Congratulations to Our Newest Telecommunications Operators.

By Jonathan James
Well I was going to wait to introduce the latest Telecommunications Operator (TCO) qualified members for flotilla 7-6. I however think these members deserve a bigger spotlight than a staff report. John Polimeni, Nick Gyore and myself qualified as TCO last Friday, 15 Apr.

After three months of study and practice these member are now allowed to offer their radio facilities for use and operate them under Coast Guard orders. These members are also qualified to stand as watchstanders in the Emergency Incident Command Post (eICP) and in select Coast Guard command posts as well as meeting the stations requirement to start the brake-in process as a watchstander at Station Portland.

With this qualification brings a greater knowledge of radio operations and communicating with the mariner. If you have questions regarding Coast Guard communications, these member along with other TCO qualified members will be more than willing to answer them for you. TCO qualified members also have the ability to mentor and sign off tasks in the TCO-PQS.


We now have 6 TCO’s in our flotilla which is more than any other flotilla in the district.

BZ guys for a great job on your qualification.

Welcome Aboard VFC

By; Jonathan James
Last night at our monthly flotilla meeting, we had the honor of having three outstanding members offer their services to the flotilla in the capacity of Vice Flotilla Commander. As we all know, we can only elect one as our Vice. It turned out to be a difficult decision for the members of our flotilla because all the candidates were outstanding and had their own tools to bring to the office if elected.

Rick Williams, a member of 76 for two years and a new Aircraft Commander, was elected as our new Vice Flotilla Commander for the remainder of the 2011 term. Congratulations Rick on your elections to this very important office. I know that FC John Poulson and the Flotilla Staff Officer's are very happy to have you aboard.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our FC, John Poulson for his selflessness through this whole evolution. Not many Flotilla Commanders would have handled this as professionally and as classy as FC Poulson did. It was John who would always remind us to not forget why we joined the auxiliary and to keep that in the forefront of our auxiliary career. He has had to put a lot of his desires aside and has had to focus %100 of his auxiliary time on maintaining a very difficult and unpredictable watch as FC for the past few months.

B.Z. FC John Poulson and congratulations VFC Rick Williams.

AUX 10 C School, Alameda, A Great Experience.

Story by: Diane Epstein

On 10February I flew to Alameda, CA to attend the AUX 10 C school to learn all about AuxData and AuxInfo. After getting into the shuttle van to the Executive Inn, where most of us stayed, a red-haired women sitting next to me asked, "Are you Diane?" A little puzzled, I replied, "I am" [thinking who is this lady?] I soon found out she was Nancy McCready from Flot 71 who was also there to attend the AuxData school.

The next day I joined 18 other Auxiliarists from as far away as Nashville, TN and Minneapolis, MN in a crowded room filled with computers to have an opportunity to get hands-on, learning AuxData. The two instructors, Pam Berger and Marilyn McBain were marvelous teachers, who added a little needed humor into those long days. They were very patient in answering a myriad of questions relating to the presentations of AuxData as well as AuxInfo. A few times several of our computers would go off line and we would have to reboot to re-establish the on-line connection.

We each got an opportunity to stand up and introduce ourselves and mention how long we have been in the Auxiliary and our experience (or lack thereof) with Information Services. I was amazed that some have only been members for about a year all the way up to 26 years. It was great being able to get acquainted with my fellow IS Officers with varied backgrounds and abilities and discuss how things were done in their Districts and Flotillas.

I also got the chance to tour the USCG Cutter Waeche.[see photo] What an impressive vessel! It has the capability to launch and retrieve a "small boat" while underway. Since I am not very familiar with military protocol, I watched the OOD, who gave us the tour, when he took his hat off and put it back on, to do the same.

I really value this whole experience and feel I am now ready to take on the challenge of being your Flotilla IS Officer. I don't know everything yet, but I have good resources and backup to go to. Please turn in your Member Activity [7029] and Mission Activity [7030] in a timely manner so your hours can be recorded and accounted for. It is too easy to put that off and then it becomes forgotten. I know I have been guilty of that too. Please do not hesitate to ask questions if you are not sure of how to record something or you want to know something relating to your Auxdata record.

Davy Crockett Response Web Page.

The Department of Ecology has started a web page in conjunction with the Unified Command concerning the Davy Crockett response. It contains background information of the response, as well as current briefings and a facts sheet. There's also a handful of pictures of the response. including pictures from our own AUXAIR (Auxiliary Aircraft) patrols and video from an OPFAC (Operational Facility "Vessel") conducting a Public Affairs Patrol.

Bellow is the link to the web page.

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/incidents/DavyCrockett/DavyCrockett.html

NEW FLOTILLA WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING!!!!

I have just familiarized myself with our new flotilla website and what it has to offer. You can find pretty much everything you need to find through our new website. Here are just a few things that you can find on our website that we use in our day to day auxiliary activities.

a. Auxiliary Directory
b. Auxiliary Forms
c. Department Links
e. PE Class Schedule
f. Link to the Uniform Page

I could go on, but I think you should go to the website and see what it has to offer.

Another cool feature of the website is that is has a slide show on the home page showing us all in action.

To break down the layout of the home page, I would say that the header bar buttons are links to the national website pages and the sidebar is for flotilla specific information.

BZ to Rhonda Rockwell to a great website.

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.