08 PropWash Aug 2020

“The Propwash” The monthly newsletter of the U.S COAST GUARD AUXILIARY DIVISION 1, FIRST SOUTHERN REGION, FLOTILLA 1 - 7, Patchogue, NY 11772 “Something for everyone – including mistakes” Peter L. Ford, Commander John LaPorta, Vice Commander August 2020 Unfortunately, due to the current health crisis, the regularly scheduled meeting for August 4th has been cancelled. During the self-quarantine requirements of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic ALL Coast Guard Auxiliary non-in-home activities have been ordered cancelled… This includes: Flotilla Meetings Vessel Safety Checks (without prior approval) Program Visitations Public Affairs Activities All Crew Activities Public Education Classes Member Training Activities HARPAT/ Focus Lens Visiting or Working at any Coast Guard Facilities But you can still stay in touch with one another – telephone or email. And how about your Flotilla’s webpage and Facebook? 1 and https://www.facebook.com/USCGAuxPatchogueSayville/ Thank you, John & Steve And our Next Regular Meeting is scheduled for: 7:30 pm Tuesday September 1st, 2020 When the Uniform will once again be: Trop Blues

Peter L. Ford, FC Your Commander’s August 2020 report: On Monday July 27th Division 1 held an on-line meeting. Once again, your Flotilla Commander was able to participate. Not much new to report that hasn’t already been sent out via emails to the membership of the Flotilla. Still our own Flotilla meetings remain cancelled until further notice as a result of various levels of Government and Coast Guard regulations. We will stay in touch with our members via monthly newsletters and special email notices, as well as telephone calls. Our newsletter is one method of group communication, and members can also go to our website and Facebook page with personal stories, questions and images of at home activities so as to share with all members. REYR –our qualifications are to remain secure even though we have not been able to do our required annual activities due to the pandemic – more info on this to follow. Risk Management courses (need to be retaken every 15 months) will become available via zoom meetings soon. (More info to follow.) On-line courses remain available (how about becoming a VE?) – but save a copy of your completion notification and send to our FSO-IS to make sure it is recorded in AuxDataII. And Core Training for our new members is online too – so how about it, newbies? Please stay in touch - call one another, even if it’s just to say ‘hello’, and drop a line via emails now and then too. In times of trouble like this, dark humor seems to rise to the occasion to help us cope, please feel free to share related humor with our membership. Let us all remind one another that we haven’t forgotten each other. For Division 1 SO reports go to: https://www.facebook.com/UCGAuxD1LongIsland/ HARPAT / Focus Lens will be starting up as soon as the quarantine restrictions end and we will need all those that have qualified to work on getting all 136+ locations done in time. (If you’re not yet HARPAT qualified as a Harbour Safety officer, let’s work on that so you can pitch in and help). New forms (7030 & checklist). Crew – prepare for when the quarantine is lifted, please get your equipment checked out & registered Apparently the Auxiliary is missed, as it has been reported that “boating Safety is out the window”, with speeding, no courtesy, and drunk driving too. Stand-Down - during the self-quarantine requirements of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic ALL Coast Guard Auxiliary not-in-home activities have been ordered cancelled… no meetings, no VEs (except individual ones that have been preapproved), no PVs, no PAs, no Crew, no group activities or gatherings. And please remember – until there’s a vaccine, this pandemic isn’t over – “flattening the curve” only makes it possible for hospitals to handle those infected without being overwhelmed by vast numbers... but the danger still exists. So, keep wearing gloves and face masks (over both your mouth & nose), keep using sanitizing wipes, and keep at least six + feet between yourself and others when not at home (I don’t want to know about your rules when at home). Aux Reconstructed – Unfortunately, as of this writing, only 16 of our 28 members were accounted for, the remaining twelve did not respond and send back the required form 7101. Stay Safe – Be Healthy.

