Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2014
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, District 7
Editor: Sue Carty FSO-PB, [email protected], 803-478-7022
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2014. The
75th Anniversary Logo banner shown above will be appearing frequently during the year.
LAKE MURRAY MARINER Flotilla 12-3 Lake Murray at Flotilla Island, Chapin, SC
FLOTILLA MEETING: Monday, January 27, 2013 Time: 7:00p.m.
Place: Flotilla Island
2
I would like to thank the members for electing me the Lake Murray 2014 Flotilla
Commander.
Although it has been a long time since I have held this position, I am eager to
work with all. So far members have come forward with plans and commitments
to continue to maintain the proud and productive activities of the Lake Murray
Flotilla missions that support the Boating Public, Law and Local organizations
and the United States Coast Guard.
I encourage all members to attend the meetings and, if you cannot attend, to com-
municate your input through the FC, VFC or the Flotilla Staff Officers (FSOs).
Your voice and participation are Lake Murray Flotilla 12-3.
FLOTILLA COMMANDER -
Don Carty
2014 FC AND VFC
To our 2014 elected officers -
Don Carty FC and
Festus Burchfield VFC:
You are the beginning of the
future of Flotilla 12-3. All the
excitement of a new year and
to all the hopes and dreams for
a great year. May all our
members pull together and
work side by side to make
FL 12-3 the best ever.
Don Carty FC Festus Burchfield VFC
3
Staff Officer Directory: Flotilla 12-3
Don Carty, Flotilla Commander (FC)
Festus Burchfield, Flotilla Vice Commander (VFC)
Jerry Ruschkofski, Immediate Past Flotilla Commander (IPFC)
Communications (FSO-CM) Ken Plesser Operations (FSO-OP) Festus Burchfield
Communications Services (FSO-CS) Barbara Burchfield
Diversity (FSO-DV) Jerry Ruschkofski Public Affairs (FSO-PA) Bill Lindsay
Finance (FSO-FN) Peg Peterson Publications (FSO-PB) Sue Carty
Human Resources (FSO-HR) Sue Carty Public Education (FSO-PE) Kent McCoin
Information Systems (FSO-IS) Don Carty Program Visitor (FSO-PV) Don Carty
Marine Safety (FSO-MS) Secretary Records (FSO-SR) Peg Peterson
Materials (FSO-MA) John Mezynski Vessel Examinations (FSO-VE)
Member Training (FSO-MT) Barbara Burchfield Festus Burchfield
Navigation Systems (FSO-NS) Festus Burchfield
2014 DIVISION 12, DISTRICT 7 AUXILIARY BRIDGE (LEADERS)
At left: Al Crothers
Division 12 Commander (DCDR)
At right:
John Murphy
Division 12 Vice Commander (VCDR)
2014 DISTRICT 7 AUXILIARY BRIDGE Commodore (COMO) District Chief of Staff (DCOS) District Captain North
John Tyson Robert Weskerna (DCAPT-N) David Fuller
4
Items of interest in this month’s edition: - 2014 AUX District & Division Bridge– p 3
- VE Workshop on January 19– p 5
- Flotilla meeting with guests and new
member installation on January 27– p 5
- FL 12-3 67th Birthday on February 1– p 6
- Upcoming Events - p 7
- FL 12-3 Change of Watch/Dinner– p 8,9
- End of year patrols—p 10
- Flotilla Staff Report - p 11
- News Release, FL 12-3 Auxiliary - p 12, 13
- State Liaison SC Report - p 13-15 - Wreaths Across America - p 16
- Hypothermia article - p 17, 18
- Coast Guard News Release - p 19
January 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 New
Year’s Day
2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Div 12
COW
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 VE
Workship
1-3PM
20 FSO
reports to
DSO
21 22 23 24 25 Dist
Leadership
Workshop
26 27
Flotilla
Mtg 7PM
28 29 30 31
5
VESSEL EXAMINATION (VE) WORKSHOP
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014
At
Flotilla Island
On Sunday, January 19, a VE Workshop will be held at Flotilla Island
from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
CURRENT Vessel Examiners -
Great review for all examiners
NEW Vessel Candidates -
Should study should study the VE Manual and get
prepared to take the online test.
