Brian Rollins, FC73, has posted an excellent review of the customs and courtesies expected of our members when boarding or leaving a U.S. Naval or U.S. Coast Guard Vessel in uniform.
June 3rd marks the beginning of Fleet Week in Portland Oregon. Most of us are quite comfortable when it comes to operating on our small boats, but may have become rusty when it comes to protocol for the larger ships that will arrive in port. For this reason, I think it's a good time to review protocol for any members who may find themselves on any of the ships during the festival or down at the sea wall.
BOARDING AND LEAVING A NAVAL VESSEL 101
When you are in uniform and boarding any ship and the national ensign is flying, you halt at the gangway, face aft, and salute the ensign.
You then turn to the OOD (Officer of the deck), salute and say, “I request permission to come aboard, sir/ma’am.” You should then add the purpose of your visit: “to tour the ship”.
When you leave a ship, the order of saluting is reversed. You salute the OOD first and say, “I request permission to leave the ship, sir/ma’am.” After receiving permission, you then face and salute the ensign (if it is flying) and depart.
When boarding a ship in civilian attire and the national ensign is flying, you will halt at the gangway, at attention, and face aft (No salute is rendered because you are not in uniform). You then turn to the OOD at attention and say, “I request permission to come aboard, sir/ma’am.” along with the purpose of your visit. The OOD will then say, “Permission granted” or “Permission not granted.”
When you are leaving a ship in civilian attire, the procedure is reversed. You stand at attention in front of the OOD first and say, “I request permission to leave the ship, sir/ma’am.” After receiving permission, you then stand at attention facing the ensign (if it is flying) and depart (Again, no salute because you are not in uniform).
SALUTING:
Members should render a salute to any officer of equal or higher rankwhen wearing their cover outdoors. It is customary to hold the salute until it is returned or until the officer has past.
Staff officers who wear officer insignia should be prepared to return salutes rendered by junior officers or enlisted.
Salutes should be rendered smartly. Look the individual whom you are saluting in the eye when rending the salute. This is usually accompanied by a "Good afternoon/evening Sir/Ma'am".
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Go out and have a good time, but please ensure you are in proper uniform. Remember that your conduct and appearance reflect not only on yourselves, but also your unit and the Coast Guard as a whole.
Shipmates,
As we prepare for Rose Festival facility owners and coxswains are seeking qualified surface operations members to meet coxswain and minimum crew requirements. In prior posts I introduced the Auxiliary Officer Directory as a tool for finding member contact information. It can also be used to find members with a particular qualification. For the demonstration which follows I have done searches for Coxswains.
This is a very quick way to find members with any current Auxiliary qualification and I encourage you to become familiar with the system. Please be aware that while the data is updated regularly it is important to confirm with the member that the information is correct before undertaking a mission.
The Auxiliary Officer Directory uses your member number and eDirectory password for access. The login page, and instructions on how to get or retrieve your password can be found here: https://auxofficer.cgaux.org
The directory uses the AUXDATA unit numbering protocol:
130 = District 13
130-07 = Division 7
130-07-03 = Flotilla 73
130-07-12 = Flotilla 7-12
Shipmates,
Jonathan Polimeni our Member Training Officer sent the following information about the cancelation of a few ICS courses. These are advanced courses and should not have any impact on member qualifications.
Due to the deployment of the ICS Instructors, the following courses have been cancelled:
Shipmates,
Today in Washington D.C. the command of the Coast Guard was passed from ADM Allen to ADM Papp completing the transition of the senior leadership of our service. I encourage each of you to visit the USCG.mil leadership page and view our 24th Commandant's message to the service. It is midway down the page on the right side and labeled "Message from the Commandant".
From: Papp, Robert ADM
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 8:21 PM
Subject: Setting The Watch
Shipmates,
I am honored to serve as the 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard. When I
assumed the duties from Admiral Thad Allen at noon today, it concluded a
series of key rotations and marked the setting of a new watch to lead our
service.
Serving with me on this watch are Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara, Vice
Commandant, Master Chief Michael Leavitt, Master Chief Petty Officer of the
Coast Guard and Master Chief Mark Allen, Master Chief Petty Officer of
Reserve Forces. Each assumed their duties over the past ten days. They are
all very experienced professionals who have been tried and tested in the
field. We are also joined by Vice Admiral Robert Parker, Commander,
Atlantic Area, Vice Admiral Manson Brown, Commander Pacific Area, Vice
Admiral John Currier, Chief-of-Staff and Future Deputy Commandant of Mission
Support and Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, Deputy Commandant for Operations. I
am proud to serve alongside this exceptionally talented group of leaders.
