ICS 210 is required by 31 MAR for all coxswains, watchstanders and Trident members. Here is a chance to take the course.

It is confirmed that Herb Oertli (Port Security Specialist USCG MSU Toledo) will conduct the ICS 210 Course for us on 21 February 2009 from 0830 to 1230 at the Flotilla 06 meeting and training center which is located in the Woodville Mall. Following my conversation with Spencer Gilchrist, I decided that 06's facility would be a better choice for enhancing instruction along with opportunity to accommodate a larger number of participants.

Flotilla 6's meeting and training room is accessible next to the Elder-Beerman entrance or through the back parking lot. If you come via the back parking lot, we will have a sign posted by the entrance door. If you get lost, please feel free to contact me (Hank Elchert) on my cell phone 419-618-0823.

Coffee and donuts will be available. We suggest that you bring along an extra sweater and/or sweatshirt because the heating system is somewhat limited.

Because of the need to provide educational materials and instructor preparation, I will need to have anyone who wishes to attend RSVP me no later than Saturday, 14 Feb. You can either register by phone at 419-447-7331 or e-mail me at h-elchert@sbcglobal.net.

Please remind your members that the ICS 210 is mandatory for all coxswains, watch-standers and Trident members and must be completed by 31 March or they will be in the rears. In addition, I feel it would be good for all certified crew members to attend for enhancing their skill level and preparing them for the next level of operations.

Please have your members take advantage of this opportunity that officer Oertli is providing us. Remember to RSVP by 14 February.

Division 6, 9CR has lost two outstanding and active members in recent weeks. Donald (Don) Black, who was a member of Flotilla 66, passed away at the end of April, and Cathy Smith, DSO-IS, who was a member of Flotilla 65. Together, these two who often crewed together, represent fifty years of Auxiliary service.

On June 7, 2008 there will be a Memorial Service at the boat house on the grounds of Coast Guard Station Toledo for Cathy Smith, followed by a Service of Committal for burial at sea for both Don and Cathy.

• 1000: Memorial Service, followed by shoreside Service of Committal
• 1100: Luncheon provided by the families.
• 1200: Boats boarded for Burial at Sea (Spreading of Ashes) in vicinity of Toledo Harbor Light.
  Photos are posted on the Photos page.

All Coast Guard members, Auxiliarists, and friends of the families are invited to attend. Uniform of the day is Tropical Blue Long. If you would like to speak to the Memorial of these friends, do not hesitate when called upon.

We have three facilities (not under orders) available. Please bring an approved Life Jacket or PFD. (However, we can not guarantee that there will be space available, so please do not be offended if you can not get aboard.)

If coming South on I-75, take Left exit to I-280 South (to Cleveland).
Stay in Left lane and take Left exit to Manhattan Blvd (be careful as it is on the left-hand curve of the I-280 ramp.)
Turn Left onto Manhattan Blvd and follow it until it dead ends at Summit Street.
Turn Left onto Summit Street.
Go couple hundred yards, turn Right at Coast Guard Station sign, and Left in front of Bay View Yacht Club.
Parking will be on Station Property, or along side the road. (It is narrow -- do not block the road).

If coming South on Route 23, take Left exit to I-475 Eastbound.
Take Left exit to I-75 North (toward Detroit).

Take Right exit to Manhattan Blvd and follow directions on Manhattan Blvd above.

If coming from I-280 North, take Right exit to Manhattan Blvd.
Turn Right on Manhattan Blvd, and follow directions to Summit Street above.

Excerpted from COMO Budnar's remarks in the Fall 2007 issue of "The Navigator", page 4.

... AP members may now qualify and conduct missions in the Vessel Safety Check, Public Education (PE), and Surface Operations programs. Limits are in place that precludes them from qualifying as coxswains, pilots, aircrew and air observers. or conducting PE classes or engaging in public affairs activities on their own until receiving a "favorable" determination on their PSI submission.

AP Auxiliarists now can wear the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform, pay dues, vote on flotilla matters, and-with a waiver from their USCG Director of Auxiliary-hold elected or appointed office. AP members will not receive an Auxiliary identification card until a favorable PSI determination is received. ...

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft held their 2007 CONFLUENCE at Maumee Bay Resort and conference Center in Oregon, Ohio on November 7^th, 8^th and 9^th.

The Division Captain, Henry S. Wasilausky of Division 6 and James W. Kriner, VFC of Flotilla 1 of Division 6 along with some 277 other people were in attendance.  It is reasonable to say that the key word of the confluence was, "Wear Your Life jacket!".  That was the basic subject of all sessions.

The confluence started with basic topics of Federal and Major State Boating Regulations and Issues, Innovations in Recreational Boating Industry and Issues of Paddlesports. And the session list goes on.  i.e. Members from the Canadian Safe Boating Council, the Executive Director from the National Safe boating Council, a director from the National PFD Marine Manufacturers Association, American Red Cross, Boating Safety specialist from the Minnesota DNR, Boat US Foundation.  All discussed wearing PFD’s and some of their problems.