Should you need a copy of the manual, please contact
Barbara Burchfield.
FLOTILLA MEETING - JANUARY 27, 2014
Hunter Robinson, 1st SGT with SCDNR Law Enforcement, will be at our January flotilla meeting to give their DNR PowerPoint Presentation. As Auxiliarists, the PPT will not only provide good information about the DNR and its resources and responsibilities, but will be a great way to launch our boating safety initiatives for the year. 1st SGT Robinson also plans to bring as many of our “new” officers that will be working the lake so he can introduce them or our flotilla members. Mark your calendars to attend this informative meeting! What a good way to start the new year! Not only will we get a chance to learn more about our local DNR but we will also have an opportunity to meet some of the local DNR representatives that, hopefully, we might be working with during the upcoming year.
6
FLOTILLA 12-3’S
67th BIRTHDAY
on
February 1, 2014
Lake Murray Flotilla 12-3 was the first U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary unit in South Carolina, chartered on February 1, 1947. That makes 01 FEB 2014 the flotilla’s 67th birthday and we are planning a barbeque dinner and a trip down memory lane on Saturday, February 1. We are looking for any historical records, photos, news clippings or other relative information you have that you would share for the flotilla birthday celebration. Written anecdotes and stories are welcomed. Please send them email to [email protected] by February 27. NOTE: If you know retirees, transfers or anyone else who may have some Flotilla 12-3 history to offer, please send them this email. These items will also be used to preserve the history of Flotilla 12-3. Thank you for your contributions! Barbara Burchfield FSO-CS FL 12-3
7
UPCOMING EVENTS JANUARY -
January 19 - VE Workshop for new and current Vessel Examiners
Even if you have not already signed up for the workshop, PLEASE COME AND
JOIN this informative workshop whether you want to become a VE or are one
already. It will be this coming Sunday, January 19, from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at
Flotilla Island. Contact Barbara Burchfield for more information.
JANUARY -
January 27 - Flotilla 12-3 regularly scheduled meeting
- DNR is scheduled to present their PowerPoint Presentation about the DNR and its
resources and responsibilities. We may also have the opportunity to meet some of
the officers that work for the DNR.
- Swearing in of new members and any staff officers who were not at the December
FL 12-3 Change of Watch (COW)/Dinner.
FEBRUARY -
February 7-9 - Columbia Boat Show
The Columbia Boat Show will be held at the State Fairgrounds. Mark your calendars
and plan to volunteer some time to help man the booth. More information to follow.
MARCH -
March 28-30 - Sportsmans Classic Expo
The Sportsmans Classic Expo will be held at the State Fairgrounds. We will need
members to help man the booth for this event also. More information will follow
closer to the show.
AUXOP Webinars Offered Auxiliary Specialty Courses
AUXOP Webinars are now being offered by Ralph and Suzanne Tomlinson from 8WR Div
33. They will conduct classes via the Internet utilizing webinars and a virtual classroom. The
webinars will be led by two instructors making use of video, live audio/chat, cameras and
other presentation materials. Each webinar will last approximately 90 minutes. The virtual
classroom is a secure interactive website that will allow students to post questions and discuss
problems, obtain helpful links and ancillary material, and get communication from the instruc-
tors.
Look for AUXOP Webinars as they are offered in 2014. We will be notified of the schedules
as they are announced.
8
FL 12-3 CHANGE OF WATCH/DINNER - DECEMBER 9, 2013
Article and photos by Sue Carty
Our annual Flotilla 12-3 COW/Dinner was held at The Flight Deck on December 9. It was a
special evening because, not only were the 2014 FC and 2014 Flotilla Staff Officers in atten-
dance sworn in for their offices, but we honored two of our own who retired from the
US Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2013. An enjoyable evening was had by all.
Retirement certificates were presented by Jerry Ruschkofski FC to Don Davis after 31 years of
dedicated service to the Auxiliary and Dale McCoin after 16 years of dedicated service.
