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.

Unified Command works to contain sheen from derelict vessel near Camas, Wash.

News Release

Date: January 31, 2011

Contact: Public Affairs Det. Astoria

(503) 861-6235

News Release: Update 3 –

Unified Command works to contain sheen from derelict vessel near Camas, Wash.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Federal, state and local agencies, as well as cleanup contractors, continue to work closely together to recover oil and monitor the 431-foot barge, Davy Crockett, near Camas, Wash., on the Columbia River, Monday.

A Unified Command, consisting of Coast Guard, Washington Dept. of Ecology and Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality was established Jan. 27, after Ecology received reports of a light, non-recoverable sheen. Responders traced it back to mile marker 115 on the Columbia River, the site of the Davy Crockett.

Diving operations are on-going and dependent on safety and stability. Cleanup and containment efforts continue on and around the barge.

The exact volume of oil onboard is unknown due to safety and access challenges. The total potential of oil, based on the capacity of all liquid tanks aboard the Davy Crockett, is approximately 953,000 gallons. On water resources consisting of oil recovery barges and skimmer vessels are present at the site. There are additional resources staged and readily available to deploy from shore. The acquisition of additional storage and recovery resources continues in preparation for planned ballasting operations.

Approximately 18,000 feet of sorbent boom and 3,600 feet of hard boom have been deployed to prevent further spread of the oil. A total of 1,450 gallons of oil have been recovered since the beginning of cleanup operations.

“Our primary objectives remain the safety of our on-scene workers, the stabilization of the barge and recovery of oil,” said Ron Holcomb, State On-Scene Coordinator, Washington Dept. of Ecology. “Once stabilizing operations are complete we will continue to assess each tank for oil and respond accordingly.”

A 500-yard safety no-wake zone is still in effect around the Davy Crockett to ensure the safety of the on-scene workers and to prevent further damage to the vessel. Boaters are asked to use caution when transiting the area.

The following information is current as of 3 p.m. Monday:

• 62 members from federal, state and local agencies, as well as industry, are responding

• Approximately 1,450 gallons of oil recovered

• Approximately 18,000 feet of sorbent boom deployed inside and around the vessel

• Approximately 3,600 feet of hard boom deployed around the vessel

• Two barges on-scene to stabilize the stern of the Davy Crocket

• Diving operations are on-going and dependent on the stability of the vessel

Media inquiries, questions or information requests should be referred to Petty Officer Kelly Parker, U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs, at (206) 437-9482, or Barbara MacGregor, Dept. of Ecology media relations, at (360) 918-1483.

Photo by Lynn Easton

Soaring With Eagles.

Posted by Jonathan James

Today at the Division Change of Watch Todd Mains was presented with the Eagle Award by MSU Commander, Captain LeBlanc . Here is what Captain LaBlanc had to say about Todd at the Division Change of Watch this afternoon.

"It is with great pleasure that I make the Eagle Award presentation today for the person that has best exhibited the core values of the U.S. Coast Guard and the C.G. Auxiliary, and whose performance as a Division 7 Auxiliarist has stood out as beyond the call of duty for the year 2010. Mr. Todd mains."
The Captain also went on to say, "During his (Todd's) first two years, he acquired qualifications as a Vessel Examiner, Boat Crew, and Coxswain. In July of 2006 he began working in the Sector Portland Command Center as a Communications Controller and served continuously in that capacity until July 2010. He was selected as the Auxiliarist of the Week in February of 2008. In the spring of 2008, he was selected as the Assistant Auxiliary Sector Coordinator, and in 2009 selected and promoted to be the Auxiliary Sector Coordinator. As Auxiliary Sector Coordinator, he had many responsibilities and duties. The formal description of that position as written by CG Headquarters is an Auxiliary Sector Coordinator is the District Commodore's direct representative to the Sector Commander in order to facilitate auxiliary support to support Coast Guard missions, and provide continuity across the tenures of Sector Commanders and District Commodores. That is a nice way of saying that you will solve all Auxiliary issues that come to your attention in order to keep the Sector Commander and the Auxiliary District Commodore extremely happy. Todd served in that high stress position until December 31, 2010, just one week ago. Also during the 2009/2010 time period, Todd managed all Auxiliary Surface Operations including those from Divisions 6, 8, and 11. He helped in the development of the Patrol Order Request and supervision of Auxiliary Facilities outside the Station Portland AOR."

