RBS Affairs Department News Archive
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. Please see the main news page for current events - this page is an archive of older postings.
BoatUS Foundation makes it easier to apply for Boating Safety and Clean Water Grassroots Grants. In the last 20 years the BoatU.S. Foundation has awarded more than $1 million from two separate grant programs targeting local grassroots organizations. Now the national nonprofit is making it easier for organizations to apply by combining its former Boating Safety and Clean Water Grants into a new, single Grassroots Grants Program. Local groups, community organizations and nonprofits are eligible for grants for up to $4,000 each. A total of up to $50,000 is available this grant cycle, however, local community groups need to have their applications in by February 28.
Grantees will be announced by June 15. Groups interested in applying for one or more Grassroots Grants may go to BoatUS.com/Foundation/Grants to look at previous grant projects and photos, review current guidelines and frequently asked questions, and to apply online. You may also sign up for a free Foundation e-newsletter that will let you be the first to know about any upcoming grant programs and deadlines. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB
New Issue of WAVES Online. The Winter 2010 issue of our Watercraft and Vessel Safety (WAVES) newsletter is now online. Download the PDF version here.
New Coast Guard Video. The Coast Guard has recently posted a terrific video on YouTube that shows Coasties and Auxiliarists putting on a Safety-at-Sea event for Sea Scouts in the San Francisco Bay area. Safety-at-Sea events are put on every year with the Sea Scouts all over the country. Some are run entirely by Coast Guard Auxiliary divisions or districts. The video is available on the Coast Guard Video network on YouTube. Additional information about putting on Safety-at-Sea events is available on the RBS Affairs Wiki. Posted by Robin Ouellette, BC-BLY.
USCG Foundation Re-Activates Relief Fund. The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced last week that it has re-activated its emergency Family Disaster Relief Fund. Foundation principals responded to the recent crash of a C-130 off the California coast. The relief fund was established in 2008, in the wake of a helicopter crash in Hawaii that resulted in the loss of four Coast Guard members.
The Foundation is appealing for financial support to assist the families of the lost crew of CG-1705. Those wishing to contribute may visit USCG Foundation Relief Fund, or call the Foundation at 1-860-535-0786, or fax a note to 1-860-535-0944 with donation information and a reference to the CG-1705 Disaster Relief. Posted by Bruce Johnson, DIR-Bd
Scholarships for 2010 International Boating and Water Safety Summit Available. The International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) is an annual meeting of individuals and organizations actively involved in boating and water safety activities from all over the world. Next year’s event will be held 28-31 March, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. There are a limited number of registration scholarships available for individuals who are very actively involved in promoting RBS. Applications are due by December 31, 2009. The scholarship covers only the registration fee, which is a big value with several meals. Hotel and transportation are not covered. Posted by William Griswold, BC-BLN
Safety Tips for Fall Boating from BoatUS. Labor Day marks the start of the fall boating season, a time for cooler temperatures, uncrowded waterways, and great sailing. But this time of year also brings its own safety challenges. Here are some fall boating safety tips:
- Cold water quickly saps your strength. Wearing a life jacket could give you the time you need to safely re-board if you accidentally fall overboard. Also ensure you have a means to quickly get back on board without assistance, such as a ladder or a dockline.
- Don't let sunny skies fool you. Dress appropriately and recognize that even slight weather changes can make hypothermia a real threat if you are unprepared.
- In the fall there are very few boaters nearby -- your closest potential rescuers. Without the help of fellow boaters, your float plan is your only back-up. Share with a family member or trusted friend where you plan to go and when you expect to return, so they may notify authorities if you are overdue returning.
- A VHF radio is a must. Depending on where you are, a cell phone or personal locator beacon may be additional pieces of important communication gear.
Posted by Bruce Johnson, DC-Bd
Boating Accident Statistics Just Released for 2008. The USCG Boating Safety Division just released the comprehensive analysis of boating statistics for 2008. During 2008, the Coast Guard recorded 709 deaths, 3,331 injuries and approximately $54 million in damage to property, stemming from 4,789 recreational boating accidents. This represents an increase in the fatality rate (a measure of the number of deaths against the number of registered recreational boats) from 5.3 in 2007 to 5.6 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational boats in 2008. To download the PDF file of statistics, go here. Posted by John Potts, DC-B 14 August 2009.
Hurricane Resource Website. For extensive information on what to do before, during and after a storm, visit the BoatUS Hurricane Resource website to download the latest version of the Hurricane Preparation Guide and Worksheet, to review the successful hurricane plans submitted by other boaters and to follow active storms through state-of-the-art tracking models. Posted by Bruce Johnson, DC-Bd.
Unique web site launched to promote recreational boating safety. The National Auxiliary Boating Department has launched a new website called the Auxiliary B Department Wiki. The site is based on wiki software, which allows users to contribute their ideas for promoting RBS without being experts in building webpages. For more details, visit the site or check out the promotional flyer (PDF).
At this stage of development, the site has focused initially on implementation of the new agreement with the Boy Scouts of America, as well as resources available to the Auxiliary's liaison efforts with States, in order to encourage force multiplication of RBS assets. Members of the Boating, Education, Vessel Exams and Public Affairs Departments are working with Auxiliarists with Scouting experience to promote proven "best practices" that can be reproduced locally. Members with experience working with outside organizations in the RBS realm are encouraged to contribute their ideas. The site and instructions on how to get involved are at http://auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org, and the link is also on the Boating Department web site. Posted by Bruce Johnson, DC-Bd.
Boating Department Deputy. It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Bruce Johnson as the Deputy Chief of the Boating Department. Please join me and congratulate him on the appointment. Posted by John Potts, DC-B.
National Marina Day RBS Opportunity. Marinas across the country are gearing up for the eighth annual National Marina Day, to be held August 8, 2009. The Association of Marina Industries organizes this public affairs event to spotlight the important role that marinas play in the recreational boating community.
National Marina Day is a great opportunity for Auxiliary flotillas to engage in outreach of their own. RBS Program Visitors are encouraged to contact their local marinas in advance of National Marina Day to organize Auxiliary participation. Giving VSCs, advertising upcoming PE programs, reminding boaters about America’s Waterway Watch, recruiting new members, or setting up displays featuring life jacket wear and other elements of safe recreational boating are all ways that local flotillas can capitalize on the opportunities presented by National Marina Day.
Many marinas nationwide have already received “resource kits” including suggestions for partnering with the Auxiliary during this annual event. Contact your local marinas today to find out how you can help make National Marina Day 2009 a success! Submitted by: Bruce Johnson, DVC-BL
Annual Award Comes with $1000. Time is running out to help the BoatUS Foundation honor those who have made a significant contribution towards improving waterway health and educating boaters about environmental issues. The 2009 BoatUS Foundation Environmental Leadership Award will be given to a group, organization, company, marina or individual who has worked hard to make a difference - but only if local boaters help the Foundation identify nominees. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2009. Posted by Bill Griswold, BC-BRG
"Weakened" Hurricane Systems Harm Boats Far Inland, Too. Historically, whenever a hurricane comes ashore along the Gulf or Atlantic coasts, that's where the most damage is found. But even though a tropical storm system weakens significantly as it moves over land, it will often continue to carry a significant punch over a wide area inland - possibly hundreds of miles from landfall. With the start of the 2009 hurricane season June 1, BoatUS says inland boat owners should take these storms seriously and make preparations, even though the system may no longer be classified as a hurricane.
Boaters can get some free hurricane preparation help, including a hurricane preparation worksheet, an in-depth Guide to Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes, and checklists for what to do before and after a hurricane strikes, from the BoatUS Hurricane Resource Center. The web site also helps boaters monitor incoming storms with up-to-the-minute storm tracking tools and live satellite imagery. Posted by: Bruce Johnson, DVC-BL
National Safe Boating Campaign Announces $1,000 Shopping Spree Contest. Enter the "Be a Survivor: Wear It!" Contest for achance to win a $1,000 shopping spree at West Marine. This contest seeks stories about boaters whose lives were saved by wearing a life jacket. To enter, submit an essay or video with a story in which you or someone you knew surivived because you or they had a life jacket on. The contest runs through September 2. Winners will be announced on October 31, 2009. Entry submissions and contest details may be found here. Also, check out the Float Yourself Photo Contest here. Submitted by: Bill Griswold, BC-BLN
Soundings Magazine Benefits Auxiliary PE Partner Soundings Magazine issues are packed full of articles on boating safety and seamanship. Benefits include the following:
- Deeply discounted new and renewal annual Soundings subscriptions – regularly $24.97, available to Auxiliarists at only $13.97/year.
- Free annual Soundings and Trade Only subscriptions for current Flotilla Commanders and Public Education Officers at flotilla, division, district and national levels.
- Free Soundings copies for each family in your PE classes, with a PE graduate subscription discount coupon inside each magazine.
- Free online and print listings for your PE classes.
- Last but not least, access to your own digital special Auxiliary Seamanship & Safety edition. This 80-page digital digest outlines tactics, strategies, and advice to get you, your crew, and your boat safely back to the dock after every marine outing.
To learn more about the Soundings benefits, go to http://shopauxiliary.com/ and click on Members Only. Then log in. Click on the Soundings logo. Submitted by: Bruce Johnson, DVC-BL
Attention Vessel Examiners. Have you heard about ORION's Safety Awareness Program for Auxiliary Vessel Examiners? Earn points and incentives for viewing an educational video demonstrating pyrotechnics. Additional points for reporting VSCs are redeemable for free pyros. Plus, the top 3 point earners each year receive a quarterly Omaha Steaks Gift, a $280 value. Check out the details by going to our Document Library and downloading the PDF version of the brochure, or just go to http://www.shopauxiliary.com/, click on Members Only, log in, and click on the ORION logo. Posted by Bruce Johnson, DVC-BL