Ken Plesser conducted the prologue and pledge to Don Carty FC-Elect after which Don Carty
conducted the prologue and pledge to the Incoming Flotilla Staff Officers present.
Congratulations to both Don and Dale on their retirement. Thank you for all you have
accomplished for FL 12-3 and enjoy all your future endeavors!
2 retired Auxiliary
members, Dale McCoin and
Don Davis, with their spouses.
From left: Dale, Kent McCoin,
Marilyn Davis and Don.
RETIREMENT CERTIFICATES PRESENTATION
Don Davis receiving his certificate from Dale McCoin receiving her certificate
Jerry Ruschkofski FC from Jerry Ruschkofski FC
9
FLOTILLA COW/DINNER - Cont’d
BELOW:
2014 staff officers installed:
Peg Peterson - Finance, Secretary
Ken Plesser - Communications
Sue Carty - Publications, Human
Resources
George Bigby-Vessel Examiner
Kent McCoin - Public Education
Don Carty-Information Systems,
Program Visitor
Bill Lindsay - Public Affairs
ABOVE: Ken Plesser swearing
in Don Carty as FC
for 2014.
At left:
Jerry Ruschkofski
as he gives his remarks.
At right:
Don Carty stating his
remarks.
10
TWO END OF YEAR PATROLS:
November 9, 2013 and December 20, 2013
With operations closed down almost the entire month of October 2013 due to the government
shutdown, trying to get crew hours for our coxswains and boat crew members before the end of
the year proved to be a challenge.
However, two Maritime Observation Patrols
(MOM) were conducted even with the Lake
Murray water levels down for environmental rea-
sons.
November 9: Using operational facility (OPFAC)
GRANDON, owned by Don Carty, the
following members participated:
Roger Deaton, coxswain, with boat crew
members George Bigbee and Don Carty.
December 20: Using OPFAC GRANDON, the
following members participated:
Jerry Ruschkofski, coxswain, with boat crew George Bigbee and Don Carty.
11
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! This coming February will be my one year anniversary publishing your newsletter—and I do mean YOUR newsletter. I have enjoyed bringing all types of news to FL 12-3 whether it be Flotilla, Division, District or National, Auxiliary or Coast Guard. I have been asking from the beginning and will continue to ask for not only what you would like to see in the newsletters but also for articles written by any member. I want you to have an interest to open that newsletter to see your contribution and what else you might find inside these pages; ie: What is happening in the flotilla, what fun event is coming next, etc. FLOTILLA STAFF OFFICERS: Find out more about your office and write an article (doesn’t have to be a book) to pass onto fellow members. Who knows, someone might discover they like what you’re doing and want to be a part of what you are doing. Contact the Division Staff Officer (SO) for your office for leads on where to find information. As Flotilla Staff Officer for Publications (FSO-PB), I would contact my SO-PB, William Carter. Don’t know who to contact, go to AuxDirectory or Vice Flotilla Commander (VFC) Festus Burchfield. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE FOR FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER: January 30, 2014
FLOTILLA STAFF OFFICERS REPORTS
SUE CARTY: PUBLICATIONS
The Lake Murray Mariner is always looking for articles about Auxiliarists, stories of interest, and
photographs. Your articles don’t have to be long; just make sure you include all of the basics: Who are you
writing about? What is the topic or event? Where does the story take place (location)? When did, or when will this event take place, and finally, Why is this of interest, or How was this accomplished? Provide as
much information as possible.
Photographs should always be high resolution images. Please do not compress the image or crop the photo
unless you are an experienced user of one of the high-end photo-editing programs. If you have any doubt,
just send the image straight from your camera and add a description that includes who and what is depicted
in the photograph, and the name of the photographer. Take a camera with you everywhere. Vessel
Examinations, Member Training, patrols, Public Education programs and fellowship events are all great
photo opportunities. Be proud of everything that you do for the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary
and demonstrate that with pictures and articles.