FSO Explanations & Reports In order for your Flotilla’s FSO’s to do their jobs and turn in accurate & complete reports, the membership is asked to provide their FSO’s with the information they need to do this, as well as making sure that your numbers are in AuxData on a regular basis (“if it ain’t in AuxData – it didn’t happen”).. All the Flotilla 1-7 FSO monthly reports are to be sent to our Flotilla Commander and Vice Flotilla Commander, as well as to the appropriate Division SO (or if there isn’t one, then to the Division Vice Commander). These reports are then published here in the Flotilla 1-7 newsletter as well as being posted in the Flotilla 1-7 Facebook and website, and those of Division 01. The following are the Flotilla 1-7 FSO reports for this month: AN – Aids to Navigation – verify private and government aids to navigation & update charts – FSO David Belding Not at full operation yet. But we did get out Friday the 17th, for refresher for the up and coming Cross Bay Swim. As we were leaving Mud Creek, we noticed that buoy marker 2 was out of position. We called SFI and notified them of the discrepancy. Also, the entry to Heckscher Cove has been dredged. So, it now can accommodate larger craft. CM – Communications Officer – responsible for our mobile radio facilities – FSO Dan Brooks I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and keeping cool. I've been working from home now since March 13th and have managed to replace coax cable and antennas at the house that I never think I'd ever get to. Now I can listen and communicate while working from home. If you'd like to learn more or just simply freshen up on communications, please visit the D1 website at http://www.d1south.org/StaffPages/DSO-CM.php. This site is a wealth of information about communications in the Aux. Enjoy the rest of your summer and please stay safe and wear your masks! CS – Communication Services – website development & maintenance Effective immediately, this FSO position is now open for anyone interested in handling the adding a link for our monthly newsletter \"PROPWASH\" in members only section of our website http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=014-01-07&category=homepage FB – Facebook development and maintenance – SFSO Steve Fazio We have added an email address to our Facebook page to make inquiries easier for our readers. [email protected] Our posts continue to be shared by other Flotillas, such as Upper Manhattan, Governor's Island, and Commodore V. Pica DV – Diversity Officer – adherence to the CG’s civil rights, sexual harassment prevention & diversity training programs – FSO Susan Kubelle Diversity continues to be a corner stone of both the Auxiliary and Flotilla 1-7. But because of the CoronaVirus-19 situation, opportunities are currently limited. FN – Finance Officer – maintaining the unit’s finances & financial records – FSO Arty Rappolt The Flotilla’s treasury is up-to-date.

IS – Information & Communications Services, data entry AUXDATA – FSO Dannie Ethridge Aux Data II continues to evolve and seems to be making headway to become a system that can be used by all members. There have been a number of issues that are being addressed relating to enhancements, fixes and changes to the system as a whole. When possible, I have been training however with all the changes and fixes required it will take some time before the system can be the effective tool that is required. While system access for members has been distributed it would seem that it may take some time to provide the training for all members. We should soon see the benefits of the new system which gives access to reports and information to help log and maintain our operations and training efforts. While there was a small back log of entries for the system, I have completed most of the entries in the new system. MS – Safety – Assistance for Marine Safety & Environmental Protection – FSO Steve Fazio Marine Safety • Except for a small number of specifically approved patrols, the surface operations continue to be on hold • There appear to be many more jet skis and paddle-craft on the water. o Both groups account for many more accidents. o There was a high-speed police chase of a Jet Ski through anchored boats in Zach’s Bay o SUP (Stand Up Paddleboards) for rent in Mud Creek are paddling without any safety gear, except for the harness. When questioned, an employee advised that the owner said the board was their PFD so no other items were needed. • It was noted that the US Coast Guard has trained with commercial vessel of SeaTow GSB for two-boat training • Division 22 called on boats from local fire departments to assist in safety patrols for events on the water Environmental Protection • The GSB Environmental buoy is not yet on station. The response to our info request was that it was delayed due to the pandemic • A young dolphin was seen by several boaters, (the writer included), just west of Smith Point Bridge. Boaters should be careful traversing that area. • A large group of dolphins are just off the beach in the Davis Park area. • A whale carcass was being circled by a large shark near Smith Point Member Training No training activity to report. MA – Materials Officer – acquiring necessary Aux materials – FSO Connie Coscia Ordered “If Found” stickers. MT – Member Training – membership training instructor – FSO Connie Coscia Even though no meetings were being allowed at this time, we did send out a two-hour on- line a “Tick-Bourne Disease Resource Center Annual Symposium” by Stony Brook Southampton Hospital for the membership to watch and can be included on their 7029 under “D”. Otherwise there has been no member Training activities.

