LAKE MURRAY MARINER

LAKE MURRAY MARINER
Flotilla 12-3 Lake Murray at Flotilla Island, Chapin, SC
NEXT MEETING:
Monday, June 24, 2013
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Flotilla Island
VOLUME I ISSUE 5
JUNE 2013
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, District 7
Editor: Sue Carty FSO-PB, suesatwood@ftc-i.net, 803-478-7022
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—Ken Plesser DSO-AV FL 12-3, copilot, and Doug Armstrong (FL 16-1, St.
Croix), pilot, stand in front of the Citation Mustang at Isla Grande airport before transporting
RADM Baumgartner (D7 Commander) and CAPT McPherson (D7 Response Director) from San Juan,
PR to Miami, FL.
PHOTO: CAPT Brendan McPherson, USCG
1
FLOTILLA COMMANDER JERRY RUSCHKOFSKI
USCG Commandant Admiral Robert Papp has issued a service
wide campaign to eliminate sexual assault from our Coast Guard. It is
called “Commander’s Intent—Campaign to Eliminate Sexual Assault
from Our Coast Guard”. Our goal is simple – to eliminate the crime of sexual assault from our
service and ensure that no Coast Guard man or woman ever needs to fear the crime of sexual
assault from a Shipmate.
As Thomas C Malligan, National Commander, USCG Auxiliary states in part: Be assured, the
Commandant's expectation of civility among our members is not a politically correct
message. It is at the very heart of our core value of Respect. Sexual Assault is one of the more
disgusting acts that one human being can inflict on another. We do not tolerate such conduct in
our organization.
COMMANDERS INTENT - CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE SEXUAL ASSAULT
FROM OUR COAST GUARD
1. To execute the diverse, challenging and often hazardous missions of the Coast Guard, we
must all share a strong bond of trust and mutual respect. Without both, discipline erodes, mission readiness is degraded and the performance of our people is diminished. Sexual assault is a
crime. Commission of this act is a breach of trust, violation of our core values and, therefore,
must be eliminated from our Service. The presence of sexual predators in our midst is
unacceptable. The Coast Guard will establish an effective program of prevention, response,
accountability of offenders and unqualified support for victims without fear of stigma.
2. The following is my direction:
a. Create a culture intolerant of sexual assault or behaviors that enable it. Ensure that every
man and woman in the Coast Guard, including active, reserve and
civilian and auxilarist, is clear regarding expectations. Our goal is to
eliminate the commission of these acts. There are no bystanders in
this effort, I expect all hands commitment.
b. Prevent sexual assault including unwelcomed sexual contact.
Rapidly transform our Service climate to ensure that every Coast
Guardsman takes ownership of this problem, recognizing their duty
to stop sexual assault before it occurs. Enhance training so that all
hands recognize indicators of this behavior and are prepared to
intervene.
c. Improve the availability and quality of response resources
and trusted peer networks. Establish an environment that, when an
assault is committed, victims come forward to report the offense
Admiral Bob Papp, Jr with confidence, trusting that they will be protected and cared for
Commandant USCG
without fear of reprisal or retaliation.
(Cont’d on page 3)
2
Staff Officer Directory: Flotilla 12-3
Jerry Ruschkofski, Flotilla Commander
Kenny Uschelbec, Flotilla Vice Commander
Mik Mikutaitis, Immediate Past Flotilla Commander
Communications (FSO-CM) Ken Plesser
Operations (FSO-OP) Kenny Uschelbec
Communications Services (FSO-CS) Jerry Ruschkofski
Diversity (FSO-DV) Jerry Ruschkofski
Public Affairs (FSO-PA) Billy Lindsay
Finance (FSO-FN) Peggy Peterson
Publications (FSO-PB) Sue Carty
Human Resources (FSO-HR) Don Carty
Public Education (FSO-PE) Kent McCoin
Information Systems (FSO-IS) Don Davis
Program Visitor (FSO-PV) Russ Jernigan
Marine Safety (FSO-MS) Steve Pstrak
Secretary Records (FSO-SR) Don Davis
Materials (FSO-MA) John Mezynski
Vessel Examinations (FSO-VE)
Member Training (FSO-MT) George Bigbee
Burnette Sheffield
Navigation Systems (FSO-NS) Jerry Ruschkofski
NOTE: THERE WILL NO JULY NEWSLETTER
ARTICLES DUE FOR AUGUST NEWSLETTER: JULY 22, 2013
COMMANDERS INTENT - CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE SEXUAL ASSAULT
FROM OUR COAST GUARD - Cont’d from page 2
2c. Strengthen the program of victim advocacy extending throughout the process.