The attending people were Water Safety people from different Sheriffs Dept.’s, and many other Water Safety Groups including several members of different Power Squadrons and USCGAUX units.

Much information was handed out to all.  One of the better items was the DVD of Boating Safety Education Video Clip Library by ODNR.  Some of those video clips are on our division web-site.  These are available for all to use as seen fit.  Another item was "Pod-Cast" and Video-Cast that can provide Boating Safety Information to i-pods and u-tube.

As time allows, some more of the confluence information will be added to this site for your use.  Different web-sites will be included   There was too much information received in those three days to write a short summary of what was given at the confluence.

The following Boating Safety Courses will be held by Division 6 over the next few months

1. On 02 Oct 07, ALCOAST 468/07 (complete text below) was released by the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Robert Papp. It announced establishment of the Assistant Commandant for Operations (CG-ACO) in Coast Guard Headquarters effective 03 Oct 07. CG-ACO now oversees the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security, and Stewardship (CG-5) who in turn oversees the Director of Prevention Policy (CG-54). The Office of the Auxiliary ("old" CG-3PCX) and the Office of Boating Safety ("old" CG-3PCB) have been merged and are now part of the CG-54 Directorate. The immediate impacts upon these two offices follow:
1. The Office of Auxiliary ("old" CG-3PCX) has merged with the Office of Boating Safety ("old" CG-3PCB) to form the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety (CG-542). Captain Barry Smith is now the Chief of the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety (CG-542). He still functions as the Chief Director of Auxiliary, but he has also effectively taken on the duties as Chief of the Office of Boating Safety ("old" CG-3PCB).
2. The Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety consists of two Divisions - the Auxiliary Division (CG-5421) and the Boating Safety Division (CG-5422). Commander Valerian Welicka is now the Chief of the Auxiliary Division (CG-5421). He shall continue to function as the Chief Director of Auxiliary during any absence of Captain Smith. Mr. Jeff Hoedt is now the Chief of the Boating Safety Division (CG-5422).
3. The Auxiliary Division (CG-5421) consists of two Branches - the Administration Branch (CG-54211) and the Operations Branch (CG-54212). Mr. Steve Minutolo is now the Chief of the Administration Branch (CG-54211). Lieutenant Commander Kathryn Dunbar is now the Chief of the Operations Branch (CG-54212).
4. The Boating Safety Division (CG-5422) consists of three Branches - the Program Management Branch (CG-54221), the Program Operations Branch (CG-54222), and the Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch (CG-54223). The position of Chief of the Program Management Branch (CG-54221) is currently vacant. Mr. John Malatak is now the Chief of the Program Operations Branch (CG-54222). Mr. Phil Cappel is now the Chief of the Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch (CG-54223).
2. Our offices have started the transition of office designations on things like letterhead and web sites.
3. No immediate changes are foreseen for phone numbers or e-mail addresses.
4. In order to expedite the processing of Auxiliary matters, all correspondence should be addressed and mailed to:
   

   	Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard (CG-5421)
   	Coast Guard Auxiliary Division
   	2100 Second Street, S.W.
   	Washington, DC  20593-0001
   

5. In order to expedite the processing of Boating Safety matters, all correspondence should be addressed and mailed to:
   

   	Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard (CG-5422)
   	Coast Guard Boating Safety Division
   	2100 Second Street, S.W.
   	Washington, DC  20593-0001
   

6. With the exception of the National Commodore, National Vice Commodore, and the Immediate Past National Commodore, or unless it is an urgent issue, Auxiliary national leaders and Directors should direct matters of general Auxiliary business to Commander Welicka as the Chief of the Auxiliary Division (CG-5421), or the appropriate Auxiliary Branch Chief or associated staff member. Boating safety matters should be directed to Mr. Jeff Hoedt as the Chief of the Boating Safety Division (CG-5422), or the appropriate Boating Safety Branch Chief or associated staff member.

1. The Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary (CG-3PCX) receives and replies to many questions about Auxiliary policies every week. The questions come from a wide variety of sources including Congressional inquiries and letters or web queries from Auxiliary membership. To inform Auxiliarists of some of the most frequently asked questions, especially those which are not necessarily or easily found in Auxiliary manuals or Coast Guard instructions, the Office of Auxiliary has created the Auxiliary Knowledge Base.
2. Auxiliary program areas drive the Auxiliary Knowledge Base. Many of the same questions appear in multiple program areas and/or sub-sections for easy cross-reference. It enables users to e-mail articles to third parties. Built-in acronym definitions provide an easy understanding of subject matter.
3. The Auxiliary Knowledge Base permits user feedback by employing a built-in question rating system. This allows users to provide feedback and comments on specific questions. The Office of Auxiliary will not directly reply to feedback or comments, but it will consider them in order to revise, update, or add to the Auxiliary Knowledge Base. The most efficient and effective way for an Auxiliarist to get an answer to a policy question, particularly when it is regionally specific, remains through the Auxiliarist's chain of leadership and management.
4. The Auxiliary Knowledge Base is a dynamic and comprehensive reference tool. Accordingly, Q&A proposals may be submitted from Auxiliary regions to the Auxiliary Knowledge Base staff through the respective Director of Auxiliary. The Office of Auxiliary will conduct final review and approval of appropriate proposals.
5. The Auxiliary Knowledge Base is located at http://kb.cgaux.info. It can be accessed directly through its title button at the top of the Chief Director's web site, http://www.cgaux.info/g_ocx/.

