U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Sierra Division 11

Stand Up Paddleboarding is becoming very popular on the mainland. This sport originated in Hawaii where these "longboarders" even use these modified surf boards to travel between the Hawaiian islands.

Over the August 23-24th weekend, 300 paddleboarders competed in a race at Lake Tahoe.

The primary goal of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is to ensure the safety of these participants. In 2008, the Coast Guard determined that the paddleboarders had to comply with Coast Guard regulations for safety since they are considered to be "vessels".

Typically, stand up paddleboarders use boards that are about 11 feet long. If a stand up paddleboarder falls off of his board, it is important that the boarder wear an "ankle leash" to prevent loss of his board. Because mobility is prized by the boarders, they typically wear waist mounted life "jackets". Although they are not as safe as a life jacket that is worn on the chest, they are better than nothing.

Paddleboarding was a rarity at Lake Tahoe 5 years ago. It is clear that this is an up and coming sport. Although these boarders are not wearing a helmet, professional boarders do. The Coast Guard Auxiliary also recommends that stand up boarders 1)wear a life jacket 2)use an ankle leash 3)wear a wet suit or other protective gear to protect themselves from the cold water since hypothermia is a serious concern, even in the summer, at Lake Tahoe 4)dehydration is not uncommon while performing active sports such as paddleboarding. Boarders should take water and some food with them.

Photos courtesy of Sierra Division 11 Auxiliarist Dee Walter.

Flotilla 11-03 Newsletter
April 2010

Monthly meetings: 3rd Wednesday of every month, 1900 hours, Round Table Pizza Parlor, Reno Town Mall, South Virginia, Reno, Nevada.  The next meeting is May 19, 2010.

Kathy Boyne reminds us to get our Member Activity Log (7029) and Activity Report – Missions (7030) to her.  Some awards are based on the hours our members put in.  Help each other and help the Flotilla achieve the recognition deserved by submitting your time spent doing Auxiliary activities.   Also, submitted hours are a way for the United States Coast Guard to know what the Auxiliary is doing, and is the basis for Auxiliary funding.

PATROLS
The Coxswain and Crew of Flotilla 11-03 extend and invitation to anyone that is interested in learning more about Search and Rescue (SAR) and / or the patrols we do, to come take a ride with us.  Please be aware that during the colder weather you will be required to be certified for the 900 suit.  The 900 suit is a dry suit that will keep you warm and dry, out or in the water.

KBUL Hook Line & Sinker Fishing Derby - March 12 to 14, 2010
The event was held at Pyramid Lake. The Auxiliary was on patrol Saturday and Sunday. Shiv’r Me Timbers and Following Sea from 11-03 and Carolyn J from 11-05 patrolled over the weekend. The U.S. Coast Guard safe boat 0579 from Station Tahoe was also on patrol Saturday. Flotilla 11-03’s John Boyne and 11-01's Bill Leoppard were mobile communications on top Spider Point on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. On Saturday, wind made for rough conditions on Pyramid Lake. Jack Leth (11-01) posted an article titled "Dewatering small fishing boats at Pyramid Lake", which is about two tows, shown below, that took place on Saturday. More pictures of the tows are in Jack Leth's article.

Multiple agencies participated and assisted in the tow. In the picture above, Jack Leth (11-01) and Tom Komadina (11-03) coordinate a plan to get a small fishing boat offshore and into a tow.

The picture above is the small fishing boat being towed by Washoe County Sheriff and the USCG safe boat maneuvering into position to dewater the boat.

The above pictures are of the small fishing boat swamped with water.

Later that day, Shiv'r Me Timbers assisted a small fishing boat that was taking on water and drifting into shore.

As the small fishing boat was being towed, Following Sea dewatered it using an electric bilge pump. This took good communication and team work between Shiv'r Me Timbers and Following Sea as shown in the picture.

A calm Pyramid Lake on Sunday.

On Sunday, the small fishing boat that was towed on Saturday was back out fishing. This picture was taken from the same Auxiliary boat that did the towing!

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Author: Jack Leth Flotilla 11-01 Operations Officer

In an earlier posting we covered the Marine Radio aspects of a fishing derby at Pyramid Lake. In this one we're going to take a look at two separate incidents that required the combined efforts of some of the boats that patrol the lake during fishing derbies. The event was the KBUL (a Reno, NV radio station) Hook, Line & Sinker fishing derby the weekend of March 13th & 14th. A weather front went through the night before the event; while it had mainly passed by Saturday morning there were still some pretty strong winds blowing down the length of the lake from the North. The Coxswain on the Auxiliary facilty Following Sea commented, as we commenced our patrol, that with this much wind still blowing we would be helping somebody pretty soon. Not five minutes later we were advised there was a fishing boat taking on water about 4 miles south of our present position. We increased speed as much as practical and headed in that direction. The first on scene was a Washoe County Sheriff's Office patrol boat, part of their SAR/SVU organization. He reported the boat was on the beach and the occupants were all safely ashore.