d. Hold anyone who commits the crime of sexual assault accountable. Improve reporting,
investigative and prosecution processes to ensure timely outcomes. Ensure objectivity and full
accountability as an effective deterrent.
e. Establish a program for victim advocacy and aftercare.
3. The Vice Commandant will personally oversee execution of this Commanders Intent. The
Deputy Commandant for Mission Support will act as executive agent for implementation of the
Coast Guard Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) strategic plan and follow-on
actions. Leaders at all levels will gain full knowledge of the scope of this problem and Service
strategies for eliminating sexual assault from the Coast Guard. Individual leaders are responsible for demonstrated commitment. I expect every Coast Guardsman to display the same level of
dedication and courage executing this intent that they would on a lifesaving mission - that is, in
fact, what this is all about.
4. Each command will ensure that this Commanders Intent is read and discussed with all hands.
Admiral Bob Papp, Jr., Commandant USCG
3
Items of interest in this month’s edition:
- ADM Papp’s Commanders Intent - page 2-3
- Calendar of Events - page 4
- Upcoming Events - page 5
- May Flotilla Meeting - page 5-6
- Old Glory on Flotilla Island - page 7
- Expiring Auxiliary ID cards - page 7
- FSO Reports - page 8
- HOT WEATHER UNIFORMS - page 8
- CAPT WHITE/RODRIGUEZ COC - p 9-10
- Coast Guard Representatives - page 10-11
- CGAS Borinquen COC - page 12
- RBS Outreach Report for SC - page 13-15
- RBS 2012 Stats and Summary - page 16-17
June 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Flag Day
16
17
Father’s
Day
23
247pm
18 Safety 19
20 FSO
21
Stand-down
Ft Jackson
reports to
DSO
Summer
Begins
27
28
25
26
Flotilla Mtg
4H Camp
30
4
22
29
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE1. June 18 (Tuesday) - Fort Jackson Safety Stand-down: We are invited and
encouraged to have an informational area. Active duty CG has also participated,
coordinated by our flotilla, the past several years. The Ft. Jackson recreational boats
have been on loan to us for the day also, to make our display more interesting.
2. June 24 - Clemson Extension Service 4H Camp (called 4H2O):
The group of campers visits Flotilla Island on Monday of their camp. We coordinate
various safety stations such as weather, radio, life jackets and other safety equipment,
etc. Active duty CG brought a RIB and did a super job of participating with us the
past two years.
Contact Jerry Ruschkofski FC with questions or to volunteer for any event.
JULYJuly 4 Weekend - All members be proactive on promoting boating safety by participating
in patrols, vessel safety checks, wearing life jackets while you are out on your boat
and encourage others to wear theirs, etc
SEPTEMBERSeptember 14 - Great Portage Race sponsored by the Navy League
Festus Burchfield FL 12-6 will be Lead Coxswain again this year. He collaborates
with the Event Coordinator and other sponsors.
More info to follow
FLOTILLA MEETING - MAY 20, 2013
Photos by Don and Sue Carty
Our May flotilla meeting was held at Lizard’s Thicket Restaurant in Irmo. A good dinner and a
good time was had by all who attended. Our June meeting will be back at Flotilla Island.
Thank you Don Davis for making the arrangements for our dinner.
“ THE GROUP”
Kenny Uschelbec VFC presenting
Sue Carty with her Sustained Auxiliary
Service Fourth Award. Each award is for
750 volunteer hours.
