Members Patrol During Oyster Fest Due to poor sea conditions, our flotilla was the only one able to provide an Auxiliary Facility to control traffic and support the Coast Guard's helo demonstration during this year's Oyster Fest. The Auxiliary regularly supports Coast Guard activities by providing certified private boats with trained crew members.
Oysterfest
Established by congress in 1939, the 30,000 members of the US Coast Guard are Auxiliary Semper Paratus "Always Ready".
Join Our Mailing List. We have established a mailing list for folks interested in receiving information on local boating. You don't have to be a member of the Auxiliary to be on it. We will be sending out information pertaining to boating in our local area as well as useful information from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Our goal is to send you info that you would find interesting and helpful. By order of the Coast Guard, we will not sell or in anyway distribute your email address or any other information. If you would like to hear from us, come aboard by sending your name and email address to info@flotilla2204.com.
Haiti Relief
Members Help With Haiti Relief Members assisted with the Suffolk County Legislator's efforts to send aid materials to Haiti's Missionaries for the Poor. Donated materials were sorted and prepared for shipment by Flotilla 2204 members including William Towart, James Klouda and Ronald Doda pictured with Tara Cintorino of Gospa's Long Island Center for Peace.
New Officers are Sworn in At the January meeting, new Flotilla Commander, Peter Canning, performed a swearing in ceremony for the new Flotilla Officers including Vice Commander Jim Klouda. These new officers fill positions in the areas of Member Services, Recreational Boating Safety, and Coast Guard Support. This new administration will carry on the success established by our previous Commander Ron Doda and develop new programs adapting to the changing economy, homeland security needs, and our local boater's needs.
Swearing in
Education Award
Member Receives First Place Award Ken Gustafson was presented the Division's First Place Award for Public Education at our last meeting. Ken is an instructor in our public education program and has served as the PE officer. He and his staff have provided various boating safety and skills classes to the recreational boating public. To see this years schedule or to set up a class for your group, check our boating safety classes web page or send us an email at info@flotilla2204.com.
The Coast Guard Aux Produces DSC Video The Auxiliary has produced a video to help educate boaters as to the use and benefits of the Digital Selective Calling Radio. The DSC radio is the most common type of VHF radio available, but owners need to register and program them in order to utilize the digital features. Click on the video to view.
87 Foot Cutter
Members Are Given a Tour of Station New Haven Our members were transported via two Coast Guard Cutters to the Coast Guard Station to tour and meet the staff of the command center for Sector Long Island Sound. Coast Guard operations for Long Island Sound, including the south shore of Long Island and along coastal Connecticut are coordinated from a single command center located at Sector Long Island Sound, on the eastern side of New Haven Harbor. Nine other field subunits, strategically located throughout the Sound, work for this office. This includes approximately 500 active duty, 200 reservists, and 1200 volunteer CG Auxiliary members.
Members Volunteer at the Nathan Bruckenthal Memorial Service. Members of our Flotilla took part in the Station Eaton's Neck Nathan Bruckenthal memorial service. DC3 Nathan Bruckenthal was killed in action at the Khawr Al Amay Oil Terminal off the coast of Iraq on 24 April 2004. This was the first combat loss of life to the Coast Guardsmen since the Vietnam War. Video of the ceremony can be seen at http://coastguardnews.com/video-nathan-bruckenthal-memorial/2009/04/24/.
Bruckenthal Service
Our “Safest Flotilla on Long Island” award goes on display. Our “Safest Flotilla on Long Island” award was put on permanent display at the Eaton’s Neck Coast Guard Station. The award is now hung outside the Station’s commander’s office. This award is a result of the Flotilla’s year round activities, missions and efforts to make local boating safe. Pictured from left to right are Station Commander Mr. Craighead and Flotilla Commander Ron Doda.
Safest Flotilla Award on Display
Our Own Flotilla Members to the Rescue!The September issue of Boating World Magazine is now available on line and features a PIW (person in the water) rescue by our Flotilla members. Whether on or off duty, our moto is "Always Ready". You can check out the article at: http://www.liboatingworld.com/archive/2008/09/LIBW/LIBW_27.pdf
Boat Crew Graduating ClassThis month 5 Auxiliary members are graduating from the Boat Crew Program, including our own Flotilla member Peter Canning.This year’s program started mid spring.
Crew training consists of shore-side and on-the-water activities aimed at acquainting and teaching new Boat Crew members the necessary theory, and practical skills required to achieve Boat Crew status.
Training is done by qualified Coast Guard Auxiliary and active-duty Coast Guard instructors both on land (shore-side) and on-the-water, in either Auxiliary Facilities or with Coast Guard vessels
Crew Class
Training is done using modified Coast Guard training course(s), with many of the Auxiliary sections attended by Coast Guard personal who are also qualifying for Coast Guard Boat Crew positions.
Initial training (shore-side) course consists of sections devoted to first aid, safety equipment, marlinespike (rope and line handling), and seamanship skills. Other areas include proper radio procedures, navigation and rules of the road, on-the-water fire fighting techniques, helicopter hoists and flood control (boat pump-outs).
On-the-water training includes acting as helmsman, man overboard drills, pre-departure check offs, towing and boat dewatering.After completion, the students are ready to serve as boat crew during regular on water patrols.
SENATOR FLANAGAN JOINS WITH THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY TO PROMOTE BOATING SAFETY.
As Long Islanders prepare to enjoy the upcoming summer on the beautiful waterways that surround our region, Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently joined with members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary to help kick-off National Safe Boating Week. The day-long safety event, which was organized by the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 22-04, was held at the Smithtown Marina on Saturday, March 17th.
The volunteer members of Flotilla 22-04 organized Operation American Lifesaver Day to help Long Islanders get off to a safe and fun boating season and to remind everyone of the need to be safe while enjoying the water.
While the day included rescue demos, kayak and paddling demos and free vessel safety checks by the trained members, the key message of the day was "Wear It" as a reminder for the need for everyone to put on a personal floatation device before they head out on the waters.
According to federal government’s statistics, the United States Coast Guard received 710 reports of boating affiliated deaths in 2006 with 70 percent of those deaths being attributed to drowning. And in 90 percents of those cases, the victim was boating without the use of a life preserver.
"Wearing a personal floatation device provides those who accidentally end up in the water with the added protection they need to and everyone should have one on every time they go out on the waters. I applaud Flotilla 22-04 for bringing this important message to the people of our area and urge everyone to be as prepared as possible," stated Senator Flanagan. "Long Island is world-renowned for recreational boating and it is up to all of us to do our part to make it as safe and enjoyable as possible."
Senator Flanagan has been a leader in fighting to make the waterways of New York State as safe as possible and has successfully worked to strengthen New York State’s boating while intoxicated (BWI) laws.
In 2003, Senator Flanagan’s efforts lowered the BWI blood alcohol content (BAC) threshold from .10 to .08 and followed that in 2006 by increasing the penalties for those convicted of BWI. These changes made the crime of BWI equal in the eyes of the law with driving while intoxicated (DWI).
To further promote boating safety, Senator Flanagan has sponsored legislation that would require all who operate a powered vessel on the waters to hold a boating safety certificate. The legislation also forbids operation of such a boat or water craft by those 10 years of age or under and restricts the ability of those who are under 16 years of age to drive on the water. Residents who are interested in boating safety can visit Senator Flanagan’s web site at
www.senatorflanagan.com and click on the Summer Safety section. This section, which includes a variety of tips to protect Long Island families during the summer, includes a section on boating safety that contains a wide-range of tips for boaters.
