Newsletter Publication of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-3 Lake Murray, SC
June 2015
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Flotilla 12-3 Lake Murray, South Carolina
www.uscgaux-lakemurray.com
Flotilla Island, Johnson Marina Road, Chapin, SC
Page
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Visit us online at
Flotilla 12-3 Lake Murray, South Carolina
Flotilla Island, 2390 Johnson Marina Road, Chapin, SC
www.uscgaux-lakemurray.com
Newsletter Staff: Editor Barbara Burchfield,
John Mezynski, Russell Jernigan, Calvin Bowen
LAKE MURRAY MARINER is the official newsletter
of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-3 and is
intended as a publication to keep the membership
apprised of the activities of the Auxiliary. All articles
and photographs submitted must be consistent with the
policies of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary and may
not be returned.
N 34° 06’ 23.7”
Personal information of members is protected by the
Privacy Act of 1974. The use of these rosters, addresses and telephone numbers on any computer or online
service including the Internet is prohibited by the Act.
W 081° 18’ 54.1”
Photo by Michael Mikutaitis
SEVENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT COMMANDER
Rear Admiral Scott Buschman
DIRECTORY OF AUXILIARY DISTRICT 7
DIRAUX
Commander William E. Seward
DISTRICT SEVEN
Commodore
Chief of Staff
Robert Weskerna
Judith Hudson
U.S. COAST GUARD SECTOR CHARLESTON
Commander
CAPT Gary Tomasulo
U.S. COAST GUARD STATION CHARLESTON
Senior Chief
BMCS Justin Longval
Executive Petty Officer
BMC John Palmer
AUXILIARY LIAISON
Sector Charleston
Station Charleston
LT Jeffrey Prebeck
BM1 Travis Rogers
AREA SECTOR COORDINATOR
ASC
Lyle Letteer
DIVISION 12
Commander
Vice Commander
John Murphy
John Owen
Flotilla Meeting Minutes are published online in the
Member Zone: www.uscgaux-lakemurray.com
2015 FLOTILLA 12-3 LEADERSHIP & STAFF OFFICERS
Flotilla Commander
Vice Commander
Festus Burchfield
Clay Goodwin
Flotilla Staff Officers:
Communications
Communication Services
Diversity
Finance
Human Resources
Information Systems
Marine Safety
Materials
Member Training
Operations
Public Affairs
Publications
Public Education
Program Visitors-RBS
Secretary/Records
Vessel Examinations
Kenneth Plesser
Barbara Burchfield
Peggy Peterson
Barbara Burchfield
Festus Burchfield
Michael Mikutaitis
Scott Iverson
Michael Mikutaitis
Barbara Burchfield
Festus Burchfield
Bill Lindsay
Barbara Burchfield
Kent McCoin
Scott Iverson
Lucy Wingard
Clay Goodwin
On the cover: U.S. Coast Guard boating safety mobile application released May 16, 2015, at the start of National Safe
Boating Week. See the article inside this newsletter for more
details.
Photo by Barbara Burchfield, Public Affairs Specialist I
INFORMED  ENGAGED

VALUED
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Special dates & events
JUN 16
Ladies Day on the Lake at Lighthouse Marina
Sponsors include DNR, Columbia Sports, Lake Murray Association
JUN 26-28
Operation Dry Water National enforcement campaign for
boating under the influence (alcohol and drug-related)
JUN 27
Vessel Safety Checks 1000 at SouthShore Marina
Children’s Charity Event
JUN 29
Flotilla Meeting 1900 at Flotilla Island
JUL 04
Gilbert Peach Festival & Parade
Contact Stephen Pstrak
JUL 04
Independence Day Fireworks at Spence Island
Marshall Tucker Band
JUL 11
Division 12 Meeting at Santee Cooper Corporate Office
1 Riverwood Drive, Monck’s Corner
JUL 20
4H2o Water Science Camp, Clemson University Extension Service
Flotilla Island 09:00 - 12:30
JUL 27
Flotilla Meeting 1900 at Flotilla Island
AUG 01
Great Portage Race, Dreher Island State Park
Contact Festus Burchfield, FC
AUG 27-30
National Convention (NACON 15)
San Antonio, Texas
AUG 31
Flotilla Meeting 1900 at Flotilla Island
SEP 01
Membership Dues
Nominating Committee for 2016 Leadership
SEP 17-20
District Training Conference, Orlando, Florida
SEP 26
Lake Murray SUP Classic
Flotilla 12-3 members will be notified by email of Island Cleanup days and other special events. For your privacy: Access AuxDirectory for
members email addresses and phone numbers.