Sitting: Marianne Uschelbec,
( Cont’d)
wife of Kenny Uschelbec
5
FLOTILLA MEETING—Cont’d
From left:
Marilyn and Don Davis
Don Carty
Scott Iverson, prospective
new member
Joe Mezynski
Lisa and Rick Arkell
.
Below from left:
Steve Pstrak
Dale McCoin
Kent McCoin
Ken Plesser
Below from left:
Billy Lindsay
Matt Lindsay
BELOW: Presenting May’s Mystery Member Prizes by
Kenny Uschelbec VFC
Picture at left below:
1st row: Kent McCoin
Ken Plesser - runner up
2nd row: Billy Lindsay, winner
Kenny Uschelbec VFC
Absent: Joe Richbourg,
runner up
At Right:
Ken Plesser
receiving his
runner up
prize
6
OLD GLORY
FLYING PROUDLY
AGAIN ON
FLOTILLA ISLAND
THANK YOU
SCE&G !!!!
Photo and article by
Jerry Ruschkofski FC
Jerry Ruschkofski FC sent an email to some people that he
used to work with at SCE&G and was able to get a line
crew out of the Chapin office on Thursday afternoon to
come to Flotilla Island to string new lines on the front flagpole so we can fly the American Flag again. After SCE&G
finished, he went out and purchased a flag to fly for
Memorial Day. Kenny Uschelbec VFC and Jerry hoisted it
up Friday morning, May 25.
Our plan is to work with the Power Squadron to install a
spotlight on the flag so it can seen at night.
REMINDER: Updating Expiring ID Cards
Those members who have been in the Auxiliary five years or longer will eventually have to
renew their ID cards.
As well, those of us who have been around since the original DHS ID cards were issued will
find that our ID cards need to be renewed this year, and possibly very soon.
Take a look at the expiration date on your card. If you find your card will expire at anytime this year, please contact Jerry Ruschkofski FC.
7
FLOTILLA STAFF OFFICERS REPORTS
SUE CARTY:
PUBLICATIONS
There will not be a newsletter for July.
Although there will not be a newsletter, I will still be accepting reports and articles at anytime
for the August newsletter. It is much easier to submit, especially articles from any event, as
they happen to remember all details. DON’T FORGET PICTURES - ALWAYS!
August newsletter - Reports/articles will be due on July 22.
FLOTILLA GOALS for the newsletters:
Staff Officers Goal – submit report when any event or new information pertains to your
staff office
All members – always have your camera with you for any photo opportunity that has to
do with the Auxiliary
STEVE PSTRAK: MARINE SAFETY
I encourage all members to heed the platform of Jerry Ruschkofski FC to set forth and
accomplish three personal reachable goals as an Auxiliarist in 2013.
I support and encourage attending all marine safety meetings, programs, events, presentations and preventive measures from public education to wearing your life jacket while
underway. Remember that the USCG has seriously considered a change to requiring the
wearing of a PFD rather than just having one on board. For now, the latter is still the law.
Pros and cons of having lakes in South Carolina be designated “no night wake” lakes
I am also interested in receiving meaningful feedback from any interested member regarding
the pros and cons of having lakes in South Carolina be designated "no night wake" lakes. That
is, when a vessel is required to display navigation lights, that vessel also must follow a no wake
policy / idle speed policy, with three exceptions:
1. Blue light activated law enforcement
2. Red light activated first responders of fire and rescue
3. USCG AUX with red and yellow light activated.
This idea of "no night wake" stems from the vast majority of fatalities occurring at night.
HOT WEATHER UNIFORMS
Effective May 15, District 7 has been given permission to wear the hot
weather uniforms through Labor Day, weather permitting.
8
CAPT MICHAEL WHITE, JR—CAPT RIC RODRIGUEZ
CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY - JULY 12, 2013
Sector Charleston Commander’s Change of Command (COC)
Date: July 12
RSVP: JULY 1ST, SEATING IS LIMITED
Time: 1000 hrs
Where: USS Yorktown, 404 Patriots Point Rd
Location: Hanger Bay III
Uniform: See Invitation on page 10
Captain White reported to Sector Charleston in June, 2010, from Coast
Guard Headquarters where he most recently served as Special Assistant
to the Commandant, and Chief of Staff to the National Incident
Commander for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response.
