U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

[C-Pup16 in Los Angeles]

Hi fellow C-Brats!

I'd like to start a thread about the CoastGuard Auxiliary by letting you know that I just joined it and warmly invite you to look into your local Auxiliary flotilla to see if this organization might interest you. I wrote more than I can recall and retype about my reasons, the purpose of the Auxiliary, common gripes and such at... (pardon me...) the C-Dog site, so may I ask if you're curious about my thinking to check the Coast Guard Auxiliary thread there...

http://groups.msn.com/cdoryownersgroup/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=4865&LastModified=4675458587065010068

If the above link give you trouble, then just go to http://cgatenews.com and look for links on the right to "Auxiliary Home Page".

By the way, if you have a son or daughter who is a junior in high school or as a senior is pondering colleges, information in my posts at the C-Dog MSN site tell about a summer 6 day visit program for high school juniors to the Coast Guard Academy. This really might interest you or your teenager if either have a love for boating,... or for a good education possibly paid for by the Coast Guard! As to the Academy, you'd be surprised where it ranks scholastically in the nation's top ten list of universities, and who trails behind it. At the prior mentioned cgatenews.com site on the left side of the opening page, you can click on "Summer Program For H.S. Juniors" for information about their six day Academy visit program. (Find it under Academy Links.) Maybe mosey around the "Pay Charts" links too... Then below "Admissions Info", click "10 Best Colleges" to see where the Academy ranks in the top ten. I'm told that it has a great engineering program, and that a five year stint in the Coast Guard could provide a young adult with up to $300,000 in tuition benefits. The requirement to apply is a 3.4 grade average, at least an 1100 SAT score and some atheletic prowess.

Safe boating to all,
Keith of C-Pup16 in Los Angeles

[B~C]

thanks for the links...we where talking about the C.G. Academy just last week...gots to check out that visitation program

[C-Pup16 in Los Angeles]

C-Brats might want to occasionally check out the Coast Guard Auxiliary web site http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/public/pubframe.htm for news bullitins, often about defective boat/motor/marine products recalls, but sometimes information that might safe you a world of grief...
like:
Naval Vessel Protection Zone Warning -- Do not approach within 100 yards of any U.S. naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel in order to ensure a safe passage in accordance with the Navigation Rules, you must contact the U.S. naval vessel or the Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16. You must operate at minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. naval vessel and proceed as directed by the Commanding Officer of the vessel or the official patrol craft. Violations of the Naval Vessel Protection Zone are a felony offense, punishable by up to 6 years in prison and/or up to $250,000 in fines.
[Posted: 27 March 2003. Source: USCG Office of Boating Safety]


Keith (C-Pup)

[ffheap]

One of my daughters gave me a book for Christmas, title THE PRACTICAL MARINER's BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE by John Vigor.

On page 20 he talks about VIGOR'S BLACK BOX THEORY.

Basically, every time we check running lights, plugs and seacocks, take a course with the USCGAux and/or the USPS, we put chits in our BLACK BOX. The chits are there to draw on when we run into problems like Fog, Squalls, boaters who do not know the rules-of-the-road, or just do not care. They we can draw on our BLACK BOX of chits.

John believes that there is no such thing as bad luck in boating. A lot of the people that have troubles do not take the time to full up there BLACK BOX, so there is nothing to draw upon when trouble arrives.

I am trying to fill up my BLACK BOX all the time. I am always taking courses at both USCGAux and USPS. ( I am now finishing up Junior Navigation, which is not Junior in anyway. ) Other times I fill up my BLACK BOX while teaching, doing Vessel Exams, or Member Training in the Auxiliary.

Think about this, and then go out and join the USCGAux and/or USPS. You will really enjoy it. Plus, it is an easy way to fill up the BLACK BOX.

Fred Heap

Member of USCGAux 11-7 1NR Nantucket and USPS BARE COVE- Hingham MA.