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The Charlevoix Flotilla, Glen Stolt FC, and Coast Guard Station Charlevoix sponsored the 2023 annual Boat School from June 9th through June 11th, 2023. The goal of Boat School is to get Crew and Coxswains with their PQS complete, qualified by a QE check ride. And those working toward these goals, advanced. It was a great success. About 40 total USCG Auxiliary members attended from Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, and throughout Michigan. Seven Flotillas in attendance were from District 91, Division 26, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 30.
The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) participated again this year with 4 members and their facility “Kracken”. CCGA has sent a team every year since 2017. Working with the CCGA has been a bonus to both Auxiliaries. They are well equipped and very experienced with SAR. So, the information and techniques shared are interesting and valuable. The CCGA is the search and rescue for Canada – they regularly search forests for missing persons, go to the lakes to rescue mariners, they have well equipped facilities with tools to do their missions efficiently. During the Boat School patrols and fellowship time many real situations and solutions are shared with USCG Aux members. The Charlevoix Boat School offers a concise program to get their new members “immediately useful” by having such a broad spectrum of training in one weekend. The CCGA is a welcome always at our event and we have started conversation about working with them in Sault St. Marie.
The weekend starts on Friday about noon with lunch, orientation and safety briefing then Qualified Examiner checked rides on Friday and Saturday for those who were ready. All have daily Surface Training surface scenarios that will exercise the skill qualifications for Coxswain, Crew, and Trainees. Navigation, night operations, towing, anchoring, SAR patterns, 2 boat scenarios, knots, heaving line, firefighting and more are all offered. One scenario involved Aux Air Search and Rescue (SAR) missions utilizing a Traverse City Flotilla aircraft. The exercise involved locating a lost kayak and a person in the water and then directing a surface units for their recovery. Auxiliarists also spent time at the station performing refresher classroom training in SAR, Navigation, and Communications. Completing all the scenarios will also complete your annual currency requirements. Sunday is a backup day if weather does not cooperate or a travel day for our out of town guests. If you participate in all Boat School offers, you can complete your on water CRW/CX training sign offs!
This year’s addition was to include AUXCOM. Their Mobile Command Communication Trailer handled the event comms and advanced Aux members seeking TCO qualifications! Dave Montgomery, operated the Traverse City Mobile Command Communications trailer and qualified two members in Auxiliary Communication and advancing trainees. The trailer assumed all communication watch standing for Coast Guard Station Charlevoix over a 48-hour period. This initiative provided both real-world training for Auxiliary members and much needed-relief for Active Duty watch standers at Coast Guard Station Charlevoix. The communication trailer was acquired two years ago by a group of flotilla members and fitted with various radios to handle all communications. The mobile facility has operated at the Coast Guard Traverse City Air Station for air and surface operations during SAR training and training exercises in Elk Rapids, Michigan.
Boat School utilized six surface facilities from four Flotillas, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Upper Great Lakes, and one boat from the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, which has been actively involved for over five years. The facilities allowed for many additional towing evolutions, SAR training exercises, flotilla aviation support from the Traverse City Air Station, maritime training, and numerous crew overboard drills throughout the training weekend. In addition to all the extensive daytime training, Coxswains performed night operations to qualify crew and coxswain for their nighttime qualifications.
Auxiliary Culinary Assistants prepared over 200 meals in Station Charlevoix's galley. Lynda Stolt, Deb and Robert Kerr, and COMO Sue Thurlow cooked delicious foods and desserts for Coast Guard Active Duty, Reserve, Coast Guard Academy Cadets and Auxiliary members in attendance.
Charlevoix's 2023 boat school was another great success, with eight new Coxswains and Crewmembers and the requalification of seven previously qualified Crewmembers. Most Divisions and flotillas from District 91, Ninth Central, look forward to this annual program in Charlevoix, Michigan, pulled together throughout the year by Charlevoix Flotilla 26-02. The program’s training is always excellent; the fellowship and friendships created last a lifetime.
Planning has already begun for the 2024 Charlevoix Boat School. Again, seats will be limited to 50 and we will be looking for facilities that can trailer in. The primary mission of Charlevoix Boat School is to keep 091-26 OPS qualified but, all the extra seats are open to ALL AUX. Everyone should try attending; it is a fun and resourceful weekend.
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Dick Lavanture Flotilla Commander 261 Traverse City, Michigan and Glen Stolt, Flotilla Commander 262 Charlevoix, Michigan
CHARLEVOIX, MICH - Active duty and Auxiliary crews prepare to leave U.S. Coast Guard Station Charlevoix for two boat training on Lake Michigan. Photo by Marcus Calo
U.S. Coast Guard Station Charlevoix.
