During normal times (MARSEC 1)4 the Auxiliary will continue all safety missions. That is, the Auxiliary will continue to perform standard safety patrols, harbor patrols, infrastructure patrols, and SAR. When the threat level rises to MARSEC 2 or 3, the Auxiliary will marshal more of its resources, both personnel and equipment, to support Coast Guard efforts to counter the security threat. Security issues are important and time is critical. Surge capabilities are necessary to provide adequate support necessary to quell the threat or react to an incident.

USCG Auxiliary White Paper on Maritime Domain Awareness (2005)

OPERATIONS

If Recreational Boating Safety is the Soul of the Auxiliary, Operations is the organization's Heart.

And therein beats the desire of many Auxiliarists to provide active and action oriented service to the Coast Guard and the maritime community, as well as to the fulfillment of Maritime Domain Awareness/Operation Patriot Readiness (MDA/OPR) missions.

The National Department of Operations (“O”) is responsible for the administration of the Auxiliary's Surface Operations, Air Operations, Telecommunications and Aids to Navigation Programs.

"O" is also responsible for the Coast Guard station, group, district and cutter augmentation mission -- it counts on the ready availability of qualified Auxiliarists and their land, sea, air, and radio Operational Facilities for assignment to OPR.

Many Marine Safety (“M”) missions are accomplished by deploying “O” assets, and all Auxiliarists holding an “O” qualification have a job to do in Maritime Domain Awareness/Operation Patriot Readiness.

The Operations Department website  is the prime source of current information and breaking news related to the “O” programs. All Auxiliarists serving as operational members must also be familiar with the contents of the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual (COMDTINST M16798.3E)  which has been posted to the CG Directives System. This version contains many updates and changes from the previous version, and is in effect as of April 5, 2005. It can be downloaded directly, but is a very large PDF document (342 page), and the manual is distributed on a CD to all operational members.

Standard Operations

The difference between standard and surge operations is that the Auxiliary during normal (or standard) times -- indicated by a MARSEC 1 threat level -- conducts many multi-mission patrols combining both security (awareness) activities and traditional safety patrols, ATON inspections, and SAR operations.

Surge Operations

As the MARSEC level (locally, regionally, or nationally) rises to level 2 or 3, Auxiliary patrol response changes both in number and type and, to a lesser extent, geographical areas of patrols. While on patrols, less activity is devoted to safety issues and more time is spent on security/awareness issues.

Surge operations also put a heavy burden on Auxiliary facilities and crews. Significant planning needs to be done to maximize crew effectiveness, assure a continuing and reliable schedule, prepare to work with other authorities (in addition to the Coast Guard), and be a mobile force.

MARSEC (Maritime Security) Levels Explained

MARSEC 1: (Low, Elevated) The security standard for routine maritime operations. It aligns with National DHS levels of Green, Blue and Yellow. Some security measures are required to be taken to minimize vulnerability to security incidents.

MARSEC 2: (High) A heightened threat of security incident and intelligence indicates that terrorists are likely to be active within a specific target or class of targets. It aligns with National DHS security level "Orange". Additional security measures as outlined in Vessel, Facility and Area Security Plans must be undertaken and regulated facilities must acknowledge understanding an increased level has been established to minimize vulnerability to security incidents.

MARSEC 3: (Severe) A probable or imminent threat of a security incident. It aligns with National DHS Security level "Red". Additional security measures as outlined in Vessel, Facility and Area Security Plans must be undertaken and regulated facilities must acknowledge understanding an increased level has been established to minimize vulnerability to security incidents. MARSEC level 3 will involve significant restriction of maritime operations that could lead to temporary closure of individual ports, waterways and facilities in a region or the entire U.S. Security.
 

The Patrol Order Management System (POMS) is designed to efficiently issue official patrol orders for Auxiliarists and their operational facilities.

