RBS Affairs Department News

Statements of policy or procedure provided by members of the Chief Director's office, national elected officers, or department directors posted on this webpage should be regarded as official statements.

This page will contain postings for the last 90 days. For previous RBS Affairs News topics, please check the RBS Affairs News Archives.

Need additional sources for Public Education? Try an Auxiliary Partner Magazine. With Summer boating season getting into full swing, Auxiliarists need all the help we can get with educating the public, and even advice for our own boating projects. The RBS Affairs Department has three fantastic and informative magazines which are offered to Auxiliarists at great discounts from Soundings Magazine, which offers Auxiliarists a discounted subscription. They also offer FC’s and PE Officers FREE issues, as well as FREE issues for PE classes! It’s all here.

If you are a District 8 Auxiliarist, you qualify for a discounted subscription to Heartland Boating Magazine. Heartland is dedicated to boating in America’s mid-western lakes and rivers. Also, all 8th District FC’s & PE Officers can receive a free 3 month subscription as well as FREE copies for PE Classes in the 8th District.

For those on the go who like their information online, we offer Mad Mariner magazine. It’s a daily online magazine with FREE feature stories, marine news, blogs, forums, boat reviews, and video podcasts. Posted by Kelly Townsend BC-BLP

How out-of-date are your charts? Think your charts are sufficiently up to date to be safely reliable? Try entering your chart numbers and editions at the Alliance for Safe Navigation web site to see how many changes have been made since the last print date. Using the 2006 edition of Chart 11434 (Florida Keys area) as an example, nearly two dozen changes have been made. BoatUS, the US Power Squadrons, and other organizations have teamed up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create Alliance for Safe Navigation. As the Alliance's website states, "Every year, 13 million boaters face shifting shoals, changing channels, moving buoys, and newly discovered hazards." As part of its efforts to improve awareness and availability of chart updates for recreational boaters, the Alliance is hoping that boaters will also take an anonymous, three-minute online survey at this site regarding the navigation charts they use aboard their boats. For more information about NOAA navigation products, go to NOAA's main chart site. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB

Help Set an Inflatable Life Jacket World Record! The North American Safe Boating Campaign and Canadian Safe Boating Council are teaming up to set a world record! We are encouraging boaters, boating safety educators and anyone else who would like to join in on the fun to participate in "Inflatable Life Jacket World Record Day." Participants from across North America will simultaneously inflate an inflatable life jacket to set an unprecedented world record. The inaugural event will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. EDT / 8:00 a.m. PDT. World Record Day will help to usher in National Safe Boating Week, this year May 22 – 28, 2010. The goal of National Safe Boating Week is to educate and inform the boating public about boating safety, specifically life jackets. The push for inflatable life jackets has been the main focus of the campaign for the past few years. If you’d like to participate or organize a local event of your own, please visit the newly created website. Submitted by William Griswold, BC-BLN

E15 Decision Coming Soon. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will decide this summer whether to allow the percentage of ethanol in the nation's gasoline supply to jump from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15). The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety has raised concerns about higher levels of ethanol and the lack of sufficient testing. Ethanol, a strong solvent, can accelerate the deterioration of fuel system components. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) is also concerned, as it is not clear whether existing fuel distribution systems can tolerate gasoline blends higher than E10. Compounding the problem is the fact that the actual percentage of ethanol in E10 varies from seven to 13 percent, and a similar range of fluctuations would likely exist for E15, meaning that the 15% limit could be exceeded. Boaters and operators of fueling marinas who wish to obtain more information about the effects of ethanol blends can search the internet sites of the Alliance for a Safe Alternative Fuels Environment, BoatUS, and FollowTheScience.org. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB.

