U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Sierra Division 11

Author: Dee Walter

An article is posted on the News tab describing two-boat training titled “What is “two-boat” training?” If you haven’t already, be sure to read that article. On January 9, 2010, two-boat training was conducted with the Coast Guard (Station Tahoe's 25 foot Defender class boat 25579) and North Lake Tahoe Flotilla’s Camie Marie, owned and Coxswained by Bill Stolz.

A fog layer was just above the Lake when training got underway. As the day went on, the fog slowly lowered to Lake level.

As a comparison with the pictures taken on January 9th, below are two pictures of Lake Tahoe on a clear day.

(Above)Looking towards Deadman's Point.

(Above)Looking towards Stateline and a general overview of Lake Tahoe.

Now for the fog on January 9, 2010. Below are three pictures of the Lake Tahoe Basin before getting underway.

(Above)Lake Tahoe looking towards Stateline.

(Above)Lake Tahoe looking towards Deadman's Point.

(Above)Lake Tahoe looking towards South Lake.

Dee Dee Kincade after securing the bridle around the bow cleat in preparation for a long tow by the Coast Guard boat. As seen in the background, the fog is just above Lake level.

The Coast Guard boat towing the Camie Marie. The crew of Camie Marie threw a life jacket overboard to simulate man overboard. The Coast Guard boat is responding to “MAN OVERBOARD!”. The fog has started to lower.

Bill Stolz watching as the Coast Guard boat takes in the tow line.

Heading back to the marina as the fog lowers even more.

(Above)Dollar Point.

The marina is to the right, in the thick of the fog.

(Above)In the fog.

(Above)Looking for channel buoys for the marina.

In sight of the buoys (two black dots in center of picture).

Tom Henderson on bow watch as the Camie Marie approaches the marina.

Photos by Dee Walter

Author: Jack Leth-Sierra Divsion Operations Officer

After several prior qualification swims (one of which was the subject of a video) we still had close to 8 members who needed to be qualified.

So, we scheduled a swim for Saturday, 12-Dec-09. Unfortunately, Mother Nature also planned a snow storm for the same day.

As a result, only two of our members (sisters Pat and Dee Walter) actually made it in to the water. As it turned out, the Officer in Charge of Station Tahoe also needed to do his annual qualification swim.

I should point out that, in this case, we in the Auxiliary have to meet the same annual standard as the active duty Coast Guard.

Here are some pictures of the event.

The sisters make their way to the water's edge as Senior Chief Bennett watches.

Just start walking toward deeper water!

Air and water temps during the swim.

The requirement is that you swim for 100 yards in the suit; the backstroke is the best way to get this done. The white "blobs" are snowflakes caught by the camera's flash.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Graham Potter was the safety officer for this swim. He is also Station Tahoe's Auxiliary Liaison Officer. I think he wishes he weren't out here at the end of the CG pier!

How can you look like you're having so much fun in conditions like these? Because the suits are designed to keep you warm in these conditions and because it really is fun (and beats laying around on the couch!). It's just another of the exciting things we do in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. If you'd like to be a part of our organization, just get in touch with one of us and we'll take it from there.

Author: Jack Leth-Sierra Division Operations Officer

On 07 & 08-Dec-2009 the temperatures at Lake Tahoe dropped 20° to 25° below normal and close to a foot of snow fell at lake level.

Here are a few photos of the impact on the Camie Marie, which was moored at Sierra Boat Company to be used for two-boat training with CG Station Lake Tahoe. The General Manager of Sierra Boat reported that he recorded below zero temperatures both nights at the slips.

There was about 4 inches of snow on the boat cover.

At the bow, which is further under the "shed", there was a lot less.

Note the (horizontal) icicles along the water line. The water temperature in the marina dropped from the normal mid 40's to the low 30's and the wind did the rest.

Sheets of ice formed in parts of the marina, which almost never happens!

Fortunately the water near the boat was kept agitated which prevented ice from forming there.

Hopefully the return of "normal" winter temperatures will allow us to continue training with Station Tahoe. When the temps are in the single digits tow lines freeze pretty fast (and pretty hard).

On September 19, 2009 the Big Blue Kayak race was held at Lake Tahoe. This event consists of two races. The first is longer and crosses more open water. The shorter race is in more protected water. Participants in the shorter race paddle in inflatable kayaks, while the longer race is run in more traditional kayaks.

The Sierra Division of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary often helps with the many regattas held at Lake Tahoe such as the Big Blue Kayak race. Auxiliarist, Dee Dee Kincade, the Sierra Division 11 Commander, and Reno Flotilla 3 Commander Leon Border man the Auxiliary vessel Following Sea for the regatta.

Boats from Reno Flotilla 3, The Melroy and from Carson City Flotilla 5, Camie Marie participated in towing and nighttime Search and Rescue exercises on Lake Tahoe. Sierra Division 11 has to qualify new Crew and Coxswain before they can receive Coast Guard Orders to go on patrol.

Crewman Dave Young (L), Coxswain Candidate Dennis Harms (middle) and Coxswain Jim Kremsner (R) man Reno Flotilla's boat, The Melroy on the evening of August 17th at Lake Tahoe. This photo was taken by Carson City Flotilla 5 Coxswain Bill Stolz from his vessel, the Camie Marie.