My watch will be guided by the following vision for our service:
We are defined by our missions, people and heritage. We will selflessly
serve our country and perform our duties in a manner that secures the trust
and confidence of mariners and citizens alike. We will set a course that
steadies the service, honors our profession, strengthens our partnerships
and respects our shipmates.
This vision will be achieved by the incoming watch through clear focus on
select projects and initiatives currently under way in our service. Instead
of creating new tasking, we intend to emphasize vital initiatives, leverage
teams that are in place now and move these efforts forward to completion. I
will provide more specifics in the coming weeks.
I often use the term Shipmate. You need to know that this is a team of
endearment for me that represents a common bond across the entire Coast
Guard family and all mission communities. There is no higher compliment in
my opinion than being called a Shipmate and no better goal than being a good
one.
Admiral Allen will continue his service as the National Incident Commander
for the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill managing the overall federal response.
I am glad he accepted this last assignment as it will enable me to focus on
the Coast Guard's response, and serving you as Commandant of the Coast
Guard. Admiral Allen is a true public servant and visionary, I thank him
for his service.
I encourage all Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian, auxiliary,
families and retirees to bookmark and initiate RSS feed from the senior
leadership web page at WWW.USCG.MIL/SENIORLEADERSHIP. We intend to use this
location during our watch to post information and address subjects that are
important to our service.
All standing orders remain in effect, set the watch and carry out the
routine of the day.
Shipmates,
As the summer season approaches I'd like to remind you to practice risk management in all your activities, assigned to duty and personal. This reminder is particularly poignant as we are nearing the anniversary of the loss of our shipmate Tony Touch in a motorcycle accident last year.
If you've not taken the opportunity to take one of the risk management offerings, like the 8-hour Team Coordination Training, I encourage you to do so when the course is next offered. These courses are required for air and surface operations but have relevance to all our Auxiliary and personal activities.
Warm regards and thank you for your service,
Daren
R 201748Z MAY 10
ALCOAST 256/10
COMDTNOTE 5100
SUBJECT: SPRING/SUMMER TRAFFIC AND RECREATIONAL OFF-DUTY SAFETY
A. SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MANUAL, COMDTINST M5100.47 (SERIES)
1. SPRING TIME HAS ARRIVED, SUMMER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AND
MANY HAVE ALREADY BEGAN PLANNING AND EXECUTING TRADITIONAL OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES. AS WE CRANK UP OUR FUN DIALS AND DUST OFF THE GRILLS,
BOATS, JET SKIS, MOTORCYCLES, ETC., GUARDIANS MUST REMEMBER THAT
MANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE RISKS.
2. ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC AND RECREATIONAL OFF-DUTY MISHAP REPORTS
SHOWS THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE INVOLVED THE MISUSE OF ALCOHOL.
ADDITIONAL CAUSAL FACTORS INCLUDE NOT WEARING PROPER PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL NEEDED
TO SAFELY OPERATE A BOAT, MOTORCYCLE OR AN ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE
(ATV), OR MISJUDGING ONES ABILITY TO SWIM IN OPEN WATERS. MISHAPS,
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE CAUSED BY FACTORS OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL,
CAN BE MINIMIZED OR AVOIDED IF INDIVIDUALS WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO
LEARN THE RISKS, TRAIN FOR EFFICIENCY AND WEAR PROPER PPE WHEN
INDICATED.
3. IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THESE NEEDLESS MISHAPS, THE OFFICE OF
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, DIVISION OF SHORE SAFETY COMDT
(CG-1132), AND THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WORK-LIFE SUPPORT ACTIVITY
(HSWL SUPACT) HAVE DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING LIST OF RESOURCES TO
WHICH GUARDIANS CAN REFER WHEN PLANNING THEIR SPRING AND SUMMER
ACTIVITIES:
A. HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/HQ/CG1/CG113/CG1132/DEFAULT.ASP - DIVISION
OF SHORE SAFETY (CG-1132).
B. HTTP://CGWEB.MLCA.USCG.MIL/KDIV/KSEHOMEPAGE.HTM - HEALTH,
SAFETY AND WORK-LIFE SUPPORT ACTIVITY (HSWL SUPACT).