New State Liaison Officer PowerPoint Available. The RBS Affairs Department is pleased to announce that a new PowerPoint presentation that explains the State Liaison Officer (SLO) program is now available. This presentation is keyed to the recently re-written “State Liaison Guide” and explains how your state’s SLO can be an important force for enhancing recreational boating safety efforts on a statewide basis. The PowerPoint, as well as handout and teaching scripts are available for download on the B Department website here. Posted by Pauline Longnecker, DVC-BS

Cigarette Litter Prevention at Marinas. Discarded cigarette filters not only create an unsightly mess and end up in waterways, but because they are actually plastic they can remain harmful to fish and other wildlife for decades. Marinas can tackle this litter problem through a partnership between Keep America Beautiful and the BoatU.S. Foundation. Last year Keep America Beautiful provided 30 marinas with cash grants to purchase cigarette ash receptacles and a supply of portable ashtrays for use on boats. These marinas were asked to install the receptacles, distribute the portable ashtrays, and educate their customers about the importance of proper disposal. As a result, these participating marinas saw an average reduction in cigarette litter of 70 percent. A total of 50 marinas are needed for 2010, and all they need to do to be considered for a cash grant for ash receptacles and ashtrays is complete a 20-question survey by April 16 at this site. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB.

"Extreme Season" of Hurricanes Forecast for 2010, Requiring Storm Preparations by Boaters and Marina Operators. AccuWeather is predicting an "extreme season" of hurricanes for 2010, with the possibility of 18 named storms, a 100% increase over last year. Damage to boats and marinas can be minimized or avoided completely, but only if smart storm preparations are made well in advance. Two helpful guides are available either at www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes or by calling BoatU.S. at 703-823-9550 ext. 3525. One is a 12-page Boater's Guide to Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes. This includes explanations of the types of damage caused by surge, wind, rainfall, and tornadoes, and presents best options for securing boats, whether they can be hauled out or need to be left in the water at docks, moorings, or in "hurricane holes." Numerous tips are provided to minimize storm damage, regardless where the boat is. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB.

Reducing the Number of Powerless Boaters: BoatU.S. Towing Requests Due to Battery Problems Spiked in 2009. Vessel Examiners and PE Instructors may want to highlight battery maintenance and management this season. According to BoatU.S. Towing Services, battery problems have jumped from the fourth-ranked reason for requesting towing services to the second, just behind general engine failures. (Groundings, fuel problems, and propulsion system failures are the remaining top-five reasons.) There was an 8% overall increase in towing requests in 2009, according to Jerry Cardarelli, BoatU.S. Vice President of Towing Services. He attributes this increase to the recession, which has led "many boaters to skimp on routine maintenance, which always means more on-the-water breakdowns." Boaters with battery problems reported that they "forgot to monitor their battery's charge level, delayed replacing a poorly-performing battery, or substituted a less expensive starting battery when a deep-cycle was needed." They also inadvertently drained their batteries by running audio systems, refrigerators, and fans.

Auxiliarists can help reduce the number of battery problems boaters suffer by adding some discussion about battery maintenance during a Vessel Safety Check. Asking boaters if they know how old their batteries are, whether they are starting or deep-cycle, and what was done with them during the off-season will quickly reveal potential problems. PE Instructors can help boaters avoid finding themselves in powerless situations by explaining the basics of battery management during safe boating courses. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB.

American Safe Boating Campaign begins soon. Less than two weeks until the "Wear It!" Free Resources will be available! On March 1, 2010 the North American Safe Boating Campaign will once again be offering Free Campaign Resources to help with your RBS promotion efforts. Visit their Resource Warehouse (www.BoatingOrders.com) to order resources including the 2010 campaign poster, stickers, and great educational brochures from our member organizations. Also be on the lookout in the next few weeks for the 2010 Campaign Press Kit. The Press Kit will be available online at www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com and will include helpful information like sample Press Releases, newly-released USCG Accident Statistics, and customizable PSAs to use to promote your National Safe Boating Week (May 22 – 28, 2010) efforts in your area! Posted by William Griswold, BC-BLN

BoatU.S. Foundation Now Rents GPS-enabled EPIRBs. The BoatU.S. Foundation has rented out EPIRBS more than 5,000 times over the past 14 years, with 62 lives saved. Now the Foundation has added GPIRBs (Global Position Indicating Radio Beacons) to the program. These GPIRBS are easier to ship and store, and provide a more accurate location fix - potentially leading to speedier rescues. The new GPIRBs are available at www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/epirb for just $65 a week.