Page 3
Festus Burchfield, Flotilla Commander
We conducted three lake patrols in May with boat
crew training on each, including the Paddle Benders event at Dreher Island with Flotilla 12-6 East
Cooper and the Lexington Country Marine Patrol
Unit.
On Memorial Day, May 25, with notification by the
local Coast Guard Recruiter, we attended a Memorial Day PWO-MIA ceremony hosted by the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6740. Flotilla 12-3
members also attended the American Legion Post
193 Memorial Day services in Chapin.
DIRAUX has made some changes to AOM access
that may require longer lead times for patrol approvals. Coxswains and crew who need their
minimum required hours should contact me as
soon as possible for patrol scheduling.
In May, we took delivery of SC Boating Laws &
Responsibilities Handbooks for delivery to 12
flotillas in South Carolina and Georgia.
DNR Officers Cope, Simpson, and Quinn helped load the truck
with the boating handbooks. Photos on this page by Barbara
Burchfield, FL 12-3
A new boating application for your mobile device
was released May 16 by the Coast Guard. Boaters using a mobile device will find it useful, informative, and extremely easy to use. Check it
out at www.uscg.mil/mobile
District 7 Commodore Robert Weskerna has a
video message for all D7 members. This is the second video to
members and it concerns news
in the district about awards, AP
(Application Pending) status,
training and RBS missions.
View it here
Congratulations to Gerald Ruschkofski who has
served 35 years in the U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary. Gerry has held
several leadership positions, including Flotilla Commander and
many Flotilla Staff Officer position over the years. Thank you
for your dedicated and selfless
service all these years, Gerry.
Bravo Zulu to Michael Mikutaitis for attending
Information Systems school last
month. The FSO-IS position is
not an easy assignment. This is
one of those vitally necessary
positions that supports the flotilla and its membership.
Thank you, Mik!
USCG Auxiliary photo
Coast Guard released the 2014 recreational boating accidents statistics
report in May. The report says that In 2014, the
Coast Guard counted 4,064
accidents that involved
610 deaths, 2,678 injuries
and approximately $39
million dollars of damage
to property as a result of
recreational boating accidents. Where the cause of
death was known, 78 percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned; of
those drowning victims, 84 percent were not
wearing a life jacket.
Page 4
Vessel Examinations
Clay Goodwin, FSO-VE
Member Training_______________________
Barbara Burchfield, FSO-MT
We had two vessel safety check days in May with
very good results. Working with homeowner’s associations has been a lot of fun and rewarding to
provide their members with on site safety checks.
Congratulations to Al Crothers for finishing all
requirements in May to qualify as a Program
Visitor.
VSC event is Saturday, June 27, at SouthShore Marina 1000 - 1400. We’ll also have a Public Affairs
booth set up under a tent. Contact me if you are
available to participate as VE or member to talk to
the public.
ICS Courses:
We have been reminded that all members
seeking to be qualified in an Auxiliary Operational Program, including Surface Operations,
Air Operations, Fixed / Mobile Radio Facility
Operators, must complete the ICS 100 and 700
courses. Without this certification, members
are not allowed to participate in any Coast
Guard exercise, drill or response event.
ICS 100.b Introduction to Incident Command
System
ICS 700.a National Incident Management
System (NIMS) An Introduction
Direct link to the FEMA ICS courses
Vessel Examiner Clay Goodwin completes a vessel safety check for
Andrew Clarkson’s "Good to Go" powerboat on Saturday 09 M ay at
Columbia Sailing Club. Photo provided by Mark Alexander.
Communication Services
Barbara Burchfield, FSO-CS
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Association released its
new website http://cgauxa.org in May. The site
offers a new way to receive donations from the
public, new Member Benefits and SHOP discounts
and special deals. Take a look.
Bookmark this: Flotilla 12-3 website
Be sure to get your certificate of completion
and mail/email it to me for entry into your
Auxiliary data file. FEMA courses are not automatically recorded in AuxData.
If you are unsure whether you already have
credit for taking the courses, please contact me
or FSO-IS.
