Conducting Vessel Examinations During the COVID-19 Pandemic James Nabach, FSO-VE 74 Brandon

Conducting Vessel Examinations During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

James Nabach, Flotilla Staff Offi cer-Vessel Examinations Flotilla 74 Brandon

In compliance with USCG Auxiliary directives during the COVID-19 pandemic, permission must be received from the Flotilla Commander (FC) and/or Flotilla Vice Commander (VFC) for each event planned. To obtain permission, you need to submit a copy of ANSC-7101 (Rev 07-20) Auxiliary COVID-19 High-Risk Assessment Form as well as a Risk Mitigation plan. Please also copy your Flotilla Staff Offi cer-Vessel Examiner (FSO-VE to keep them in the loop

You need submit this information only once, but MUST, per USCG Auxiliary directives, notify the FC, VFC and FSO-VE of each Vessel Safety Check event planned, specifying date and time. Approval MUST be granted before the event to comply with directives.

In addition, and unrelated a to COVID 19, t please rememp ber that ALL b activities under a the aegis of the t Auxiliary reA quire a verbal q or written notifi -o cation to a staffc offi cer regarding o departure and d return times from r each mission (in e REAL TIME) in R order for you to o remain under the r Auxiliary’s insurA ance umbrella a while traveling w to and from and t when on misw sion. s

Suggested Risk Mitigation Plan

1.I will be wearing and instructing the boater to wear face coverings during the Vessel Safety

Check (VSC). 2.I will be wearing disposable gloves during the VSC. 3.As much as possible, social distancing will be followed, even though masks will be worn. 4.I will have hand sanitizer with me and both I and the boat owner will sanitize any contact surfaces as well as our hands following the VSC. 5.Immediately after the VSC, I will properly wash my hands with soap and water, rinse and dry.

Please remember to send BOTH the High-Risk Certifi cation and your Risk Mitigation Plan to your Flotilla Commander and Flotilla Vice Commander. You would not be remiss to copy your FSO-VE as well.

(A note on the High-Risk Certifi cation: If you check on the form that you ARE in the high-risk category, it will NOT automatically disqualify you. It is how you propose to MITIGATE that risk that will allow our FC and VFC to decide if you may proceed with missions, so make sure you submit a Mitigation Plan in line with Centers for Disease Control and local guidelines.) Ω

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has designated manatee “no wake” zones from Nov. 15-March 31 in the Tampa Bay area. Due to the pandemic, few members have participated in on-the-water activities. All we can enjoy are photos of the waters we know and love so well. (Photo by Tampa Bay Estuary Program, free to use)

Veterans Day: Nov. 10, 2020 Wreaths Across America: Dec. 19, 2020

Arlington National Cemetery. (Image from Wikipedia Commons)

Operation Extended Hands

Recently, a devastating fi re destroyed two Coast Guard homes near Coast Guard Station Cape Hatteras Inlet, N.C. with fatalities and total property loss. The Auxiliary Association asks you as a member of the Coast Guard family to extend your hand to assist those in need. The Auxiliary Association has established OPERATION EXTENDED HANDS to receive your donations. 100% of all donations will go to USCG Cape Hatteras Station to provide assistance to the families aff ected. Our hearts and prayers go to our shipmates and their families. Your help is much needed and appreciated. Make your checks payable to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association and please write “OP-Extended Hands” on the check.

Mail to Coast Guard Auxiliary Association 1301 West First St. Suite E-1 Granite City, IL 62040

https://www.cgauxa.org/

All members District 7:

A new memorandum has been issued from the Chief Director of Auxiliary, AUXILIARY COVID-19 RECONSTITUTION GUIDANCE CG-BSX-1 8 JUL 20. This was released to the active duty and obtained by some Auxiliarists. I will be consulting with the CDR Briggs, CWO Browne and Pat McMenamin, DCOS, on how this aff ects our District 7 policy currently in place.

Any member participating in patrols, surface or air, must complete the training requirements as stated on Page 3 of the Reconstitution Guidance. Note that a copy of your passing the training along with your risk assessment must be submitted to the OIA before any patrols taking place. Further information will be sent once we have been able to meet and compare the new guidelines vs. our District 7 policy. Please take the time to READ these new guidelines and forward any questions via the Chain of Leadership and Management.

Stay safe and healthy.

COMO Gary P. Barth, District 7

http://rbsafety.d11nuscgaux.info/ve/ docs/2020covidVSC_Policies/AUXCOVID19-RECONSTITUTE-GUIDE-

Photo: Toni Borman, District Captain-West (e) wears a face mask at a recent award ceremony. (USCG Auxiliary photo)

08JUL.pdf

AUXILIARY COVID-19 RECONSTITUTION GUIDANCE CG-BSX-1 8 JUL 20