C. HTTP://WWW.AFSC.AF.MIL - AIR FORCE SAFETY CENTER.
D. HTTP://WWW.SAFETYCENTER.NAVY.MIL - NAVAL SAFETY CENTER.
E. HTTPS://SAFETY.ARMY.MIL - ARMY SAFETY CENTER.
F. HTTP://WWW.SAFEBOATINGAMERICA.COM - BOATING SAFETY.
G. HTTP://WWW.STORMFAX.COM/SAFESWIM.HTM - OCEAN SWIMMING SAFETY
TIPS (RETYPE ADDRESS USING LOWERCASE LETTERS).
H. HTTP://WWW.SVIA.ORG - ATV SAFETY.
I. HTTP://WWW.MSF-USA.ORG - MOTORCYCLE SAFETY.
J. HTTP://WWW.BEERESPONSIBLE.COM - ANHEUSER BUSCH RESPONSIBLE
DRINKING CAMPAIGN.
4. RESOURCE LINKS LISTED ABOVE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY AVAILABLE
ON THE INTERNET. WHEN PLANNING A RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY, TAKE THE
TIME TO EDUCATE YOURSELF, TAKE A TRAINING CLASS IF AVAILABLE, AND
NEVER CONDUCT HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS DRIVING A BOAT OR JET
SKI OR SWIMMING, ALONE OR AFTER CONSUMING ALCOHOL. BE THE GUARDIAN,
HELP OTHERS MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE. BY APPLYING SIMPLE RISK
MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES, GUARDIANS CAN ENJOY THEIR RECREATIONAL
ACTIVITIES IN A SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER.
5. COMMANDING OFFICERS AND OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE NEED TO EMPHASIZE TO
THEIR UNIT PERSONNEL THE IMPORTANCE OF APPLYING THE SAME RISK
MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES TO OFF-DUTY DRIVING AND RECREATIONAL
ACTIVITIES AS THEY DO TO THEIR WORK ACTIVITIES. ALL COAST GUARD
MEMBERS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND THE
SAFETY OF OTHERS. SEMPER PARATUS.
6. COMDT (CG-1132) POC IS MR. DALE A. WISNIESKI, EMAIL:
DALE.A.WISNIESKI(AT)USCG.MIL, COMM: 202-475-5206.
7. RELEASED BY RADM MARK J. TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND
WORK-LIFE.
8. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.
Shipmates, Updated with photos by FC73 Brian Rollins
The USCGC Bertholf, our first National Security Cutter, is in Portland at Cascade General for the next six weeks. Thanks to the initiative of our ASC, Todd Mains, members of the Auxiliary are invited to participate in any one of four tours scheduled for Sector Portland.
Full details will arrive via email from your Flotilla leadership.
Our September District Meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Southcenter in Tukwila, WA from September 24-26. You have the option of participating for the entire weekend, staying a single night or just driving up for the day. If you make it a day trip I recommend carpooling and sharing the driving - it can be a long day.
More details will come as we get closer to the event, including a training schedule.
Josh Sharkey, FL76, has taken the lead on a Public Affairs event on 22MAY2010 and is looking for some assistance. There will be a Station Portland crew with an RBS-S to work with.
Columbia Crossing PA Event. Saturday May 22nd in the old Zupans parking lot across from Safeway on Jantzen Beach.
Set up starts at 0800 and there is a free pancake breakfast for those working the event at 0930. Event runs from 1100 to 1600.
I am in need of at least two more people to work alongside the active duty crew that will be in attendance and I am still looking for a trailer-able facility to be on display.
You can find Josh's contact information in the Division directory - or email me and I will forward your email. Should be a fun event!
The Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitation Program (RBSVP) continues to play an ever increasing role and is an integral component of the USCG’s Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) program. Program Visitors (PV’s) serve as “community ambassadors”, and promote safe boating through the aid of Program Partners who are businesses or organizations where the boating public might frequent. This community outreach program not only provides Program Partners with safety/boating related literature, but serves as a resource link (point of contact) for Program Partners who may need more information including, but not limited to, answers to questions such as: documentation, recall status, or technical questions. The RBSVP interfaces with other RBS programs and provides additional information to Program Partners such as schedules and details for vessel examinations (VE), boating safety classes (PE), and special events (PA). Under all circumstances, PV’s must maintain the best of personalappearance and CORRECTLY worn uniform along with a solid knowledge base of safe boating practices.
Here’s how to become a Program Visitor:
Contact your FSO-PV and have him answer any questions you may have regarding RBSVP and let him know that you are ready to begin preparing for this qualification.
Download form ANSC 7046 where you will record your PV activity. Form ANSC 7047 is not currently being used.
