FLOTILLA 33 #1 IN DIVISION 3 & DISTRICT 5 SOUTHERN REGION FOR 2009



Flotilla 33 and members received awards at the 2010 Division 3 Change of Watch at Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club on Saturday January 16. (L to R): Jim Thomas, Coxswain of the Year & Public Affairs Awards; Frans Kasteel, Auxiliarist of the Year & Marine Safety Awards; Brian McArdle, Boat Crew of the Year, Recreational Boating Safety, & Program Visitor Awards; Wally Dawson, Flotilla 33 Commander, Flotilla of the Year 1st Place Award. During 2009 Flotilla 33 members contributed over 20,000 hours to the Coast Guard & recreational boating public.





MEC Richard Gonzalez, Executive Officer at Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, delivered a Bravo Zulu (well done) message to Division 3 members for contributing over 55,000 hours during 2009. MEC Gonzalez represented CAPT John Little, Deputy Commander Sector Hampton Roads.

FLOTILLA 33 MEMBER DAVID POPE & WIFE CHARMAINE CONDUCT RESCUE ON 05MAR10 WHILE SAILING IN THE BAHAMAS

Photo of "Dream Catcher" on the Rappahannock River.

David Pope, a member of United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33 in Kilmarnock, recently used his Auxiliary training and knowledge to perform a rescue at sea and save a fellow sailor’s life.

On March 5th, after leaving Cave Cay Marina in Exuma, Bahamas, and about 15 miles from George Town, Great Exuma, David overhead a panicky distress radio call from the sailing vessel  “Lady Hawk” requesting assistance because the Captain fell overboard.  The caller, the captain’s wife, now alone on the sailboat in 6 foot seas was pulling away from her husband because she could not get the sails down.  To make matters worse, the Captain did not have on a life jacket!

 David and his wife Charmine were able to locate the man overboard. “Charmaine continued to point to him and maintain eye contact until we got close.” They were then able to rescue the Captain with some difficult maneuvering due to the poor wind & sea conditions. “The Captain was exhausted from being in the rough seas for over 30 minutes, so it took several attempts to get the sailor on board,” commented David.

The next thing we had to do was get “Lady Hawk” under control. Instructions were given on how to get the sail down and engage the autopilot. After resting, the Captain donned a life jacket, and with a line around him he was able to transfer to the trailing dingy and pulled onto his sailboat. After following the “Lady Hawk” into George Town Harbor, David and Charmine enjoyed a dinner together with the Captain and his wife.

“It was very lucky that we were close by and David is such an experienced sailor,” said Charmine. “Also his Search & Rescue training with Flotilla 33 was a huge benefit.  Otherwise, the results could have been much different.”

In reviewing the day’s events during dinner, a number of actions were discussed. “There are some important points of information learned from this rescue,” said Pope. “The Captain’s wife had taken some basic sailing lessons and knew to immediately hit the ‘Man Overboard’ button on the GPS, use the marine radio to call for help, and to not take her eyes off of him. 

“I recommended that all people on any boat be able to handle the helm in case someone falls overboard, especially a couple sailing alone,” continued David. "In talking about the event, we learned that the Captain fell overboard trying to adjust his dingy that was getting beaten about due to sea conditions. The fact that he was not wearing a life jacket was just dangerous.”

Luckily all ended well. David Pope’s experience in sailing and his search & rescue and man overboard training and experience with Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33 allowed him to keep a cool head, affect a difficult rescue, and saved this from becoming a tragedy at sea.

Bravo Zulu Dave & Charmaine!

It was a quiet December day on the Rappahannock with calm seas and little wind.  One lone recreational boat was out on the water towing another disabled boat to a marina. Then Coast Guard Station Milford Haven received a call from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Office that a boater had become ill and was unable to continue his voyage.

