 Attention Flotilla 44 Members -- The next flotilla meeting will be on August 5, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
 Life Jacket Use Clarification - Per CHDIRAUX Office: Misinformation passed at a recent Auxiliary meeting stated that the USCG would be withdrawing approval of inflatable lifejackets for all boats capable of going 30 mph or more. To clarify: Impending changes to authorized inflatable life jackets applies only to CG active duty, Reserves, and Auxiliary. By 2009 all life jackets authorized for use by CG personnel must be dynamic strength tested to 50 mph. The Auxiliary will be less affected since it will only apply to Auxiliary personnel on facilities that have the capability to exceed 35 mph. This change has nothing to do with the boating public and is strictly an "in-house" standard to ensure safety conducting missions utilizing high speed assets. The CG is not withdrawing approval for Inflatable Life Jackets, merely removing types it previously listed in the Rescue and Survival Systems Manual as approved for use by CG personnel. Again, it has nothing to do with the public, only CG. Please ensure this is communicated as appropriate.
DSC Radio Tutorial Available - A reminder that the BoatU.S.Foundation interactive tutorial on DSC Radio is a great asset for all boaters, including Auxiliarists and the general public. This online tutorial reveals much information about Rescue 21 and the proper use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radios.
Press Release - U.S. Coast Guard Reports A Decrease Of Deaths On the Water - Deaths resulting from recreational boating accidents fell in 2007, according to figures released today by the United States Coast Guard. The count dropped from 710 in 2006 to 688 in 2007, the lowest figure since 2004 and third lowest since the Coast Guard began collecting statistics specifically related to recreational boating.
Discontinuation of Boating Safety Hotline - Coast Guard support of the toll-free Boating Safety Hotline number 1-800-368-5647 has been discontinued. However, this hotline number is still displayed in many boating safety materials used and distributed by the Coast Guard Auxiliary:
Boat Responsibly (You're-In-Command) pamphlets
Carbon Monoxide (You're-In-Command) pamphlets
GDMSS Recreational Boating pamphlets
Boating Fun (Coastie) books
Safe Boating Tip pamphlets
Solid Waste/Debris pamphlets
Storm Water Runoff pamphlets
Good Mate training manuals
Vessel Safety Check (ANSC-7012) forms (back, bottom right corner)
Federal Requirements and Safety Tips booklets (back of prior-year versions)
VSC Manual (COMDTINST M16796.8, pages 5 / 34 / 35 / 38)
RBS-VP Manual (COMDTINST M16796.3, pages 5 / 14)
Auxiliary vessel examiners shall pay particular attention to ensure that
the Boating Safety Hotline number on ANSC-7012 Vessel Safety Check forms is
thoroughly lined out/obliterated prior to presenting them to vessel
owners/operators at the conclusion of vessel safety checks. Similarly,
Auxiliary public education instructors shall pay particular attention to
ensure that the number is thoroughly lined out/obliterated in any boating
safety course materials prior to provision to the public.
Some stocks of these materials at ANSC may last about two more years.
Auxiliarists should anticipate having to continue this action into 2010.
SS United States still holds speed records, but what fate awaits this storied piece of naval history? - Although she has not sailed under her own power for nearly four decades, the SS United States has survived. Her last trip across the Atlantic, in 1996, was an ignominious one, pulled by tugs from Turkey after asbestos removal, but the vessel is still afloat. The largest passenger ship ever built in America is hiding in plain sight at Pier 82, on a bend in the Delaware River, just north of downtown Philadelphia. She's tattered, for sure. But she's alive.
A very interesting article about the SS United States that is in Pier 82 on the Delaware River in Philadelphia, PA.
June 2008 - Flotilla 44 travels to Maryland for vessel safety checks. On June 7, a contingent of Flotilla 44 vessel examiners traveled to Northeast, Maryland to McDaniels Marina. There the Crew had a successful day doing free vessel safety checks on boats 30 feet in length or more. On June 21, the group traveled back to Northeast, Maryland to Jackson Marina. The Crew had anther tremendously successful day examining the larger boats.
A thank you to both McDaniels and Jackson Marina for a very warm welcome and a successful vessel safety check event. Click here to view photos.
May 15, 2008 - Auxiliarists and Coast Guard on ATON Patrol! Click here to view photos.
February 5, 2008 - At our monthly meeting, three prestigious awards were given out to three of our members for exemplary service! Click here to view photos.
January 8, 2008 - Flotilla members demonstrating uniform styles. - Required uniform training was part of this month's meeting. Members demonstrated proper uniform attire as highlighted in the photographs on this News Page.
Spring and Fall 2007 - Flotilla members performing duties. - Flotilla members performing duties as Coast Guard Auxiliarists!
Summer 2007 - Flotilla members in action! - Flotilla members on patrol!
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