MV/PV/RBSP – Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program – provide marine safety & Auxiliary information to marine dealers & other related locations – FSO Frank DiGregorio As of this date, due to the Corona Virus restrictions, there have been no activities reported to me by my inspectors and done by me over the last month. We are awaiting Central Commands approval to start doing our Coast Guard activities within the safety guidelines set up to deal with the Corona Virus. PA – Public Affairs – public affairs programs, publicizing the Auxiliary – Effective immediately, the FSO-PA position is open – anyone interested? LD - Library Displays – utilizing Library facilities to advertise the Auxiliary- SFSO Susan Kubelle Once the Libraries are again allowed to be open to the public I will try to reserve space in various local libraries so that I can continue to place Auxiliary information in their display cases each month– the more the public sees things about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary the more “Public Recognition” we get. Hopefully these efforts will lead to more new members joining us and more boater interaction (such as requests for vessel examinations and attendance at our Boating Safety Classes). PB – Publications Officer – edit, produce & delivery of unit publications – FSO Peter L. Ford “The Propwash”, the monthly Flotilla 1-7 newsletter continues to be published electronically (via email) to the membership, potential members, and to friends of the Flotilla (including Flotilla 38 in Plantation, FL, Flotilla 12-6 in East Cooper, South Carolina, and Flotilla 12-3 in Glen Cove, LI - all of whom we regularly exchange newsletters) as well as some of our local marinas too. It is hoped that other newsletter exchanges can be developed with additional Flotillas, marinas, and other friends around the country also. PE – Public Education activities & education courses – FSO Bob Figueroa Once again there is not much to report. Nothing going on anywhere auxiliary-wise! PS/HR – Personnel Services – member recruiting and retention activities – FSO Connie Coscia Nothing to report at this time. SR – Secretary of Records – recording & maintaining unit records & activities – FSO Jessy McAvoy Once the limitations on holding meetings has been lifted, the minutes from the monthly meetings of Flotilla 1-7 will again be regularly recorded and shared with all of the members (attending or not) electronically on a monthly basis. VE – Vessel Examiners – one-on-one safety education for boat owners through vessel safety checks (VSC) – FSO Frank DiGregorio Due to the Corona virus, there have been no activities reported to me by my inspectors and done by me over the last month. We are awaiting Central Commands approval to start doing our Coast Guard activities within the safety guidelines set up to deal with the Corona virus. But until there is a change in the Auxiliary rules: only VEs under 65; and at least three days prior to the date of the desired Vessel Exam a e-request must be made via the link found on the D1SR website home page, the link is prominently displayed and will take you to a VE Request form.

