Canoes and Kayaks

One of the fairly regular questions we get is where Kayaks and Canoes fit into the Navigation Rules and the requirement to give way. The Navigation Center has some guidance. 


USCG Navigation Center: Navigation Rules FAQ 
13. Where do Kayaks and Canoes fit into the Navigation Rules? Neither the International nor Inland Navigation Rules address "kayaks" or "canoes" per se, except in regards to "vessels under oars" in Rule 25 regarding lights. One could infer that a "vessel under oars" should be treated as a "sailing vessel" since it is permitted to display the same lights as one, but, ultimately the issue of whom "gives way" would fall to what would be "required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case" (Rule 2).