Download the Vessel Safety Check Manual. All PV’s are required to have an excellent knowledge of vessel examinations and at least 25% of the questions open book PV Examination come from this manual. You do not need to be VE qualified, but it is highly recommended.
Download the updates and changes to the Vessel Safety Check manual M16796.8 Changes
Ready to take the RBSVP Qualification Exam ? Click Here
After you have completed the exam with a score of 90% or greater, contact any certified PV and under his supervision perform two Program Partner visits. Then give your FSO-PV a copy of your test score detail that you will receive online, affix that information to the Program Visitor Initial Qualification and Re-certification Application (use a copy of the form in the RBSPV Manual)* and he will obtain the appropriate signatures and send to DIRAUX. Shortly thereafter, you will receive a PV Letter of Certification, PV Certificate, and Examiner Program Ribbon. PV’s can also earn the prestigious RBS Device. Criteria
*Follow for the new Certification / Re-Certification form MT-2 not currently available for District 13.
Today the Division conducted our annual workshop on Vessel Examination. This year's workshop is not mandatory. These workshops serve as an outstanding opportunity to discuss changes, explore interesting cases and standardize our practices across the VE cadre. These workshops also serve as a good introduction to the mission and we had a number of prospective Vessel Examiners in attendance. To facilitate becoming a vessel examiner please review this post which originally appeared at flotilla76.org.
Thank you to Ken Babick for teaching the workshop and Jon Polimeni for organizing today's sessions.
Becoming a Vessel Examiner
Vessel Examination is one of our cornerstone missions. By talking to boaters while they are safely ashore or dockside, discussing requirements and recommended equipment we reduce the risks those boaters face once underway - we are doing preventative SAR before the boaters get in trouble.
Vessel Examination is one of the easiest of our missions to accomplish as it does not require any equipment or scheduling - you simply need to be qualified, the forms and to be present where boaters congregate.
Study the entire VSC Manual, the forms and the sections of the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual concerning requirements for surface operational facilities.
Conduct five mentored vessel examinations with a currently qualified VE mentor.
The mentor VE will file a 7038 showing you as a trainee with the FSO-IS for entry into AUXDATA. As with any form which includes your activity you should request a copy.
The mentor will also complete a D13 Request for VE Certification which is sent to the District Staff Officer for Vessel Examinations (not the DIRAUX).
Once you receive notification of qualification.... get out and do Vessel Exams.
As noted previously please inform the FC, VFC or FSO-VE by phone or email when you are planning to do exams to insure you are properly assigned to duty and under the (qualified) umbrella of USCG legal protection.
May 22-28 is National Safe Boating week and serves as a great time to ask ourselves if we are RBS Ready - do each of us have the knowledge, training, qualifications, and materials to execute the Recreational Boating Safety mission. The work we do as instructors (IT), vessel examiners (VE), public affairs officers (PA), and program visitors (PV) to promote RBS is job #1 for the Auxiliary. I would like to move towards a culture where every member is qualified and active in the RBS mission.
Why the focus on Recreational Boating Safety? First, the RBS mission is designated by the Commandant as Job #1 for the Auxiliary:
As the leading volunteer organization in the Department of Homeland Security, it [the Auxiliary] is an essential component of our daily operations and an effective resource primed to prevent and respond to catastrophes in the maritime region. Fittingly, the core strategic purpose of the Auxiliary is to continuously hone its expertise to perform three prioritized functions:
(1) Promote and improve recreational boating safety;
(2) Support Coast Guard maritime homeland security efforts; and
(3) Support the Coast Guard’s operational, administrative, and logistical requirements.
- USCG Auxiliary Policy Statement, ADM Thad Allen
Second, you can start doing RBS missions right away as a member of our Public Affairs team. The core qualifications in the RBS area (Vessel Examiner, Program Visitor, and Instructor) are straightforward and, with the help of a good mentor, quick to achieve. These qualifications serve as a good introduction to the qualification process.
Third, the RBS missions are "Good to Go" missions. This means you can call up or email the responsible staff officer or your Flotilla Commander, request assignment to duty, and go do the work. Planning, formal POMS orders, and budget are not required. [Safety note: I request you take along another member when conducting RBS missions other than PV for safety - this is a great opportunity to take along a newer member and introduce them to the RBS mission.]
Finally, while we seldom know the direct impact on lives saved from a given RBS mission there is no doubt that we do save lives by our efforts. In stark terms parents get to go to graduations and weddings, children graduate from school, spouses are there for each other in their golden years, and so many other precious moments occur in the lives of those we save by the simple act of doing a vessel exam, teaching a class or posting a flyer.
