Coast Guard Auxiliary for April 19, 2012

This past weekend, members of Flotilla 12, Apalachee Bay met at the Crawfordville Fire Station for the April Meeting.

Special to The News

Bruce Connors taking the oath of membership.

Special to The News

Flotilla members practicing TCT.

Special to The News

Flotilla members practicing TCT.

Special to The News

TCT instruction.

While I was not able to be there, Duane Treadon was and reported on the following.

Members met in the large auction room due to a conflict in the main station. But since the Auxiliary is Semper Paratus, Always Ready, everyone just adapted.

We had a large crowd with several members and members in process. After the business was complete, or newest member Bruce Connors took his oath of membership. This is always a moving event as we are all reminded why we joined and what we have committed to participate in.

Bill Wannall was also awarded a sustained service award for his continued hours of service. As mentioned last week, following the business meeting the Flotilla was scheduled to participate in Team Coordination Training and Operations. However, we only focused on Team Coordination Training (TCT) this month and will re-schedule the operations workshop.

TCT is an annual workshop that all Auxiliarists involved in operations must attend. During their last meeting the member of Flotilla 12, Apalachee Bay, attended this one-hour training lead by Member Training Officer Mark Rosen.

What is TCT you may ask, it is a form of risk management used in the Auxiliary before, during and after a mission. Post-incident investigations often indicate that human error is to blame.

Many accidents on the water can be avoided with proper planning and continual assessment of current conditions. Applying this thought process members of the Auxiliary begin a patrol with an evaluation of weather condition, crew experience, limitation on facility, and nature of the assigned mission.

Using a point system scale called GAR (Green-Amber-Red) the higher the number the greater the risk. Items like hot humid weather, smaller sized facility, three to four seas, crew in training on board can all lead to a higher score. When the score reaches the red level the mission cannot begin or if underway must end. This tool can be used by the boating public it insure a safe and fun day on the water.

Here are some things to consider before going out on the water:

• What are the limitations of your boat? If you have a small boat going out in poor weather or sea state condition would not be advisable.

• How many experienced boaters are on board? A boat with mostly inexperienced boaters probable should stay closer to shore. A fully equipped boat with all the safety gear needed, experienced crew, a VHF marine radio and cell phone, and a properly filed float plan could be able to go out further and in tougher sea conditions.

In the end it is the responsibility of the boater to make the call asking the question: Do I have the boat, equipment, and experience to ensure a fun day on the water.

As you decide on the answer to that question, I will give you a little more food for thought: Definitions of terms used throughout the Navigation Rules. Rule 3 goes into great detail to avoid any confusion.

The word "vessel" includes most everything that moves on the water including sea planes.

The term "power-driven vessel" means any vessel using an engine to navigate through the water.

The term "sailing vessel" means is any boat under sail only and not using an engine or motor to move it through the water. Once the sailboat turns on its motor it becomes a power boat and must follow the same rules as a motor boat.

The term "vessel engaged in fishing" means any commercial fishing vessel, with nets, lines, trawls which restrict their ability to move. This does not include recreational or charter fishing vessels with trolling lines or fishing poles.

The term "seaplane" includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.

The term "vessel not under command" means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

Next week, we will visit a few more terms that are too complicated to go into in this same article.

Be on the lookout for Auxiliary Patrols, we are officially into our patrol season! We also have several upcoming Public Affairs events. You may find us on land or sea.

As Sherrie always says, safe boating is no accident. Be prepared and be aware!