Any questions, please contact Sue Carty FSO-PB
12
Contact: Barbara Burchfield
Public Affairs Specialist
(803) 240-9264
November 11 , 2013
News Release U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Lake Murray elected leaders pledge
5,000 hours of volunteer support
By Barbara Burchfield, US Coast Guard Auxiliary
The U.S. Coast Guard can expect to receive tremendous support from a local area Coast Guard
Auxiliary unit in 2014. Don Carty, the Flotilla Commander – elect for Lake Murray Flotilla 12-3,
has pledged over 5,000 hours of volunteer support by flotilla members toward Coast Guard
Auxiliary operations and missions over the next year.
“Our volunteer members will deliver over 5,000 hours of combined mission support to the Coast
Guard.” said Carty. “These services include surface and air patrols, radio communication watches,
boating safety classes, vessel safety checks, boating safety outreach, community relations, and
other missions on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard.”
Auxiliary Flotilla 12-3 members elected Carty in late October to lead the organization through the
2014 calendar year. He will serve as Flotilla Commander, replacing Jerry Ruschkofski, who will
serve as Immediate Past Flotilla Commander.
Carty has been an active member of the Auxiliary for 16 years, joining in Pennsylvania for 11
years before his move to South Carolina in 2008. He brings valuable experience and a strong
background to the flotilla, having held numerous leadership positions including Vice Division
Commander, Flotilla Commander and Vice Flotilla Commander. Carty has received many awards
and high honors during his term, including the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation and Coast
Guard Unit Commendation. He is a qualified boat crew member, instructor, vessel examiner,
marine dealer visitor, and also holds the positions of Information Systems Officer and Human
Resources Officer.
Festus Burchfield was elected Vice Flotilla Commander. He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in
2005 in Bellingham, Washington, earning his boat crew and coxswain ratings in the Pacific
Northwest. He managed a training program at Coast Guard Station Bellingham to qualify
Auxiliarists as boat crew on a Coast Guard boat used by the Auxiliary. Burchfield moved to
Lexington, South Carolina in 2009. He is a qualified coxswain, instructor, vessel examiner, and
marine dealer visitor and will also be the Flotilla Operations Officer for vessel operations.
Additionally, Burchfield serves as the State Liaison Officer for South Carolina since 2009 and as
Qualifying Examiner for Auxiliary coxswain and boat crew members. In 2011 Burchfield
13
developed and managed a Auxiliary Coxswain & Crew Training Academy held in Charleston,
the first of its kind in the state. “Basically, I’m a boat guy,” explains Burchfield. Carty and
Burchfield both offer their personal boats as operational facilities for Coast Guard Auxiliary
missions.
Lake Murray Flotilla 12-3 normally meets the last Monday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30
p.m. at Flotilla Island facility at the end of Johnson Marina Road. Anyone interested in learning
more about the Coast Guard Auxiliary or becoming a member should contact Don Carty at
[email protected]. “I look forward to my term as Flotilla Commander and working with
other Lake Murray agencies to promote recreational boating safety.”
Chartered on February 1, 1947, Lake Murray Flotilla 12-3 was the first Coast Guard Auxiliary
unit in South Carolina, followed by Flotilla 12-8 Charleston in 1965. The U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary, created by an Act of Congress in 1939, is the uniformed, civilian component of the
U.S. Coast Guard supporting the Coast Guard in nearly all its missions.
STATE LIAISON OFFICER-SOUTH CAROLINA (SLO-SC) REPORT FOR 2013
QUARTER 4
The SLO-SC Report for the 4th Quarter of 2013, written by
Barbara and Festus Burchfield, is on the following two pages.
SOME of their duties as SLOs include:
- Maintain a close relationship with the State’s Boating Law
Administrator and staff.
- Coordinate Auxiliary support to the State’s Boating
Safety Program
- Discuss the Auxiliary’s current objectives and initiatives.
- Review the States’s educational goals and determine
additional support needed from the Auxiliary’s public
education and the State’s boating education programs.
NEWS RELEASE TO MAKE PUBLIC AWARE OF
USCG AUXILIARY AND FLOTILLA 12-3
The News Release that started on the previous page was written by Barbara Burchfield
and submitted to various newspapers in the Lake Murray area this past November.
The purpose of the news release had several goals:
1. To continue making the public aware of our local Auxiliary Flotilla 12-3 Lake
Murray.
