Sue Lang FSO-PA, Seward Flotilla U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, 907-224-8237 suelang@alaska.com

Boaters Must Not Operate 121.5/243 MHZ Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) after December 31, 2006

WASHINGTON – The United States Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary wish to remind all boaters that beginning January 1, 2007, both 121.5 and 243 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are prohibited from use in both commercial and recreational watercraft in Alaska and worldwide.  Boaters requiring an emergency rescue beacon aboard their vessel must have a digital 406 MHz model.

The January 1, 2007, date to stop using 121.5 MHz EPIRBs is in preparation for February 1, 2009, when satellite processing of distress signals from all 121.5/243 MHz beacons will terminate. Following this termination date, only the 406 MHz beacons will be detected by the International Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System which provides distress alert and location data for search and rescue operations around the world.

The regulation applies to all Class A, B, and S 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs. It does not affect 121.5/243 MHz man overboard devices which are designed to work directly with a base alerting unit only and not with the satellite system.

This change, in large part, was brought about by the unreliability of the 121.5/243 MHz beacons in an emergency situation. Data reveals that with a 121.5 MHz beacon; only one alert out of every 50 is a genuine distress situation. This has a significant effect on expending the limited resources of search and rescue personnel and platforms. With 406 MHz beacons, false alerts have been reduced significantly, and, when properly registered, can usually be resolved with a telephone call to the beacon owner. Consequently, real alerts can receive the attention they deserve.
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Seward Community Schools is hosting a fun Archery League this Fall at the Dale Lindsey Railway Terminal Building. The league nights take place every Friday evening from 5:30 – 9:30pm

Long Bows, Recurve and Compound Bows accepted, please do not bring Cross Bows. The league is for ages 14 years and older. (Teens need to be accompanied by an adult please).

Our Winter League season will start on Fri Jan 26 and run until Fri. Mar 9. Sign up by Jan. 26 for our Early bird rate of $ 28 per participant. Our Family Rate for the league will be announced Fri. Jan 12!

Fri. Dec 22 will be a “Holiday Food Drive” night in Seward Archery League! Bring in 3 canned food donations and receive a coupon for a $ 3 off a drop -in fee for your family member or friend! ( All particpants must sign a registration form to receive elegibility to participate)

For more information, please contact Tanya Brewi at 224-9063 -Seward Community Schools, Mon – Thurs. evenings after 5pm. Or you may leave a message at 224-4054 Sports & Rec. office, during the day hours.

Seward Sea Kayaking Exposition News
November 14, 2006 Meeting Notes

*Bringing Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Level Kayakers Together….

Present:

Paul Carter, Chairman (Edgewater Hotel & Charter Option)

Rick Brown, Vice Chairman (Adventures Latitude 60 North)

Capt. Sherrie Miller, (Miller’s Landing)

Allen Drake (Flotilla Commander, Seward USCG Auxiliary)

Susan Swiderski (Orca Island)

Nate Chambers, (Kayak Guide & SeaLife Center)

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Last weekend the Seward wrestling team had the opportunity to travel to Wrangell, AK for competition in the largest tournament held in the South East. The team consisted of 15 young men who battled courageously advancing 12 to the medal rounds. Earning individual titles were Dylan Beck 152, Brandon O’Brikis 215, and Josh Zimmerman HWT. The team wishes to extend a big thankyou to all who helped make this trip possibe and a special thanks to the Wrangell Wolves and Coach Garrison for the hospitality.

After eight years of waiting, Seahawk Coach Dan Marshal finally got another girl’s cross-country championship win.

The Lady Seahawk team was made up of four seniors, two juniors, and one freshman girl; Sarrah Glaser, Tekla Backlund, Juno Prochazka, Kendra Oldow, the Foldager twins, and Alison Barnwell. This was the one of the strongest teams Seward has ever created.

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Two major second half touchdowns by Nikiski put Bulldogs ahead of skilled Seahawks team. Seahawks 17, Bulldogs 27. More to come.

See more photos of the Seward vs. Nikiski game and homecoming parade Here.

By Denali Foldager for SewardCityNews.com

After being warned for the hundredth time by Coach Marshall, a/k/a Steve Prefontaine, that the Regional cross country race was going to start out fast we were all a little worried about what was going to happen with our races. I on the other hand was whole lot worried.

Coming back as the Regional and State champ last year was really putting the pressure on me. The fact is I wasn’t having the best season of my life. Rubye was doing excellent, trying really hard to keep the State-winning pattern alive. Everyone was looking good, relaxed and ready to run. My insides were turning, but there was no way my team would
know about this.

At 6:00 a.m. the morning of Regionals a sleepy cross-country team loaded onto a bus. To tired to be excited for the regional races, everyone crashed until about halfway through
the trip.
“I fell asleep on all the boy’s bags,” explained front-runner Rubye Foldager, “it was quite cozy, but then a strange ray of sunshine woke me up.” (more…)

Week 2 winner is . . . Cory Harris!

With 55 ballots in the pot, it looked like it was going to be a tough win to decipher. We had 9 folks with 12 correct picks and 5 folks with 13! Then, out of nowhere, came Cory, who crushed the competition with 14 correct picks, to stand alone at the top! Way to pick ‘em,

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Week 2 winner is . . . Cory Harris!

With 55 ballots in the pot, it looked like it was going to be a tough win to decipher. We had 9 folks with 12 correct picks and 5 folks with 13! Then, out of nowhere, came Cory, who crushed the competition with 14 correct picks, to stand alone at the top! Way to pick ‘em,

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Girls and boys Seahawk harriers are on their way to the State Championships next Saturday in Skyview.

Seward boys agonized through a tense moment during the awards ceremony when the Valdez boys team were handed the Seahawks’ third place birth to the State Finals. (more…)

Send in by Scott Lemley, Head Coach, Alaska Women’s Swimming UAF

Daffy: “It’s Wabbit season!”
Bugs: “Duck season!”
Daffy: “Wabbit season!”
Bugs: “Duck season!!”
Daffy: “Wabbit season!!”
Bugs: “Duck season!!!”
Daffy: “Wabbit season!!!”
USCG Auxiliary: “It’s Hunting Season and we want you to be safe!!!”

And while we all enjoyed Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny fight over which season it actually was, they never did get around to saying that much of the hunting season is done in and around water.

Hunters that are engaged in hunting in and around water should be just as aware of boating and hypothermia issues as your average recreational boater. In fact, those hunters that use boats as platforms from which to hunt are boaters!

We encourage all hunters in and around water to follow these simple rules: (more…)

Daffy: “It’s Wabbit season!”
Bugs: “Duck season!”
Daffy: “Wabbit season!”
Bugs: “Duck season!!”
Daffy: “Wabbit season!!”
Bugs: “Duck season!!!”
Daffy: “Wabbit season!!!”
USCG Auxiliary: “It’s Hunting Season and we want you to be safe!!!”

And while we all enjoyed Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny fight over which season it actually was, they never did get around to saying that much of the hunting season is done in and around water.

Hunters that are engaged in hunting in and around water should be just as aware of boating and hypothermia issues as your average recreational boater. In fact, those hunters that use boats as platforms from which to hunt are boaters!

We encourage all hunters in and around water to follow these simple rules: (more…)