Sunday, May 1, 2011 Nature: Marine Unit Certification Training Over the past months, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company has been coordinating Marine Unit Training for specified members under the training direction of William F. Tobin, Jr. Tobin was appointed by Chief Steven C. Deery, Jr. to serve on Indian River’s Vessel Acquisition Committee and the subsequently appointed to serve on the Vessel Training Committee. The Vessel Training Committee Members are appointed by the Chief were: Patrick C. Miller; William F. Tobin, Jr.; James R. Wagner; Hayden F. Klingler; and Steven C. Deery; Jr. On Sunday, Indian River was to spend a few hours training with the new 80 Marine Unit. The training exercises included the following actions - familiarization with the marine unit, - launching and docking the marine unit, - waterway navigation measures and familiarization; - familiarization with electronic devices (radar, FLIR cameras, GPS, and other navigational devices); and - vessel stowing and flushing measures. These training exercises were conducted in the Indian River Bay, Indian River Inlet, Rehoboth Bay, Massey’s Ditch, Pot Nets Seaside, Massey’s Landing, and other waterway tributaries. Overall, the Vessel Training Committee has been extremely pleased with the functionality of the new marine unit and whole-heartedly recommends the activation of the Marine Unit into full service. While training, we encountered two vessels that had run aground on nearby sandbars. Unfortunately, it would take changing of the tides or professional tow boats to free the vessels.