Flotilla 4-08  District 8 Coastal Region - Slidell, Louisiana

Operations Ribbon granted to those who qualify in auxiliary operations programs. Click on the ribbon to go to the National Operations website, (the "O' dept) at:  http://www.auxodept.org

Flotilla Standing Rules

Members of the Auxiliary have the opportunity to train in six operational specialty courses. An AUXOP member has completed all six advanced specialty courses and is entitled to wear the special AUXOP device on the uniform. (Click on the device for more info.)

This is one of the ways that flotilla 04-08 tries to be different. We have an IT help desk & FSO-CS page! Fully implementing the idea of the e-Auxiliary, go to the Web Officer's Page at the FSO-CS link below for Internet, computer and Technology assistance.

Local Marinas List

From the this ain't no "Paper Flotilla" dept: See the flotilla on duty & on the water at the Krewe of Bilge Parade here at furstphotos.com  further efforts to distance ourselves from a paper flotilla are HELO OPS support, and the extensive training described on the Surface Ops and Boat Crew pages.

Federal Legal Authorities Regarding the Coast Guard Auxiliary posted here.

Personnel: 

Recruiting, maintaining personnel information.

Aids to Navigation:

Responsible for activities dealing with navigation aids, verification of Aids to Navigation, reporting of discrepancies in aids to navigation, chart discrepancies and chart updating information.

Communications:

Encourage use of VHF-FM radio and promote participation in communication drills, including training exercises in search and rescue communications for vessels and aircraft. Work with units toward providing qualified Auxiliarists for standing communications watches. At the august07 meeting the Comms officer also gave a member training session on the vertex radio that will be issued to some officers and available to the rest of us.

Communication Services:

Serve as Flotilla webmaster, (FSO-CS) relay important electronic communication to officers and the general membership. The webmaster has a dedicated CS page here, where you can read an overall status of IT and internet concepts as they affect the flotilla, as well as download past reports. (And even current reports before officially presented)

Finance:

Supervise all financial matters; maintain complete and understandable records of all financial transactions; maintain an annual budget; ensure that an annual unit audit is performed.

Information Systems:

Maintain a system to record all member activity in each mission category (i.e., Operations, Public Education, Member Training, AIM Project, etc.) and supervise reporting to higher Auxiliary levels and the individual member. As of 2008 the office and the CS office is held by the same person. Hopefully, this will increase integration of the two offices, and allow each to reinforce the other. First half of 2008 IT reports are combined with the CS officer's report. The IS/CS combination experiment was discontinued in midyear 2008.

Marine Dealer Visitor Program:

Make courtesy calls on area marine retailers who deal with boaters to provide available materials and information.

Marine Safety:

Coordinate the flotilla's activities in support of Marine Safety and Marine Environmental Protection programs as requested by the USCG, including environmental education to the public and assistance to the Marine Safety Office.

Materials:

Maintain an inventory of current Auxiliary forms & literature, assist units and members in ordering educational materials, uniforms items, etc.

Member Training:

Paul Lumpkin is not only the member training officer for this flotilla, but the division, as well. Paul was co-author of the course and text "Basic Sailing & Seamanship", one of the USPS and US Coast Guard Auxiliary's most successful courses.

Operations Officer:

Coordinating safety patrols, regatta patrols, chart updating patrols, support missions, etc. Operations are heavy on HELO OPS, support and coordination drills for helicopters out of Belle Chase JRB, and taking over 72hr standby SAR duties from the Active Duty side on weekends. Ensures that such activities are performed under current Coast Guard policy.

Public Affairs:

Develop and direct media activities and obtain publicity for Auxiliary units.

Public Education:

Responsible for scheduling, organization, and conduct of all public education classes and activities.

Secretary/Records: 

Record and publish minutes of meetings; maintain mailing lists, rosters, and current copy of standing rules. 

Vessel Examiner:

Oversee and coordinate the Vessel Safety Check program.   If directed, schedule specific vessel examination stations and activities.