2. To introduce our new elected leaders for 2014 and their extensive backgrounds to
show our strong resources and support to help make boating safe on Lake Murray.
14
State Liaison Officer-South Carolina Report for 2013 Quarter 4
SLO-SC: Barbara & Festus Burchfield
DNR reports that 2013 recreational boating safety fatalities in the state have exceeded 2012
fatalities as of this report. Fatalities have more than DOUBLED from 2012 to 2013, so there
is much to be done in boating education.
Year Number of Fatalities Number of Accidents
2013 29 TBA*
2012 14 111
2011 19 98
2010 26 107
*DNR issues an annual report which is released the following year in April-May.
We initiated coordination of the life jacket loaner program involving Sea Tow-Lake Murray
and Lake Murray marine patrol units of Lexington and Richland County Sheriff’s
Departments. The idea is to loan PFDs to boaters who are ticketed for non-compliant life
jacket use so they can return to their homes legally. The boaters can return the loaned PFDs
on their court date and the PFDs will be sent to the marine patrol units to be used again. The
program is still in the ‘talking about it’ stage.
Concerning Navy Sea Cadet Corps and Boy Scouts of America, we collaborated with Mike
Fulgham, B-Dept, Youth Program Branch Assistant (BA-BLY).
NASBLA paddlesports education standards was provided to paddlesports and other local
groups.
We provided breaking news of Illinois proposed boating laws to Lake Murray Safety
Consortium (LMSC).
Festus was Lead Coxswain again this year for the Great Portage Race (GPR) on 14SEP,
sponsored by the Navy League. He collaborated with the Event Coordinator and other
sponsors. Barbara served as Public Affairs Lead for both the Auxiliary and Navy League at
this event with Sue Carty, Flotilla 12-3, as additional photographer. Media coverage was state
wide. The Great Portage Race also featured in Navy League “Sea Power Magazine”
December 2013 issue, with the Auxiliary being credited for loaning radios to the NL,
providing water safety zones, and providing public affairs/photography. See it here.
Attendance
Supported “Lake Murray SUP Classic” 28SEP with surface operational facility.
Met with SC BLA representative 16OCT.
Attended Lake Murray Power Squadron Change of Watch and dinner party on 08NOV,
Columbia SC.
Lake Murray Safety Consortium meeting 16OCT; multi-agency and law enforcement
group promoting an alliance for safety.
Lake Murray Chamber of Commerce, Lake Murray Association and Sea Tow partner
meetings.
15
State Liaison Officer-South Carolina Report for 2013 Quarter 4
Auxiliary Sector Coordinator (ASC) Teleconference monthly meetings with USCG Sector
Charleston and Auxiliary leadership helps to communicate important current events and
issues.
Flotilla meeting on 28OCT.
Division 12 quarterly meeting 26OCT.
News releases, articles, photos, and stories:
News release–external media; Auxiliary flotilla, division and district publications
Flotilla Elected Leadership pledges 5,000 volunteer hours
The Great Portage Race 2013
Lake Murray SUP Classic Event
Joint Rescue & Recovery Team Water Rescue Training
CPR AED Course Training
AuxAir photos
Voo Doo Magic and a QE Mission
SLO quarterly reports published in Division 12 newsletters.
Boating safety article to Lake Murray Association LakeLink newsletter promoting life jacket
use and SC DNR’s boating laws and responsibilities. Started a boating safety quiz to be pub-
lished in each quarterly newsletter.
Public Education
We continue to work individually with flotillas to promote their efforts and to provide re-
sources and tools for success in support of the District 7 Strategic Plan to increase the number
of boating safety classes and students.
DNR and Aux are experiencing fewer student registrations in 2013 over 2012. The number of
ABS students enrolling on SC DNR website has increased year to year. The number of Auxil-
iary students passing ABS testing during 2013 has decreased by 26% over 2012 results. There
seem to be more challenges this year to getting students into the classroom.
We would like to thank everyone for doing their part this past year in promoting recreational
boating safety in South Carolina. Thank you also for your support and encouragement.
Happy New Year Y’all! Barbara & Festus
Division 12 01JAN – 30NOV 2013
Number of ABS classes 23
Number of students graduated 248
Percentage of students less than 18 years old 24.6%
Percentage of Student registered at DNR website 25.8%
16
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
John Owen, FC 12-1
On Saturday, 14 December
2013, John Owen, Flotilla
C o m m a n d e r 1 2 - 1 ,
participated with Cadets
from the Sumter Civil Air
Patrol in hanging wreaths
honoring veterans as part of
the Wreaths Across America.
The wreath-hangings and
ceremony were part of
similar services at
graveyards across the
country on a Saturday in
December, including at the
Arlington National Cemetery
in Washington, D.C.
Major Kevin Mateer,
Chaplin, US Army – Shaw
AFB, was the keynote
speaker. Girl Scouts from
Troop 1015 in West
Columbia also made the trip
to Sumter to take part.
Preceding the placement of
wreaths along the fence ,
seven ceremonial wreaths
were placed in front of the
main flag pole at the
cemetery, representing the
Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marine Corps, Coast Guard,
Merchant Marine and the
POW/MIA, then presented
them with a salute. Ω
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
Below is an article that was published in Flotilla 12-1’s newsletter, The Inland Sea, which
is published by their Flotilla Staff Officer for Publications (FSO-PB), COMO Jay Dahlgren,
PDCO7. FL 12-1’s Flotilla Commander (FC), John Owen, participated in the ceremony and
wrote the article. In the top photo, John Owen is pictured at the end on the right side. The
ceremony was held at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery.
17
Hypothermia and Cold Shock - The Risks of Off Season Boating
By Pete Seidel, ADSO-MS-GRU-MOR 1SR
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
The warm weather boaters have left the water and are dreaming of the Spring launching sea-
son. The crowds are gone from the local waters during the colder months of the year leaving
only the wind to ripple the surface. A few die-hard fishermen still work their favorite spots,
enjoying the peace and quiet. Bundled up against the cold, waterfowl hunters also take advan-
tage of the now nearly empty waterways. The crisp clear days of the cold weather seasons are
the best of times for many boaters.
Enjoying these good times does not come without the risk of paying a heavy price. The water
is cold, with temperatures that have gone under 60º F., during the off-season making a fall into
the water a real danger of becoming a fatal accident. His love of cold weather boating puts a
winter boater in a real risk of being in a man overboard situation that runs a very high risk of
becoming a fatality. The sharply reduced boating traffic adds to that danger making an imme-
diate or prompt rescue highly unlikely, requiring that off-season boaters be doubly careful and
avoid solo trips.
The main objective is to avoid entering the water because Immersion in cold water rapidly in-
capacitates and may quickly kill boaters who are not wearing protective clothing. Surfers, sail-
boarders, kayakers and other folks in similar sports wear wetsuits or drysuits to protect them-
selves from the cold water. Smart off-season boaters, including sailors, fishermen, hunters, and
others take similar precautions to improve their safety while on the water including never going
out alone.
To properly prepare, you have to first understand what happens to your body in cold water.
Water removes heat from a body 25 times faster than cold air and most of the body heat is lost
through the head. Swimming, thrashing about, and other physical activity increases the heat
loss through the limbs and extremities. If you become a person in the water (PIW) you will
sharply reduce your survival time though physical activity. Strong swimmers wearing a PFD
have died before they covered 100 yards in cold water. Did you know that in water with a tem-
perature of less than 40º F., a strong man can expire before he can swim 100 feet? Two factors
come into play against a you while you are immersed in cold water, they are cold shock and
hypothermia.
Cold shock is the body’s reaction to the shock of cold water. During cold weather boating all
persons on board should wear life jackets. Cold shock from falling into icy water can trigger
an involuntary gasping reflex that will cause you to inhale water through your mouth. Without
a life jacket a person can drown without ever coming back to the surface. Wearing your life
jacket will increase the likelihood of survival if you should accidentally fall into the cold win-
ter water. Cold shock may also result in cardiac arrest. When the head and chest are exposed
to cold water, the result is often a very sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
(Cont’d)
18
Hypothermia and Cold Shock - Cont’d
Cold water immersion can also result in immediate loss of consciousness but, depending on the
type of life jacket worn an unconscious victim can survive without drowning.
