HOW FLOTILLA 83 GOT ITS START

Flotilla 83 had a very shaky start.  Davis Hodsden, VFC of Flotilla 81 began by asking dealers at the 2001 Roanoke Boat Show if there was any interest for a detachment/flotilla on Claytor Lake .  That summer Davis continued to pursue the idea during Marine Dealer Visits.  The Manager of the Start Park Marina services was very interested. At that time Flotilla 81 FC Peggy Looney, VFC Davis Hodsden, and DCP Bill Flanders learned that three members were needed for a detachment and all agreed to pursue the idea.

On October 23, 2001,  FC Looney and VFC Hodsden held a meeting at  Claytor Lake with about ten prospects. The follow up meeting was scheduled for November 13, 2002.  No one showed up for this meeting, however two folks did call to say they were still interested.  On December 3, 2001, Tom and Susan Sawyer were signed up as new members.  The New River Detachment began January 1, 2002, with four members: Davis and Tammy Hodsden and Tom and  Susan Sawyer.

On January 22, 2002,  the New River Detachment held its first meeting at the Wilderness Inn in Newbern amd there were three members present.  Tom Sawyer was inducted.  February 26, 2002, at the Wilderness Inn only two members showed, Davis and Tammy Hodsden.   The March meeting with FLT 81 FC, Mickey Frece, had all four members and Susan Sawyer was inducted.  However April 30, 2002, was another no-show meeting, with FLT 81VFC, Bob Thompson, in attendance. Flotilla 81 continued to support the idea of a New River Detachment.

During the spring of 2002 Davis and Tammy made every effort to contact prospective members.  In February, they maintained a table in Flotilla 81’s booth at the Roanoke Boat Show. That spring they also had a special meeting with the Friends of Claytor Lake  and received verbal support. They also had a booth at the FOCL picnic on May 18, 2002.

On May 28, 2002, the NRVDET was to meet at the Howe House at Claytor Lake State Park .  By this time they had recruited a total of nine members.  Davis and Tammy Hodsden waited and thought no one was going to show up.  This time they had decided to give up the idea of a detachment.  They were packing up the car when a car drove up and out spilled smiling Paul French. Davis and Tammy looked at each other and said under their breath “What now?” or something like that!  They went back in the Howe House and had a meeting.

At the NRVDET meeting on August 27, 2002, Paul French was awarded Vessel Examiner, the first detachment award.  An ATON Patrol was run on October 13 and 14, 2002, with Dal Bailey  of FLT 81, Davis and Tammy Hodsden and Dean Jackson on Facility Bearshead.  On December 1, 2002, a Crew Training session was held at the Hodsden home with Dal and Carrol Bailey from FLT 81, Davis and Tammy Hodsden, Dean and Carol Jackson, Guy and  Juanita Ellett,  and Jim Wolfe.

By the end of 2002 the NRVDET had 11 members, 1 vessel and 1 radio facility and 3 members who had several qualifications.   On August 9, 2003,  Flotilla 83 was chartered at a ceremony at the Division picnic at Smith Mountain Lake with 18 charter members including Armistead, Blanchard, G and J Ellett, Emero, French, J. Garrett, Gruber, D and T Hodsden, Huber, and D and C Jackson.

Coast Guard Team and Operational Awards were given for SAR events involving the rescue of over 30 folks during the year 2003  . Flotilla 83 won the divisional awards for 2004.

Today Flotilla 83 has 46 members, 3 AUXOP, 8 coxswain, 22 crew, 4 vessel facilities, 1 PWC facility, 3 fixed and 3 mobile radio facilities, and members with numerous other qualifications.

Well done, all members!