Obviously, a major part of Maritime Domain Awareness/Operation Patriot Readiness (MDA/OPR) is the deployment of Auxiliarists and their land, sea, air and radio operational facilities on patrols conducted under official Coast Guard orders. The success of MDA/OPR demands there be an effective and efficient method of issuing,  reviewing, and making reimbursements for these orders, and the Patrol Order Management System (POMS) is designed to meet this need.

POMS allows pre-specified users the ability to plan, schedule, review and communicate details of surface operation to a multitude of stakeholders including coxswain and crew, operations officers, and cognizant Coast Guard authorities.

Though designed originally as a financial management tool, POMS also serves important operational purposes, assisting in the timely issuance of orders, as well as providing a means of data collection for statistical review and analysis. 

POMS is now the exclusive method of issuing patrol orders -- where command provides a by-direction letter to an Auxiliarist, allowing that Auxiliarist full control of the POMS Location, including maintaining user level access and assigning user level authorities within POMS along with the approval of the CG-5132 reimbursements.

(POMS is a U.S. Coast Guard Finance Center (FINCEN) initiative. Initially developed for Group Miami, the FINCEN investigated the significantly lower error rates associated with the CG-5132s submitted by Group Miami and adopted the process.)

POMS On-Line CG-5132 Form -- has replaced the CG-5132 and CG-5132-1 PDF forms accessed via the National Forms Web site. Per COMDTINST M16790.1F page 9.3: Patrol orders, reimbursable or non-reimbursable, are issued using the Patrol Order Management System (POMS) to order the use of an Auxiliary facility (vessel, airplane, and communication station). Use of POMS is mandatory.

All Operations (Air, Surface and Mobile Radio) Certified Auxiliary Members have Internet access to the POMS On-Line CG-5132 form and the Operations Schedule for your POMS location. You will need the latest CITRIX Client and POMS.ICA to access POMS. The POMS Installation and the POMS On-Line CG-5132/7030 User's guides are available at: http://www.statronics.com/poms/ 

Click on POMS Documentation. Assistance with the installation and use of POMS is available via your local POMS Administration Team. They can be identified via your Operations chain of administration. The FINCEN has discontinued processing paper CG-5132 Forms as announced by the CG Finance Center at the 2004 NACON. Note: The CG-5132 and CG-5132-1 PDF files have been removed from the National forms web site.

Additional information can be found at the StatronicS, Inc. web site.

And a POMS PowerPoint presentation, explaining details of the system, is available for viewing online.

Surface Operations and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)

Surface operations include the ordered deployment of any operational facility that is deployable on the water. It includes but  is not limited to Auxiliary Operational Facilities -- including Personal Watercraft (PWC) -- and Special Purpose Facilities such as motorized small boats and dinghies not otherwise eligible for a decal.

The primary qualifications in the surface operations area are Boat Crew Member, PWC Operator, and Coxswain. The primary delivery vehicle for surface operations training is the flotilla/division Boat Crew Qualification Program (BCQP)

A flotilla's FSO-MT and FSO-OP can help members qualify in the Surface Operations Program.

Cautious Curiosity

Our Operations Policy Manual now includes a section detailing how Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) "underscores all operational missions." MDA is not a separate mission in itself; rather it is an integral part of virtually every mission performed by the Auxiliary. It is part and parcel of our increased vigilance in the marine environment.

Normally we rely on the Coast Guard, the FBI, the police and various Intelligence Agencies to uncover terrorism and stop it before any harm is done, but Auxiliarists can also play a major role in Maritime Security by being aware of their surroundings, by acknowledging that they can make a real difference, and that real victories can be achieved by taking our role as the "eyes and ears" of the Coast Guard seriously.

The elements inherent in multi-mission patrols reflect this new thinking. Although we continue to be concerned about disabled vessels and recreational boating safety, we must simultaneously be aware of security conditions as we patrol. Why is that boat moored under a bridge, or near a fresh water treatment facility? Yes. . . they could be aground, or out of gas . . . but they could also represent a potential threat. Are we prepared to take the appropriate action? Do we know what that action is?

