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UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY�2025 PROGRAM VISITATION WORKSHOP

DIRECTORATE OF VESSEL EXAMINATION

AND

PARTNER VISITATION

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WELCOME

Workshop Objectives

Risk Management
Discuss certification topics
2023 Boating Statistics
AUXPAD & Paddlecraft
QR Code Rack Card
Display Material Sources
Recognition

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MISSION STATEMENT

Ensure recreational boating safety through access to information on boating safety from multiple sources and formats.

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RISK MANAGEMENT

Program Visitors (PVs) should always consider the mission risks before beginning their day.
Is the effort worth the risk associated?
The PV should consider postponing the visit(s) if any of the following are a concern:

Is your vehicle in good running order?
What is the weather forecast?
Are there any construction zones along your route?
Is the shopping environment busier than usual?

A Risk assessment should be made whenever we plan a mission. Here are some suggested considerations for PV’s:
Vehicle issues can include inoperative turn signals, lights, windshield wipers, underinflated tires. What other issues can you think of?
If the weather is calling for snow, sleet, freezing rain, or just heavy rain, this can increase the risk of driving for the day.
Construction zones may pose an increased risk of an accident and this should be considered in the Risk Assisement.
PV’s need to be aware of busy times at the Partner when planning the visit. Is it a Holiday season? A “peak period” when shoppers are more likely to be in the Partners establishment? The owner/manager or employees may not have as much time for a conversation during this period.
PV’s should also be aware of shopper activity and consider how your visit might make it harder for the customers to get what they came for. This could impact the Partners sales, which we want to avoid.

(NEXT SLIDE)

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PV Qualification Process

Ensure you have the necessary pre-requisites: BQ & Core Training.
Be familiar with the Vessel Safety Check Program.
Read the Program Visitor Handbook.
Take the online PV test.
Complete 2 supervised visits with a qualified PV.
Report your completion through the COLM.

Note that District DIRAUX is the final step in the qualification process.

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2023 US COAST GUARD BOATING STATISTICS

Key Talking Points

Collisions account for 61% of accidents.
Motorboats and PWC are most likely to have a casualty.
Capsizing & Falling overboard are the most common fatal accidents.

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2023 US COAST GUARD BOATING STATISTICS

Key Talking Points

Drownings account for 76% of fatalities.
Most drowning victims were NOT wearing a lifejacket!
Boaters should avoid unexpectedly entering the water.

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AUXPAD MISSION

National Facebook Page:

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Paddlecraft Safety Division

https://www.facebook.com/auxpad/

Promoting On-Shore Instruction and On-Water Example.
Promoting Life Jacket Wear, Compliance with Required Safety Equipment, and Paddlecraft Education

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STORES

Paddlecraft are sold at non-traditional outlets.

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NASBLA Best Practices

NASBLA best practices for Retailers and Liveries are posted here
Approved for use by PV.

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PARTNER DISCUSSION TOPICS

Wear a Life Jacket.
Have a Whistle.
Float Plan.
Take a Class.
Vessel safety Checks.
Orange “If Found” stickers.
High Visibility Clothing.
Paddle in groups of 3 or more.
Dress for WATER temperature.

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NEW – QR Code Rack card

Recommend boaters have a spare Engine Cut-off Switch (ECOS), in case operator falls overboard.
Rack Card (#3003A) has QR code links that are valuable for boaters, including the digital Federal Requirements pamphlet.
Life Jacket Harmonization.

For additional info see Harmonized Life Jacket Approval Doc_2019

Digital Certificate of Number.

For additional info see ALCOAST 435/24 - NOV 2024 DIGITAL CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER FOR VESSELS

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VSC Decal – “I Want a VSC” QR code

The VSC decal includes a QR code that:

Provides direct access to the “I Want a VSC” website.
If one of the selected VEs is not available, they should "Reply All" so that one of the other VEs can follow up. The other choice is that the VE checks with another VE in their Flotilla to see if they can cover and then "Reply All" to indicate it is being handled.