For those of us in the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, this normally means we will no longer be involved and can resume normal patrolling. When we arrived we found the boat with no problem and confirmed the report from the Sheriff's boat.

This type of boat uses an outboat motor which is fastened to the transom (stern) in a low cutout. Since this area has very little "freeboard" a following sea can enter the back of the boat and begin the swamping process (which is exactly what happened). Keep this in mind as you look at the subsequent pictures. Shortly thereafter the tribal Rangers and a tribal fire vehicle arrived on scene.

After assessing the situation they tried to pump out the boat but with every wave adding more water it was just not possible. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard boat also arrived and the Coxswain assessed the situation as well.

Since this lake is on a reservation and way out in the desert there aren't the usual commercial salvers present as in other areas with recreational boaters. It was decided we needed to help get this boat off the beach, dewatered, and towed back to the launch ramp so it could be put on it's trailer. At this point it was decided the best way to accomplish this was to have the Sheriff's boat tow it off the beach and the Coast Guard boat to go alongside and dewater it with their gasoline engine driven dewatering pump. We on the Coast Guard Auxiliary boat got as close to the beach as we could and communicated the plan to the owner and others on the beach using a megaphone.

The folks on the beach were able to turn the boat around so the Sheriff's boat could get close enough to attach a tow line. The Sheriff's boat uses a jet drive system so they could get much closer without worrying about their propeller striking a rock.

The Sheriffs boat got the tow line attached and pulled the boat out to deeper water.

Once they had settled on course the Coast Guard boat made an approach to put itself alongside the swamped boat.

They also began rigging their gasoline engine driven dewatering pump. Note how the transom of the swamped boat is completely open to the lake water.

Meanwhile, we on the Coast Guard Auxiliary boat took a safety position astern of them in case somebody fell overboard and had to be rescued.

Even with the pump running at full speed it became pretty obvious pretty quickly the water was still coming in faster than the pump could pump it out.

The course of the towing vessel was changed about 90° to the left which reduced the amount of water coming in and in short order the boat was pumped pretty dry.

From there it was just a routine tow to the launch ramp.

Later that afternoon we got another report of a small boat taking on water. First on scene this time was the Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel Shiv'r Me Timbers. Same problem...low cutout in the transom allowing water to enter the boat when they were hit by a following wave. The Auxiliary boat had the crew (two men and a boy) move to the bow to raise the back end up a little higher. Because they were being blown on the the beach they also took the boat in a stern tow.

Once they were settled on course Following Sea made an approach on the boat being towed so it could pass them a 12 volt bilge pump (with a long cord!) to be used to dewater their boat.

Smaller boat, smaller pump, calmer conditions but the results were the same. Boat pumped out, occupants assisted and a happy ending to what could have been a tragic day on the water. Once they were safely tied up to the pier, do you think the little boy looked happy to be safe?

Of course for us in the Auxiliary we still had paperwork to do and a debrief on the events of the day.

A good day of being America's Volunteer Lifesavers. This is why we joined and why we do so much training. If you'd like to join us, we're looking for a few good volunteers. We'd love to hear from you. Photos by Dee Walter, Reno Flotilla 11-03

Author: Jack Leth Flotilla Staff Officer-Operations
Flotilla 11-01 North Lake Tahoe

For 29 years North Lake Tahoe has celebrated SnowFest with 10 days of winter carnival events from parades to Ice Cream Eating Contests. One of the events is a Polar Bear Swim hosted by one of our local waterfront restaurants, Gar Woods. Because swimming in 40° water can be quite hazardous to your health and safety the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Incline Fire Department all had boats or jet skis at the event to help provide for the safety of the participants.

In the Coast Guard Auxiliary Sierra Division we are constantly trying to learn all we can about cold water immersion. Most people think of cold water immersion only in the context of hypothermia, but there is much more to it than that. Actually, there are four stages, and hypothermia is one of them, but it comes after the initial involuntary gasp and difficulty regulating breathing, followed by the loss of ability to move your extremities (think swim). (If you'd like to really learn more, take 10 minutes to watch this video on YouTube.

While we have watched videos and listened to Medical Doctors talk at length on this subject, the Polar Bear Swim is where you get to see it in real life, and it's a great learning experience, particularly when it has a happy ending.
Here we are, waiting off shore from Gar Woods. Our bow lookout is in place and has by her side a throwable floatation cushion with a line attached and a boat hook, ready to spot and help swimmers in trouble.

Since we were working with other agencies we met up with the PWC from Incline Fire (actually North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District) and discussed how to coordinate communications, handle emergencies, where to MedEvac serious cases, etc.

