Auxiliary Training Opportunities

Feel a bit disconnected from the Auxiliary during the shutdown? A great way to feel more involved is to take an Auxiliary course, earn a new qualification or simply take advantage of the many training opportunities available online. Recreational Boating Safety has many programs like Vessel Examiner and Partner Visitations, and we can always use more Instructors! Use this down time to expand your Auxiliary skills and knowledge. Ω

INSTRUCTOR

Marine Safety Training Ribbon

The Marine Safety Training Ribbon tells your fellow Auxiliarists that you have made a signifi cant commitment to the Auxiliary and the Marine Safety Field. The courses needed to qualify for the MSTR are the same as the pre-qualifying courses for the Trident Device. • Course requirements are: • Good Mate ronmental Protection (IMSEP) • FEMA ICS 100 • FEMA ICS 200 • FEMA ICS 210 (Coast Guard taught) or

ICS 300 • FEMA IS 700 • FEMA IS 800 Completion of one Marine Safety PQS Application for Marine Safety Training Ribbon (MSTR) is available by clicking this link: http://wow.uscgaux.info/?unit=P-DEPT

Initial Qualifi cation

• Introduction to Marine Safety and Envi-

Program Prerequisites

• Auxiliary Core Training. • Basic Qualifying Course (BQII) for those who joined o/a Feb.1, 2018 , Basically

Qualifi ed (BQ) or AUXOP (AX) status • Introduction to Risk Management

Work Requirements

• Download the Student Study Guide at the

Instructor Development Site. Take the online exam for the Instructor Development

Course at the National Testing Center.

Complete PQS tasks for the assigned mentor’s signature. • Make a 15-30 minute presentation with the assigned mentor present. Make a one-hour presentation with the assigned mentor present. http://wow.uscgaux.info/content. php?unit=E-DEPT&category=virtual-pe-classes

During the pandemic, many units are using ZOOM to conduct business meetings and off er Public Education courses. Never used ZOOM and don’t know how to set up a ZOOM meeting or class? The E-Directorate off ers both a PowerPoint presentation and PDF document explaining how. Go to: http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=E-DEPT&category=WHATSNEW

Recreational Boating Safety

Recreational Boating Safety is the fi rst of the many missions of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The three Recreational Boating Safety Directorates are Vessel Examinations, Public Education and Recreational Boating Safety Outreach. These directorates work in tandem to reduce the number of boating accidents and casualties that occur in the U.S. each year. Each off ers positions or qualifi cations at fl otilla level to help spread the boating safety message.

Vessel Examinations and Recreational Boating Safety Partner Visits http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=VDEPT

The Vessel Examinations Directorate (Dir-V) includes two program areas: Vessel Examinations and Partner Visitations. New members are most often encouraged to fi rst earn the Vessel Examiner qualifi cation.

As the name ‘Vessel Examiner”’ implies, a Vessel Safety Check entails checking recreational vessels to ensure that they carry the necessary safety equipment recommended by the National Safe Boating Council and to meet both national and state laws. These include but are not limited to life jackets, emergency fl ares, etc. As a certifi ed Vessel Examiner, you will have the unique opportunity to work with and educate the recreational boating public. This one-on-one interaction will provide a vital opportunity to enhance a boater’s knowledge, and help ensure they have a safe, fun fi lled day on the water.

The key to becoming a great Vessel Examiner is all in the training. Becoming a Vessel Examiner can be done by classroom instruction along with hands-on training, or by self-study along with some hands-on training. We recommend, however that you fi rst accompany one of the fl otilla’s Vessel Examiners and watch. (Yes, they observe social distancing rules and wear face masks during this pandemic.) They will enjoy the company and you will have the opportunity to learn and ask questions.

Our fl otillas need more qualifi ed Vessel Examiners. We often talk about our ‘low number’ of Vessel Safety Checks, but the impact on our statistics is not what is important. The importance lies in what is not said: every Vessel Safety Check not performed is a missed opportunity to educate the boating public and save a life!

Wonder if you have the time? Like all our volunteer jobs/qualifi cations, you set your own schedule and you need only complete fi ve Vessel Safety Checks a year- pass or fail- to retain your qualifi cation.

Partner Visitors are the Auxiliary’s “ambassadors” to the recreational boating public. Key to the Auxiliary’s dealer/partner outreach program are a cadre of trained Auxiliarists who visit our partners on a regular basis to drop off or restock boating safety literature displays, or to discuss upcoming special events.

Partners may include bait shops, insurance agencies, marinas, or a branch of one of the world’s largest marine chandleries. In short, our partners are establishments frequented by boaters.

Partner Visitors distribute literature – always at no charge – including the latest Federal and State boating safety brochures, booklets and handouts. Additionally, Partner Visitators provide distinctive literature easels to display this literature.

After the initial visit, Partner Visitors may make visits in civilian clothing, and once you develop a relationship with these partners, they may call you to let you know what brochures they most need. This is one of the easiest qualifi cations to earn and maintain, and if you are already a Vessel Examiner, it only makes sense to also become a Recreational Boating Safety-Partner Visitor. Ω