Are we cautious when conducting an on-scene assessment? One way to improve our readiness is to ensure that our crew is briefed on potential threats in our patrol area, and that we have the means onboard to make proper notifications and reports, such as a cell phone or a disposable camera. If the Coxswain reviews a security checklist of potential threats (including typical behaviors that may be suspicious) and contact information with the crew prior to getting underway, we remove any doubt or hesitation that could occur if we are confronted with a situation that we have not seen before.

Our multi-mission approach must continue to stress safety of the crew, even while expanding our patrol vision to include potential threats. In many parts of the country, Auxiliary patrols share the waters with active duty Coast Guard and Naval shipping. We must be aware that these active duty vessels are also on heightened levels of alert. They too are expanding their awareness of threats and are increasingly sensitive to other vessels that may approach them without notice or any apparent good reason. There are some strict rules about approaching naval vessels that you need to keep in mind.

First, do not approach to within 100 yards of any Naval or Coast Guard vessel UNLESS you have contacted that vessel on Channel 16, and received permission to approach.

Second, you must operate at minimum speed within 500 yards of any Naval or Coast Guard vessel.

These rules must be complied with for obvious reasons. Common sense dictates that we give all military vessels a wide berth so as to avoid the possibility of being suspected of being a hostile craft.

We must always keep in mind that we are not law enforcement officers and that we are neither trained nor authorized to confront any person or vessel. Even so, we can make a difference by being alert, observing suspicious behavior, and reporting what we see, hear, smell while on patrol.

It is critical that we know who to contact when we suspect something is not quite right, and that we understand the absolute need to avoid any aggressive action. Our first duty is to our crew and our vessel. We are truly the eyes and ears of the Coast Guard.

We can and must record, document and report any suspicious behavior we become aware of while on patrol.

All of us who perform our missions on or near the water can make a difference; we can that "force multiplier" for the Coast Guard -- just by being "cautiously curious" about or environment and taking the appropriate action -- within the bounds of our limitations and authority.

(Note: "Cautious Curiosity" originally appeared as an article by James M. McCarty, BC-OEI, in the June 2005 edition of "Up Top in Operations," a newsletter of the Auxiliary's National Operations Department.)

Deployable Auxiliary Response Team (DART) 

This  program’s ultimate goal is to train, qualify and provide Auxiliarists to execute patrols on Coast Guard-owned boats authorized for Auxiliary use. See the SitRep story District 9 CR adds a DART to its Resources  for information about how a DART operates.

USCG Auxiliary Boat Crew Program.

To effectively support MDA/OPR surface operations such as Harbor Patrols (HARPAT) requires a large number of qualified boat crew members. Consider setting up a mentoring program to train new crew and coxswains.

If you're not quite sure how to do this, if you need more mentors and need a way to recruit them, the National Operations Department has provided information and designed tools to help you start a mentoring program, recruit mentors, and present a comprehensive approach to teaching the skills.

The first resource is an informative slide presentation (Adobe Acrobat™ format, 715KB) used during a presentation held at a recent USCG Auxiliary National Conference in Nashville, TN. 

The second resource is a template (Adobe Acrobat™ format, 356KB) for taking a trainee through the Boat Crew Program.  This template includes the task number, task description, pages in the Boat Crew Qualification Guide and the Boat Crew Training Manual for the tasks, and study questions, references and page numbers, plus materials and equipment a mentor will need to teach each task.  (Questions about the mentoring process and these materials can be directed to Mark Simoni, DVC-OS at mark@simonisystems.com)

A summary list of available manuals for the Boat Crew Program is available online at Boat Crew Training Manuals.

Operational Excellence Program

The Operational Excellence Program allows a boat crew TEAM to perform a series of proctored tasks -- tasks going above and beyond those required to be certified in the Boat Crew Program. If the TEAM performs these tasks to a high standard, their achievement will be recognized with Operational Excellence Program ribbons for the TEAM members, and an "E" decal for the coxswain's OPFAC. The tasks include:

● Search Planning
● Search Execution
● Pump Drill
● Communications
● Currency Maintenance Tasks

Proctors for the required tasks will be one of the following:

● A current certified Auxiliary Qualification Examiner (QE).

