Recreational Boating Safety

To many Auxiliarists the promotion of Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) is the be all and end all of Auxiliary programs -- and this feeling is not without some validity. Beginning in 1947, Courtesy Motorboat Examinations (now called Vessel Safety Checks) and the Public Education program (offering courses in boating safety and seamanship) were the first two of four cornerstones upon which the modern Coast Guard Auxiliary was built. These two cornerstones, along with Operations and Fellowship, have survived and flourished to this day.

Surprising to some, though, RBS is also an integral and necessary part of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDS) and Operation Patriot Readiness (OPR), playing a key role in both supporting and delivering MDA/OPR services.  Before 9/11, few if any people joined the Auxiliary because they were interested in assisting the Coast Guard in maritime security activities, and the techniques used to recruit new members naturally emphasized RBS issues.

But the Auxiliary, like the Coast Guard itself, is a multi-mission organization, and a member focusing on conducting VSCs, for example, often talks to boaters about other Coast Guard and Auxiliary activities, including Homeland Security (HLS). As Commodore Gene M. Seibert, then NAVCO-COS, indicated in his Winter 2002 article in Navigator, the Auxiliary's new emphasis on HLS as a top priority of the organization does not create an "either/or" scenario, but rather an opportunity to accomplish our RBS mission and our new HLS mission. One is not sacrificed for the other -- they are complimentary, and the member serving primarily in the RBS mission serves MDA/OPR as well.

RBS related programs include:

1. Vessel Safety Checks (VSC)

2. The Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program ( RBSVP) (formerly Marine Dealer Visitation Program)

3. Public Education

4. Public Affairs

Effective RBS programs in all four areas are designed to support OPR and its focus on Maritime Security (MARSEC), in ways both preventative and proactive.

Preventative Actions

Just like a fire department, whose most important job is fire prevention, one of the most important tasks assigned to the Auxiliary is boating accident prevention -- as some have put it: Preventive SAR.

Effective vessel safety checks, visitations, boating safety and seamanship courses, and public relations activities are designed to prevent boating accidents from happening. When successful, less Coast Guard and Auxiliary resources are needed to react to accidents and other calls for help from recreational boaters. These resources can then be allocated to other mandated services, such as maintaining and reacting to Maritime Security issues through Operation Patriot Readiness.

In his November 2003 message to all Auxiliarists (Navigator, Winter 2003), Capt. David B. Hill, Chief, Director of the Auxiliary, put it this way: "Recreational Boating Safety is the Auxiliary's core competency and core mission. The absolute strongest support to the Recreational Boating Safety mission is needed as never before. Preventive Search and Rescue saves lives. Preventive Search and Rescue also creates opportunities for limited Coast Guard active resources to conduct missions other than Search and Rescue, which is extremely valuable with the current maritime security environment."

The Commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thomas H. Collins, has also expressed his desire that Auxiliary resources be used to help implement the mandates of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), an omnibus Coast Guard authorization bill passed in 2002, and which significantly increase the size and scope of the Coast Guard's responsibilities . In ALCOAST 511/03, issued on November 24, 2003, he describes a short-timeline implementation plan for the Port Security section of the Act, and calls on those under his command to use the Auxiliary creatively to leverage Coast Guard efforts in Maritime Security (MARSEC).

Proactive  Results

Though less evident, at least at first glance, RBS tasks are an integral and active part of the Homeland Security activities conducted under MDA/OPR.

Auxiliarists involved in RBS activity are often the initial point of contact members of the boating community have with the the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary -- and they are often the sole point of contact. Members of local flotillas regularly perform courtesy Vessel Safety Checks (VSC), visit community and business facilities frequented by recreational boaters, conduct public education courses related to boating safety, navigation and seamanship, and participate in boat show, community events and youth group activities of interest to members of the boating community.

