Vessel Examination: The mounted fire extinguisher debate

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
Proving once again that there is always something to learn, the issue of mounting of fire extinguishers came up at our Vessel Examiner workshop this month.

Before I break into my research on the topic let's agree that mounting of ALL fire extinguishers is a good idea and something we need to promote while doing VEs.

Into the debate:


The latest version of "A boaters guide to the Federal requirements for recreational boats" states on page 21:

"...and must be provided with a mounting bracket. While not required, it is recommended that extinguishers be mounted in a readily accessible location."

Easy right? Recommended but not required. Unfortunately it isn't that easy. First, the text may simply apply to "readily accessible location" but even if we assume there is no general mounting requirement for ALL extinguishers that isn't the end of the story.

The USCG does not actually test portable fire extinguishers for recreational boat use. The Coast Guard relies on third party testing labs to do the testing and maintain oversight of fire extinguisher manufacturers. These third party testing labs may set additional conditional requirements for their certification to apply.

I pulled my home ABC extinguisher from the mount in the pantry and had a look at the label. In the UL section (not the manufacturers instructions) we see the following:

Marine Type U.S.C.G.
Type A Size II, Type B:C Size I
U.S.C.G. Approval Number 160.028/EX1793
Valid only with bracket P/N 466400


The key part is this last "Valid only with bracket P/N 466400". This means the U.S.C.G. Approval only exists when the extinguisher is in the required bracket.

Bottom line, we need to check all extinguishers. If an extinguisher has this or a similar note from a third party testing agency, as part of the U.S.C.G. approval, the extinguisher must be mounted in the bracket to be counted as a required extinguisher.

A few key points:

• Unmounted extinguishers are acceptable if they are excess to the requirements and there are other mounted or extinguishers not requiring mounting that meet the requirements.
• You are unlikely to know if the bracket provided is the required bracket - we can allow passage of properly mounted extinguishers in these cases.
• You need to remove portable extinguishers to do a proper check. Seeing them is not sufficient to assure they are USCG Approved and to check to see if the contents are caked and packed.
• Please explain the issue to boat owners if the issue arises (i.e. "There is no general requirement that all extinguishers be mounted but THIS particular extinguisher is only approved when mounted as it says in the U.S.C.G. Approval notice right here on the label.")
• Remember, we are seeking 100% voluntary compliance with the requirements before we issue the VSC decal. This applies to mounting of those extinguishers that require mounting.

Thank you to everyone who offered a perspective on this question. I'd welcome additional feedback. I am also seeking photos of USCG Approved extinguishers without a mounting requirement and/or those approved by other third party testing agencies. The first member to provide photos of either instance gets a customized pint glass.

Extraordinary performance in 2010: Vessel Safety Checks

Shipmates,
Last night at the Flotilla 78 change of watch George Sipes and I had the opportunity to discuss our VSC program in 2010. In the course of the conversation we looked up FL78's numbers to compare to other Flotillas in the District and Division 7's numbers to compare to other Divisions nationally.

Flotilla 78's VSC count alone exceeded that of each of the other nine Divisions in the District - 1,425 VSCs*. Way to go 78!

Only two other Divisions in D13 exceeded Flotilla 76's count of 759 VSCs for 2010 - our shipmates in Division 6 with 912 and in Division 1 with 852.

Nationally there are only three Divisions, of 170, that exceeded our total Division VSC count in 2010 of 2,958. Two of these are large Divisions in District 7 with 447 and 514 members respectively -- to our 258. The other is District 11NR - Division 10 which turned in two more VSCs - this was done with only 87 members and is an incredible achievement worthy of great respect.

Since Divisions vary so much in size it is more useful to look at the number of VSCs per active member in the Division. Nationally the Auxiliary did 4.4 VSCs per member in 2010. Division 7 did 11.5 VSCs per member. This is the fourth highest per member rate of the 170 Divisions. The four Divisions with higher rates have fewer than 100 members and one or two very productive VEs -- in the case of 11NR Div 10 they have a single member with over 2000 VSCs per year for the last 5-6 years.

A few very productive VEs (750+ VSCs/year) is a fragile way to accomplish our RBS mission. Illness or a change in focus can devastate a VSC program dependent on just one member or a few members.

This brings me to the most important point in the data - we accomplish our total numbers and our rate with a broad swath of our membership. We do have a number of outstanding performers - George conducted 475 VSCs while Lynn, Matt, Josh, Lance, Hall, and John H. were between 100 and 300 VSCs. Excluding these seven members we still had over 1,350 VSCs. In total we had 64 VEs active in 2010. We are not entirely dependent on a few members to accomplish the VSC mission. This gives us the ability to sustain our performance in the long term and meet the surge needs of ramp/dock work for Make Way, Opening Day and other events.

It is also the type of VE organization we need to continue to build to meet the challenge we face - 80 thousand registered boats and likely 100+ thousand unregistered paddle craft.

Thank you for the great work in 2010. Also my particular thanks to our outgoing SO-VE Dick Andreasen for his hard work and willingness to go anywhere, anytime to make our VE cadre effective and ensure they had the materials to get the job done. 2011 VE Decals are on hand -- let's get to work!