Once at the form, simply fill in all the information and hit SUBMIT. The request will automatically be directed to the Commodore for Approval or Denial. The member will also receive an email receipt that the request was submitted. The Commodore and/or his designee will review the request and either approve or deny. If denied, there is a comments section that will list why the request was denied. In either case, the member will receive an email with the updated request showing the approval or denial. No blanket-orders are being issued at this time. It will also be helpful if the requestor verifies that they are under 65yrs. of age to comply with the recent guidelines (teams of two, face masks, gloves, social distancing, & wash your uniform afterwards. (Sorry – no “walking the marinas” allowed yet.) NEW - If a marina asks us to do VEs at their marina, and they give us the name of specific individuals and their boats, we can put in an electronic request for that. And if approved, we can then do the VEs requested by the marina, BUT we cannot \"walk the docks\" or solicit while there. However, if someone we had not planned to do a VE for asks for one, it is OK to do that one as well… but no soliciting! (And still you must be in good health & under 65.) ****************** FSO’s There’s no such thing as “nothing to report” So start your planning for the end of the shut-down now! AND If there is anything you’d like to share with the membership about your particular field, please let your FC or VFC know so it can be included in future editions of Flotilla 1-7’s “The Propwash” ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ Uniforms After all, we are a “uniformed organization” http://tdept.cgaux.org/uniforms/T-DIRUniformsGraphics_AUG2014.pdf Wear it, wear it right, wear it with pride. Division 01 5-year CORE training reminder for those that took the courses in 2014 - you’re due in 2020 And check out YOUR Flotilla’s Facebook page by Steve Fazio: https://www.facebook.com/US-Coast-Guard-Auxiliary-Patchogue-Sayville-NY-2033269543607121/ As well as the Flotilla 1-7 website by John LaPorta: ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ Three Cheers Our own Jaylynn Cordero has graduated from the Air Force Basic training and is now stationed in Charleston, SC.

Calendar Notes for August 2020 Monday August 3rd – watermelon day (try it with whipped cream) Tuesday August 4th –no Flotilla 1-7 meeting Friday August 7th – Lighthouse Day commemorates the signing of the Act for the Establishment and support of Lighthouse, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers by the U.S. Congress in 1789 Monday August 10th – Lazy Day (depends on what’s on the “Honey Do List”) Thursday August 13th – Left-handers Day (no compliments, please) Wednesday August 19th – World photo day (tough one if not on the International Space Station) Monday August 24th – Pluto demoted Day (not in my book – still a planet) Wednesday August 26th – Dog Appreciation Day (and “Woof” to you!) Sunday August 30th – Frankenstein Day (why wait for Halloween) Monday August 31st – Division “virtual” meeting ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ IUU Every day, the United States and our partners across the world work together to crack down on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud. These are not just problems for fish; these practices hurt law-abiding fishermen, damage the economy, and threaten our food security. Furthermore, these offenses are often linked to other international concerns, such as human rights abuses, human trafficking, forced labor, and other forms of transnational crime. How can you help? When buying at the seafood counter, make sure you buy from knowledgeable, reputable dealers. They can provide you with information on the seafood they sell and its origin. Also, check labels. All seafood sold in the U.S. is required to have a country of origin labeling right on the package. Get the facts at ww.FishWatch.gov. ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ Form 7029 Please regularly complete and submit your form 7029 with your hours and activities – if it doesn’t get into Auxdata, “it didn’t happen”. ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~

Anacronyms Contrary to the CG Manual, no body explains them in their emails, so… Not that anyone above us follows this rule. AFI = another ****ing inconvenience AFRAS = Assoc. For Rescue At Sea AIBT = Advanced Interdiction Boat Team AIBTC = Advanced Interdiction Bat Team Crew AIBTL = Advanced Interdiction Boat Team Leader Aid Verifier = Navigational Aids Verifier AIM Program = Academy Introduction Mission AIRSTA = Air Station AIS = Automated Information System ALAC = Auxiliary Logical Access Credential ALAUX = All Auxiliarists ALCGENL = All Coast Guard Enlisted ALGCCIV = releasable general messages ALCOAST = internet releasable messages ALGCOFF = internet releasable messages ALCGPSC = internet releasable messages ALGCPRSCOM = internet releasable messages ALCGRSV = internet releasable messages – regarding Reservists ALFA = the letter “A” ALFA = vessel facility is in operating status ALOM = Auxiliary Legion of Merit AMLOC = Auxiliary Mid-Level Officers Class AMOS = famous maker of cookies AMSM = Auxiliary Meritorious Service Medal AMVER = Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System AN = Aids to Navigation ANACO = Assistant National Commodore ANOA/NOA = advance notice of arrival/notice of arrival ANSC – Auxiliary National Supply Center ANSC-6022 = RBSVP Partner Certificate ANSC-7003 = Vessel Facility Inspection & Offer for Use, form ANSC-7008 = PWC Facility Inspection & Offer for Use form ANSC-7012 = Vessel Safety Check form ANSC-7012A = Vessel Safety Check form for paddle craft ANSC-7025 = form for reporting Division owned equipment (due each February) ANSC-7046 = form for reporting RBSVP activity ANSC- 7047 = form for identifying newly enrolled RBSVP partners ANT / ANTs= Aids to Navigation Team (s) AO = Area of Operations AO = Administrative Officer I’ve only got 27 pages more of these http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=P-DEPT&category=acronym-thesaurus