These positive, non-threatening activities present the perfect opportunity to introduce and explain the necessity of the boating public to be aware of security issues on the waterways and along the shores. Using information more fully described in the America's Waterway Watch section of this web page, Auxiliarists can help the public realize their ability and responsibility to report observed suspicious activities to the Coast Guard and other law enforcement authorities.

In addition to Coast Guard and Auxiliary literature promoting the public's role in Homeland Security, material available from other organizations, such as the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), can also be distributed and discussed. One particular NSBC  brochure, Keeping Our Waterways Safe & Secure, requests the public's help in aiding first responders by boating safely, staying away from security and other prohibited areas, and reporting suspicious activities they observe to local authorities. It is available in both English and Spanish.

You're in Command

The most significant new element bringing recognition and growth to Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) is the Coast Guards's You’re In Command (YIC) campaign.

One of the key precepts of You’re In Command (YIC) is that "SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES." This positions Vessel Safety Checks (VSC) and other RBS programs within the core of all YIC campaign efforts.

Boating without alcohol, boating education, and wearing life jackets are the other core elements of YIC. The You’re In Command (YIC) campaign is expanding the boating safety program by increasing the participation of other boating and waterway safety organizations (law enforcement, marine retailers, marine manufacturers, the Army Corp of Engineers, etc.), broadening the scope of our RBS activity. The Vessel Safety Check program, for example, is becoming better known and understood by a continuously expanding circle of boating safety advocates, and consequently the boating public.

We must continue to emphasize the key principles of You’re In Command Campaign to all partners in YIC:

► wearing life jackets saves lives,

► boater education saves lives,

► safe boats properly outfitted and well-maintained save lives, and

► safe and sober boating saves lives.

The American public, and the boating public in particular, is beginning to realize that they have a personal role to play in assuring that their own safety is kept intact. Our RBS mission continues to provide them with the opportunities to gain the knowledge they need to protect themselves, their families, and others on our waterways:

► The Vessel Safety Check and other RBS activity provides boaters with the knowledge they need to make their vessel safe.

► The homeland security information given to the boater during the information exchange lets the boater know what role they play in homeland security -- security for themselves and security for their fellow citizens.

To help you run a successful YIC event or campaign, there are a number of booklets, posters, planning guides and photos available at the You're in Command Resource Center.

Vessel Safety Checks

Conducting Vessel Safety Checks, probably the most visible and most popular Auxiliary program, gives Auxiliarists the ability to meet with boat owners on a one-to-one basis in comfortable surroundings, and provides the opportunity to have an informal discussion about all matters of boating safety -- including maritime security issues.

Whether specifically trained to do so, or employing their own natural talents, Auxiliarists use pre-prepared "Talking Points" to open a discussion about the ability and responsibility of pleasure craft owners to be aware of maritime security concerns when out on the water. Locally prepared literature (or material ordered through the Flotilla's FSO-MA) about how they can help is left with the owner so he/she can study it later, or have it on hand for future reference. There is also a one page handout, "Possible Indicators of Suspicious Activities," available on the HOW TO MOBILIZE AUXILIARY FORCES resource page on this web site. It's available in both Adobe Acrobat format and Microsoft WORD format, so you can easily download it and modify it for local use.

Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program (Marine Dealer Visitation Program)

We all know the business of the Coast Guard Auxiliary has always been the support of the U.S. Coast Guard and the promotion of boating safety.

And the business of the Program Visitor in the Recreational Boating Safety Program (RBSVP) is to be the ambassador of the Coast Guard Auxiliary to other businesses and organizations in the boating community. The PV's mission is to encourage partnering marine dealers and boating organizations to disseminate our informational material, and to support the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s ongoing programs. Auxiliarists taking on this role of "ambassador" are required to promote the recruitment of new members, attendance at public education course, participation in vessel safety check program, as well as all of the other Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary programs and initiatives -- including the various components of Operation Patriot Readiness (OPR).