NOTE If you would like to look at the data I have put the spreadsheet online. Visit this link: https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AvHhc1QsrrWwdERWOEg3UDdpR0NCODd3NVYtd1FVanc&hl=en&single=true&gid=0&output=html

*All figures are from AUXDATA as of 30DEC10

Operation Paddle Smart

Shipmates,
We have received a significant supply of Operation Paddle Smart stickers thanks to our District 13 RBS Specialist. Please watch this video to learn more about this important program and how we plan to proceed as a Division.



If you have trouble viewing the video please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVUEX9RcNxw

I would like to add a note on the discussion of risk in the video. The key point is that we accept a somewhat higher level of risk to prosecute a SAR as we balance the risk versus gain. Balancing this risk must be a collaborative effort between the on scene unit and the responsible SAR controller. Should you find yourselves in a situation where the risk level departs the "Green" of our GAR model you must discuss the risk factors with either Station or Sector and take their direction before proceeding with the operation. Remember, be safe and look to the safety of your shipmates.

Here is my video from the 2010 Innovation Expo on the Paddle Smart program:

The Paddle Smart sticker

Weatherproof sign for field use when promoting the program

Becoming a Vessel Examiner

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.

So how do you become qualified?

1. Request a VSC Manual M16796.8 or download a copy here.
2. Download Forms ANSC-7003, ANSC-7008, ANSC-7012, ANSC-7038 and ANSC-7045 here.
3. Download the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual here.
4. Study the entire VSC Manual, the forms and the sections of the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual concerning requirements for surface operational facilities.
5. Take the VE test at the Auxiliary National Testing Center.
6. Conduct five mentored vessel examinations with a currently qualified VE mentor. 
7. 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.
8. 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).
9. 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.

March 2010 Commander’s Comments

Guardians,

As we ramp up to another boating season the recreational fishermen are upon the Columbia and Willamette in large numbers. With our 2010 Vessel Examination stickers in hand we can begin the annual VE checks and this is a great time to catch up on Program Visits to assure our local dealers are well stocked with materials. As you conduct these critical RBS missions I’d like to ask you to do a few things.

First, look to the new and existing membership of your Flotilla and ask a non-qualified or trainee member to join you for your next PV or VE mission. A cursory examination of the recreational boating numbers within our area of operations shows that we only reach a small portion of the boaters each year. We can extend this reach by helping every member become qualified in one or more of our RBS mission areas and VE and PV are a great place to start.

Second, consider boaters, boats and dealers we do not traditionally serve. We have large numbers of paddle craft in our area of operations and they can and should receive Vessel Examinations. The paddle craft community also supports a large population of dealers and clubs/associations. Please look to these dealers and organizations as RBS partners as part of your Program Visits.

Third, in recent weeks the Sector Command has been very concerned with the interaction between recreational boaters and commercial vessels. In March the Coast Guard will focus significant attention on Rule 9 and the requirement for recreational boaters to give way. We can play a significant role in educating recreational boaters on the requirements and the dangers inherent in failure to follow the navigation rules. Please discuss these requirements with boaters on the ramps, docks, in classes and underway – particularly when you find boaters anchored in the channel.

Finally, as you conduct these RBS missions please consider safety as the highest priority. There are a few easy steps you can take:

• Wear your life jacket when doing VEs on or near the water, including while at the boat ramp. Your life jacket serves the traditional purpose of keeping you afloat if you fall in plus it serves as a visible reminder to the people who you are educating and those who simply see you. On busy boat ramps the life jacket also makes you easier to see. 
• Work with a buddy. Having two Auxiliarists, even if the second is not qualified, means we are watching out for each other, you have a second person judging risks and you have a shipmate on hand should the situation go lopsided in a minor or major way.  [Addendum: Gay Sipes reminds us that a a Vessel Examiner and a Public Affairs Officer make a great team - and any BQ member can serve in the PA role - no qualification required]
• Practice risk management. While Operational Risk Management/TCT training is not required for VE or PV qualifications I strongly recommend all members familiarize themselves with the Coast Guard’s risk management techniques. There are a number of basic things you can do, like taking off rings before climbing aboard and around boats, and issues that are unique to a particular situation which you will need to “risk manage” on the spot. 

We’ll continue to discuss Recreational Boating Safety as the boating season approaches. Thank you for your service. Be safe out there and look the safety of your shipmates.

Very respectfully,

Daren Lewis

VSC Powercard

At the 76 Detachment meeting we discussed the need for something more than a buiness card for VSCs to put up at ramps, marinas, clubs, and other locations to promote VSCs.

4x6 inch photos only costing $0.14 at Costco and many other vendors allows the easy creation of a “Powercard” (Tim Young’s great term) that can be posted at the location of your choice.

Printed on Matte paper these are much more weather and fade resistant than color copies.

Just download the file and print at your favorite vendor, write in your info and post to the location of your choice.

To download and reproduce:

• Go to this link on Flickr
• "Choose the Download the Original Size" and save to your selected location
• Take to a photo vendor on a disk or use the online ordering option for the vendor of your choice
•  If possible have the photos printed on matte paper - it holds up better

I have 50 and I’ll send 5 each to the first 10 members who email me: veryuseful@gmail.com