They're off! 44 swimmers (16 women and 28 men) started from the beach in two separate heats. Almost immediately some had second thoughts and went back. The swimmers had to swim about 150 yards from the beach to a rounding mark (green buoy on the right side of the photo) and then back.

As the race wore on some of the swimmers had had enough and got on the sled behind Incline Fire's PWC to be taken to the end of the pier.

Others however were bound and determined to press on. From our vantage point out near the buoys it was obvious some of the swimmers were experienced in these cold water swims and they made short work of the course. Unfortunately not all of them were in this category. Some started slowing down as the ability to swim ebbed from their bodies. At the same time they started getting disoriented. These are the ones we started watching closely. Our bow lookout had us move over near this swimmer because he was no longer swimming and appeared disoriented (had gone past the turning buoy).

He was quite disoriented and unable to answer simple questions. We moved him toward the swim platform at the back of our boat to bring him on board, but the PWC with sled came over and the decision was made to let Incline Fire take him back in to the pier.

Once the organizers advised us all the swimmers were safe and accounted for we stood down and did (as we almost always do) a debrief on the mission.

Lessons Learned- We now have firsthand knowledge of what a real person looks like as they go through the stages of cold water immersion (not just from a lecture or watching a DVD). All of us felt that this knowledge would be very helpful to us on future patrols...not just next year's Polar Bear Swim but anytime we are out patrolling on our cold, beautiful Alpine Lake. If you'd like to join the Auxiliary and participate in these kinds of patrols, just get in touch. We're always looking for more volunteers.

Photos by Auxiliarist Dee Walter
Flotilla 11-03 Reno,NV

Flotilla 11-03 Newsletter

March 2010

Monthly meetings: 3rd Wednesday of every month, 1900 hours, Round Table Pizza Parlor, Old Town Mall, South Virginia, Reno, Nevada.  The next meeting is March 17, 2010.

Kathy Boyne reminds us to get our Member Activity Log (7029) and Activity Report – Missions (7030) to her.  Some awards are based on the hours our members put in.  Help each other and help the Flotilla achieve the recognition deserved by submitting your time spent doing Auxiliary activities.   Also, submitted hours are a way for the United States Coast Guard to know what the Auxiliary is doing, and is the basis for Auxiliary funding.

PATROLS

The Coxswain and Crew of Flotilla 11-03 extend and invitation to anyone that is interested in learning more about Search and Rescue (SAR) and / or the patrols we do, to come take a ride with us.  Please be aware that during the colder weather you will be required to be certified for the 900 suit.  The 900 suit is a dry suit that will keep you warm and dry, out or in the water.

Crosby Lodge President’s Day Fishing Derby - February 6, 7, 13, and 14, 2010

The event was held at Pyramid Lake.  Camie Marie from 11-01, Shiv’r Me Timbers and Following Sea from 11-03, and Carolyn J from 11-05 patrolled on various days.  The U.S. Coast Guard safety boat 0579 from Station Tahoe was also on patrol the second weekend of the event.  Flotilla 11-01’s Dave Law, Jack Leth, and Bill Leoppard were mobile communications on top Spider Point on February 6, 13, and 14, respectively.  Pictures of mobile communications for the Crosby Lodge Fishing Derby have been posted by Jack Leth (11-01) as well as an article about mobile communications titled “Use of Radios in the CG Auxiliary” on the Division website under “Div 11 Blogs” (or the article after this newsletter).  No Auxiliary facilities went out on February 7 due to icy road conditions. Following are pictures of the Crosby Lodge Fishing Derby.

February 6

February 13

Looking towards Spider Point at some of the fishing boats on the morning of February 14.

Fishing boats on February 14.

Fishing at Pelican Beach.

Following Sea with Tom Komadina as Coxswain and Leon Borden and Carlos Vasquez as boat crew on February 6.

Tom Henderson (11-01) keeping watch as Shiv’r Me Timbers heads towards the Needles.

The geyser at the Needles.

Shiv’r Me Timbers and Following Sea practiced Search and Rescue (SAR) on February 6.  A float with an orange flag was used as a Datum and a throwable flotation device was used to represent a person in the water (PIW).  Pat Walter (11-01) is getting ready to receive the datum as Tom Henderson watches.

pan style="font-size: medium;">Following Sea with Tom Komadina as Coxswain and Dee Dee Kincade (11-01), John Boyne, and Nevin Armstrong as boat crew on February 13.

Camie Marie with Bill Stolz as Coxswain and Dee Dee Kincade, Chris Minedew, and Rich Kishpaugh (all with 11-01) as boat crew on February 6.  Bill Stolz had a nice lunch barbeque on his facility.

The following weekend, Jim Kremsner, Coxswain of Shiv’r Me Timbers, had a nice lunch barbeque.