● Any active duty or reserve member on active duty with the rank of at least E5 who is a certified coxswain on a Coast Guard SAR boat and authorized to proctor the program by the unit Commanding Officer/ Officer in Charge.

The components and procedures of the Operational Excellence Program are more fully described in COMDTINST 16794.4, dated August 21, 2003.

Air Operations

Air Operations is the Auxiliary’s aviation (Aux Air) program. Aux Air flies Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) missions, Search & Rescue (SAR) missions, Marine Safety, Security and Environment Protection (MSEP) missions and Aids to Navigation (ATON) missions.

Aux Air also flies logistic support missions for the Coast Guard and area familiarization flights for the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary.

There is a place for pilots and non-pilots in the Aux Air program. The non-pilot qualifications are Air Observer and Air Crew member. Most members start as an Air Observer and with increasing knowledge upgrade to Air Crew. Pilots are expected to already possess their pilots license.

The pilot qualifications depend on flight time and instrument rating. In increasing order the qualifications are: Co-pilot, First Pilot, Aircraft Commander, Flight Examiners and Instructor Pilots.

More information on the Auxiliary Air Operations Program can be found on the Operations Department website and the website of  the Aviation Operations Branch of the Chief Director of Auxiliary (ChDirAux). The Aux Air program is an Auxiliary District run program.

Aux Air member must also become familiar with the full range of Coast Guard specific operational requirements, including:

Promulgation of Auxiliary Pilot Qualification Syllabus - Mar 2005
Aviation Polices - Aug 2004
Engine Stop Policy - Apr 2004
Risk Assessment Matrix - Aug 2004
Instructor Pilot/ Flight Examiner Syllabus - Jul 2004  

A member’s prime source of information is the FSO-OP or Flotilla Commander (FC). Some FCs appoint an Air Program Chairperson (Air Chair) to provide additional support at the local level.

Communication Operations

There are several long and short range communication missions with MDA/OPR implications.

Auxiliary Communication Operations include fixed-land, land-mobile, portable radio and radio direction finding (RDF) facilities. Member operated fixed-land and RDF radio stations serve both as a back up to Coast Guard shore radio stations and as part of the system of locating lost or disabled boaters on the waterways. The prime sources of information for these programs are the Operations Department web site  and the Communications Division Newsletter.  Annex 4 of the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual (COMDTINST M16798.3E) covers the details of Coast Guard Auxiliary Telecommunications.

Some of the opportunities for integration of Auxiliary communications capabilities into the delivery of MDA/OPR services are:

Fixed Land Radio Facilities

A fixed land radio facility is radio equipment that an Auxiliarist or Auxiliary unit operates at a fixed location such as a home, garage or office, includes a building or trailer that houses the radio equipment, and may include RDF capabilities. There may also be transportable equipment kept ready for emergency deployment but not in day-to-day use at a permanent location. These radio facilities, in addition to Land-Mobile facilities, are used to coordinate Auxiliary activities in support of Coast Guard operations, to augment the Coast Guard communications system when required, and to assist national resources during natural disasters and threat situations.

A recent SITREP article provides a good example of how these radio facilities and their skilled operators assist the Coast Guard in operational missions.

Land-Mobile Patrols.

Land-mobile radio stations, owned and operated by Auxiliarists,  also supplement the Coast Guard's vast communications network. 

Land-mobile radio stations, most often installed in the motor vehicles of Auxiliarists assigned to marina and seaport patrols, assist in reporting safety and security hazards at these facilities, and also provide radio  communications during SAR and disaster relief operations.

An Auxiliarist on land-mobile patrol may be the first unit on the scene when an incident occurs close to shore

Before and during disasters, either natural or otherwise, and while   conducting disaster relief operations, Auxiliarists provide vital services to the coast side community.