These Department of Homeland Security introductory courses help Auxiliary members know
and understand the command, control and
coordination of agencies for emergency responses. This increases mission success.
Auxdata also accepts ICS 210, 250, 300, 346,
400 . If you have taken any of them, send me a
copy of your certificate for entry into your
Auxiliary records.
INFORMED  ENGAGED  VALUED
Page 5
Operations________________________________
Festus Burchfield, FSO-OP
Operations (continued)_________________
It’s here. Hot weather = summer uniforms
 USCG Aux blue t-shirt or ops patrol shirt
 Blue shorts and belt
 White socks
 Boat shoes (blue or brown) or athletic shoes
(black or white tennis style)
 Ball Cap or Tilley hat
The boat shoe, (dark blue or brown leather, low
cut of moccasin type construction with functional rawhide lacing, brass eyelets, and nonmarking sole) is an authorized option for Auxiliarists. All white or all black, low top, athletic
shoes with nonskid/non-marking soles are also
authorized for Auxiliarists.
Excerpts from Auxiliary Manual:
H.3. Hot Weather Uniform
The Hot Weather Uniform is authorized as an
optional uniform for Auxiliarists. It is appropriate for personnel performing outdoor activities
in locations where humidity and high temperatures cause physical discomfort and extreme
work environments require it. It is not appropriate for routine office wear. It is not authorized for wear while commuting to and from a
Coast Guard duty station or any public affairs
setting, although it may be worn directly to and
from a point of Auxiliary patrol or vessel safety
check activity.
No insignia are worn on the
ODU T-shirt, the Operations
Polo Shirt.
The Coast Guard dark blue crew neck T-shirt is
the prescribed shirt with this uniform. The
Auxiliary Operations Polo Shirt may be worn
with this uniform as an alternative for patrol
activities. Any shirt worn with this uniform
must be worn tucked into the shorts.
Modified standard Coast Guard blue utility or
ODU trousers hemmed at the knee or 1 inch
above the knee are worn.
If modified standard Coast Guard blue utility
trousers are worn, then a black web belt with a
silver buckle and tip is worn. The buckle may be
plain or display the Auxiliary emblem. If modified ODU trousers are worn, then the standard
black ODU belt or the optional riggers belt is
worn.
Socks shall be all white, athletic type, crew
length.
Auxiliary ball and Tilley hat
may be worn.
Communication Services______________
Barbara Burchfield, FSO-CS
Eureka! I found some 1994 newsletters in an
old, dusty box of stuff that my colleague, Kent
McCoin, somehow thought I needed .
What a treat to read about the flotilla boat crew
travels to Savannah and Charleston to support
sailboat races and regattas. In 1994 Auxiliary
Coxswain were called “Operators”. Six boat
crew members were given a Qualification Exam
in Charleston for the first time.
The 1994 newsletters have been scanned and
are saved on the website in “Member Zone”.
Good flotilla memorabilia available to y’all.
About that box - the
contents have all
been sorted, organized and live happily in new folders
stored in a new
box.
Bing stock photo
INFORMED  ENGAGED  VALUED
Page 6
AUX-10 C-SCHOOL (AuxData/AuxInfo) by Michael Mikutaitis, FSO-IS
What is a C-School? Does it teach me about the sea? Auxiliary C-School courses are
Coast Guard formal training events. Actually, it can help with education of the sea because there is an Aides To Navigation (ATON) and chart updating course! For the
most part, C-Schools are for staff and leadership positions. One C-School course is
AUX-10 for those that are assuming the role of IS (Information Systems) officer in
their district, division, or flotilla.
C-School is Coast Guard-funded, which means the Coast Guard pays for transportation , food, and lodging. Unfortunately, all that comes out of your own pocket first.
Keep that in mind if you attend one of these schools. You must receive the official
written travel orders by U.S. mail from DIRAUX Miami office. I received an email version of my travel orders only a few days before leaving for training; the written orders came in the mail after I returned. A reimbursement form is mailed back to DIRAUX with all receipts, including air fare, hotels, etc.
I recently attended the Aux-10 C-School held at the Marriot located at the Research Triangle Park in Durham, NC.
The class started on Thursday, April 30 at 6 PM and went to 9 PM. Friday and Saturday, May 1 st and 2nd were all
day classes from 8 AM to 6 PM. On Sunday the class started at 8AM and ended around 1300 hrs. There were 20
plus students , most of them from District 7, but some came from as far as Hawaii and California. Yes, schools are
held all over the country but it depends on the availability of the courses, and District budget and Coast Guard
budget as to how are you’ll travel.
