What's New In Surface Operations?

 

December 2009 - TCT Mandatory refresher session for 2010

The Team Coordination Training (TCT) refresher session is required in 2010 and is now available.  This annual requirement for operations personnel includes the 2010 TCT Class slide Presentation, 2010 TCT Facilitator Resource Guide, and the 2010 TCT Participant ReferenceThis is one hour refresher session, which emphasizes crew problem solving and the seven key components of Team Coordination Training (TCT).

To download a copy of these presentations right-click on the links above and select "Save link as" from the pop up menu.  [Posted: 23 December 2009. Source: Bruce Pugh, DVC_OE]

December 2009 - Operations Workshop for 2010

The optional operations workshop for 2010 in now available at this link.  A Facilitator guide is also available at this link.  This workshop can be given by any Auxiliarist qualified in the operations area, however an operations person who is also IT qualified would be better.  This is an optional workshop at the national level for 2010.

To download a copy of these presentations right-click on the links above and select "Save link as" from the pop up menu. 

For Instructors since this is an optional workshop at the National level, a copy of the slides is available in MS PowerPoint format rather than PDF to allow you to add any appropriate additional content for your local AOR.  Please do not change or delete any of the original slides, but feel free to add content as needed for conditions in your area.  [Posted 21 Dec 2009 - Source: Bruce Pugh, DVC-OE]
December 2009 - PPE (LifeJacket) Guidance

Due to the volume of questions we are receiving about even the most basic aspects of lifejacket use BMC Russell Woodill has posted information on his surface ops website and sent to all OTO's.  Click here to view this document.  [Posted 07 December 2009, Source: Gary Taylor DD-Rd]

September 2009 - GAR (Green Amber Red) GAR is based on a team discussion to understand and evaluate the risks attendant to a mission and how they will be managed.  This worksheet has been developed and is recommended by National Surface Operations Division and Surface STAN Team.  Please note that this is for use as a GAR Worksheet where local commands have not already provided one.  Be sure to check with your OIA (order issuing authority) for specific forms in your AOR before using this version.   [Posted 01 Sept 2009, Source: Gary Taylor DD-Rd]

April 2009

ALAUX from the Chief Director - Non-Operational Facilities Category Eliminated -012/09.

  1. As a matter of information, NEXCOM and the National Bridge recently made final the decision to eliminate "non-operational facilities" from the categories of vessels in the Auxiliary. CG-5421 concurs with this action which is effective immediately.
  2. The Auxiliary Ensign may now fly only on either inspected surface facilities that display a current facility decal or on vessels owned by Auxiliarists that have successfully completed a Vessel Safety Check and that display a current VSC decal.
  3. Changes in regards to non-operational facilities to the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual COMDTINST M16798.3(series) will be reflected in future editions of the manual.
 

November 2008

Reminder on ICS-210 -See notice on our Incident Management page regarding Incident Command System course 210 requirements for Coxswains.

Regarding regulations on Inflatable vests - .After special consideration for our Auxiliary members safety by the Coast Guard, the inflatable vests listed in the Rescue and Survival Systems Manual, COMDTINST M10470.10F will continue to be authorized after 01 JUN 2009 for use on facilities that can exceed 35 MPH in lieu of Type III dynamic strength tested vests rated for 50 MPH.
Specifically, the vests as listed in the R&SS Manual are:

  • * LSC 485CG INFLATABLE
  • * LSC 481CG/481CGM INFLATABLE
  • * MUSTANG MD3183 INFLATABLE
  • * MUSTANG MD0450 22 INFLATABLE

In addition to inflatables, Mustang Survival, Inc. has independently certified their MJ6214 (Type III Float Coat) to the 50 MPH Dynamic Strength Tested standard. For any facility (including PWCs) that are capable of exceeding 50 MPH, it is recommended that an appropriate speed dynamic strength tested vests be used.
[Posted 12 Nov 2008, by DVC_OE Source: DVC-OS Gary Taylor]

October 2008

Air Operations Call Sign Procedures - Coast Guard Air Operations Call Sign Procedures Document posted or our Air Ops page under Regulations and Procedures - Aviation links.
[Posted 17 Oct 2008, by DVC_OE. Source: DC-O David Elliot]

April 2008

Update from the Communications Division regarding a crossband communications test on May 10-11, 2008.  See our Telecoms News page for details.
[Posted 24 April 2008 by DVC-OE, Source DVC-OT W. H. Scholz]

PWC Carriage Requirements Changes

After careful consideration by the Surface Stan Team, the following PWC OPFAC carriage requirements are changed effective immediately:

  • Throwable PFD is no longer required.
  • Spare spark plugs are only required for 2 stroke engines. They are no longer required for 4 stroke engines.

These items are in Appendix C (Required Facility Equipment) and again in task PWC-03-05-AUX (4.g and 4.r) of the PWC Operator Qualification Guide, COMDTINST 19794.54 (series). They are also found on the PWC Facility Inspection and Offer for Use form, ANSC 7008 in Section VII, items 12 and 20.

These changes will be reflected in the next editions/revisions of these documents.

[Posted 14 April 2008 by DVC-OE, Source DVC-OS Gary Taylor]

March 2008

PFD and Hypothermia devices - Important information about PFD and Hypothermia devices.  Please review ALAUX OPM/CVhange 030/07 from 5 November 2007 and an Items of Interest notice on PFD changes effective for all Auxiliary PFDs effective June 1 2009.
[Posted 28 March 2008 by DVC-OE, Source DVC-OS]

Links to Auxiliary Knowledge Base for Surface Operations Questions
[Posted: March 24, 2008, by DVD-OE, Source DVC-OS]

November 2007

Updated regulations regarding Navigation Rules Examination currency requirements.  See NotesUpdates page for Navigation Rules Requirement -031/07

Updated regulations on hypothermia protection from CHDIRAUX, effective immediately.  See NotesUpdates page for Hypothermia Devices - OPM Change -030/07

Inflatable PFD Mysteries Exposed. Stu Soffers, N-MS, has written a very informative tutorial on inflatable PFDs. This vital document is posted on the Boating Department website. http://auxbdept.org/pdf/InflatablePFDs.pdf

October 2007

Notice: In all three Boat Crew Program Qualification Guides, a reference to a Study Guide was inadvertently left in. There are no study guides in any qualification guide. They were removed with the last revision and replaced with reading assignments for each section. We will remove the reference in the next edition.

January 2007

Revised Qualification Guides Released

After almost 2 years of work, the Surface Ops Standardization Team (Stan Team) has completed the revisions to the Auxiliary Boat Crew Qualifications Guides to align them with the revisions to the Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual.  The links below and to the left will take you to the latest version of these guides, or go to the Surface Operations manuals page on the Chief Directors site.

December 2006

Revised Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual Released

After almost 2 years of work, the Surface Ops Standardization Team (Stan Team) has completed the revisions to the Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual.

The revised Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual, COMDTINST M16794.51A has been signed and will become effective as of 01 January 2007.

The manual is being released now to give members as much time as possible to become familiar with the changes made to the Boat Crew Training Program.

Here is the link to the surface operations site: http://cgauxsurfaceops.us/

The three Boat Crew Qualification Guides (Crew member, Coxswain, and PWC Operator) are also being revised and expected to be signed later this month (December 2006).

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