CAPT Michael White, Jr.
USCG
Originally from Fairfax, VA, he has served in a variety of
operational assignments. His staff assignments have included duty as a Command Center Controller in
the Eleventh Coast Guard District Office in Long Beach, California, Chief of the U. S. Military Liaison
Office in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and assignment to the Department of Homeland Security
as a Senior Policy Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary for Policy.
Captain White’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal
(four awards), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (five awards), the DOT 9-11 Medal, the Coast
Guard Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation
Ribbon (two awards), as well as numerous unit and service awards.
IF INTERESTED, PLEASE SEE INVITATION ON PAGE 10
The Lake Murray Mariner is always looking for articles about Auxiliarists, stories of interest, and
photographs. Your articles don’t have to be long; just make sure you include all of the basics: Who are you
writing about? What is the topic or event? Where does the story take place (location)? When did, or when
will this event take place, and finally, Why is this of interest, or How was this accomplished? Provide as
much information as possible.
Photographs should always be high resolution images. Please do not compress the image or crop the photo
unless you are an experienced user of one of the high-end photo-editing programs. If you have any doubt,
just send the image straight from your camera and add a description that includes who and what is depicted
in the photograph, and the name of the photographer. Take a camera with you everywhere. Vessel
Examinations, Member Training, patrols, Public Education programs and fellowship events are all great
photo opportunities. Be proud of everything that you do for the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary
and demonstrate that with pictures and articles.
Any questions, please contact Sue Carty FSO-PB
9
Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District
cordially invites you to attend
the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston
Change of Command Ceremony
at which
CAPTAIN MICHAEL F. WHITE JR.
will be relieved by
CAPTAIN RIC RODRIGUEZ
on Friday, the twelfth of July
two thousand and thirteen
at ten o’clock in the morning
Hangar Bay III, USS YORKTOWN
40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.
R.s.v.p. by 1 July 2013 (Seats are limited)
POC: Mrs. Leslie Clark
843-740-7072
Military: Tropical Blue with Combination Cover or Service Equivalent
Civilian: Business Attire
Official Party: Full Dress White
Guests are requested to be seated by a quarter to ten o'clock in the morning.
10
OUR COAST GUARD REPRESENTATIVES
From Station Charleston
BOATSWAINSMATE (BM1) JARED WIKE
(BM1) Jared Wike succeeded BM1 Christopher
Crockett as U. S. Coast Guard Station AUXLO on
April 1, 2013 and also is the Operations Training Officer. BM1 Crockett remains at Station Charleston with
other duty assignments and we thank him for his support to Flotilla 12-6 as AUXLO.
Jared attended CG boot camp in April of 1999. After
boot camp he was assigned to CGC Gallatin (WHEC
721) home ported right here in Charleston, SC. where
he struck Boatswain mate 3rd class in June 2001. He
made Boatswain mate 2nd class right before he
departed in 2003. After the Gallatin, Jared served aboard CG Station Hatteras Inlet
and Ocracoke Inlet North Carolina from 2003-2007. He received his Standard boat
coxswain qualification on MLB 47244. He served as station coxswain, Boarding
Officer and Station OOD.
Before Jared departed for another PCS transfer in 2007, he decided to add a wife tohis
sea bag and take her with him to Kodiak Alaska. From 2007 to 2010, he served aboard
Aids To Navigation Team Kodiak Alaska. His unit AOR was as far north as Nome,
west to Dutch Harbor and East to Prince William Sound. We served shore based navigational aids in very remote locations via HH-60 Jayhawks and C-130. He also conducted help ops and C-130 air drops with Air Station Kodiak with his units 41' during
that same tour. During his tour in Kodiak, he advanced to Boatswain mate 1st class.
After Kodiak, they decided on another OUTCONUS tour. This time they headed to
San Juan Puerto Rico where Jared served as Operations Petty Officer onboard CGC
Cushing (WPB 1321) from 2010- 2012. During his tour, they had many migrant
interdictions and drug interdictions between Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
After Puerto Rico, Jared came to here to Station Charleston and will be here for another 3 years. So far he has served as the Training Petty Officer and now Operations
Petty Officer as of April 1st. He is glad to be here in Charleston, especially since he is
closer to his family in Atlanta. Jared has three children, ages from 4 months to 4 years.
