Coast Guard Auxiliary Reports 04.09

For Flotilla 13 at Shell Point, the weather Saturday was beautiful, clear and sunny until late afternoon. For our Flotilla the first weekend in April is the beginning of the “boating season.”

The Patrol Coxswain aboard Auxiliary Vessel AMMA was John Edrington. His crew was son Glenn Edrington, son-in-law James Taylor, Jim McGill and Bob Morgan. Usually the flotilla commander and vice commander are on duty for the first patrol. This year Commander Mae Waters was out of state, but Vice Commander John Sykes was here and was on radio duty.

Both Johns reported it was an uneventful day. John Sykes did add, “The most excitement was when I looked out the window and saw the flag pole that I had struggled to put up bend nearly in half.” The new American flag he had donated required a larger flag pole than the one we had been using.

John purchased the right size pole and mounted it at the station only to see swaying in the relatively light breeze. Needless to say, John is going to buy an even larger flag pole.

A quick reminder: On Saturday, April 11, there will be a joint meeting of Flotilla 12 St. Marks and Flotilla 13 Shell Point at the Coast Guard Auxiliary Station, Shell Point. Members of both flotillas are urged to attend as we are having guests CWO Chuck Bush, OIC, and Lt Steve Caskey, MSO, Coast Guard Station Panama City.

Carolyn Treadon reported that Flotilla 12 had been very busy.

Saturday was a busy day for several members of Flotilla 12. Duane Treadon went to meet Tim Ashley so they could then go and pick up Chuck Hickman and head over to St. George Island. They were going to meet Mike Doyle for the dedication of the St. George Lighthouse. They ran into Mac Shepard and Barbara Vagenas from Flotilla 19 in Panama City Beach.

The group also had the pleasure of meeting CPO Mark Vail from Station Mayport in Jacksonville. He is a graduate of Apalachicola High School and was there helping to coordinate the flyover of a Falcon Jet from Air Training Center Mobile. Among other events of the morning, they were treated to a keynote address by Neil Hurley, a retired Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard who is now a lighthouse historian.

Following the ceremony and a fellowship meal, our four members headed over to Carrabelle for an afternoon safety and training patrol. This was a first for Chuck, Duane and Tim. Mike recently transferred and brought his equipment. We are lucky to have both.

The crew spent the afternoon practicing search patterns, anchoring evolutions and becoming familiar with the area. With rougher seas gulf-side, they stayed between the mainland and Dog Island and St. George Island.

Sunday is Easter and many auxiliarists will be away visiting families and friends while others will be having guests.

Members of both flotillas, please remember Saturday’s meeting. Operation personnel – patrol and radio operators – There will be a coordination briefing at 5:30 p.m. at the Auxiliary Station Shell Point. At 6 p.m., there will be a business meeting with guest speakers. After the meeting there will be a wonderful buffet awaiting us.

Just learned that any member needing to take the Introduction to Marine Safety test should contact Tim Ashley at 241-8381 or Sherrie Alverson at 926-7812 for more details.

Remember safe boating is no accident.