Auxiliary members, Mike English, Dick Lavanture, Sue Carter practice towing.
Bottom Right Photo: Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary members with U.S. Coast Auxiliary member Marcus Calo.
Christian Sandvig, Flotilla 185, Seven Detroit, and a Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary member rescue Oscar during a search and rescue exercise. Auxiliary Photo by Chris Haley
Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members training together. Left to Right: Mike Walz, Canadian Auxiliarist, and Marcus Calo, Flotila Twelve Detroit.
Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel, Krakus. USCG Auxiliary Photo by Chris Haley
Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel, Krakus. USCG AuxiliaryPhoto by Richard Borth.
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By John Saran, Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist 1, District Captain — Area East,
Ninth Coast Guard District Auxiliary (District 9WR)
What does an icebreaking tug do on the Great Lakes during the summer after six months of icebreaking operations? Sailing races, festivals, cadet training, and visiting world class cities, of course (in addition to supporting the Coast Guard’s law enforcement and search and rescue missions).
It is no wonder that over the summer, the decks of the Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay (WTGB-101) are filled with visiting Sentinels from across the country. How could they pass up the chance to experience Chicago in July, with the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac or the fanfare and festivities of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week?
On July 16, the Katmai Bay arrived at Chicago’s Navy Pier for nearly a week of liberty and events supporting the 2023 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac.
Prior to the race weekend, the cutter’s commanding officer, Lt. Michael Overstreet, and crewmembers attended the Warning Gun Party at the Chicago Yacht Club. Overstreet received a race pennant signed by this year’s racing captains as a show of appreciation from the Mackinac Committee and the Chicago maritime community for the Coast Guard’s support of the event.
The following day, Overstreet took part in the skippers’ meetings to augment the planning for the event, reinforce emergency procedures and answer any questions from the sailors.
As the cutter prepared to cast off on race day, July 22, “Go Cubs Go” by Steve Goodman blared over the loudspeaker. One of the crew manning a cleat for cast off was Aidan Wiecki, an auxiliarist in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program at Maine Maritime Academy. Wiecki, joined the Auxiliary in late 2022, is a rising senior from the Virginia-D.C. area who aspires to attend Officer Candidate School. Wiecki expertly handled the lines and made casting off a 140' tugboat look seamless.
“Our cadets and auxiliarists have spent part of their summer living and working onboard the Katmai Bay, earning in port and underway watch qualifications that they will be able to use anywhere in the cutter fleet,” said Overstreet.
The cutter steamed out of Navy Pier, and the crew stowed lines and human-sized fenders and raised a pennant from the U.S. Life-Saving Service to judge the wind.
On the bridge were familiar faces including Executive Officer Lt. j.g. Bryant Giorgi (who supported the 2022 Chicago Air and Water Show) as well as Lt. j.g. Kylie Vaverek, Ensign Lauren Hatfield and Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcos Madrid (who all assisted with the Chicago Christmas Tree Ship Event in December 2022). Three Coast Guard Academy cadets were also aboard, including Myles Gustavo DeCoste, a member of the Class of 2024.
The cutter was soon close to its anchorage location right outside the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. The crew conducted a briefing and risk assessment before they dropped anchor, and then settled at the center point of a safety zone to protect racing participants and waterside bystanders. Coast Guard and Auxiliary vessels supported by local agencies manned the safety zone and actively kept boaters from encroaching on the race.
Once enough vessels departed, the cutter raised the anchor and made course for Mackinac Island. The cutter followed the sailing vessels for the duration of the journey, and provided a close SAR response unit and reassurance to the 2,069 sailors.
After crossing the finish line with flags flying, the crew of the Katmai Bay was invited to attend the post-race festivities on Mackinac Island.
The cutter’s summer break did not end at Mackinac Island, and the crew began preparations immediately to take part in the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week.
Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week lasts through Aug. 12, with Katmai Bay open for free tours through the afternoon of Aug. 11. Check Door County Maritime Museum’s Facebook page for tour times.
If you would like to join the Katmai Bay or any other cutter on the Great Lakes next summer, reach out to your chain of command. Auxiliarists, contact your flotilla commander or another member of the Auxiliary chain of leadership.
