Memorial Day Weekend Wraps Up With Vessel Safety Check Day at Big Creek State Park

On the Memorial Day Flotilla 4 went to Big Creek State Park near Polk City, IA and had a Vessel Safety Check Day at the Lake. Four Auxilarist Vessel Examiners participated in the activities. Vessel Examiners, Chuck Brudtkuhl, John Hawkinson, Doug Jansen and Phil Patterson, conducted over 20 Vessel Safety Checks throughout the day, educating many boaters on boating safety issues. This was the first time this season that Flotilla 4 was at Big Creek and probably not the last time.

The next schedule Vessel Safety Check Day is at Lake Red Rock on June 7th in conjunction with a Boating Safety Class at the Red Rock Visitors Center.

Second Day of Memorial Day Weekend Keeps Flotilla On Its Toes

On the second day of Memorial Day Weekend Flotilla 4 had another busy day. Twelve Auxilarists participated in the activities. Vessel Examiners, Ralph and Suzanne Tomlinson and Phil Patterson, conducted over 25 Vessel Safety Checks throughout the day, educating many boaters on boating safety issues. Vessel Examiner Steve Johnson of Flotilla 6 also conducted over five Vessel Safety Checks.

Finally the Lady Grace and its crew conducted eight hours of Safety Patrol on the lake. The crew located one boat in distress and helped to tow them back to the Saylorville Marina. To support the operation radio watchstanders, John Hawkinson, Roland Newton and Trevor Henderson, kept track of the operations of the day.

Vessel Safety Checks will continue on Monday at the Marina at Big Creek State Park.

First Day of Memorial Day Weekend Busy for Flotilla 4

On the first day of Memorial Day Weekend Flotilla 4 had a flurry of activity. Fourteen Auxilarists participated in the activities. To start the day the Auxilarists conducted eighteen Recreational Boating Safety Partner Visits at various marine dealers and boating supply vendors across Central Iowa. Five Vessel Examiners conducted over 35 Vessel Safety Checks throughout the day, educating many boaters on boating safety issues.

Finally the Lady Grace and its crew conducted seven hours of Safety Patrol on the lake. Even though the patrol day ended early due to weather, the crew located one boat in distress and the crew assisted another distressed boater on the lake and helped to tow them back to the Saylorville Marina. To support the operation two radio watchstanders kept track of the operations of the day.

Operations and Vessel Safety Checks will continue on Sunday at Saylorville Lake.



The Lady Grace returns from a patrol to the Marina at Saylorville Lake on Memorial Day Weekend. Crew included Coxswain Travis Daniels (left) and crew members Norma Newton (center), Chuck Brudtkuhl (right) and John Hawkinson (not in the photo)

(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / photo by Doug Jansen)




Auxilarist Jeff Towle peforms a courtesy Vessel Safety Check for a boat owner at Saylorville Lake on Memorial Day Weekend.

(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / photo by Brandon Butters)




Auxilarist Chuck Brudtkuhl monitors a disabled vessel that is in a side tow during a patrol at Saylorville Lake on Memorial Day Weekend.

(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / photo by Doug Jansen)

Spring Into Safe Boating Results In Over Ten Vessel Safety Checks

On May 17th Flotilla 4 and Flotilla 6 collaberated with the Corps of Engineers for the "Spring into Safe Boating” activity at Saylorville Lake. This activity was in conjunction with National Safe Boating Week.

Despite inclement weather, Flotilla 4 and Flotilla 6 conducted over ten Vessel Safety Checks at the Lakeview and Cherry Glen Boat Ramps.

A Vessel Safety Check is a free courtesy examination of your boat (Vessel) to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and the Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will make you a safer boater.

This is not boarding or a law enforcement issue. No citations will be given as a result of this encounter. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter.

If you are interested in a free Vessel Safety Check please contact us at fso-ve@flotilla4.org.

Safe Boating Course Begins

As part of National Safe Boating Week, Flotilla 4, the Iowa DNR and Corps of Engineers are hosting a free Boater Education Course. The course is being held over three consecutive evenings at the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center on May 18, 19, and 20 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. The course currently has five students participating.

The course is designed to promote safe and responsible boating practices and to instill a sense of responsibility while making the students aware of their actions and potential consequences of these actions. This course meets the State of Iowa requirements for any person 12 years of age or older but less than 18 years of age to operate any vessel propelled by a motor of more than ten horsepower.

Our next course will be Sunday, June 7th at Lake Red Rock. E-mail boatingclass@flotilla4.org for details.

New Vessel Examiners

Congratulations to Chuck Brudtkuhl and Doug Jansen, Flotilla 4's newest Vessel Examiners! They both completed the Vessel Examiner Course and their trainee Vessel Safety Checks and have been approved by the Coast Guard to complete Vessel Safety Checks!

National Safe Boating Week Activities

May 16-22 is National Safe Boating Week this year and Flotilla 4 has a variety of events planned to kick off the boating season.

"Spring into Safe Boating” is scheduled for May 17th at Saylorville Lake in conjunction with National Safe Boating Week. The event will consist of Vessel Safety Inspections by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and WS games by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The event will be hosted at the Lakeview Boat Ramp from 10am-2pm with prizes for active participants. Vessel Inspections will be available at Lake View Ramp and Cherry Glen Ramp.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary will also be conducting Vessel Safety Inspections around the lake on Saturday, May 16th.

As part of National Safe Boating Week, the three agencies will also host a free Boater Education Course. The course will be held over three consecutive evenings at the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center on May 18, 19, and 20 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. If you would like a completion certificate following the course there will be a $5 cost incurred. Attendees will also be eligible for boating safety equipment giveaways.

The course is designed to promote safe and responsible boating practices and to instill a sense of responsibility while making the students aware of their actions and potential consequences of these actions. This course meets the State of Iowa requirements for any person 12 years of age or older but less than 18 years of age to operate any vessel propelled by a motor of more than ten horsepower.

These events are geared to prepare boaters for the Memorial Day Weekend and to kick off the boating season.

In addition to these events, Flotilla 4 members will visit their Recreational Boating Safety Partners such as boat dealers, bait shops, and outdoors stores to offer free literature to customers on a variety of water safety topics.

Iowa House of Representatives Honors Flotilla 4

Many leaders from the Iowa National Guard first became aware of the existence of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary when we were providing protection for the public at the scene of the spillway to Saylorville Dam which they happened to pass on their way to the Joint Forces Headquarters. Later they saw us again when we helped staff the State Emergency Operations Center with LTJG Townsend from Sector Upper Mississippi. They were astonished to learn that we were volunteers who were donating our time and talent without expectation of compensation.
Representative Tymeson, who sponsored a resolution in the Iowa Legislature recognizing Flotilla 4 for its service during the Floods of 2008. She is also Brigadier General Jodi S. Tymeson of the Iowa National Guard. We appreciate the continued support of General Tymeson for our activities.

The certificate reads:
“It having been made known to the House of Representatives by its Honorable Representative Jodi S. Tymeson, that the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 085-33-04 (Flotilla 4) deserves recognition for its voluntary service, staff, support and assistance to the United States Coast Guard, the Iowa National Guard and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division at the State Emergency Operations Center during the Floods of 2008.

Now, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, the House of Representatives does hereby extend its appreciation and thanks them for their professionalism, dedication, and outstanding performance of duty.”

Nick Critelli presents the certificate of recognition to Travis Daniels from the
Iowa House of Representatives
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / photo by Doug Jansen)