RBSVP Visitors are a vital Auxiliary link to marine dealers, marina operators, and to private and public boating groups -- in short, a link to any venue where boaters congregate. Flotillas that organize and deploy their RBSVP resources effectively are key players in building public awareness of maritime security issues. RBSVP provides a unique opportunity to put information out there where the public may access it, instead of uselessly occupying space in car trunks and on book shelves.. Boaters, and any other members of the public that peruse a literature display placed our ambassadors pick up valuable tips on homeland security and boating safety. (Winter 2003 Navigator Article by Commodore Warren E. McAdams, NADCO-RBS)

RBSVP and America's Waterway Watch

Working with the Marine Safety and Operations programs, RBSVP Program Visitors carry the America's Waterway Watch (AWW) message to recreational boaters and our participating dealers and facilities. They spread the word to be aware of ones surroundings on the water during recreational or commercial endeavors. This heightened awareness will make any unusual or unexplained activities readily apparent. When an Auxiliary Visitor discusses these issues with boaters or other contacts, he/she can be guided by the pre-prepared "Talking Points" used by members in the VSC program.

Getting this Waterway Watch message to the recreational boater through the dealers and facilities we routinely visit has already proven an effective information and intelligence gathering tool. By passing the word to the boating public we help the Coast Guard create a comprehensive knowledge base for increasing maritime security. It is a unique opportunity to disseminate information, encourage participation and even collect possible intelligence data from those dealers and facility personnel with whom we have developed a true partner relationship.

Details of Waterway Watch can be found in the next section on this page and at the Coast Guard's America's Waterway Watch Website. And to find out more about how the Auxiliary and its local Flotillas are involved in Waterway Watch and Marine Domain Awareness (MDA), in general, read the related Navigator article by Commodore Gene M. Seibert, NAVCO-COS.

Public Education

Recreational boaters attending Auxiliary Public Education courses have, by their very attendance at a formal training session, indicated at least some commitment to boating safety and good seamanship. Their participation also gives Auxiliary Instructors the opportunity to deliver Marine Domain Awareness (MDA) information to a somewhat captive audience, and as an integral part of the training. .

A  Speedgram 2003-07 from the Auxiliary's Education Department introduces the Waterway Watch PowerPoint presentation that is meant to be  included in every public education class where adults are present.  This brief, 13 slide PowerPoint presentation familiarizes the boating public and those who derive their livelihood from boating, the ways they can help in Homeland Security.  This is one visible component of Operation Patriot Readiness and more are being developed.

If you have involvement at any level of Public Education, begin using this presentation immediately -- it is a mandated part of every PE course the Auxiliary conducts.  The sooner we have all boaters in America familiar with the national hot line, 1-877-24-WATCH, the more likely we will be able to prevent terrorist incursions in the maritime setting. 

Beyond this brief add-on to every public education course, the course content can and should be modified to highlight Homeland Security issues along with the usual safety topics. Discussions can  include how to contact local authorities to report suspicious activities. Naval Vessel Safety zones can be explained in general and further explained as to local situations. General security concerns such as damns and bridges can be covered. While recreational boating offers the opportunity to get away from some of the day-to-day stresses, familiarization with security issues, such as knowing where restricted areas exist, should enable boaters to feel more comfortable with their recreational pursuits. (Winter 2002 Navigator article by Commodore Warren E. McAdams, NADCO-RBS)

Public Affairs

Emphasize that, in addition to calling local authorities, boaters should report any and all suspicious or unusual activities to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802, and that this center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Local Media Coverage

Sometimes merely writing a press release about a specific Auxiliary event or program won't be enough. You want the local media to publicize the wide scope of OPR, and the way the multi-mission duties of the Coast Guard are supplemented and enhanced by the various services provided by Auxiliarists.

