THE BINNACLE Volume 15, Issue 1

Flotilla 16-7 Manasquan Inlet, NJ

December 2013/January 2014

Division 16 & Flotilla 16-7 - Change of Watch Ceremonies

Paul C. Harren, FC

IN THIS ISSUE 

Events Calendar

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Caroling at USCG Station Manasquan Inlet, 17 December 2013

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Commander’s Letter

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Girl Scouts Presentation: 06 December 2013

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Flotilla BusinessMeetings: 09 December 2013 COW; 15 January 2014

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Division 16 COW, 01 December 2013

The Division COW was held at Crystal Point Yacht Club on 01 December 2013. The venue for our flotilla ceremonies was the Forte Restaurant on 09 December 2013. Both locations are in Point Pleasant Boro. Photos courtesy GAIL & PAUL HARREN; BETSY BAUER, Editor

Betsy Bauer, FSO-PB 1316 W. Magnolia Ave. Sea Girt, NJ 08750 The “Binnacle” is an official information and educational tool for the Coast Guard Auxiliary and is intended as a training vehicle and publication to keep its members and the Coast Guard apprised of activities within the flo-

732-974-2779 (Home) 732-996-8873 (Cell) [email protected] tilla. Accordingly, all articles published must be consistent with the stated policies of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Flotilla 16-7. All articles must be submitted by the 22nd day of the month prior to publication.

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WARNING-all information is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. Not to be released outside the USCG or Auxiliary. Criminal and/or civil penalties may result from prohibited distribution.

Calendar of Events 04 FEBRUARY 2014, Tuesday, Division 16 Meeting, Sail Loft, USCG Station Manasquan Inlet, 1930 05 FEBRUARY 2014, Wednesday, Flotilla Training Meeting, Sail Loft, USCG Station Manasquan Inlet, 1930 19 FEBRUARY 2014, Wednesday, Flotilla Business Meeting, Harpoon Willy’s, 2655 River Rd., Wall, 2nd fl, 1930 04 MARCH 2014, Tuesday, Division 16 Meeting, Sail Loft, USCG Station Manasquan Inlet, 1930 05 MARCH 2014, Wednesday, Flotilla Training Meeting, Sail Loft, USCG Station Manasquan Inlet, 1930 19 MARCH 2014, Wednesday, Flotilla Business Meeting, Sail Loft, USCG Station Manasquan Inlet, 1930 USCGAUX 5NR District Training - 2014 Spring Conference: March 14th - 16th; The Inn at Reading Hotel & Conference Center, 1040 N Park Rd., Wyomissing, PA, 19610. Conference deadline to register: 28 February 2014 PE Schedule: USCG Station Manasquan Inlet, Boat House: ABS: Saturday, 2/22/14

Caroling at USCG Station Manasquan Inlet 17 December 2013 Our Flotilla conducted an encore to last year’s performance of caroling and cheer for the young women and men stationed at our home station. Although more comedy than talent (except for Jack Witemeyer & Bob Witham, who can actually sing), we all enjoyed the visit in the station mess hall. Many of the stations Coasties participated and shared in the cheer. Plus, several of our members brought their home made delicacies; noteworthy were Bill Castagno’s medley of truly original cookies and Patty Witham’s famous brownies. What we lacked in musical talent was compensated for in wit and good humor. We extended our thanks to the enlistees for their devotion and hard work. And we all appreciate John Fisher for organizing the event, this having been the fourth, and playing MC. He does it with flair! BETSY BAUER, Editor

End Note: John Fisher, in a post-caroling email, expressing his appreciation: My Shipmates, I called and you answered and you sounded wonderful!! Thank you so much for spreading the joy of the Christmas Season to our "kids" at the Station. And kids they are - the two young ladies are just seamen. Many of those familiar faces we have come to know have been rotated out, so we have a lot of work to do to let the newbies understand that we are here for them. Merry Christmas to everyone and may the new year bring you good health, fair winds, and following seas. All my best, John 2

