Surface Operations

Surface Operations are conducted under Coast Guard orders aboard Auxiliary facilities with a certified crew and Coxswain. Member owned boats and trailers are considered "vessels of the United States" when under orders and under the liability protection of the USCG when acting within that scope. All facilities must be inspected annually by a qualified Auxiliary VE and be accepted for use by the DIRAUX. Qualifications are earned by completing the proper PQS for the qualification being sought and then receiving QE approval through on-shore exams and underway check rides.

For the most current PQS please see the Surface Operations National Site. Please note that the Trident device requirements have many PQS available that could be considered surface operations or at least operations support. Also note that at the October flotilla meeting, the local station commander was looking for auxiliarists to augment in communications watchstanding, and other areas. Those looking for active duty augmenting opportunities will find the 48 flotilla the unit to be.

For Auxiliarists wishing to learn more about emergency management and contingency planning, FEMA offers a wealth of courses - all free of charge. Visit http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp to learn more.

It's kind of a misnomer to put the "Dive Program" under the Surface Operations section. The whole point of diving is to go below the surface, but it'll be a surface facility that takes you there, and supports the mission from the surface, when on scene.

Operations Training:

Flotilla 4-8 maintains an active member training program towards helping members to obtain the boatcrew qualification and supporting those already qualified with new learning opportunities. To support Flotilla 4-8's active Surface Operations program, realistic, hands-on training is offered to all members. This training meets basic requirements for boatcrew qualifications, but, expands to meet the demands of operating in the open waters of the Gulf coast. Swimming pool sessions are conducted for in-water survival techniques, hypothermia prevention and use of specialized equipment. These drills are fun, informative and often attended by long time Boat Crew members. See the flotilla on duty & on the water at the Krewe of Bilge Parade here at furstphotos.com See pics and info on Boat crew training here, or on Helo Ops - helicopter / surface vessel coordination activities here.

Coxswain Device

Changes to Boat Crew and Coxswain Training

"The processes for initial qualification were reviewed. The following changes are included. a. The lack of knowledge about the policy that provides the underpinnings of the program was an area that required attention.

Therefore, a requirement for all new coxswain candidates to pass a closed book, multiple choice exam on the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual and on the General Salvage and Firefighting Policy as outlined in Chapter 3 of the CG Addendum to the National SAR Manual was added. An exam with answers was designed and written as a study aide for members preparing to take this exam. This study aide includes all the material on the closed book exam."

See full text here:
Changes to Boat Crew Program

Also visit this web site:
G-3PCX Surface Ops web site - Changes to Boat Crew Program

Main Site :
Surface Operations - G-3PCX - Web Site

General Salvage and Firefighting Policy as outlined in Chapter 3 of the CG Addendum to the National SAR Manual:

The whole addendum is linked from the "O" Department's Links To Operations Information page.

The addendum itself can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/ccs/cit/cim/directives/CIM/CIM_16130_2D.pdf

It is a 582 page pdf file.

Updated Regulations Regarding the Nav Rules Exam

To clarify, standardize, and bring this requirement in line with active duty the verbiage is changed to:

Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual, Chapter 5 A.6. Five Year Requirements

* Coxswains and PWC operators must pass an open book Auxiliary Navigation Rules examination within five years from the date of successful completion of the previous exam. A passing score for this requirement is 90 percent or greater. Members failing to complete the open book exam within the five year period are considered lapsed and must retake the exam in order to regain certification and receive orders.

This change will take effect beginning January 1, 2008. AUXDATA will
be modified to track the date of exam vice the default of 31DEC and put a member in REYR if the test has lapsed. Some regions will be impacted more than others due to your varying active boating seasons but all regions will have members due in Jan-Apr who will be thinking they have all year to take the test.

Complete details are available at http://www.auxodept.org/NotesUpdates.htm#NavRules

Also, those of you in Boat Crew class will like this animated knot tying page that Jim found: http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Knots_gallery.ht

Your friendly local neighborhood webhead points out that more knots, how to tie them and "why do they keep calling it Marlinspike", etc can be found at Marlinespike Index.

Auxiliary Claims Guide is available from Coast Guard Hq Operations web page in Adobe format.

NEW!! Marine Radio Frequencies Page.

Medical Information form for Crewmembers in Adobe .pdf format.

AUXDATA TIDBITS:
Do you or any of your members perform missions in another district? Not to worry about your time being credited to you personally. The flotilla that you perform the hours with is getting credit for the overall mission and your hours are being credited to you. The flotilla that is the sponsor for the mission, or the flotilla that the boat owner belongs to must have their missions entered by their FSO-IS or SO-IS if the FSO is not qualified.
The missions/hours will show up on the Mission Detail Report, Crew Underway Time and Underway Crew for the flotilla that the boat owner belongs to. However, you can see your total time in AUXINFO; and for hours which involve currency maintenance, they will show in AUXDATA on your Training Status Report. If you need help with any of these reports, contact your SO/FSO-IS and ask them to advise you how to get the information.
One thing to be cautious of is that there is a rounding difference between how AUXINFO rounds hours versus how the Training Status Report in AUXDATA rounds hours. If you are only doing the bare minimum requirements each year, be sure to use the Training Status Report because that is what will be used for the REYR calculations.

● Auxiliary Boat Crew Qualification Guide, Volume I: Crew Member, COMDTINST M16794.52

● Auxiliary Boat Crew Qualification Guide, Volume II: Coxswain, COMDTINST M16794.53

See also these Frequently Asked Questions: Common Questions Boat Crew Program

D7-Boat Crew SAR

(SAR) Program Support Pages

Marlinspike Page

NavRules Practice Exam

USCG- Addendum to the National Sar Manual

Coxswain & Boat Crew Training Aids pages

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