As waterfront land values skyrocket and condominiums sprout on nearly every acre of waterfront property, recreational boaters are losing more and more access to the water with every passing day. To spotlight the problem and to recognize those who are helping turn the tide, BoatU.S. has launched a national Recreational Boating Access Award. But time is running out - the deadline to enter is February 1, 2007.

The BoatU.S. Recreational Boating Access Award will honor an individual, group, government body, business or non-profit organization that has succeeded in preserving or improving public waterway access. Judges will look at four criteria:

1. the challenges faced in retaining or increasing access in an area;
2. the direct impact or measurable results of the solution;
3. the level of success in increasing awareness of the issue in a community;
4. and "repeatability," the ability to take the successful approach and adopt it in other areas.

Examples of solutions could include creative public/private partnerships, changes in land use planning or permitting processes, tax incentives, legislation or public ballots, publicity or public education. Eligible activities include those undertaken in the last three years.

On 17 August 2006, we lost two of our shipmates assigned to CGC HEALY, LT Jessica Hill and BM2 Steven Duque, in a tragic diving accident in the Arctic. There are valuable lessons to be learned by all of us regarding leadership, risk management, training and program oversight that apply to all Coast Guard operations. Therefore, I am directing all personnel to read my entire report.

Added by SO-CS: Anyone unable to access the report or needing a hard copy, contact me. The full Coast Guard report is >50 pages and Admiral Allen's report is several pages.

On May 25, 2006, at the Commandants Change Of Command Ceremony, President Bush presented the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) to the U.S. Coast Guard for meritorious achievement and outstanding performance in action from August 29 To September 13, 2005, in preparation for, and response and recovery to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Since the response to Katrina was an all-hands effort, all CG Active Duty, Reserve, Auxiliary, and Civilian personnel who were affiliated with the Coast Guard at any time during the period (29 August 2005 - 13 September 2005) are eligible for the award.

There is no individual citation to accompany the award. Individuals desiring a copy of the award citation to the Coast Guard will find it on the Coast Guard medals and awards web site at http://www.uscg.mil/HQ/g-w/g-wp/g-wpm/g-wpm-1/g-wpm-3/medalsandawards.htm.

A graphic of the completed award demonstrating proper placement of the hurricane device is available at the same web site.
Added by SO-CS: Here is a picture of the ribbon. It is a Presidential Unit Citation and worn ahead of the CG Unit Citation.

Shipment of the new ribbon should begin within a month.

Boaters Must Not Operate 121.5/243 MHZ Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) after December 31, 2006

WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard Auxiliary is joining with the United States Coast Guard to remind all boaters that beginning January 1, 2007, both 121.5 and 243 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are prohibited from use in both commercial and recreational watercraft. Boaters wishing to have an emergency rescue beacon aboard their vessel must have a digital 406 MHz model.

The January 1, 2007, date to stop using 121.5 MHz EPIRBs is in preparation for February 1, 2009, when satellite processing of distress signals from all 121.5/243 MHz beacons will terminate. Following this termination date, only the 406 MHz beacons will be detected by the International Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System which provides distress alert and location data for search and rescue operations around the world.

The regulation applies to all Class A, B, and S 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs. It does not affect 121.5/243 MHz man overboard devices which are designed to work directly with a base alerting unit only and not with the satellite system.

This change, in large part, was brought about by the unreliability of the 121.5/243 MHz beacons in an emergency situation. Data reveals that with a 121.5 MHz beacon, only one alert out of every 50 is a genuine distress situation. This has a significant effect on expending the limited resources of search and rescue personnel and platforms. With 406 MHz beacons, false alerts have been reduced significantly, and, when properly registered, can usually be resolved with a telephone call to the beacon owner. Consequently, real alerts can receive the attention they deserve.

When a 406 MHz beacon signal is received, search and rescue personnel can retrieve information from a registration database. This includes the beacon owner's contact information, emergency contact information, and vessel/aircraft identifying characteristics. Having this information allows the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, or other rescue personnel, to respond appropriately.

In the U.S., users are required by law to directly register their beacon in the U.S. 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database at: http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ or by calling 1-888-212-SAVE. Other users can register their beacon in their country's national beacon registration database or, if no national database is available, in the International Beacon Registration Database at https://www.406registration.com/.

The United States Coast Guard is the lead agency for coordinating national maritime search and rescue policy and is responsible for providing search and rescue services on, under and over assigned international waters and waters subject to United States jurisdiction.