I do recommend C-School, especially the leadership classes if you intend to move up in the Auxiliary. Keep in
mind that according to the Auxiliary Manual you can only attend one C-School every 3 years.
Reminder: When you send your 7029 form, be sure to check both boxes at the bottom: SO-IS Susan Hastings and
FSO-IS Michael Mikutaitis. Thanks.
Hey, look!
That’s our guy!!
USCG Auxiliary photos
It was a full class at the AUX-10 Information Systems C-School on April 30 - May 3 at Raleigh, NC.
Photo courtesy of Jim Thomas, DVC-UI (Division Chief - IS Officer Support)
INFORMED  ENGAGED  VALUED
Page 7
Marine Safety______________________________
Scott Iverson, FSO-MS
This marine safety information for boaters is
made courtesy of SC DNR:
Vessel Sewage Regulations
It is illegal:
 To have a toilet installed aboard your boat
without a marine sanitation device.
 For any boat used for habitation moored at
a private dock to discharge raw or treated
sewage.
 For houseboats to discharge treated or raw
sewage in freshwater.
 For any vessel to discharge treated or untreated sewage in a no Discharge Zone.
Marine Safety_(continued)________________
Whitewater to Bluewater
The Whitewater to Bluewater project is a collaboration between the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat
Partnership, the Southeast Aquatic Resources
Partnership, and the Eastern Brook Trout Joint
Venture that aims to conserve fish habitat in the
eastern United States from the smallest headwater streams to offshore habitat in the Atlantic
Ocean.
Designated No Discharge Zones:
Broad Creek (Hilton Head Island), Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, Lake Murray, Lake Thurmond and Lake Wylie
Keep Our Water Clean - Use Pump outs
What Can You Do?
To prevent the possible dangers that sewage
can cause to humans and the environment,
boaters should: use portable toilets, utilize
onshore or floating restrooms, and have a
Marine Sanitation Device installed on board
and use a pump out at a local marina.
U.S. Coast Guard has an extensive and informative marine sanitation website to answer your
questions: USCG-marine-sanitation
South Carolina’s abundant freshwater and saltwater resources play an essential role in supporting
the growing economy and the diverse ecosystems
that characterize our state. Over 11,000 miles of
rivers, including 521,000 acres of lakes, discharge
over 30 billion gallons of freshwater per day. The
state encompasses more than 750,000 acres of
critical estuaries along 200 miles of Atlantic
shoreline.
Visit: http://southeastaquatics.net
INFORMED  ENGAGED  VALUED
Page 8
Memorial Day POW-MIA Ceremony May 25, 2015
With Honor and Gratitude - We Remember
That solemn theme resonated with each speaker and
throughout the assemblage at the Veterans of Foreign Wars
(VFW) Memorial Day ceremony in Batesburg-Leesville on
May 25.
Past VFW Commander and veteran Grover Pilot (top photo)
was Master of Ceremonies at the well attended outdoor
event. Miss Emery Brooks (second photo) delivered a poem
written in Arizona called “New Pledge of Allegiance” which
dramatically presented the challenges facing America today
to maintain our freedom.
Guest of Honor was Mr. William Pebley , a World War II Prisoner of War survivor, who spoke of his experience as a POW
in a German prisoner camp. Guests of honor and speakers
included Brigadier General R. Van McCary, Assistant Adjutant General, and Colonel Moore, both from the South Carolina National Guard.
On this occasion, all five branches of the Armed Services
were represented. A group of motorcyclists arrived, representing “Rolling Thunder”, a group of local rider patriots.
VFW Post 6740 has a sizable property and building for its
meetings and events. The Friends of VFW number about
120 members and offer support services to VFW, according
to Michael Waligorski, its Treasurer. An old fashioned Memorial Day picnic with hot dogs and all the fixings followed
the ceremony.
Article and photos by Barbara
Burchfield, Public Affairs Specialist I
Rolling Thunder Run
Mission Statement
The Rolling Thunder Run mission is
to educate, facilitate, and never
forget by means of a demonstration for service members that were
abandoned after the Vietnam War.
Rolling Thunder has also evolved
into a display of patriotism and
respect for all who defend our
country.
