East Area DCON Report Fall 2007

Much has happened in the East Area. As we look back at our accomplishment some may wonder how we did it. The simple answer to that is we did it as a team.

We had a mass migration exercise from the northernmost end to the southernmost end involving 4 of the 6 divisions in the east area with over 40 members participating in the multi-agency drill Operation Vigilante Sentry.

Our Sector co-coordinators of the 3 Sectors supported by the east area have regular conversations with the Sector AUXLOS and established meetings with the Sectors Command Cadre on a monthly or bi-monthly basis with the inclusion of the east area Division Captains.

Our area is so diverse with covering the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and from Key West north to Ft. Pierce and Vero Beach.

We have had a major focus on recruitment and retention and our membership continues to grow. We have had almost a 10% growth overall in the east area and still have 3 more month to go.

All divisions have had a major concentration on member training making sure that the membership is ready for the new 3 year requirement for boat crew and coxswain requalification by holding Division training days and bringing everyone up to speed.

We have had divisions working together on training and public affairs to get the boating public educated in boating safety. Our RBS program is alive and well with program visitors increasing their number of visits and vessel examiners performing a larger number of vessel safety checks and hold a number of vessel safety blitzes at local marinas and boat ramps.

Our members are now supporting both Sectors Miami and Key West with over 25 Hawkeye Watchstanders. We have members relieving active duty Coast Guard by doing radio watchstanding at the sectors and small boat stations.

When we say public affairs we know that the east area is out there in front of the public. Every division has participated in one or more boat shows in their area or assisted in open houses at the Stations they support. In the Keys they developed a Public Service Announcement program for radio stations that went over so well that the district is now using them and they are being played on over 500 radio stations.

We have been busy and plan to remain that way in our growth and activities through the year and beyond. We will continue in our support of the Active Duty Coast Guard and the Seventh District.

Richard J. Leys, RCO-E