Commander’s Letter I extend a very Happy New Year to all shipmates and a sincere wish for good health and happiness in the months to come. Although we are still at the beginning of the New Year and have the months of winter yet before us, the Staff Officers are already engaged in planning the Flotilla activities for 2014. Our Public Education program will include our Boater Safety Program as well as the introduction this year to the Suddenly in Command course. This course is intended to reach out to spouses, families, and friends who enjoy being passengers on a boat but have no or little desire to be in command. However, that day could come when they are needed to be in charge and need to have the basic information on how to respond to that emergency. We are also in the final stages of developing a course at a higher level than our ABS. This is intended for those boat operators who want to advance their knowledge of vessel handling beyond what is introduced in the ABS. To further advance our mission of maritime safety, we will be aggressively going out to the local marinas and providing vessel examinations. Coupled with this will be our need to provide public information that will enhance boaters understanding of on-water safety and environmental considerations along our waterways. For those members of the Flotilla who are at present qualified as Boat Crew and Coxswain, positive planning is taking place to increase our proficiency in both of these areas. Through a plan proposed by BM2 Christopher Henry, Operations Officer for Station Manasquan, a series of training meetings will be conducted by Station personnel for members of Division 16. The objective for this program is to increase our mission proficiency so that we can effectively respond to any emergencies that might occur while on patrol. The expectation of the Station Operations is to assign first response for certain instances to an Auxiliary facility if there is one available in the area. With this in mind, it is important that we do joint training with Station personnel so that the expected level of response and efficiency is assured on our Auxiliary vessels. For those of you who have not been very active over the past years, this would be a fine time for you to become more active with the wide array of activities that are available to you. I thank those shipmates who have remained active. I wish you pleasant and safe seas as we approach our 2014 patrol season.

Semper Paratus Paul Harren, FC

Girl Scouts Presentation - “Emergencies on the Water” On the evening of Friday, 06 December 2013, members Bill Castagno and John Fisher made a presentation on “Emergencies on the Water” to a group of 9 Senior Girl Scouts and their leaders at the Lakewood Middle School. Topics included man overboard, fatigue, dehydration, injuries from wakes and waves, hypothermia, heat problems, burns, and heart attacks and strokes. The girls were very attentive and thankful for our presentation. The Girl Scouts Motto and Girl Scouts Pledge offer a brief overview of the Girl Scouts mission and hopes for our future women. Contributors: JOHN FISHER, MARJORIE IGNOZZA

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Flotilla Business Meeting & Change of Watch 09 December 2013 Our Flotilla’s Holiday Change of Watch was held at the Forte Restaurant in Pt. Pleasant. Fellowship was the paramount goal for this occasion and we fulfilled the mission perfectly. The atmosphere, food, camaraderie and presentations rounded out a very enjoyable evening. Awards preceded the COW, with proclamations & awards going to: John Fisher from the Department of Homeland Security for 10 years of service; Bill Castagno for 882 hours of sustained service in 10 years and John Ignozza for the most Member Training hours in Division 16. The Flotilla Auxiliarist of the Year went to Bill Castagno, in recognition for all his hours involved in VE, NS and updates distributed to the membership throughout the year. Following the awards presentation, the flotilla staff officers were recognized with Certificates of Appreciation for their dedicated service performed during the year 2013. The finale came with the 2014 officers taking their oath of office. Thanks and congratulations were extended to all, especially considering a very challenging year for boaters and Auxiliarists. Flotilla 7 rose to the occasion and proved to be most successful! Photos courtesy of: BETSY BAUER, Editor; GAIL & PAUL HARREN

Additional Photos bottom of page 5

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Flotilla Business Meeting 15 January 2014 Our January meeting brought us back to the USCG Station Manasquan Inlet Boat House. The membership turnout was impressive, considering our many snowbirds are enjoying more favorable climates. Three members took their Oath of Office for serving in 2014: Mike Mahoney, Alice Schroth and Bruce Haydu. Bill Castagno was presented his Flotilla Auxiliarist of the Year 2013 plaque. Other highlights included the attendance and participation of BM2 Christopher Henry, Operations Officer for Station Manasquan Inlet and a special Birthday Cake for our esteemed member, Jack Witemeyer – noting a milestone birthday that occurred last October. BETSY BAUER, Editor

Flotilla Business Meeting & Change of Watch - 09 December 2013 - continued Photos courtesy GAIL & PAUL HARREN

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Division 16 Change of Watch Crystal Point Yacht Club, Pt. Pleasant 01 December 2013 Our Flotilla 7 was well represented at this years COW, with several members recognized as recipients of Division Awards. After the swearing in of FC Paul Harren and VFC Glenn Delmonico, Bill Castagno was sworn in as SO-VE. Charmaine Stires was presented her Coxswain Certificate by CAPT Kathy Moore, USCG Commanding Officer, Sector Delaware Bay. FC Paul Harren accepted an award for John Ignozza, recognizing his 26 ½ hours of MT. Paul was one of seven Extra Fathom Award recipients, noted for his extraordinary time and effort in supporting the USCGA and AUX during a difficult, post Sandy, year. The Silver and Gold enjoyed the food, camaraderie and venue and look forward to another successful year for Division 16. Betsy Bauer, Editor

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