Shiv’r Me Timbers rafted with Carolyn J and 0579 to share the lunch barbeque.

A seagull decided to join us.

Mobile communications on top Spider Point February 14.

MEMBER ARTICLE

Light List

The U.S. Coast Guard publishes several documents to assist boaters in practicing good seamanship in boat operations.  These documents provide vital information to help operate a vessel safely and for a more enjoyable trip.  Three of the documents include the U.S. Coast Guard Light List, U.S. Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners, and the Coast Pilots published by NOAA Office of Coast Survey.  Updates to Aids to Navigation are regularly listed in Local Notice to Mariners.

The Light List is a seven volume publication made available yearly.  Each of the seven volumes contains a list of the navigation aids for a geographic region.  A hardcopy version can be purchased for the areas of interest, or sections can be downloaded online at the USCG Navigation Center website.  The navigable waters of Lake Tahoe and Northern California are included in Volume VI, which includes all of the Pacific Coast and Pacific Islands.

The Light List includes marine aids to navigation such as lights, sound beacons, buoys, and daybecons that are maintained by or under the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard.  In addition to aids, the Light List includes other useful information such as a page describing the U. S Aids to Navigation descriptions and guides to help boaters identify and properly use aids seen on the water.  Each volume describes in detail how the Light List is organized and updated, and how the U.S. Aids to Navigation system operates.  Some information will not necessarily be relevant to all areas.   For example, Lake Tahoe compared to San Francisco Bay and the Delta.

The main section of the Light List includes detailed information about Aids to Navigation.  Information includes the list number, name and location, approximate latitude and longitude, light characteristic, height above water in feet, nominal range of some lights, a description of the aid (structure), and any remarks such as sound signals, arcs, RACON, and seasonal information.

For example, in the Light List, Sugar Pine Point Light has the following information listed:

• Light List Number: 8405

• Name and Location: SUGAR PINE POINT LIGHT

• Position: 39-03-40.518N 120-06-50.142W

• Characteristic: Fl W 4s

• Height: 15

• Range: 8

• Structure: NR on tower

• Remarks: (blank)

The boater can use the position information to help locate the light on a chart for its exact position.  The light characteristics will help the boater identify the light at night. In this case, the boater should look for a white light that flashes every four seconds.  The light is 15 feet above the water and should be visible from 8 miles away on a clear night.  The ‘NR’ structure is defined in the Light List as a diamond-shaped dayboard with four diamond shaped sectors top and bottom in red and sides in white (there is a good picture of an NR dayboard at the beginning of the Light List).  When the boater finds this aid, the boater will then be able to plot a line of position on a chart, and use this to help determine his / her location on the Lake.

Another Lake Tahoe aid is listed as follows:

• Light List Number: 8465

• Name and Location: Emerald Bay Entrance Lighted Buoy 2

• Position: 38-57-54.023N 120-04-55.683W

• Characteristic: Fl R 2.5s

• Height: (blank)

• Range: 3

• Structure: Red

• Remarks: (blank)

This buoy is also lighted with a red flash every 2.5 seconds.  In the daytime, the buoy is a red nun buoy with a ‘2’ on the side.  Because of the dangerous shallow and rocky areas at the Emerald Bay entrance, it is vital to know how to identify these aids, and know how to pass them safely.  When boating in new areas, it is important to know the aids to navigation that will be encountered.  Many Lake Tahoe boaters will go to San Francisco Bay or the Delta to take in the sights or good fishing, but be confronted by an array of aids they have never seen before.  Some of these aids will keep the boater off rocks, out of the way of freighters, and down the center of dredged channels.   It is important to be prepared. Can you find this aid on a chart and figure out what this would look like from your boat?

• Light List Number: 7460

• Name and Location: RANGE A REAR LIGHT 540 yards, 200⁰ from front light

• Position: 38-19-45.909N 121-39-01.190W

• Characteristic: Iso W 6s

• Height: 43

• Range: (blank)

• Structure: KRW on pile

• Remarks: Visible 5° each side of leading line

-Dave Young

UPCOMING EVENTS

For a list of upcoming events, visit Flotilla 11-03’s website and click on the Events Calendar.   March 12 – 14, 2010 is the Motorsports and Recreation Expo at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.   The Reno Flotilla will have an information booth at this event.  Also, be sure to check the Events Calendar for upcoming patrols.

An About Boating Safely class is scheduled for March 20, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. at the IGT Training Center in South Reno.  For more information, visit Flotilla 11-05's website and click on Public Education / Boating Safety Education.

Do not forget to take a look at other articles, photos, and videos posted under the News, Photos, and Videos tab on this website.  Articles and photos are posted regularly.  This is a good way to read and see what activities are taking place in Sierra Division 11.

Photos By: Pat Walter and Dee Walter