 Station Milford Haven immediately diverted CG 25837 and requested assistance from Coast Guard Auxiliary 27137 on the Corrotoman River. Both boats arrived on scene at approximately 10:18 and the victim was transported to the closest point to meet personnel from the Lancaster County EMS. The initial assessment was carbon monoxide poisoning.

 It took a great cooperative effort between the Lancaster Sheriff’s Office, Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Lancaster County EMS, to get the victim ashore and on the way to the Rappahannock General Hospital Emergency Room for treatment.

 For this effort the Coast Guard and Auxiliary team that executed the Emergency Medical Evacuation (MEDVAC) were awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation by RADM Wayne Justice, Commander 5^th Coast Guard District and CAPT Mark Ogle, Commander Sector Hampton Roads, at a ceremony at Coast Guard Station Milford Haven on Monday January 11^th.

 Coast Guard personnel receiving the commendation were: BMC Matthew T. Welsh, Officer in Charge and coxswain of CG 25837; MEC Richard J. Gonzalez, Executive Petty Officer and Officer of the Day; MK1 Jeremiah C. Gray and BM2 Matthew S. Cade, crew aboard CG 25837. Coast Guard Auxiliarists receiving the commendation were Amy B. Thomas, coxswain of AUX 27137; James E. Thomas, crew aboard AUX 27137; Joseph J. Safranek, watchstander.

 During the ceremony Master Chief James G. Labarre, Sector Hampton Roads, commented “the teamwork, professionalism, and dedication of the Coast Guard and Auxiliary in executing this case is a great example of the concept of Team Coast Guard.”  RADM Justice & CAPT Ogle were both very pleased with the cooperative effort and that a life was saved, personally thanking each member of the team.

 “We got there just in time,” commented Chief Welsh, “Through no fault of his own, the boat operator was overcome with carbon monoxide.  Luckily he had enough experience and knowledge of boating to recognize that he was in trouble and contacted people for assistance.”

 At the Flotilla 33 meeting later that evening, Flotilla Commander Wally Dawson added “our members conduct so many training exercises with the Coast Guard so that we are ready when a need arises. This is a prime example of how a few minutes can make a difference.”

Boaters are advised to closely watch for the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can onset suddenly without warning, and cause headaches, nausea, and severe disorientation. The symptoms can actually mimic sea-sickness.

For detailed information on carbon monoxide poisoning visit the Coast Guard website http://www.uscgboating.org/. Click on the Safety tab, then Carbon Monoxide.

AIDS TO NAVIGATION TEAM MILFORD HAVEN RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS KIMBALL READINESS AWARD

RADM Wayne Justice (R) presents the Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award to BMC Benjamin Brown, Officer In Charge of the Aids To Navigation Team Milford Haven

ANT Team with the Kimball Award plaque and pennant. Presented by RADM Wayne Justice (2nd from R) and Master Chief James Labarre (Far R).

The Sumner I. Kimball Award recognizes the achievement of high readiness of shore unit boats and personnel through an inspection of vessel conditions and survival systems, performance of underway drills and examination of unit training programs. Station crewmembers undergo an intense evaluation by an independent Coast Guard Standardization Team to measure the units ability to carry out its various missions. While the Coast Guard maintains a high readiness posture, only 10 percent of shore-based boat force units earn the Kimball Award each year.

Kimball was the General Superintendent of the Revenue Marine Bureau from 1871 to 1878, which evolved into the U.S. Life Saving Service, a predecessor to the modern day Coast Guard. Kimball is credited for putting the service on the road to professionalism by defining and heavily enforcing the fundamentals of training and equipment.

COAST GUARD & FLOTILLA 33 RESPOND TO MEDICAL EMERGENCY ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER

At 9:32 am on Tuesday December 15, Coast Guard Station Milford Haven received a call from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Office regarding a medical situation on a boat on the Rappahannock River. A boater had called family to report that he had suddenly become ill, disoriented, and could no longer operate his vessel.