Page 9
U.S. COAST GUARD MOBILE APP
Source: http:/www.uscg.mil/mobile
Released May 16th, the first day of National Safe Boating Week, this free mobile application has a variety of features to help boaters:
 Find the latest safety regulations
 Request a vessel safety check
 Check your safety equipment
These providers offer downloads to your mobile device
 File a float plan
 Navigation Rules
 Find the nearest NOAA buoy
 Report a hazard
 Report pollution
 Report suspicious activity
 Request emergency assistance
As the nation's recreational boating safety coordinator, the Coast Guard works to minimize loss of life,
personal injury, property damage, and environmental harm. Our boating safety program involves public education programs, regulation of boat design and construction, approval of boating safety equipment, and vessel safety checks for compliance with federal and state safety requirements. The Coast
Guard Mobile App supports these missions by providing the essential services and information most
commonly requested by boaters.
Features of the app include: state boating
information; a safety equipment checklist;
free boating safety check requests; navigation rules; float plans; and calling features
to report pollution or suspicious activity.
When location services are enabled, users
can receive the latest weather reports
from the closest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather buoys
as well as report the location of a hazard
on the water.
The app also features an Emergency Assistance button which, with locations services enabled, will call
the closest Coast Guard command center.
The Boating Safety Mobile app was not designed to replace a boater's marine VHF radio, which the
Coast Guard strongly recommends all boaters have aboard their vessels. The app was mainly designed
to provide additional boating safety resources for mobile device users.
The app is self-contained, so personal information is stored on the phone and is not sent to the Coast
Guard unless the user chooses to send it. The Coast Guard does not track a user's location, and the app
does not track a user's location unless the app is being used.
Page 10
BOAT CREW TRAINING APRIL 26
Boat crew trainee Clay Goodwin receives instruction from Coxswain Festus Burchfield on the proper
technique of throwing the heaving ball, used to safely relay a towline from one boat to another. Using a
heaving ball with line attached to the towing line is a preferred method of delivery for larger vessels.
Training on the dock is followed up with waterside exercises, and eventually to the complete towing
evolutions required. Add wind, waves, and sometimes tides while underway, you soon learn that it’s
good to continually practice all crew member tasks. The Coast Guard Auxiliary Boat Crew Training
Manual, Boat Crew Qualification Guide and Operations Policy Manual set specific standards for the surface operations program.
Clay Goodwin displays the Becket bend knot, also
known as the Sheet bend and weaver’s knot, used to
tie two lines together. As part of the boat crew member’s initial and recurrent qualification examinations,
boat crew members are required to demonstrate
without hesitation working knowledge of four common knots (bowline, square knot, clove hitch and
becket bend).
According to Wikipedia, “to hold any strength, the
two free ends should end up on the same side of the
knot. Under even moderate load, a left-hand sheet
bend will quickly slip and release completely.”
SECURE
INSECURE
Photos by Barbara Burchfield, Public Affairs Specialist I
Page 11
Flotilla 12-3 Lake Murray - 2015 Leadership
www.uscgaux-lakemurray.com
Flotilla Commander
FC
Festus Burchfield
Vice Commander
VFC
Clay Goodwin
Communications
CM
Kenneth Plesser
Communication Services
CS
Barbara Burchfield
Diversity
DV
Peggy Peterson
Finance
FN
Barbara Burchfield
Human Resources
HR
Festus Burchfield
Information Systems
IS
Michael Mikutaitis
Materials
MA
Michael Mikutaitis
Marine Safety
MS
Scott Iverson
Member Training
MT
Barbara Burchfield
Operations
OP
Festus Burchfield
Public Affairs
PA
Billy Lindsay
Publications
PB
Barbara Burchfield
Public Education
PE
Kent McCoin
Program Visitation
PV
Scott Iverson
Secretary/Records
SR
Lucy Wingard
Vessel Examinations
VE
Clay Goodwin
Flotilla Staff Officers
Special Event Appointments
Chairman, National Safe Boating Week
John Mezynski
Parade Coordinator
Stephen Pstrak
Members are invited and encouraged to become Staff Officer Assistants and team members. We also need grant
writers, mentors, member training specialty instructors, and volunteers to help with special community events and
projects. Contact the Staff Officer, Flotilla Commander or Vice Commander with your area of interest . We’re better
with all of us working together.
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