Operations Safety: Wearing of Jewelry on Patrol

Shipmates,
Please review our SO-OP Don Verkest's comments on an email distributed by the D13 Auxiliary Chief of Staff reinforcing the long standing policy on the wear of Jewelry while on patrol. I went ringless a few years ago, after I realized I'd forgotten and operated with my wedding band. I had a discussion with my wife and got permission to limit wear of my ring to special occasions - my key responsibility to my family is to come home whole and healthy.

Be safe and look to the safety of your shipmates by assuring we meet this policy -- every time.

Peter Raiswell's message leaves no room for interpretation. Jewelry of any kind is not permitted on patrol. It must be removed prior to getting underway and is best left at home. We will give this latest clarification more emphasis with the Academy members and it should also be covered with OP members at the Flotilla level. 

Don Verkest, SO-OP

Subject: Jewelry on patrol

We will discuss this further during our EXCOM conversation but this is a quick heads up.

The "no rings" policy is real and will be enforced. it is in the boat crew manual and applies to the auxiliary. There are no waiver capabilities unless we can get the policy changed nationally. So that leaves us with the active duty policy that specifically says no rings. Check the boat crew manual, here is what it says:

"The wearing of jewelry, including rings, wristwatches, necklaces or other items not consisting of organizational clothing, PPE, or uniform articles by boat crew members engaged in hoisting, towing, or other deck evolutions where the potential for snagging exists is prohibited. OICs and coxswains will address this during all pre-underway briefs and coxswains shall ensure jewelry is removed prior to beginning all deck evolutions."

If someone is injured disobeying this policy not only are they not covered by the USCG for liability etc but the coxswain will also be held accountable with probably loss of coxswain status. Serious stuff.

I realize there are situations where a member either cannot or will not remove a ring etc. If that happens there is no option at the moment but to remove the person from a deck evolution as specified. Even if that means calling off a patrol. The OTO will post more on MII. There is no provision at present to wrap a ring in duct tape etc.

This is not what a lot of members want to hear, but it is the way it is. We have to enforce it. All coxswains will need to be made aware of the need to enforce the rule, as well as crew personnel.

Peter

Peter Raiswell, Chief of Staff, US Coast Guard Auxiliary District 13