Auxiliary members, backed up by Auxiliary fixed-land and land-mobile radio facilities, are often issued orders  to warn people on waterfronts and in isolated areas; to transport supplies, equipment or personnel; to evacuate people or property; to secure small craft and waterfront facilities; and to establish and operate emergency radio networks in support of these operations.

Coast Guard Auxiliary land-mobile radio stations are also assigned to communication duties at various public events, such as at regattas, "Tall Ships" parades, "Fleet Week" activities, and other maritime related programs where safety and security are a concern.

Expanding the deployment of Auxiliarists with land-mobile operational facilities in support of Maritime Domain  Awareness/ Operation Patriot Readiness (MDA/OPR), as well as managing these resources efficiently, presents an opportunity to dramatically improve the Auxiliary's ability to monitor critical port facilities for security purposes.

Establishing an Auxiliary Rapid Response Team – Communications (ARRT-C)

ARRT-Cs can be established to respond to emergency situations. See Communications Bulletin #11, Communications Bulletin #13,  and Communications Bulletin #14  for more details.

Establishing Auxiliary Mobile Communication Units (AMCUs).

Auxiliary Units can provide support for disaster recovery efforts outside the effected area under a Mutual Support Program. Key to this program is having Mobile Communication Units to accompany Disaster Response Action Teams. Auxiliary members with recreational vehicles or trailers pulled by trucks are needed to accompany deploying teams. These vehicles must be offered for use and accepted by the DIRAUX as Mobile Communication Units. Each unit must be equipped with a generator and food and water supplies to support three communication qualified crewmembers for seven days. (Of course, the primary duty of Auxiliary members immediately affected by an emergency will be to insure the safety of their family and preserve their property. Members in areas where significant damage has occurred are not to be utilized in post storm operations until they have recovered from the effects of the storm.)

Using Auxiliary Mobile Communications Units

An AMCU is a team of Auxiliarists who meet certain special training and physical requirements, and who have a mobile radio facility in a recreational vehicle (for example, a motor home) or trailerable facility that has some specific additional equipment. It is used only under Coast Guard orders to be driven or trailered to a location to assist the Coast Guard in such activities that may include but not limited to; establishing a forward communications center or command post supporting surface, air or land operations.

1. Generally, an AMCU Team should be comprised of three Auxiliarists, all of whom must be qualified as Communications Specialists. All should be in good physical health with no medical dependencies and able to change a tire on their AMCU unassisted, be willing to work eight-hour shifts and stay on assignment living in Spartan conditions for up to one week.

2. Mobile Radio Facility Requirements. In addition to meeting all the requirements of an approved land/mobile radio facility, this facility must be either a mechanically sound mobile recreational vehicle or a trailer and truck combination equipped with a generator, a second back up VHF-FM radio, appropriate antenna, food and water to support the team for seven days, fuel and water to support the generator for 48 hours, a cell phone, and extra clothing, toilet kits and works uniforms to last the team 7 days. Just about all Class A and C motor homes fitted for "dry camping" are already equipped to provide comfortable, though somewhat Spartan, living conditions for a week or so.
 

Using Maritime Mobile Service Medium/High (MF/HF) Frequencies Network.

For a discussion on how to use the services of Auxiliarists holding Amateur Radio licenses and owning radio equipment capable of working the old "Maritime Mobile Service" MF/HF frequencies Communications Bulletin #19  and the web site of the  Maritime Mobile Service Network. Further information, in the context of  Hurricane Net, can be found in Communications Bulletin # 4

Aids To Navigation (ATON) Operations

The maintenance of aids to navigations and nautical charts and publications as well as the reporting of wrecks and discrepant aids to navigation (ATON) is critical to the economy and supports homeland security and, therefore, MDA/OPR.