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Photo by Brian Krotser
June 16, 2023
Joint operations event sees active duty and Auxiliary crews prepare for a busy SAR season
By John Saran, AUXPA1, District Captain — Area East, Auxiliary District 9WR
The SAR alarm sounded, beckoning active duty and Auxiliary crews to the Station Michigan City’s communications room. “We have a report of a vessel that just made the trip from New Buffalo to Michigan City and noticed they are missing one passenger. That means you have 1 PIW about a mile offshore and they could be anywhere in that 10-mile stretch. How do you want to proceed, and do you need the assistance of a 45’ RBM?”
These were the instructions and questions provided by the watch stander — Auxiliarist Ed Carroll — and the active duty Officer of the Day to Auxiliarist Paul Bornstein, a coxswain visiting from Chicago during a June 10-11 training exercise at Station Michigan City. Over the course of the two-day event, 25 auxiliarists from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan conducted three SAR drills and studied operations policy with their active-duty shipmates. A 45’ RBM, a 29’ RB-S II, one Auxiliary facility from a nearby Michigan City marina and two Auxiliary facilities visiting from Coast Guard Station Chicago all participated in these exercises.
Bornstein was made the on-scene coordinator and provided direction to an active-duty break-in coxswain, BM3 Oscar Garcia, to conduct the search patterns. The search started out with a real-life engine casualty for the RBM, which meant the Auxiliary boat had to proceed on its own. The Auxiliary crew started its track line search and ultimately recovered the person in water (PIW), who happened to be station officer in charge, Chief Petty Officer Steven Klika, in a dry suit. Later that day, BM3 Garcia conducted tow where the scenario vessel suffered a mock fire with PIWs. He had to coordinate with another Auxiliary facility, led by Auxiliarist Josh Zajac, to support his tow and pick up the PIWs. Little did everyone know, BM3 Garcia was having his check ride that he passed with flying colors.
“This was a great way to start the patrol season, and my crew from nearby units in Michiana was ready to jump right into it,” said Auxiliarist Todd Nitz, who coxswained a local Auxiliary facility during the event. His crew started off the exercise with a successful tow of a mock-disabled RB-S II — a task this brand-new facility had not completed before.
After each exercise, the joint crews debriefed, shared chow and engaged in fellowship. “Food is morale and the Aux culinary team kept our crews energized during the exercise. One of my BMs came up to me saying that the Aux are welcome any time, they left the galley cleaner than when they got there,” said Klika.
At the end of the event, Klika and BM1 Anthony Hanusiak provided a preview of new active-duty PQSs involving the RBM and RB-S II available at Station Michigan City for auxiliarists. Station leadership worked with Auxiliary national leadership to develop this pilot program.
“A special thanks to our active-duty shipmates at Station Michigan City. Everybody came together as Team Coast Guard over the course of the weekend,” said Auxiliarist Steve McCarty, commander of the St. Joseph Division.
The current issue of the eBEACON newsletter is available
for viewing. Click here to view this issue.
Source [Martin Phillips - Executive Director CGauxA]
The latest issue of Waves, the RBS Outreach watercraft and vessel safety newsletter, has now been posted. Check it out for suggestions for making your upcoming NSBW activities more rewarding and effective Read it here.
Source [Robert P. Myers Deputy Director (Dir-Bd)]
The most current issue of the eBEACON newsletter is available for your viewing pleasure at http://www.cgauxa.org/beacon/beacon.pdf. Enjoy the articles as well as view member benefit programs available to you through our partners.
Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA
]
The most recent eBEACON is available for your viewing pleasure at http://www.cgauxa.org/beacon/beacon.pdf.
Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA]
The August 2012 issue of the eBEACON in now available for your viewing pleasure. Go to http://www.cgauxa.org/beacon/beacon.pdf to view the publication. You may also visit www.cgauxa.org to access the publication.
Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA]
The June issue of eBEACON is now available for viewing at http://www.cgauxa.org/beacon/beacon.pdf. View information on NACON 2012 in San Antonio, From The Desk of the National Commodore, and other interesting articles. See specials aviailable at the online District Materials Store site accessible through link at the top of the www.ShopAuxiliary.com website.
Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA]
The 17-page April issue of the Auxiliary Association's BEACON publication is now available to view or download at http://www.cgauxa.org/beacon/beacon.pdf or by visiting the website www.cgauxa.org. Click on "Current Issue".
Source [Martin L. Phillips]
The latest issue of the eBEACON publication is now available for viewing at http://www.cgauxa.org/beacon/beacon.pdf. Special articles on Auxiliary activities, member benefits and special sales at the Online District Materials Store.
Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA]