United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Department

News

Statements of policy or procedure provided by members of the Chief Director's Office, National Elected Officers or Department Chiefs posted on this web page should be regarded as official statements.

New Issue of WAVES Published. The latest issue of the B Department newsletter, "WAVES," is now online here (PDF). For a complete online archive of WAVES in PDF format, see our Newsletter section.

Heartland Boating Magazine New Partnership for Auxiliary members of the three regions of District Eight. Benefits include: discounted annual subscription from $16 down to $13, free 3-month subscription for current Flotilla Commanders and PE officers at all levels, FSO-PEs request free magazine copies for distribution in PE classes, PE course listings. Members of District Eight go to http://shopauxiliary.com/, click on MembersOnly and sign in using your member number and eDirectory password, then click on the Heartland logo. Submitted by Margaret Schultz, BC-BLP.

Soundings Magazine Free Annual Subscription for 2009 Flotilla Commanders and PE officers at all levels. 2009 enrollment open during month of January. Go to http://shopauxiliary.com/ and click on MembersOnly and then sign in using your member number and eDirectory password, then click on the Soundings logo. Submitted by Margaret Schultz, BC-BLP.

Paddleboards Classified by USCG as Vessels. Standup paddleboards, when used away from swimming, surfing or bathing areas, are to be treated as vessels. To view what paddleboards look like, go to http://www.standuppaddlebend.com/. The complete press release is downloadable in the Boating Department document library (PDF). Posted by John Potts, DC-B.

Soundings Magazine Auxiliary Members Only web site has been repaired, and a new improved web page is available by logging into http://shopauxiliary.com/ and then the Members Only link using your member number and Edirectory password, then click on Soundings for terrific benefits. Posted by Margaret Schulze, BC-BLP.

Soundings Magazine Web Site, available only through the Auxiliary Members Only link, is not working properly. If you complete an application for a member benefit, it may not submit properly. Soundings is aware of this problem, however, a repair date is unknown. Soundings regrets this inconvenience. (Submitted by Margaret Schulze, BC-BLP)

Heartland Boating Magazine MOA Signed. In September 2008, an agreement between the Auxiliary and Heartland Boating Magazine was signed. When the new Auxiliary link is created, this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA; available online here) will benefit the members of the three regions of District Eight; this covers the circulation of Heartland. District Eight members, look for future news when the MOA is fully implemented. Posted by Margaret Schulze, BC-BLP.

New Issue of WAVES Published. The latest issue of the B Department newsletter, "WAVES," is now online here (PDF). For a complete online archive of WAVES in PDF format, see our Newsletter section.

2007 Recreational Boating Statistics Posted. The 49th annual report contains statistics on recreational boating accidents and State vessel numbering activities. This report is a result of the coordinated effort of the Coast Guard and those states and territories that have Federally approved vessel numbering and casualty reporting systems. Click to download the full report (PDF). Posted by Pauline Longnecker, DVC-BS.

A challenge to boaters to take steps to help improve their local waterfront. The Waterfront Challenge will award eight grants of $5,000 to $25,000 to support grassroot efforts by boaters to create sustainable waterfront environmental improvements in their communities. Clean up a beach or river bank. Re-build a handicap-accessible dock. All small-scale projects that could result in effective waterfront improvements. A flotilla or an individual could apply for grants to be awarded at the Miami International Boat Show in February, 2009. The deadline for applications is November 5. For more information and to apply for a Waterfront Challenge grant, visit www.wfchallenge.com. (Posted by William Griswold, BC-BRG)

Waves Summer Edition. The summer volume of our quarterly boating safety newsletter, Waves, is now online as a downloadable PDF here. In this issue, you can read about the first-ever World Drowning Report, an analysis of a specific drowning incident, and a report from the International Boating and Water Safety Summit.

How's Our Site? Let Us Know! We've had the new version of this Web site online for several months now, and we think it looks pretty good. Now, though, we need to know what you think. Please take a few minutes to answer our nine-question survey about the site's usability, looks, and features. We'll post the results when we've collected enough responses, and we'll also do our best to implement our visitors' suggestions. This is your chance to shape the future of the "B" Department Web site.

Boating Safety Hotline: Most Sincerely Dead. Due to budget shortfalls, the USCG Boating Safety Hotline 1-800-number was discontinued, the USCG Office of Boating Safety reminds us. This number still appears on several brochures and sites and is no longer in operation. Please black it out on brochures prior to distribution. Submitted by John Potts, DC-B.

Last Call: Nominations Due For BoatUS Foundation Environmental Leadership Award

Winner Gets $1000 To Continue Green Boating Effort. The deadline is rapidly approaching to honor an environmental leader in the boating community. BoatUS Foundation's Environmental Leadership Award recognizes a group, organization, company, marina or individual who has made a significant contribution towards advancing clean boating and educating boaters on minimizing their environmental impact. The deadline for nominations is June 30, 2008 and the award includes $1000 for the continued support of the winner's environmental efforts.

"We are looking for creative, unique, and innovative nominees who have had a real impact," said Susan Shingledecker, Director of Environmental Programs with the BoatUS Foundation. "This award, for example, could go to a group that has cleaned up miles of beaches, a hometown marina that has led the way in helping keep our waterways clean or a boat or fishing club member who has spearheaded a local environmental education campaign" she added.

Applications and more information about the award can be found online at http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation, or email Ms. Shingledecker at SShingledecker at BoatUS.com, or telephone 703.461.2878, ext. 8358.

First International Drowning Report Published! The International Life Saving Federation is a global, non-profit federation of over 100 national lifesaving organizations around the world. The Federation (ILS) leads the worldwide effort to reduce injury and death in, on, or around the water. The goal of the ILS is world water safety. Their first annual report has been published complete with a Power Point presentation. This is a must read eye opener for those involved in promotion of water safety. The documents are posted in the Boating Department's document library here.

BoatUS Grants Awarded to Auxiliary Units. This just in from BoatUS regarding their small grants awarded to Coast Guard Auxiliary units. This program has passed out over $735,000 over the last 18 years to organizations, funding great ideas to promote boating safety. You can view their web site here. Check out past projects, and if you’re interested, get set to apply for a grant later this year. Policies and procedures for applying for grants can be found in the 2008 Auxiliary Grant Handbook (PDF).

Here is a list of Auxiliary units that will receive a BoatUS grant:
USCGA 08-01-02 Highlands Ranch CO: To produce banners for an information booth that promotes life jacket wear.
USCGA 08-02-23 Durango CO: To produce 600 copies of the "On the River" poster that will be distributed to local businesses.
USCGA 07-15-08 Springhill FL: To build and install 5 kiosks at local boat ramps that will contain boating safety information.
USCGA 08-08-07 Lafayette KY: To produce and erect 14 signs containing safe fueling messages.
USCGA 08-33-02 Papillion NE: To purchase skier down flags and "I got caught wearing my life jacket" t-shirts.
USCGA 01-22 Northport NY: To produce signs promoting life jacket use that will be erected at local boat launches.
USCGA 05-01-09 West Grove PA: To promote life jacket use through a poster contest at local schools.
Submitted by: Bill Griswold, BC-BRG

The new issue of WAVES is now online. This quarterly newsletter of the Boating department is available as a PDF on our Newsletter page, or you can download it directly with this link.

Seamanship and Safety Book Available On-Line. RBS partner Soundings Magazine has come through again with a vital booklet entitled Seamanship and Safety. This 81-page Master's Series book is available on-line as a free special edition for the USCG Auxiliary members! The book is in a fast and easy download format. Fantastic photos compliment the chapters on Coastal Cruising, Elements of Seamanship, Situational Awareness, Rough-water Boat Handling, Seaworthiness, plus 14 more subjects. To access your free USCG Auxiliary special digital edition of Seamanship and Safety: go to shopauxiliary.com, click on Members Only and log in using your member number and AuxEdirectory password. Then click on the Soundings logo. From the Soundings Auxiliary member web site - click on "Masters Series" - "USCG Auxiliary Edition of Seamanship and Safety." Enjoy and learn! Submitted by Margaret Schulze, BC-BLP.

2008 Directory of Services Posted. The Auxiliary Directory of Services has been updated for 2008 and placed in the Boating Department documents library. Minor changes include updating some annual statistics. A major change was updating the Public Education course offerings. Submitted by: Doug Patterson, DVC-BR.