Wall Push-Ups These push-ups can provide strengthening for your entire upper body with a focus on your arms and chest. But you don’t have to get down on the floor and worry about being stuck there! 1. Stand in front of a sturdy wall, up to two feet away but as close as you need to. 2. Place your hands up against the wall directly in front of your shoulders. 3. Keep your body straight and bend your elbows to lean in towards the wall. 4. Stop with your face close to the wall and then straighten your arms to push your body away from the wall. This month’s knot From NetKnots.com The Flemish Bend The Flemish Bend, also called the Figure Eight Bend, it is one of the strongest, safest, and simplest ways to join two ropes. It is also is relatively easy to undo in modern synthetic ropes and can be readily checked. For utmost security, the working ends can be tied into backup knots. -Form the first rope into a loosely tied figure eight shape -Following the working end of the first rope where it exits the knot, feed the working end of the second rope around the knot, parallel at all times with t he first rope so that it exits alongside the stand part of the first rope. - Tighten the knot a bit at a time by alternately pulling on the working ends and standing lines, making sure that it remains symmetrical and neat.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Association www.cgauxa.org is the official web site for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association which maintains the shopping site for the AUXCENTER and has everything an Auxiliarist needs except for ODU/uniforms. Everything else from ties to belts to insignia, etc., is where it is at. They work on a very small markup over cost, with 5% going back to your District. Hey – it’s August Stay Cool. Stay Healthy. .

Wanted: Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Did you know striped bass (Morone saxatilis) are the official saltwater fish of New York? If you fish for striped bass and want to help conserve this popular and admired species, becoming a Striped Bass Cooperative Angler may be for you! DEC provides volunteer anglers with logbooks to record fishing trip information, envelopes to take scale samples from striped bass, and instructions on how to properly collect required data. When catch and release fishing, it’s important to practice safe and ethical fish handling to help release your fish unharmed. Follow the tips below to help ensure your fish’s survival: • Consider environmental conditions. Fighting a fish in warmer water can cause greater stress, and the fish will exhaust itself more quickly. Anglers should use tackle appropriate to the size of the fish you are targeting to avoid long fight times. • Avoid treble hooks, barbs, and gaffs. Crush or file off barbs on hooks to reduce de-hooking time and damage to the fish. Do not gaff a fish unless it is legal size and you intend to keep it. Circle hooks are encouraged when fishing with bait. • Be prepared. Have all the necessary tools on hand before landing a fish to help reduce the time it’s out of the water during the de-hooking process. If a fish becomes gut-hooked, cut the leader as closely as possible to the hook and leave the hook in place; it will rust out after a short time. • Minimize the fish’s exposure to air. Keep fish in the water at all times or as much as possible. If you must handle a fish, make sure your hands are wet, hold it horizontally and firmly, and support its weight under the belly. Never hold a fish by its eyes or gills. If using a landing net, use a “knotless” net to reduce removing slime and scales from the fish. • Proper release. While in control of the fish, orient it headfirst into the current, then gently move the fish in a side-to-side pattern so that water flows through the mouth and over the gills. Do not let the fish go until it is able to swim strongly out of your grasp. DEC recommends using non-offset circle hooks when fishing with bait for striped bass. Circle hooks are designed to hook the corner of a fish's mouth, which will make it easier to release the fish, reduce deep hooking casualties, and increase survival rates of released fish. Circle hooks will be mandatory when fishing for striped bass with bait starting in 2021. }