The Captain also high lighted some of Todd's most recent accomplishments by saying "He assisted with the Opening Day Safety Zone patrol, served on the Citizen's Advisory Committee to Multnomah County Marine Patrol. worked as AUXCOM and in the Emergency Command Post for Rose Festival Operations in 2010, assisted Station Portland with Coxswain Qualification Training, assisted the Coast Guard Academy with interviews of potential cadets, aboard his facility- escorted Christmas Ships on the Willamette River, working as a mentor for new members in Flotilla 76. But most impressively to me is that Todd volunteered and deployed to Biloxi, MS in July of 2010 in support of Coast Guard's Operation Deepwater Horizon, which was our response to the massive oil rig blowout and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. While there he supervised Vessels of Opportunity to survey and recover oil. He also developed techniques to modify equipment that was designed to recover oil from the surface in order for it to discover oil under the water's surface.

To conclude the Captain's remarks he made some quick bullet points.

• Todd has received 31 Auxiliary Awards.
  
• Has performed over 9000 RECORDED hours of public service since joining in 2004.
• Over 2500 hours this year alone.
  
• This past Wednesday, I started a new tradition for our monthly all hands formations at MSU Portland - that new tradition being the acknowledgment of two Auxiliarists from Division 7, sort of a 5 minute vignette similar to the TV show "This is Your Life" to give the Active Duty personnel a snapshot of the caliber of personnel that we have working alongside us as Auiliarists. Todd had the pleasure (or displeasure) of being one of the first two test subjects that we called up front and center to be subjected to my imitation of Ralph Edwards.
  
• Todd is a graduate of the University of Oregon and probably has some good money on Monday's National College Football Championship game. Go Ducks.
  
• And Todd was named by his peers as "Most likely to spend his entire retirement savings on boat repairs."

I would like to say Bravo Zulu to Todd and congratulations on your award.

Farwell Earl Markham.

Its hard to find a place to start when saying good bye to a friend. I think I speak for everyone when I say it is an honor and a privilege to serve beside you and to have you as a friend. Just because your moving doesn't mean we need to say goodbye though. It just means we have to learn how to share you with another flotilla. Remember Earl, you are our honorary flotilla commander for the next year.

You have in some way or another shaped members in your flotilla, division, and district. You sir are the Coast Guard Core Values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty. You have been living these core values for almost 60 years. That is just amazing.

Daren Lewis said in an earlier email.
" As far as I can tell he is the longest serving Auxiliarist in the Nation still holding an active qualification (he holds four - aid verifier, instructor, coxswain and qualification examiner)."

Please post your comments about Earl below. Tell us some memorable moments you have had with Earl, things that he as taught you.

I will start.
When I was going through the crew academy, I was approached by Earl who was an instructor/QE at the academy. He wanted to tell me that I was tying the Clove Hitch the wrong way. Me being the stubborn guy I am I didn't believe him. It took me a while to understand what "I" was doing wrong and Earl just stood there patiently and calmly while I worked on tying that knot. I have to say Earl knows just about everything there is to know about being a crew or coxswain aboard an auxiliary facility and is whiling to teach anyone about anytime. I hope to one day know everything Earl knows about boating.

I would like to also say, don't hesitate blowing that whistle at your new flotilla. I know the flotilla commander will learn to appreciate it.

Sir, I salute you.

Rescue 17 Gets Its First Resuce.

Thursday, 16 December the Portland Fire's newest boat, the Elden Trinity (Rescue 17) which had been in service for only 2 hours responded to its first call. Around 7:00 P.M. a Christmas Ship that was getting underway from River Place Marina caught fire at the pier. Rescue 17 was on scene with in 7 minutes of the call and had the flames under control within a couple of minutes.

It sounds like a leaking fuel line from the tank to the generator which powers the exterior Christmas lights may have been the cause of the fire. The investigation is still underway.

A BRAVO, ZULU to the Portland Fire's newest boat the Elden Trinity and her crew.

Change of Watch Uniform Preperation for the Tropical Blue Long.

Here are some tips to help prep your Tropical Blue Uniform to give it a more formal look for those members who don’t own Winter Dress Blue or Service Dress Blue uniforms. In this article, we will look at pressing your uniform, adding military creases, and tricks for installing your attachments.

PRESSING AND CREASING YOUR UNIFORM SHIRT.

Step 1. Pressing the Shirt.

a. Iron with steam and let cool.

b. Starch with no steam to get wrinkles out (do a panel at a time).

c. The Yoke (figure 1) will need two be starched twice at this step as well as the epilates and collar. This will not be starched later and will help pop your military creases on the back.

