Three Rivers,TX May2, 2009
Division 7 had 46 of its members show up for their Vessel Safety Check Extravaganza this last Saturday at Choke Canyon Lake.

It was a sunny, windy day at the lake complete with Bass clubs competing for prices and local catfishermen trying to land a good meal.

Division 7 had set up a number of booths with games for kids and adults and with plenty of safe boating literature. There were visitors from the Gold side with Captain Robert Paulison from Sector Corpus Christi coming by in the early afternoon and enjoying lunch with us before going back to Corpus Christi for a night parade.

On the water we had three Vessel Facilities and one PWC Facitlity patrolling the lake and they closed the day with two SARs and a number of Auxiliarists completing requirements to stay current.

Two new members got to go on patrols for the first time and got hook on the feeling of being a Guardian on the water.

We left the ramp around 4 PM with only 17 Vessel Safety Checks. We had a problem with the Bass Boats in the tournament. They were in a hurry going out to fish and left the ramp fast to weigh their catch. They were the majority of the boat on the lake that day and did not have time to talk safety.

The best of the day was yet to come-BBQ Ribs and Chicken at the Duck Camp! Dona Lore, the organizer of the event, pulled out all of the stops for a great evening of fun, prizes and Blue Grass Music. She had acomodated many of us at the Duck Camp. Some of us had inside rooms with bunk beds and Plasma TVs and outside she had beautiful trailers that acomodate two couples each. She had also arrange special rates for others that preferred a hotel/motel settings for the night.

Frank Dannenberg, Jr. DSO-PA 74 8CR USCGAUX

Over all it was a first class event with a great bunch of Guardians!