Coast Guard Station Milford Haven immediately launched CG 25837 and requested assistance from Coast Guard Auxiliary 27137 on the Corrotoman River. Both boats arrived on scene at approximately 10:18 and the victim was transported to the closest point to meet personnel from the Lancaster County EMS.

It took a great cooperative effort between the Lancaster Sheriff’s Office, Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Lancaster County EMS, to get the victim ashore and on the way to the Rappahannock General Hospital Emergency Room for treatment. The initial assessment was carbon monoxide poisoning.

Boaters are advised to closely watch for the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can onset suddenly without warning, and cause headaches, nausea, and severe disorientation. The symptoms can actually mimic sea sickness.

For detailed information on carbon monoxide poisoning visit the Coast Guard website http://www.uscgboating.org/. Click on the Safety tab, then Carbon Monoxide.

BMC Matthew Welsh, Officer In Charge Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, aboard CG 25837 after delivering carbon monoxide victim to the Lancaster County EMS.

FLOTILLA 33 MEMBERS PRESENTED COAST GUARD AWARD OF OPERATIONAL MERIT

 Receiving the Award of Operational Merit L to R: David Pope, Brian McArdle, Albert DeJean, District Commodore (presenting), Amy Thomas and Coxswain Jim Thomas

The Award of Operational Merit Was Originally Presented At The District 5SR Fall Conference In Norfolk VA. L to R:  Albert DeJean, District Commodore (presenting),  Amy Thomas and Jim Thomas, and ADM Sally Brice-O'Hara (presenting)

It was a hot humid summer night.  A facility from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33 was bringing in a boat that had been taking on water.  Auxiliary crew members were using a hand-held pump trying to keep the boat float.  In an hour long struggle, the crew was able to keep the rising water to slow pace, enough to get the boat to a dock where four electrical pumps took over and prevented the boat from sinking.

 “In another ten minutes, I think we would have lost the boat,” commented Jim Thomas, Coxswain.  “Our Auxiliary Team did a great job in saving the boat, eliminating a hazard to navigation and environmental damage.  More importantly, we were able to avoid a Search and Rescue Operation at night in the Rappahannock for a person in the water.”

For their efforts the Coxswain and Crew received the United States Coast Guard Award of Operation Merit issued by Captain M.S. Ogle, Commander Sector Hampton Roads.

 “The boater was lucky that we had one of our teams on patrol in the area,” commented Wally Dawson, Flotilla Commander.  “All of our Coxswains and Crew volunteer many hours to training for situations like this and are ready to react to a call from the Coast Guard whether we are already out on patrol or at home.”

FLOTILLA 33 HOSTS COAST GUARD OFFICERS FROM THE CG COMMAND CENTER SCHOOL AT TRACEN YORKTOWN

On Tuesday November 10, Flotilla 33 provided a tour of the Rappahannock, Corrotoman & Piankitank Rivers to LCDR Kelly Hall & LT Michael Anderson, Chief & Executive Officer of the Command Center School at TRACEN Yorktown. Included in the tour was a stop at Coast Guard Station Milford Haven.

L TO R: Brian McArdle, Jim Thomas, LCDR Kelly Hall, LT Michael Anderson, Wally Dawson, & Don Gallagher Aboard AUX 27137

L TO R: Brian McArdle, Wally Dawson, & LT Michael Anderson Aboard AUX 27137 On The Rappahannock River

LCDR Kelly Hall At The Helm Of AUX 27137

LT Michael Anderson Takes His Turn At The Helm

L TO R: LT Michael Anderson, BMC Matthew Welsh, Officer In Charge Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, and LCDR Kelly Hall At Station Milford Haven

L TO R: Jim Thomas, Don Gallagher, Brian McArdle, LT Michael Anderson, LCDR Kelly Hall, Wally Dawson, Get A Tour Of Coast Guard Station Milford Haven From BMC Matthew Welsh (Far R)

FLOTILLA 33 PROVIDES MANPOWER AND MARINE SAFETY PATROLS FOR THE URBANNA OYSTER FESTIVAL  FRIDAY & SATURDAY NOVEMBER 06 & 07

L TO R: Brian McArdle, Sam Conge, Coastie, Pat Hogan, & Don Gallagher At The Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Booth

L TO R: Rick Cook, Jim Thomas, Don Gallagher, & Wally Dawson Aboard AUX 27137.