Step 2. Adding the military crease to the front on the shirt.

a. The crease will run right through the shirt pocket button. Measure this distance from the edge of the shirt to the button (see figure 2) This will be the distance from the top to the bottom of the shirt.

b. With no steam very lightly press the crease from the button down to the bottom of shirt.

c. If you feel the crease is right, press with steam.

d. Now starch and iron twice to set the crease.

e. With no steam very lightly press the crease from the button up to the top of shirt and repeat steps C and D.

f. Repeat step 2 for the other side.

Step 3. Sleeve creases.

a. Fold the sleeve in half with the seam at the bottom of the shirt.

b. Lightly crease the shirt with no steam.

c. If you feel the crease is right, press with steam.

d. Starch twice and flip the shirt and starch the backside twice.

e. Repeat steps A, B, C, and D for the other sleeve.

Step 4. Back Creases (DO NOT CREASE ABOVE THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE YOKE, SEE FIGURE 3)

a. Fold the shirt in half to find where the middle crease will go. This step should be taken with care. This will make your creases straight or angled. (Align the side seams to get the straight crease). (See figure 4).

b. Once the middle is found, lightly crease with no steam.

c. Press middle crease with steam to set temporarily.

d. If you have a DVD case, you can use it to set the width of the other two creases along the back.

e. Use the DVD case width to find your crease and slowly press the crease with the dry iron.

f. Press side crease with steam.

g. Repeat steps E and F for other side crease.

h. Start from one side and starch each side of the crease twice.

i. Work your way to the middle and then the other side by following step H.

Now your shirt is squared away and you’re ready to install your attachments.

ATTACHING YOUR INSIGNIA AND DEVICES.

Set you’re ironing table up with a towel folded a couple of times laid on top. Have some white cardboard, a pair of scissors and a ruler (I like to use a clear ruler).

Cardboard will be used behind the attachments to suck them to the shirt which will stop the drooping appearance. A good starching job to the shirt helps keep this from happening as well.

Step 1. Nametag (If you have an AUXOP device follow step 2)

a. First cut a piece of cardboard the same size as your nametag and set aside.

b. A quick method of finding the general area is to align the name’s middle letter (JAMES would be “m”) with the crease and place your name tag so the clutch posts are parallel with your uniform and the bottom of the name tag is against the top of the pocket. (Clutches pointing towards the top of your shirt).

c. Roll the name tag and push the clutch posts through the shirt. This should be close to the ¼ inch spacing from the top of the pocket.

d. Now fine tune the spacing with the ruler.

e. Place the cardboard piece you cut earlier inside of the shirt and align with your name tag and push the clutch posts through the cardboard and secure the clutches to the posts.

f. Check for alignment.

Step 2. Ribbons and Insignia/devise (if you only have ribbons, follow steps A through F of step 1)

a. Start with your ribbons and follow steps B, C, and D of step 1.

b. If you have any other insignia/devise follow steps B, C, and D of step 1 using the ribbons like you would the top of the shirt pocket.

c. This step is a little trickier then with your name tag. Take a piece of cardboard (this piece should be white) and place on top of your ribbons and device. Cut cardboard to the general size and then attach like step E and trim as necessary.

d. Once cut to size, attach clutches and check for alignment.(See Figure 5)

I hope these steps will help you ready you’re uniform for the Change of Watch. If you have any questions about getting your uniform ready or any general uniform question, please send me an email.

A Winterization Reminder.

A friendly reminder that its getting cold and we need to check that our cars, boats, and houses are ready for the deep freeze. Here are some things to check for.

Tips for your home.

1) Furnace Inspection

2) Check Fireplace For Proper Operation

3) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts

4) Prevent Plumbing Freezes

5) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces

6) Prepare an Emergency Kit

7) Install Crawl Space Vent Covers and Water Spout Covers.


Tips For Your Car.

1) Install new wiper blades.

2) Have your cooling system checked. (A bad thermostat or improper antifreeze level can harm your engine)

3) Have your battery checked. (A battery 4 1/2 years old should be replaced)

4) Check your tire pressure. (Tires may become low as the temperature drops)

5) Make sure the tires are in good condition. If you are not sure what this means, ask a mechanic.

6) Check the lights, heater and defroster.

7) Keep the fuel tank as full as possible to keep moisture from freezing in the fuel lines.

8) Get a break check done if you haven't had one done in the last 6 months. (A lot of shops offer free break checks)

9) Put together an emergency winter kit for the trunk of your car: blanket, extra boots and gloves, ice scraper, small snow shovel, flashlight and kitty litter (for traction when stuck in the snow).