The program offers McMurdo Smartfind Plus GPS-enabled EPIRBs. Since these include GPS technology in addition to the standard 406-MHz satellite signaling capabilities, they provide search and rescue authorities with a more accurate location of a vessel in distress. Compared to standard EPIRBs, these new models also enable rescuers to respond sooner. The new GPIRBs are stored in a small "lunch box" size, waterproof case that makes it easier to stow aboard in more readily accessible locations. If you order by 2 PM E.T., the GPIRB is on its way the same day. An easy online booking system at www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/epirb allows users to save their vessel and contact information for future use, or make changes to their itinerary if needed. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB.

New RBS Affairs Department Deputy Director. It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Atul Uchil as the Deputy Director for RBS Affairs. Please join me and congratulate him on the appointment. Posted by Bruce Johnson, DIR-B.

2010 National Scout Jamboree

Rear Admiral Brian Salerno (CG-5, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship) is the Coast Guard Flag Sponsor for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. Captain Len Ritter (TISCOM, Telecommunications and Information System Command) has been selected as the Task Force Commander and will lead the Coast Guard contingent at the Jamboree. Coast Guard active duty, reserve, Auxiliary, civilian, and retired personnel are authorized to participate in the Coast Guard support element for this event, as detailed below:
1. Who: Team Coast Guard members (active duty, Reserve, Auxiliary, civilian, retiree)
2. What: 2010 National Scout Jamboree
3. Where: Fort A. P. Hill, VA
4. When: From 26 July to 4 August 2010
5. How: By standing up the Coast Guard 2010 National Scout Jamboree Task Force
Auxiliarists who are interested in being part of the Coast Guard 2010 National Scout Jamboree Task Force must fill out and electronically submit the questionnaire to the Auxiliary coordinator, Mr. William "Bill" Reisa at cgnsjtf@msn.com (phone (317) 887-3236) with copies to the Flotilla Commander and designated point-of-contact in the office of the Director of Auxiliary.
Key Logistics Element Managers positions that need to be filled immediately:
1. Administration
2. Merit Badges
3. Sea Scouts
4. Joint Sea Services Areas
5. External Coast Guard Forces
Task Leaders are also needed for the following tasks:
1. NORTHCOM Liaison
2. Transportation Manager
3. Communications Officer
4. Berthing/Meals Coordinator
5. Head Merit Badge Counselors
6. Sea Scout Liaison
7. Display Coordinator
8. Honor Guard Coordinator
9. Recruiting Exhibit Coordinator
10. CG Band Coordinator
11. Joint Services Liaison
Permissive/non-reimbursable orders are authorized, and an ALCOAST with further details will follow. Please contact Mr. Reisa if you have questions about the program.

Posted by Robin Ouellette, BC-BLY

RBS Device Award Criteria Revised. Changes have been made to the public affairs activity codes that count toward earning the Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) insignia. The RBS insignia recognizes extraordinary effort of Auxiliarists who consistently provide strong support to RBS programs. Its eligibility criteria require significant RBS program activity over a minimum period of two years. The newly revised award criteria are available online here. Posted by Bruce Johnson, DIR-PRR.

New State Liaison Guide Available. A completely revised State Liaison Guide is now available for State Liaison Officers (SLOs) and others who promote recreational boating safety at the state level. The new State Liaison Guide provides easier reference to Auxiliary RBS mission, leadership roles, and suggestions for making the most of the relationship with Boating Law Administrators and other boating safety groups. The Handbook also assists SLOs in working with other District Staff Officers to promote the RBS message. The Guide is online here. Posted by Pauline Longnecker, DVC-BS.

BoatU.S. Foundation shifts from toll-free number to online site for boating class information. The BoatU.S. Courseline phone number (800-336-BOAT) for inquiries about the date and location of nationwide boating classes will be phased out by the end of March 2010. The BoatU.S. Foundation has been collecting and providing this information as a free service to boaters since 1984, and will continue to do so online at http://www.boatus.com/courseline/. By entering either zip code or state and city information at Courseline Online, you can easily locate the nearest locations of safe boating courses. You can also obtain course descriptions and information about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and other groups that offer these courses. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB.