Flotilla 96 Goes to Riverfest

The City of Bonita Springs threw a party on Saturday, October 27, with kayak races on the Imperial River followed by music, food and exhibits.  Flotilla 96 was invited to perform vessel safety checks on the spot and hand out safe boating material. (Photos by Tom Hart and Zarela Velasquez.)

Rich Laughlin scrubs the trailer to prepare for Riverfest

Herman surveys the activities

John Abatecola takes on two of the 48 paddle craft the flotilla
inspected.  Paul Thompson (not pictured) led the floilla with 30
inspections.

Boating Safety Class for Kayaks

In cooperation with Flotilla 98 (Punta Gorda), Flotilla 96 will host a public education course for the kayak community.  The course, Paddle Sports America, will be Saturday, December 1, at Flotilla 96 from 9:00 to 1:00. Members who would like to take the course should contact Paul Thompson.  A donation of $10.00 is requested to cover course materials.  Course topics are:

Know Your Paddle Craft

Before You Get Underway

Operating Your Paddle Craft Safely

Legal Requirements of Boating

Boating Emergencies 

Dave Shuster, Flotilla Commander

We’re on the home stretch to complete 2012.  It seems like a time warp looking back to January 1^st of 2012.  It’s been the shortest, long year that I can remember. 

First, I wish to congratulate Jim Mayer and Rich Laughlin for their election as our Flotilla Commander and Vice Commander next year.  They bring a unique combination of enthusiastic experience and administrative expertise with a fresh outlook.

 I predict they will have a successful 2013.  The flotilla could not be in better hands. John Gaston and I are working with them to ensure a smooth transition.

Looking at our Flotilla Dashboard, you can see we have exceeded our goals in Program Visitation, Public Education and Public Affairs speaking events and trade shows.

  We’re also closing in on our goals in Vessel Examination and membership. We have four potential new members, which would bring us to our goal of 15 new members this year. Our retention has also been good. 

The credit goes to the leadership of your staff officers and hard-working members.  Flotilla 96 is not only one of the top performing flotillas in the Division, but we’re at the top within the District.  We should all be proud of this achievement.

You’ll read about a rescue performed by two of our patrols last week.  I’ll leave the details to the article in this month’s Hatchcover.

 Earlier this week I briefed the Sector Command about this rescue.  They agreed that these two crews demonstrated teamwork, initiative and a high level of performance. This was in the best traditions of the Coast Guard and its core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty.  Because of their actions, a young man is alive and well and has his life ahead of him.  Bravo Zulu.

As always, we are Semper Paratus.