10) Check that your traction chains or cables are in good condition. Practice installing chains in your driveway before the snow hits to refresh your memory on installation.


Tips For Your Boat.

1) Engine(s)

• Change the oil.(Warm engine first to help the flow of oil and particulates)
  
• Remove spark plugs and use fogging oil in each cylinder.
  
• Open all water drains and allow to drain. (There are different methods for various motors. Check owners manual)
• Take a shop rag and wipe down the motor with fogging oil.
  

2) Stern Drive(s)

• Inspect stern drive for and remove plant life.
• Drain the gear case and check for excessive moisture. (This could indicate leaking seals and would need repairs done)
• Check all boots for cracks and holes. (Drive should be stored in the down position. This will keep from stretching and wearing out the boot)
• Grease all fittings and check fluid in the power steering and trim/trailering pumps.
  
• Check owners manual for further steps.
  

3) Fuel

• Fill tanks as full as possible. (This will help avoid condensation buildup)
• Add a fuel stabilizer by following the instructions on the bottle.
  
• Change the fuel filter and water separator.
  
• Watch out for hi level Ethanol fuels. Ethanol adsorbs water and storage over time will harm your fuel system.
  

4) Bilges

• Clean and dry bilges.
  
• Spray with moisture displacing lubricant and add a little antifreeze to keep any water from freezing. (Drain antifreeze from bilge into an appropriate container)

5) Other Steps

• Remove any equipment not needed while in storage. (PFDs, Electronics, FDSs, Fire Extinguishers, Fender and Lines)
• Open all Cabinets and Drawers.
  
• Appliances ready for long storage.
  
• E-Z Dry or heaters.
  
• Remove Battery and trickle charge or charge every 30 days.
  

I hope this helps you in your winterizing efforts this year. This is by no means a complete list or an appropriate list for you house, car or boat. These are just generality's and you should seek professional help when tackling jobs you don't feel comfortable doing.

A quote from our Division Commander, Daren Lewis.
"Be safe and look to the safety of your shipmates."

Save the Date: 19 DEC 2010 Change of Watch

Shipmates,
Flotilla 76 will hold our Change of Watch on 19 DEC 2010 at the Water Pollution Control Labs to coincide with the Christmas Ships parade. The event will start at 1700hrs (5pm). Uniform is Winter Dress Blue, Tropical Blue or appropriate civilian attire. Catering will once again be managed by Gary & the Admiral. More details to come as the event draws near.

Flotilla Picnic @ Columbia Park

On August 22nd, around 40 Flotilla 76 members and friends gathered at Columbia Park in North Portland.  It was a great opportunity for fun and fellowship. Gary Bell and his wife Candy did an excellent job catering the food. Even though it poured rain for a short time, that did not dampen our spirits. 

There was a dessert contest and Barbara Korsmo's layered fruit bowl was judged the winner.  The pineapple upsidedown cake was my favorite.

Laura Walters spearheaded a game of Aux Jeopardy, with most everyone contributing questions. Gary Nepple won the game, answering the most questions correctly. The knot tying team competition was entertaining.  Three teams of three competed to see who could tie the called-for knot the fastest.  First person would tie the knot, pass it on to the second, who would untie the knot and passed it on to the third person, who would re-tie the knot and throw it down. The team of Tighe Vroman, Andy Rusten and John Poulson winning that event.

Those of you who did not attend, missed a great time of Food, Fun & Fellowship.
For more photos go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54167400@N04/?donelayout=1   [photos courtesy of Laura Walters & Andy Rusten]

Multnomah County ARES Exercise

Members, we have an opportunity to participate in the Multnomah County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) exercise on 09 Oct. 2010. This event will exercise the use of HAMS and the amateur radio bands in the event of an emergency. The participants will include, city and county emergency services and first responders.

We will be participating with the use of our ECP (Emergency Command Post) on top of Mt. Tabor. We will be on the air from 0800 to 1300 (last known time). Operations will include the Marine VHF-FM, Amateur-2 meter, Amateur HF, and possibly trying to call COMSPAC (USCG Communications Area Master Station Pacific) on HF.

If you are planning to participate in the communications exercise 16 Oct., with your ACU but would like to get some hands on use of the ECP, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

If you would like to participate, please contact our FSO-CM Paul Ploeger. He will be in contact with the event officer, Jim Price and will forward any updates to you.

Depending on interest for this event, we may need to set up a schedule to allow members to participate without overcrowding the ECP.

Posted for FSO-CM Paul Ploeger, picture by Daren Lewis