C/2020 F3 Skywatchers the world over are buzzing about comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE), the first easily-visible comet to appear in years. To see to see the comet, you will need clear skies to the northwest, and a very low horizon that is free of obstructing trees and buildings. If you live in an apartment with western or north-facing windows or a balcony, you’re in luck, too. You can see this comet with your unaided eyes, but it will become truly spectacular through binoculars and telescopes. What you should expect to see is a small, bright, fuzzy spot, possibly with an orange or green hue. Binoculars will reveal the comet’s faint tail extending generally upwards, away from the sun. Actually, look for two tails pointed in slightly different directions – a brighter one composed of debris the comet is dropping behind it and a fainter, blue-tinted one composed of ionized gas. The latter tail will always point directly away from the sun, since it's being pushed by the solar wind. While your telescope will magnify the comet’s head nicely, its tail will extend beyond your telescope’s limited field of view. Jupiter and Saturn are in the southwest night sky too ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ Nothing to do with Auxiliary Activities, but… Tar Spot Noticing black spots on your maple leaves this summer? Your maple tree may have tar spot - but fear not! Tar spot is a fungal disease that resembles splotches of tar on leaf surfaces, but it is mostly just a cosmetic nuisance. Heavy infections may cause early leaf drop, but the fungus does not cause long-term damage to the tree. The fungus can overwinter in leaf litter in your yard. If you would like to prevent tar spot in your trees for next year, be sure to remove all leaf litter when the leaves fall in autumn. Photo: Maple leaves with signs of tar spot. FYI

Recipe of the Month Brazilian Shrimp Soup https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/brazilian-shrimp-soup/ This is an incredibly delicious creamy tomato soup that features shrimp, coconut milk, and bright lemon juice. Perfect for any occasion! ingedients 2 tbsp olive oil / 1 medium onion chopped / 1 red bell pepper chopped / 4 cloves garlic minced / ½ cup long grain rice / ¼ tsp red papper flakes / 1 tsp salt / 28 oz crushed tomatoes (I large can) / 4 cups water / 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk / 1 pound medium shelled shrimp cut into 1-inch pieces / ¼ tsp ground black pepper / 3 tbsp lemon juice / ½ cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish) Instructions In a large soup pot heat the olive oil over low heat. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and cook stirring occasionally until the onion and pepper are soft. About 5 minutes. Add the rice, red pepper flakes, salt, tomatoes and water to the pot and bring a boil. Cook until the rice is almost done, about 10 minutes. Stir the coconut milk into the soup. Bring to a simmer and then stir in the shrimp. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp is just done, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the black pepper, lemon juice, and parsley. Recommendations Serve with a crusty bread for dipping and a nice Vouvray demi-sec from France's Loire Valley. But if you prefer something more local: how about either the Paumanok 2019 Chenin Blanc, or their 2019 minimalist chenin blanc; or perhaps something a bit more bubbly, try Sparkling Pointe’s Cuvée Carnaval Blancs. But if you’re more into beer - our own Blue Point Brewers suggest their Blueberry Lager as it is one of the sweeter beers that might have some of the same kinds of characteristics found in the wines.

Coronavirus There is currently no vaccine to prevent the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help to reduce the spread of respiratory diseases, including: • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. • Stay home when you are sick (if “self-quarantined”, you may need a 2 week supply of food in your house – be prepared). • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. • Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. o CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. o Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. o If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

And what kind of a newspaper is it that doesn’t have a comix page

Supporting Our Own Business cards from Flotilla 1-7 members Mike Palermo Michelle Miller 631.207.3683 [email protected] John LaPorta Steve Fazio Adam Small

Parting Shot Life Magazine’s last page was called something like “parting shot” and was an interesting photograph – so we’re doing the same thing here for our publication… Hopefully our Next Regular Meeting will be: 7:30 pm Tuesday September 1st, 2020