Changes to Ops & Position.

Shipmates, we have a new change with our ops and position reports to Station Portland. Up until now Statute miles was our means of identifying our location when giving our ops and position report. We have now been asked by station to identify our location by using landmarks or geographical location when making our reports. By doing this it allows us to streamline our operations with the goldside who have been using this method throughout the nation. It also allows the station's watchstander to better task us when SAR cases arise. Station trains using landmarks and therefore has a better understanding of our position when using landmarks for references.

I know this is going to be hard for some to change to this new method of reporting being this is how we have done it for years, but we have to make the best of it. I know we will help each other out as a team. I would like to remind members that correcting this new change should be done via land line. The radio is not the place to inform or remind members of the change.

Another allowable method of location can be LAT. & LONG. Use this when you are unsure of any landmarks or your geographical location. You will notice this is the method that the aircraft use.

Let us take a look at the old method of ops and position and then the new.

STATION: AUX123, this is Station Portland on 83A, request ops and position, over.
AUX: Station, AUX123, ops normal, down bound, Columbia River mile 109, over.

The new method of reporting would be.

STATION: AUX123, this is Station Portland on 83A request ops and position, over.
AUX: Station, AUX123, ops normal, down bound, position, 42nd Street Boat Ramp, over.

I will have a new radio script out in the next week or two with the changes. In the meantime, please see that you make the changes to your current script.

If you have any questions about this change, please contact FSO-CM Paul Ploeger or SO-CM Jonathan James. We are both happy to help you through this transition and to answer any of your question.

Flotilla 76 Picnic at Columbia Park

NOTE, WE HAD TO CHANGE THE DATE!!! Now we are PICNICKING on SUNDAY, AUGUST 22!


Whom: Flotilla 76 members, alumni, families, friends and distinguished guests

What: Flotilla 76 Annual Picnic

When: SUNDAY, August 22, 2010 – 11:00 ‘til ? Catering served from 1:00 until about 4:00

Where: Latitude: 45 degrees/ 34 minutes/ 41.73 seconds North,

Longitude: 122 degrees/ 42 minutes/ 40.98 seconds West

Columbia Park, Area G (near N. Lombard and N Woolsey)


This is a huge and gorgeously maintained park in residential north Portland. It does not have a dedicated parking lot, but it is surrounded by residential streets. It is filled with giant trees which heavily shade the green velvet lawns, has a large ballfield, tennis courts, a horseshoe pitch, a gigantic playground and an indoor swimming pool. This is the pool we used for Boat Crew/Coxswain Academy PPE swim test last winter. Site G is close to the street and conveniently close to the restrooms.

Folks who call Gary Bell (at 503 987 1173, voice mail – leave your name, phone and number of hungry guests) by Tuesday August 17 can order Savortooth Catering for $8.00 each, which will include:

Traeger BBQ chicken quarters,
Red potato and bacon salad,
Italian pasta salad
Corn-sickles with melted butter or chipotle-lime mayonnaise
BBQ beans
Iced tea
Disposable plates, cups, utensils and napkins will be provided of course.


NOTE: At that price we won’t be able to make a huge amount of extra food for undecided folks, so if you want to come through the catering line, PLEASE call us by August 17! (I will make a little extra for unexpected guests, but I won't tell you how much, so try to get your RSVP in, and before the 17th when I finalize my food order is best).

You can pay for the catering at the picnic.



Of course you can bring your own food too!!

Everyone is encouraged to BRING Picnic Appetizers, Assorted Munchies and/or Fabulous Desserts TO SHARE. Gary’s catering partner (and wife) ADMIRAL CANDY will judge any appetizer and dessert entries you’d care to submit – the winning family will get a custom dinner cruise on their power catamaran Stray Cat.

Beverages: BRING YOUR OWN. Please be discrete with adult beverages and no table dancing or fist fights.

Speaking of tables, there are TEN picnic tables at our site.

Of course if you want to fit out a family spot on the lawn you will need to bring your own lawn hairs, blankets, coolers and the like.


HELP! We need a little help. Can we get a couple of volunteers to organize adult and kid activities and games and someone with a pickup truck to fetch the chicken from West Linn?

Uniform is strictly civilian clothes. This is a public park, so clothing is required at all times.


We will leave the grounds in perfect order. Garbage cans and bags will be available. Families are encouraged to dispose of their own trash, relieving ADMIRAL CANDY of the need to pay for quite as much trash at the St. Johns Garbage Transfer Site.