11
OUR COAST GUARD REPRESENTATIVES
From Station Charleston
LT ASHONTE FRANKLIN
LT Ashonte Franklin succeeds LT Michelle Rice
as U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston AUXLO.
Ashonte was born in New Orleans, LA but raised
in Hampton Roads, VA. She received her
undergraduate degree in Psychology from Old
Dominion University and my Masters in Human
Resources from Saint Leo University.
She then went on to apply for and attend OCS
(Officer Candidate School). After 17 long weeks
at OCS, Ashonte happily landed her first tour
back at home in Portsmouth, VA where she
worked in the District Waterways Management
Division.
Sector Charleston is her second tour and she is
now in charge of the Marine Environmental
Response division.
Ashonte’s current qualifications include boat crew, cmow (crew member of the
watch), and pollution responder. Her CG field of interest is Incident Management
and she will shortly have her situation unit leader qualification.
Her personal interests currently include traveling, collector of fine things (aka she
likes to shop), and learning French.
LOVE THE PEOPLE GOD GAVE YOU
BECAUSE HE WILL NEED THEM BACK ONE DAY
12
COAST GUARD AIR STATION (CGAS) BORINQUEN PUERTON RICO
RECEIVES NEW COMMANDING OFFICER
Photos by AUX Bob Pavich
Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen received a new commanding officer Tuesday morning,
June 11, during the unit’s change of command ceremony at the base aircraft hangar in
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Captain Patricia A. McFetridge, Air Station Borinquen’s new
Commanding Officer, assumed command of the Coast Guard’s only aviation unit in
the Caribbean .
Source: US Coast Guard, 06-Jun-13
A military unit’s COC Ceremony (Change of Command) is a military time honored tradition
which encompasses the transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one
individual to another.
From left to right:
CAPT Bob Phillips, USCG,
outgoing CO, CGAS Borinquen
RADM Bill Baumgartner,
Commander, USCG District 7
CAPT Patricia McFetridge,
incoming CO, CGAS Borinquen
From left to right:
LT Stephen Velthuis, Chaplain,
USN
AUX Wilson Riggan, National
Division Chief - Aviation
AUX Ken Plesser, District Staff
Officer - Aviation, District 7
CAPT Patricia McFetridge,
USCG, incoming Commanding
Officer
AUX Lee Bertman
13
QUARTERLY REPORT FOR RBS OUTREACH– SECONG QUARTER 2013
Submitted by Barbara Burchfield SLO, BC-BSS
Barbara Burchfield, a member of Flotilla 12-6 East
Cooper, in her position as SLO (State Liaison Officer) and BCBSS (Branch Chief, Atlantic South) submits quarterly reports to
the RBS (Recreational Boating Safety) Outreach Mission.
Below is South Carolina portion of her report for the First
Quarter.
Photo of Barbara and Festus Burchfield
Taken at the Division 12 COW at Myrtle Beach
January 2013 by Ann Marie Graham
SOUTH CAROLINA REPORT: Barbara & Festus Burchfield
This is a quarterly report sent to DSO-SL 7 and RBS Outreach national leadership.
The 2nd Quarter for Recreational Boating Safety Outreach reporting consists of activities during
the months of March, April and May. These are highlights of our activities during that period.
Flotilla 12-06 member Scott Heisler has been appointed Legislative Liaison Officer for South
Carolina by DCO on June 3. Burchfields recommended Scott as a highly qualified candidate
for the position.
We solicited and obtained a Safe Boating Week Proclamation signed by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for the second year. Barbara wrote NSBW and Vessel Safety Check news
releases at the request of flotilla staff.