The primary missions under ATON Operations are private and federal aids verification and discrepancy reporting, small craft facility chart updating, aeronautical chart updating, Coast Pilot Updating, Adopt-A-Chart and federal ATON repair. Any member can report a discrepant ATON, chart or publication error or wreck at any time. Only Private Aids Verifier (AV) qualified members may report ATONs ‘watching properly’. Only Minor Aids To Navigation Technicians qualified members, NE qualification, may repair federal ATONs. There is no qualification requirement for the other ATON missions. AV qualified members may ride on Auxiliary Operational Facilities (OPFAC) as trainees in order to accomplish the ATON mission. The Auxiliary OPFAC must have its required minimum crew on board for an ordered mission.

The "National Aids to Navigation and Chart Updating Study Guide" is out of print but it is now online in Adobe Acrobat™ format (1.7MB). The ATON program is supported at the flotilla level by the FSO-AN.

The Operations Department newsletter, Up Top In Operations  will keep you up to date in the Surface/Air/ and ATON Programs.

The following is a listing of some of the information on the Internet that pertains to the ATON program.

Forms and Manuals

In general, all Auxiliary forms, except for those that are district specific, can be found on the Auxiliary National Forms Site. The forms used for Aids Verification are on this page.

• Aton Study Guide - Revised 8/2003 - Full copy - PDF file

USCG Auxiliary Resources.

The Aids Verifier (AV) program falls under the USCG Auxiliary National Operations Department  There are items of interest to the AV posted on this page. The annual Operations Workshop Guides should be checked. Every year, except 2001, has information related to the AV program. Also the Up Top In Operations newsletters should be checked as these often contain information useful to the AV. There is a link to the newsletter archive at the top of the Operations Department page. News items are first posted to the Auxiliary What's New page before they are posted to the Operations Department page. After 30 days, the items are moved from What's New to the department page. Always check the What's New page for the latest information.

The USCG Auxiliary e-Training page  has training aids useful to the AV or AV in training. These include training aids on Aids to Navigation and Buoys and Markers, Chart Symbols, Buoys and Daybeacons, and  Ranges and Fixed Aids to Navigation. Click on PowerPoint On-line Training for even more training aids available to the AV.

USCG Resources

The USCG Operations Directorate Office of Bridge Administration website contains information related to Bridge Administration program.  

The USCG National Aids To Navigation School at Training Center Yorktown has a website. This site contains a lot of information useful to the AV, including a link to the National Aids To Navigation Bulletin.

The Federal Regulations Concerning Private Aids to Navigation (33 CFR 66) can be found on-line.

Other Federal Government Resources:

Several volumes of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) Light List covers the area of responsibility for USCG Auxiliary District 7. The displayed material is the 'front matter' from the Light List. You can get the detail for a light or set of lights by querying by light list number of geographic coordinates. NIMA also publishes the U.S. Notice to Mariners , a publication different from the USCG Local Notice to Mariners. NIMA also publishes Chart No. 1 Nautical Chart Symbols Abbreviations and Terms.

The National Ocean Service/Office of Coast Survey , a service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)  maintains several publications that are of interest to the Aids Verifier and Minor Aids to Navigation Technicians.

• Critical Chart Corrections for other districts select from the map

• Dates of Latest Editions Charts and Coast Pilots

• Coast Pilot 4-6 Record of Changes (for other Coast Pilots see the menu on the Critical Chart Corrections web site)

• Light Lists 2003

Other Manuals – On-line:

Commandant Instruction (COMDTINST M16500.3A) Aids to Navigation Technical

Instructions For Solar Aids To Navigation Installation Kit

USCG Ocean Engineering Division – Specifications for ATONS

CG Station, Group, District, Cutter Augmentation

The augmentation mission is highly dependent on local command policies. Auxiliarists serve in positions that would be considered non-rates in the Coast Guard, through fully qualified watchstanders, Officer of the Day (OOD), Food Specialists (FS), Boatwain’s Mate (BM), Machinery Technician (MK) and a variety of other rated positions.

The Auxiliary Personnel Allowance System  is being implemented to better match the needs of the local Coast Guard and Auxiliary units.