Grants Handbook 2008 The updated Grants Handbook 2008 is now posted on the Boating Department web site - click here to download the PDF file. This is your source and description of Awards and Grants available to USCG Auxiliarists for 2008. Posted by Bill Griswold, BC-BRG

State Liaison Officers Handbook Updated. The SLO Handbook has been updated and posted on the Boating Department web site, in the Document Library section. Also, a new document has been added entitled RBS Specialist Information. Additionally, an updated SLO Officers listing has been posted. Submitted by: Pauline Longnecker, DVC-BS.

The Coast Guard Proceedings is the Journal of Safety & Security at Sea. Each edition of Proceedings - typically 80 to 100 pages - features a specific theme and is championed by a Coast Guard office, assigned based on the command's expertise in that area. Recent themes have included: National Maritime Center; International Ice Patrol; Environmental Crimes; Search and Rescue; and Homeland Security. The Winter issue, just published, focuses on the Western Rivers Sectors and features two articles by Auxiliarists. This issue and back issues can be viewed free online. Readers may subscribe free of charge to a paper edition or pdf format online by going to http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings. This link is now posted in the left margin as well. Submitted by John Potts, DC-B

USCG Navigation Center Link placed on Boating Department Web Site. Explore the USCG NAVCEN web site and tap into a wealth of boating information. Just to name a few topics with detailed information: Digital Selective Calling (DSC), Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), Sign up to receive Local Notices to Mariners, loads of information on GPS, Electronic Nav and Plotting, and much more. Click on http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/ Submitted by John Potts, DC-B

Track Your Progress Toward the RBS Award. Amanda Armstrong, FSO-PA in Pensacola, FL, created a handy way to track your points over a two-year period to earn the RBS Device. All you have to do is enter your hours from each item and the spreadsheet totals them for you and indicates if you have enough to earn the device. Users of the free OpenOffice software suite should download this version, while Microsoft Excel users should choose this one. Submitted by Doug Patterson, DVC-BR.

Free Soundings subscription FOR FCs and PE Officers: All 2008 Flotilla Commanders and Public Education Officers at the National, District, Division and Flotilla levels, are eligible for a free 2008 subscription to Soundings Magazine. On-line enrollment is accomplished by going to http://shopauxiliary.com/ and clicking on the Members Only link. Enter your member number and the same password used to access our eDirectory. Click on Soundings logo and then the FC and PE menu selection. While on the site, check out the other options presented by Soundings! Submitted by: Margaret Schulze, BC-BLP

Inflatable Life Jacket Basics is now available for download in our document library or by clicking here. This is the single, combined document that incorporates the best of both previous articles. This article also incorporates the trend toward utilizing the term Life Jackets in lieu of PFDs, particularly when dealing with the boating public. Auxiliarists and interested members of the boating public should download this final edition and read it. [Submitted by Stu Soffer, N-MS]

Wallop -Breaux, aka Sport Fishing Restoration & Boating Trust Fund Exposed: Ever wonder what the "Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund" is all about? The fund is alive and well under a new name: "Sport Fishing Restoration & Boating Trust Fund". Bill Griswold, BC-BRG, DSO-SL D7, presented a power-point presentation in District 7. This very informative presentation (complete with presenter notes) is now posted on the Boating Department web site under State Liaison Officer Documents. Use it for self-education and to present to others. [Submitted by Bill Griswold, BC-BRG/DSO-SL D7]

RBS Device Award is NOW Available: The device is in stock at ANSC and may be awarded to qualified recipients. Read the entire status and criteria by visiting our Document Library. (Submitted by John Potts, DC-B)

Boat Show Guide 2008: The updated Boat Show Guide for 2008 is posted as a PDF file here, and is also linked from the Boating Department's "Document Library". This is essential reading for Auxiliary boat show organizers and those who staff the displays. (Submitted by John Potts, DC-B, 15 Oct 2007).

The Fall edition of WAVES has gone out to flotilla commanders. If you need a spare copy, you can download it here.

