Coast Guard Auxiliary Reports


This past weekend, Flotilla 12 hosted the Division 1 Meeting of 2023. We had members attending from across our Division, which ranges from Pensacola to our Area of Operation. Many thanks to all who attended and made this event possible. Division Commander Doug Ritchie focused on the strengths of being involved in the USCGAux, including fellowship, service and engagement with the active duty. The day was filled with setting up division goals for 2023, training and fellowship.

This week is also the final part of three from Bob Currie’s article.
Use the following links to see the previous articles. COASTGUARD (Published January 19, 2023) and COASTGUARD (Published January 26, 2023)

Currie is a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety Specialist, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Galveston Flotilla. It is also available on the U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Safe Boating Site.

STAY HYDRATED
A great many calls for help on the water are due to persons on board becoming seriously ill due to dehydration. Drink plenty of water during the trip. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. The water surface acts like a giant magnifying glass and effectively doubles your exposure to direct sunlight by reflecting it from the water’s surface. You get those rays coming and going. A minor heat-related discomfort can quickly become a serious illness such as heat exhaustion or even life-threatening heat stroke. Yes, we can come to your rescue in a fast helicopter, but once you reach the stage of heat stroke your life expectancy can be measured in minutes rather than hours. Beer does not hydrate.

LEARN LINE HANDLING
The trickiest part of flying a plane is taking off and landing. Anyone can steer. It’s the same with a boat. On a plane the copilot has chores such as lowering the landing gear and setting the flaps. On a boat it helps to have a crewman who can handle docking fenders and lines when leaving or approaching the dock. Learn the basic knots used by mariners, especially those used for securing a boat to a dock. Learn how to use a walking fender to keep the dock from chewing up the rub rail on the boat. Someone who can help with line handling at the dock is a valuable person to have aboard.

LEARN THE NAVIGATION RULES
Being a contributing member of the crew is more enjoyable than just sitting there and watching the action. Knowledge is the key to enjoying a trip on the water. The more you know the more you can appreciate what is going on. Learn the navigation rules, also known as the Rules of the Road, also known as the COLREGS (Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea). You are a much more valuable passenger if you can point out to the captain that the boat ahead is flying the “Restricted in Ability to Maneuver” day shape. Learn the Responsibilities Between Vessels.

SUMMARY
You do not have to own a boat to be a mariner. You can gain knowledge and experience as a well-trained passenger that makes you much more knowledgeable than the average recreational boater, and you can become a mariner in your own right. By becoming a well-trained passenger you will increase your enjoyment of the water as well as increase your own safety on the water. Now is a good time to take that Boater Education Course.

If you would like to learn more about vessel safety checks, please contact Steve Hults, Staff Officer for Vessel Examinations at steve.hults@uscgaux.net.

Thanks to Sherrie, we will always remember safe boating is no accident!

Please contact us for more information about our safe boating classes or learning more about getting involved in the Auxiliary, check out our website at www.uscgaux.net follow us on FaceBook @ Apalachee Bay Flotilla 12 or contact our Flotilla Commander Phil Hill at pnkkhill2000@yahoo.com

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org.

CROOKED RIVER LIGHTHOUSE TO EXHIBIT LENS
Special to The Sun
On Jan. 13, after 47 years in “safe exile” at the 8th District U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in New Orleans, the Crooked River Lighthouse 4th-order Fresnel lens began its rotation driven by a modern electric motor. The lens fitted with a replica burner crafted by Michigan Lampist Kurt Fosberg was relit and began turning in its new home for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Its location at the Crooked River Lighthouse Keeper’s House Museum now houses the one-of-a-kind lens in a newly created steel tower-inspired case. The lens returned to Carrabelle on Feb. 19, 2020 and has been on display awaiting its new permanent case with interpretive exhibits funded through the Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA) grant programs.

On Saturday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. join our guests from the Florida Lighthouse Association (Lens Room Project Funding Organization) at the Crooked River Lighthouse Keeper’s House Museum and Giftshop for the Ribbon Cutting Event. The Ribbon Cutting Event will be followed by a Full Moon Climb Event Benefit Concert. Stop by the Crooked River Lighthouse Park early (from 9 am - 3 pm) for the Crooked River Park Fest expanded Country Market (free to public) and plan to stay after the ribbon cutting for the Full Moon Benefit Concert (6pm-9pm) for the Crooked River Lighthouse Stage. Ticket Packages for the Full Moon Benefit Concert featuring Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers and the Tallahassee Community College (TCC) Dancers are available at TicketLeap: CRPFest Full Moon Concert.