FLOTILLA 33 ASSISTS COAST GUARD STATION MILFORD HAVEN WITH 4 OPERATIONAL FACILITIES, COXSWAINS, & CREW PROVIDING TURKEY SHOOT REGATTA PATROLS ON SAT & SUN OCT 10 & 11

Regatta Patrols are requested by Sector Hampton Roads and Station Milford Haven to provide a safe environment for the race participants and to stand by in case of emergency.

Several Of The More Than 130 Sailboats Participating In This Years's Regatta (Norris Bridge In Background)

With Beautiful Weather On Sunday There Were Lot's Of Spectators. These Kid's Earned An Auxiliary T-Shirt Stencil For Wearing Their Life Jacket's. Thanks To Mom & Dad For Boating Safely

Coast Guard Station Milford Haven Patrol During The Turkey Shoot Regatta

Flotilla 33 Operational Facility 25598 Off Orchard Point During The Regatta

Flotilla 33 Operational Facility 22006 At The Mouth Of The Corrotoman River During The Regatta

Flotilla 33 Operational Facility 24567 At the Mouth Of Urbanna Creek During The Regatta

Flotilla 33 Operational Facility 27137 Near Rappahannock "8" (Near The Western Race Buoy) During The Regatta

Flotilla 33 Operational Facility 27137 Provides Assistance To A Disabled 33' Sailboat After The Turkey Shoot Regatta.

USCG KENNEBEC VISITS AREA TO REPLACE CORROTOMAN RIVER "7"

Corrotoman River "7" was destroyed during a violent thunderstorm on Sunday July 12, 2009. A Flotilla 33 Operational Facility assisting CG Station Milford Haven with post-storm missions discovered and reported "7" discrepant to the Aids To Navigation Team (ANT) Milford Haven. A temporary "wreck" buoy was installed by the ANT Team on Monday July 13, which remained in place until the Kennebec could schedule a trip to the area on Saturday & Sunday September 5 & 6.

Flotilla 33 Provides Assistance To Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown

Flotilla 33 responded to a request for assistance by the Coast Guard Command Center Training Program at Training Center Yorktown.  Members role played boaters in distress helping train CG Officers to work in Coast Guard Command Centers.

L to R: LCDR Kelly Hall, Officer In Charge Command Center School, instructs Flotilla 33 members Frans Kasteel (seated), John Texter, & Sam Conge. Not pictured were Don Gallagher, Brian McArdle, and Jim Wroth.

REAR ADMIRAL WAYNE JUSTICE, COMMANDER 5TH COAST GUARD DISTRICT VISITS CG STATION MILFORD HAVEN

During a recent visit to Coast Guard to Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, RADM Wayne Justice, Commander 5th Coast Guard District, visited with Flotilla 33 members. RADM Justice spoke of a dramatic increase in boating accidents and fatalities. He stressed the importance of the Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Programs in educating boaters.

L to R: Flotilla 33 members Roy Sheppard, Don Gallagher, Andy Ernst, Brian McArdle, RADM Justice, Amy Thomas, John Mill, WAlly Dawson, & Jim Thomas

Flotilla 33 Members Provide Search & Rescue Standby For Coast Guard Station Milford Haven

Flotilla 33 members & 2 Operational Facilities provide B-0 Search & Rescue standby for Coast Guard Station Milford Haven over Labor Day Weekend. During the time the Auxiliary had primary SAR, active station personnel were able to focus on other duties.