Soundings Magazine Slashes Subscription Rate for Auxiliary Members

Partner magazine Soundings just reduced the annual subscription rate for Auxiliary members to $13.97. To subscribe, go to the Members' area of the Shop Auxiliary site, and after login, click on Soundings. Every issue is filled with interesting RBS articles and information. (Submitted by: David Delich, DVC-BL)

Few award nominations have ever been received from the Auxiliary. Two organizations offer particularly tempting ones that Auxiliarists should consider submitting nominations for.

National Water Safety Congress: Regional awards due 1 December. Some of these have monetary prizes, plaques, etc. Names of deserving programs should be forwarded to Regional Presidents of the organization.

The National Safe Boating Council offers three interesting awards. First, there's the Boating Safety Youth Award, which includes a monetary prize and a trip to the Summit. Nominations are due 31 December. The other, the Boating Education Advancement Award, is now being restructured, so check their web site for the latest information. Past prizes have included money and trips to the Summit. Finally, the Council's sidekicks 2007 Story and Art Contest for kids offers awards for the youngest safety-conscious boaters. [Submitted by Bill Griswold, BC-BRG]

Get Ready to Pay for a new Permit to Operate your Boat! ... or visit our partner organization BoatUS and the BoatBlue site. [Posted by: John Potts, DC-B]

Applications are now available for the BoatU.S. Foundation's Boating Safety Grant Program. A total of $50,000 is available to small nonprofit organizations and groups around the country to fund projects that promote safe boating practices. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2007. Grantees can receive up to $4,000 each to fund innovative projects addressing boating safety issues specific to their local waterways. Grant guidelines, information, and applications are available at BoatUS.com/Foundation. The grants will be awarded in late January 2008. [Posted August 23, 2007. Source: Bill Griswold, BC-BRG]

Updated SLO Handbook (PDF) and SLO list (PDF) have been posted. [Posted August 22, 2007. Source: DC-B John Potts]

WEST MARINE STORES ANNOUNCE 10% DISCOUNT! West Marine has scheduled a 10% retail in-store discount in honor of the USCG Anniversary! The dates of the discount will be August 4-11, 2007. All USCG Auxiliarists, USCG active duty and reservists and US Power Squadron members are eligible for the discount. The discount coupons will be available in the stores. [Posted 19 July 2007, Source: John Potts, DC-B]

WAVES (PDF) is now available for your reading pleasure. [Posted June 24, 2007. Source: DC-B John Potts ]

The Grants Handbook (PDF, 47k) and Calendar of Available Awards (PDF, 18k) for 2007 are available now. [Posted 22 June 2007. Source: William Griswold, BC-BRG]

International Boating & Water Safety Summit Requests for topics for the 2008 IBWSS is solicited. The Summit is set for April 16-19 in San Diego, CA. Visit the web sites at www.watersafetycongress.org and www.safeboatingcouncil.org [Posted June 3, 2007. Source: William Griswold, BC-BLN]

A new version of the SLO Qualification Guide (PDF) has been added. [Posted 9 May 2007 Source: DC-B John Potts PDF 74KB]

The CY07 Directory of Services (DOS) (PDF) is online. [Posted: 5 May 2007. Source DC-B John Potts]

RBS DEVICE AWARD INFORMATION A reminder that the RBS Device Award criteria is posted on the National Boating Department's web site. The RBS Device was established to recognize members who support the Auxiliary's programs and activities within, or related to, the Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Program. The award of the Device is based upon the member earning 120 points per year for two consecutive years (total of 240 points to qualify). For the complete criteria, follow this link. [POSTED 28 April 2007. Source: John Potts, Dept of Boating]

Seven Flotillas Among BoatU.S. Foundation Grant Winners! In a news release dated March 22, 2007, BoatUS Foundation announced the winners of the 2007 Boating Safety Grant Winners. Nearly $50,000 has been awarded to 23 non-profit groups spreading the message about safe boating practices. Those groups providing the Foundation with a final report at the completion of their project will be eligible for the Outreach Award, which gives the winner an additional $500 to use toward their project. Seven Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas were among the winners, and are listed at this link. [Posted: 2 April 2007. Source: William Griswold, BC-BRG]

Links

Departmental Associates

Miscellaneous Links

News