SCDNR Boating Law & Responsibilities Handbooks were picked up from SCDNR and
distributed en masse for the third year to all eight Division 12 flotillas, two Division 2 flotillas
and two Division 10 flotillas. This year the availability of the handbooks was later than in
earlier years, however we are contacting and working with each flotilla for their supply
requests and arrange for material distributions. This process allows the DNR to more
accurately predict supplies to purchase, allows for accountable distribution to its primary
vendors, and reduces DNR manpower and time. Some advantages for the auxiliary include
having an adequate supply of resources each year, planning for material usage within the flotilla, and maintaining closer control over inventory.
We assisted Divisions 2 and 12 with DNR contact information and policy. In one case, we
were able to assist with information for the summer DNR schedule for Vessel Safety Check
stations, dates and times in order for local flotillas to coordinate VSC efforts in South Carolina.
In another instance, we were contacted concerning the North Carolina 2012 Auxiliary boating
education information for state authorities, and relayed all information to DSO-SL Pete Bohler
who immediately took action to get the issues resolved.
(Cont’d)
14
QUARTERLY REPORT FOR RBS OUTREACH - Cont’d
Working with SCDNR Investigations, we received and relayed the updated 2012 SC Boating
Fatalities & Accidents Reports to D12 FC and VFC and the Safety Consortium.
2012
2011
2010
Fatalities
14
19
26
Accidents
111
98
107
Festus is Lead Coxswain again this year for the Great Portage Race (GPR) on 14SEP,
sponsored by the Navy League. He collaborates with the Event Coordinator and other sponsors. As an aside, we provided and relayed information concerning the Auxiliary and Navy
League partnerships to the GPR coordinator who showed interest in the Auxiliary’s programs.
We arranged for and invited the USCG Auxiliary Liaison Officers (AUXLO) to the
Flotilla 12-06 May flotilla meeting. Station AUXLO BM1 Jared Wike and
Sector AUXLO Michelle Rice provided self-introductions
insight for our membership.
and
Burchfields participated in the D7 Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities & Threats survey.
Recently released 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics Report
by the Coast Guard was been distributed extensively to our
boating colleagues and partners
Attendance:
Auxiliary Sector Coordinator (ASC) Teleconference monthly meetings with USCG Sector
Charleston and Auxiliary leadership helps to communicate important current events and
issues.
Boating Law Administrator meeting in Columbia on 30MAY.
Flotilla 12-6 meetings on 21MAR, 18APR and 16MAY
Navy League “Great Portage Race” monthly event teleconferences; Navy League and multi
-agency sponsored event.
Lake Murray Safety Consortium meeting on 20MAR and 15MAY; a multi-agency and law
enforcement group promoting an alliance for safety
We attended AUXLAMS-B (Leadership and Management School) at The Citadel 0103MAR
Barbara attended AUX-04 C-School (website) in Charleston 08-10MAR
(Cont’d)
15
QUARTERLY REPORT FOR RBS OUTREACH - Cont’d
News releases, articles, photos, and stories:
NSBW and Vessel Safety Check news releases
Stories and photos for Flotilla 12-06 newsletter: Sector AUXLO Michelle Rice farewell;
Sector AUXLO Ashonte Franklin welcome; Station AUXLO BM1 Jared Wike welcome;
District 7 Hot Weather Uniforms; Charting Successfully Course; Flotilla Awards presentations.
SLO quarterly reports published in Division 12 newsletters.
LLO-SC appointment news release to public media and auxiliary publications.
Boating safety article about the use of boat fenders was
submitted to Lake Murray Association newsletter
‘LakeLink’
Public Education:
We continue to work behind the scenes one-on-one with
flotillas to promote their efforts and to provide resources and
tools for success in support of the District 7 Strategic Plan to
increase the number of boating safety classes and students.
We also work with national staff for the development and improvement of public education
courses.
Division 12 About Boating Safely class statistics 01JAN – 31MAY:
13
Classes Held
148 Students Graduated
27% of students were enrolled on DNR’s boating website. Of the total students graduated, 22.3
% were under the age of 17 years. There were three ABS classes cancelled in the same period.
THINK ABOUT IT:
Amateurs ... Built the ark.
Professionals ...
Built the Titanic
16
RECREATIONAL BOATING STATISTICS 2012
17
18