Flotilla 33 members L to R in the CG Station Milford Haven communications room: Wally Dawson, Ian Duncan, Dave Herndon, David Pope, Amy Thomas, John Mill (seated) Don Gallagher, Frans Kasteel, Bruce Blanchard (seated - Flotilla 31), and Jim Thomas.   

IT’S ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK

FLOTILLA 33 ASSISTS COAST GUARD IN RESCUING SINKING 37' SAILBOAT

It has been a quiet day for SN Juan Garcia, watchstander at United States Coast Guard Station Milford Haven in Hudgins, Virginia.  Then a call comes in over VHF Channel 16.  “We need assistance, we are taking on water,” states the voice on the other end of the radio. 

Quickly he activates the SAR alarm, then briefs BM2 Patrick Howerton, Officer of the Day.  While the duty crew is getting Coast Guard 25779 launched and underway, SN Garcia continues to collect the details; position, type of boat, how many people on board, any medical problems, and advises the 3 persons onboard to don life jackets.  He also knows Coast Guard Auxiliary boat 27137 is on patrol in the Rappahannock River near the Norris Bridge and radios them to proceed to the location in the Chesapeake Bay.

Upon arrival at the sinking 37’ sailboat, two Coast Guard crewmen immediately boarded the sinking boat and started a de-watering pump. Then CG 25779 took the sailboat in stern tow and headed for Broad Creek off the Rappahannock River.  “It was getting very serious,” commented BM3 Matthew Preston.  “Although we got the pump working right away, it could not keep up with the water coming in around the shaft.”  Being below decks with water rushing in is not an ideal place to be.  However, good training and a cool head allowed MK2 Jamison Smith to come up with a solution to save the boat from sinking.  Using some loose line, he wrapped a piece around the shaft where it went through the hull, started the engine, and pulsed the motor into gear.  It worked!  The rope sealed the leak around the shaft enough to slow the rate of water coming in. But there was still limited time to get the boat out of the water. 

“Now we had the problem of getting a sailboat into a safe haven, through a very narrow channel with 2 to 3 foot waves and 15 to 20 knot winds,” said BM1 Richard Gonzalez, Coxswain of CG 25779 and Executive Officer of Station Milford Haven.  “Luckily, AUX 27137 had arrived on scene and was standing by to assist. Due to the height of the deck and the slope of the hull I decided AUX 27137 would be better to handle the large sailboat in a side tow.  Since we do a lot of training with this particular boat and crew, I knew they were up to Coast Guard rescue standards and would be able to handle the tow.”

AUX 27137 moved into position to take the sailing vessel into alongside tow with Jim Thomas, coxswain, at the helm. Crew members Don Gallagher, Brian McCardle, and Amy Thomas prepared lines and fenders, then secured the alongside tow. CG 25779 escorted the now side by side boats through the narrow entrance channel, into the harbor, to the marina and directly into the travel lift. “The wind and seas were a significant factor,” said Jim Thomas.  “It was a difficult passage, but being familiar with the entrance, training with the Coast Guard, experience with other rescues, and with the Coast Guard clearing the channel and harbor all helped us in bringing the sailboat safely into a marina where it was immediately put on a travel lift and out of the water for repairs.”

“The sailboat was 4 to 5 miles away from Broad Creek, just starting a week long trip around the bay,” commented MK3 Poplin, a member of the Coast Guard rescue team.  “Although it was unfortunate that the stuffing box failed, luckily they were not further out in the bay where it would have taken longer to reach them.”  From the time the alarm went off at Station Milford Haven, it was only about twenty minutes until the Coast Guard and Auxiliary boats were on scene.  Any longer and it may have been too late to save the boat.

“The Coast Guard and Auxiliary crews really worked well as a team,” said BMC Matthew Welsh, Officer in Charge at Station Milford Haven.  “It was very comforting to the people on the distressed boat to see professional, competent people working for Team Coast Guard.”