Hypothermia in layman’s terms is decreased body temperature. This condition develops more
slowly than the effects of cold shock and you may not be immediately aware of the symptoms.
Remember that the symptoms of hypothermia include shivering as the body loses heat and
body temperature drops, uncontrolled rapid breathing follows the initial gasping response and
may cause a loss of consciousness, muscle rigidity and loss of voluntary motor function which
results in physical helplessness. A hypothermia victim starts to shiver as core body tempera-
ture falls from 97ºF. down to about 90ºF. A person at risk of hypothermia must try to control
breathing rate to avoid hyperventilation leading to unconsciousness following the immediate
involuntary gasping response to the initial immersion into cold water. Uncontrolled or rapid
breathing will speed up the chilling process. When the body’s core temperature fall to 93ºF.
physical ability is severely diminished and mental capacity begins to deteriorate rapidly. A
victim usually falls into an unconscious state when body temperature falls to 86ºF. If the vic-
tim doesn’t drown first, hypothermia will finish him off when the body temperature falls to or
near 80ºF. Survival figures show that an adult dressed in average clothing may remain con-
scious for one hour in water at 40ºF, and perhaps as long as 2 - 3 hours in 50ºF water. Remem-
ber, any movement in water accelerates body heat loss. Unnecessary movement can reduce
survival time to minutes. The recent film, Titanic, graphically portrayed the fatal effects of
lowered body temperature on persons in the water.
Avoid venturing out onto the cold wintry waters alone, because a buddy can save your life, or
vice versa. If you find yourself in cold water, try to get back in or on your boat immediately.
If the boat capsizes, do not leave the boat because the overturned boat is easier to spot than a
single person in the water. If you are not wearing thermal protection and you can’t get out of
the water, keep as still as possible. Fold your arms against your chest, cross your legs to re-
duce the amount of cooling surface. Rely on the buoyancy of your life jacket and float quietly
until help arrives. If two or more people are in the water, huddle close together. Put your arms
around each other to slow down heat loss. Stay together and stay still, letting your life jackets
keep you afloat.
19
News Release Date: Jan. 12, 2014
D7 PADET North
Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Soto
Office: (305) 318-1864
UPDATE: Coast Guard rescues three mariners from sinking vessel
###
CALIBOGUE SOUND, S.C. — The Coast Guard rescued three mariners from a sinking vessel Saturday
in the vicinity of Calibogue Sound, S.C.
Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center received a report from Beaufort
County Dispatch stating the 62-foot fishing vessel Christina Leigh was taking on water, at 3 p.m. The
three mariners aboard had to place the call via cell phone since their VHF radio was damaged.
Sector Charleston personnel put out an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched crewmembers
from Coast Guard Station Tybee Island at 3:04 p.m. A crew aboard a rescue helicopter from Coast Guard
Air Station Savannah was also launched. The helicopter crew arrived on scene and located the vessel at 4
p.m.
An initial survey showed the Christina Leigh was listing to the right and was being battered by the surf.
The three crewmembers were standing on the bow of the vessel, signaling the helicopter. The helicopter
crew directed the 25-foot response boat from Station Tybee to the location of the vessel. All three dis-
tressed mariners were transferred onto the Coast Guard boat at approximately 4:06 p.m.
None of the three rescued mariners reported any injuries. All three were wearing their life jackets during
the incident. Coast Guard crews vacated the scene due to an approaching storm and tornado warning as
soon as the three mariners were rescued.
The Christina Leigh master reported the vessel has approximately 280 gallons of diesel fuel aboard. Coast
Guard marine investigators and pollution investigators have been notified and will attempt to obtain a
salvage plan from the owner. A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft is scheduled to conduct an aerial assess-
ment of the site of the sinking for potential pollution. Station Tybee personnel are scheduled to transport
the marine and pollution investigators to the scene to conduct an inspection at 8:45 a.m., Sunday.