Help wanted: Columbia Slough Regatta Sunday 25July2010

Shipmates,

Jon James is heading up our participation in the Columbia Slough Regatta this upcoming Sunday and he is looking for 2-3 members to assist. This is a great opportunity to perform vessel exams, distribute paddle smart stickers, and carry the boating safety message to this community of high risk, often novice boaters. All members are welcome and encouraged to assist.

Hello! The heat has arrived, and you know what that means: it’s time for our annual Columbia Slough Regatta! This year marks the 16th anniversary of this fun paddling festival that draws over 400 community members to celebrate the Slough. The Regatta will be held on Sunday, July 25th, from 9am to 1pm at the Multnomah County Drainage District at 1880 NE Elrod Dr in Portland. 

If you can assist please contact Jon. His contact info is in the directory.

Thanks,
Daren 

June Flotilla Meeting Photos

Shipmates,
Here are a few photos from our June Flotilla meeting. It was great to see Wes and Elisabeth sworn in as our newest members. Congratulations to all of our members who received recognition.



[If you do not see the slideshow please visit the blog site. Will not show on iPhone/iPad/iTouch - visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/usefulguy/sets/72157624262300876/]

Warm regards, Daren

Be Aware of Health Risk due to Algae Bloom

Oregon Public Health officials urge awareness about algae bloom season

Memorial Day weekend may bring more people in contact with harmful blooms

“As folks head out for the holiday weekend and throughout the summer, we want people who use Oregon’s lakes, reservoirs and other fresh waters for recreation to enjoy these areas, but to take precautions if they see an algae bloom,” said Jennifer Ketterman, coordinator of the Oregon Public Health Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance (HABS) program. “We advise people to avoid swallowing or inhaling water droplets from algae-affected water and to avoid skin contact.”

Last year Oregon Public Health issued 21 health advisories due to cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, because of the potential for exposure to toxins. This was an increase over 2008, when 14 health advisories for harmful algae blooms were issued. Also, in 2009 Oregon recorded its first confirmed dog death due to algae toxin in water near the confluence of Elk Creek and the Umpqua River in Douglas County.

Not all algae are dangerous, but some species can produce toxins that pose a health threat to people and animals that come in contact with them, according to Ketterman.

Skin irritation or rash is the most commonly reported health effect. Symptoms could also include diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, fainting, numbness, dizziness and paralysis.

Children and pets are most vulnerable, and dogs can fall ill almost immediately after ingesting waters affected by toxic algae.

The HABS program relies on agencies that manage water bodies — such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Forest Service, along with other federal and state agencies — to alert it when a potentially toxic bloom has been detected. When water tests confirm that a toxic species is present in a lake at a magnitude that constitutes a health threat, Oregon Public Health issues a health advisory and various community and state partners post signs at the affected water body.

“Because only a fraction of Oregon’s waters are routinely monitored for algae blooms, we advise people to be watchful when they are exploring the great outdoors,” Ketterman said. “If waters are scummy or cloudy and blue-green, bright green, white or brownish-colored, treat them as potentially contaminated and stay out. It is especially important to keep children and pets from going into questionable water.”

Ketterman reminds people that if they arrive at a lake and find an algae bloom in progress, they can still enjoy activities that don’t involve water contact, such as camping, picnicking, hiking and bird watching.
Blooms are most prevalent during the summer months, but they can occur any time of the year. In 2009, Oregon Public Health issued the first algae bloom health advisory of the season on May 21 and lifted the final advisory on Nov. 30.

The HABS program is funded through a federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Program objectives include collecting reports of harmful algae bloom occurrences, as well as human and animal sickness; notifying the public when a harmful bloom is underway; and increasing public awareness through education and outreach activities.

More information on harmful algae blooms — including what to look for, listing of previous locations with algae blooms and information about how to stay informed — can be found at www.healthoregon.org/hab or by calling 971-673-0440.
Media contact: Christine Stone, 971-673-1282, office; 503-602-8027, cell; christine.l.stone@state.or.us.
[Submitted by Murrianna Thomson FL 76]

Flotilla Ramp Day @ Cathedral Park

On Saturday, Chris Roosevelt headed up our first VE Ramp Day at Cathedral Park. Six members showed up which included Chris Roosevelt, Paul Ploeger, Murrianna Thomson, Matt and Diane Epstein, and a new member Laura Walters.

