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  • Monday, May 3, 2010

    Commanders Comments: May 2010

    Shipmates,
    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.

    I look forward to seeing you out there!

    Thank you for your service. Respectfully,
    Daren

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