You want them to publish a feature story covering the full range of Auxiliary missions:

► Recreational Boating Safety (in general),

► Vessel Safety Checks,

► Marine Dealer Visitations

► Search and Rescue,

► Preventative Search and Rescue,

► Augmentation on Cutters and Shore Stations,

► Building Public MHLS Awareness (AWW),

► Safety Patrols,

► Maritime Observation Missions

► Land-Mobile Patrols,

► Public Education Courses

► Aids to Navigation Surveys

And you want them to make the connection between all these missions and the goals of MDA/OPR -- that is, by either Auxiliarists providing direct Homeland Security services, or providing services freeing up regular Coast Guard personnel to handle required law enforcement and military assignments. An example of this type of article is "On a Mission: The Coast Guard Auxiliary Changes It's Image."

Contact a feature writer of a local media outlet in person. Explain the value of doing a feature story on the important local work of the Auxiliary. Consider giving him or her a "Press Packet" which would include:

► A list of the major points you think would be of interest to the public,

► A list of Auxiliary members (Flotilla, Division, District) who could be contacted for information about specific experiences, and for quotes to give the article a local flavor,

► Copies of brochures, pamphlets and other publications describing the various Auxiliary missions,

► A brief historical background of the Auxiliary, and it's services -- such as the Directory of Auxiliary Services,

► The URL for this web site -- http://www.opr.auxnstaff.org/ -- so the writer can to do further research on MDA/Operation Patriot Readiness or any of its component parts -- as well as the URL for America's Waterway Watch -- http://www.americaswaterwaywatch.org -- and the URLs of local Auxiliary units,

Don't limit your effort to the print media alone. Even a brief mention on a local television station's nightly news broadcast will be effective in publicizing the Auxiliary's activities and in making the connection between the Auxiliary missions and Home Land Security initiatives. On February 16, 2004 this short package was aired on WTOC-TV in Savannah, Georgia:

Local Coast Guard Auxiliary Aids Homeland Security Efforts   The view from a Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol.   After the terrorist attacks on September 11, the US Coast Guard was given new responsibilities. So a group of civilians stepped up to the plate to help. They are all members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and some are private pilots who have volunteered their time and planes to help fly homeland security missions. At least twice a month, pilot Bill Pandergrass and observer Kent Shockey take off on such a mission. They are members of the Seventh District Coast Guard Auxiliary. A typical mission could include a flight up or down the coastline between Charleston and Jacksonville. "We're looking for anything unusual first," explained Shockey. "We're also looking for oil spill, a boat that might be in distress, a boat that's up on the shore that has not been there in the past." With literally thousands of miles of coastline to patrol, the US Coast Guard is extremely busy, but thanks to the Coast Guard Auxiliary, some of that burden has been lifted. "I think it's so important," said Shockey. "The Coast Guard is stressed with what they have to do now. The fact the auxiliary is there to back them up, to be another set of eyes, maybe give those guys a day off possibly, I think it's very important and I've go the time to do it. I enjoy being around these guys and gals. It's fun thing to do and it is a very important part of our defense." The group has 40 men and women and 13 aircraft located at airports in South Carolina, Georgia and north Florida. They fly under the control of Coast Guard Air Station Savannah. They're all volunteers and they do it for the love of their country. "After 9/11, like everybody that wanted to do something for their country, and somebody told me since I had a lot of flying experience that this was something specific that I could do that was needed, so I volunteered," said Pandergrass. He has more than 3,000 hours as an instrument-rated pilot. Some members of this group are retired airline pilots. So there's lots of experience there. Another part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are the boaters. Just like the pilots, they patrol the coastal waters and participate in search-and-rescue efforts. Reported by: Ron Wallace

For more information about publicizing local flotilla events relating to MDA/OPR, as well as other Auxiliary activities and services, visit the National Public Affairs Web Site.

For specific tips on getting the publicity the Auxiliary deserves, go to the index of their newsletter, Update.

Getting the word out. A "Public Affairs Forum" has been established on the Web to share ideas about promoting CG Auxiliary programs, including MDA/Operation Patriot Readiness and Waterway Watch.