With the mentorship of Chris and Diane, Murrianna was able to get her initial five Vessel Safety Checks done to qualify as a Vessel Examiner. Laura observed two VSC's to start her qualification. The boat traffic was fairly steady

[Murrianna observing Paul]

and during the six hours we were there, around 20 VSC's were done.

[ Matt Epstein]

This was an excellent opportunity for the less experienced VE's to learn from some of us who have done hundreds of Vessel Safety Checks. Studying from a book and taking a test is just the start for becoming a Vessel Examiner. It takes time to learn all the different systems of a boat and different types of equipment that may be on a 40 + foot yacht. What you would encounter on a 16 ft. open fishing boat is much simpler than what you see on 46 ft. cabin cruiser.

Being a Vessel Examiner is a great way to teach boaters about Boating Safety. Most of the boaters we encountered Saturday were glad to have the VSC. Only two said No. A couple boaters had trouble getting their lights to work; one was getting frustrated with the white light stick not working. I suggested he check the bulb so when he took the cover off and touched the bulb it came on. He was grateful for my suggestion. Another boater, who had a 28 ft. cabin cruiser, needed a MARPOL trash sticker to meet the VSC requirement. Since I keep a supply of those, I handed him one and he thanked me. It is little things like this that give a good impression of the individual as well as the Coast Guard as a whole.

Diane Epstein FSO-PB

Station Portland Responded to Grounding

ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard responded to a 648-foot container ship aground in the Columbia River near Kalama, Wash., Sunday.
Sector Portland, Ore., received a call at 1:30 p.m. stating the Pacific Flores had run aground on its port bow due to a steering casualty.
Station Portland, Ore., diverted a 25-foot response boat to the scene.
Two tug boats are on scene and have refloated the vessel.
The ship holds 600 tons of fuel, however all forward tanks have been sounded and show no sign of leaking.
No injuries have been reported and the vessel will remain at anchor in Kalama until the Coast Guard and the Washington Department of Ecology have completed their investigation.
[May 23rd, 2010 by cgnews.] Submitted by Jonathan Polimeni.

Public Affairs Opportunity: May 22 - Columbia Crossing

Shipmates,

Josh Sharkey, FL76, has taken the lead on a Public Affairs event on 22MAY2010 and is looking for some assistance. There will be a Station Portland crew with an RBS-S to work with.

Columbia Crossing PA Event. Saturday May 22nd in the old Zupans parking lot across from Safeway on Jantzen Beach.

Set up starts at 0800 and there is a free pancake breakfast for those working the event at 0930. Event runs from 1100 to 1600.

I am in need of at least two more people to work alongside the active duty crew that will be in attendance and I am still looking for a trailer-able facility to be on display.

You can find Josh's contact information in the Division directory - or email me and I will forward your email. Should be a fun event!

Election of our New Flotilla Commander

I would like to congratulate John Poulson on becoming our new Flotilla Commander. He has been in the Auxiliary about five years and has done an excellent job as FSO-PS (now Human Resources) With his "people skills" he has the ability to lead and direct our flotilla in a positive direction. Please join me in giving John our complete support and constructive help as he takes on this new role. Flotilla 76 has grown to almost 70 members which brings a new set of challenges. After speaking with John I know he is excited about continuing the groundwork Daren Lewis had started and also getting more of our members involved in programs such as Vessel Exams, Program Visitor, and Public Education, to name a few. John has set up a mentoring program for our new members that helps insure they get the right information and stay "engaged" and active in our flotilla. Thank you John, for stepping up and setting a good example. We look forward to a prosperous year.

Please check back often for up-to-date info on this blog. I am in the process of setting up a Flotilla 76 Calendar. If you know of events that should be included, please send it to me.

Diane Epstein, FSO-PB

Using the Auxiliary Officer Directory to look up contact and qualification information on any member

Shipmates,
As mentioned at our April Flotilla meeting you can use the Auxiliary Officer Directory to look up contact information for any member. The system also lists current qualifications.

Last month I did a brief tutorial on the Auxiliary Officer Directory for the Division 7 blog. You can see the post here: http://www.division7.org/2010/03/division-directory-update-and-video.html


The Auxiliary Officer Directory can be found here: https://auxofficer.cgaux.org/

This resource uses the same password you use to access the eDirectory and ShopAuxiliary.