Surface Operations Radio Communications Change - Station Radio Guard

Shipmates,
As part of the transition from Sector Portland to the new Sector Columbia River Station Portland is now maintaining a radio watch.

Effective immediately all surface assets will maintain radio guard with STATION PORTLAND while operating within the Station Area of Responsibility (e.g. the region bounded by Puget Island, Bonneville and the Oregon City Falls) between 0700 and 2200 hours.

Guard will be maintained with SECTOR (or other guard as per policy) outside of the STATION AOR as well as overnight between the hours of 2200 and 0700.

All AUXAIR communications will remain with SECTOR or as otherwise detailed by the District AUXAIR and the responsible AIRSTA.

Bottom line: This means most communications and radio guard work done by Division 7 surface operators will be conducted with STATION.

Coxswains are directed to assure all crew are briefed on the change during pre-underway briefings. Please be cognizant that the habit of calling SECTOR may be difficult to break and that particular care should be taken before keying the microphone. Please remind each other of the changes as part of your TCT until we've established the new behavior across the surface operations community.

Best Daren and Jon James SO-CM