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DISPLAY MATERIALS

Distribution boxes do not belong to individual PVs. Please order to your needs and remember, we are a team, others need these boxes as well.

ANSC 3026f single rack ANSC 9018 RBSVP Rack

ANSC 3026g four tier rack

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DISPLAY MATERIALS

Your FSO-MA can order display material for you from the ANSC catalog
Additional sources are available

from USCG Boating Safety Division and National Safe Boating Council

https://uscgboating.org/content/multimedia.php

https://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/resources/

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PROGRAM REPORTING

PVs should report at least monthly during the year
AuxData II Activity Log or on a7046 form to IS Officer

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IMPORTANCE OF �“ASSIGNMENT TO DUTY”

Auxiliarists may be covered when assigned to duty.
Requirements for Assignment to Duty

Activity scheduled with FC, VFC or FSO-PV.
Follow all District procedures.

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PROGRAM VISITOR RECOGNITION

Your work is appreciated and recognized.

Examiner Program Ribbon

Annual RBS Service Performance Ribbon

RBS Insignia – 120 points for two consecutive years

Century Club Award – 100 or more VE/PV

Because the RBSVP is so important, the Auxiliarists who participate in this program, can receive various types of recognition for their important work of educating boaters.
The first recognition a PV receives is when he/she completes all the requirements and becomes certified. The PV will receive a medal and ribbon. In addition, the PV will receive a Program Visitor Letter of Certification signed by the PV’s Director of Auxiliary. This letter is important and was discussed during the “assignment to duty” section of this workshop.
If you have more than one examiner qualification, the PV is authorized to wear a 3/16” bronze or silver star.
The VE/RBSVP Service award is awarded for completing a total of 60 or more recreational vessel examinations, including Auxiliary surface facilities, recreational boats, paddle craft, personal watercraft or Program Visits,.
A total of 20 or more examinations, of any combination, of commercial fishing vessels, uninspected passenger vessels, and uninspected towing vessels will also earn the award.
Multiple awards are recognized by adding 3/16-inch bronze or silver stars
RBS Device is earned through the completion of 120 points for 2 consecutive years. Points can be earned for doing VSC, PV, PA, PE and legislative outreach. See Chapter 10 of the AUXMAN for specific details. This award is administered by local DIRAUX offices.
The Century Club award is earned by completing 100 VE or PV or combination in a given year. Administered by the V Directorate Incentives Division.

(NEXT SLIDE)

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PARTNER RECOGNITION

Recognize Partners who made outstanding contributions to the RBS Program.
Recommended by the PV.
The FC prepares and presents

the Certificate of Appreciation

to the Partner or their

representative.

ANSC 9015 – Decal for partner to place in their window promoting safety.

The Partner being recognized should have been involved for at least 1 year, unless there is exceptional performance in the judgement of the local unit.
A Certificate of Appreciation honors those Partners who have made an outstanding contribution to the RBSVP.
It is the responsibility of the individual PV to educate the Partners about the Coast Guard, the USPS and Auxiliary programs. Awarding the certificate could be the catalyst to motivate active participation by the Partner.
The local Flotilla Commander should prepare and present the Certificate of Appreciation. They may invite a representative from the Partner organization to a member meeting or official function for presentation of the Certificate. The flotilla’s public relations function should follow-up the presentation with a local news item and/or photo, which provides good public relations for both the Partner and the organization. At the discretion of the Flotilla Commander, the PV responsible for that Partner should be invited to participate in the presentation. (NEXT SLIDE)

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V-DIRECTORATE STAFF

Director (DIR-V)	Tom Niles
Deputy Director (VD)	Mark Crary
Division Chief - Vessel Exams (VE)	Craig Brown
Division Chief - Visitation Programs (VP)	Neil Slawson
Division Chief - Technical Support (VT)	Murray Price
Division Chief - Incentive Programs (VI)	Robert Hamming
Division Chief - Special Projects (VS)	William S. Jefferson
Division Chief - Editorial Services (VC)	Zachary Wilson- Fetrow