The Communications Watchstander Qualification Guide  provides standardized procedures for the training and qualification of personnel who routinely communicate with the maritime public on the VHF-FM radio.  For each task the manual provides objectives, reading assignments, a self-quiz, and checkoff lists for the sub-tasks.

Individual stations have additional requirements for watchstanders, which include formal testing on familiarity with the station's AOR, knowledge of local SAR and Law Enforcement operations, and the standard operating procedures of the particular station.

Harbor Patrol (HARPAT)

A HARPAT is an authorized Coast Guard Auxiliary mission, the purpose of which is to enhance and insure the safety, security and environmental quality of America’s ports and waterways. HARPATs are conducted under the authority of the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Activities or Marine Safety Office (MSO), acting in his/her capacity as Captain of the Port.  It is not a law enforcement mission, as any such mission would be outside the scope of the Auxiliary’s authority.  It is a surveillance, observation and reporting mission that serves to project and apply the oversight responsibility of the Captain of the Port within the assigned patrol area.

HARPATs are most frequently conducted by Auxiliary vessels certified as Operational Facilities and, as discussed in a separate section of this page, vessel crew members must be "Boat Crew Qualified."

Air and Ground Surveillance HARPATs

HARPATs may also be carried out by Auxiliary aircraft facilities and their qualified air crews, as well as by Auxiliarists operating as "land patrols" (not necessarily using land/mobile radio facilities) in their private motor vehicles, and by mixed crews of Auxiliarists and Reservists conducting land patrols in government owned vehicles. Aircraft facilities will be completely equipped in accordance with District policies and manned by qualified crews. 

Ground vehicles used for patrols will carry such equipment as may be prescribed by the order-issuing authority.  Local policy and practice may include requirements that members be equipped with cameras and cell phones to facilitate rapid, secure communication and the recording of events of particular interest. MSOs may require special training for crews and additional activities based on local needs and conditions. (See also the discussion of How Targeted Recruitment/Augmentation Works at MSOs on the AUXPAL page of this website.)

Two "Harbor Patrol Guides," providing outlines of the activities to be conducted by Coast Guard Auxiliary members while engaged in Harbor Patrols (HARPATs), can also be accessed at the MSEP web site:

2001 Harbor Patrol Guide (HTML Format)

2002 Harbor Patrol Guide (WORD Format)

Future Developments

Everything doesn't happen at once. As time goes on, there will be additional programs developed to support Maritime Domain Awareness/Operation Patriot Readiness (MDA/OPR) -- new and improved ways to execute its goals and deploy its Auxiliary resources.

There are several initiatives currently under development, and we urge you to check back frequently to get the latest news about MDA/OPR. Once in place, any "new" idea or program will be posted on the appropriate page of this web site, and will be identified as such. You can also click on the "What's New in MDA/OPR" link appearing in the banner at the top of each page.

Initiatives currently in development include:

► Experimental programs such as Auxiliary Firearms Instructors for CG personnel. (Note: While Auxiliarists shall not "carry, handle, repair, or fire
weapons of any sort while assigned to Coast Guard operational missions or
Coast Guard Auxiliary activities . . . a waiver to this policy may be obtained for the purpose of utilizing qualified Auxiliarists as range coaches. Waiver requests shall not be submitted by individual Auxiliarists, but rather the operational commander who determines a bonafide need." (Auxiliary Manual, Chapter 2, Section B.19.)

► Public Awareness Seminars to be available for presentation to community boating groups to explain maritime domain awareness and solicit their assistance with the America's Waterways Watch Public Outreach Program. 

► Contingency plans to provide for immediate execution of certain activities in case of an escalation of threat levels.

► A new and expanded system of land patrols -- involving Auxiliary personnel surveying critical port facilities for security purposes.

► A new training and qualification program, (protect us from) HARM, providing 4 modules, each of which can be completed to add an endorsement to existing operations qualifications. The modules include Harbors and Waterways Patrols, Aids to Navigation, Pollution Response Awareness, and Maritime Domain Awareness.

► Formal readiness exercises,  including tabletop exercises which can be used in a training context.