Winter Conference Report 2005 >

 Eighth District Coastal Region Auxiliary Surface Operations

The Eighth District Coastal Region Auxiliary Surface Operations covers an extensive area and covers a broad, diverse program. It covers coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico from the Rio Grande in Texas to the Big Bend of Florida and includes all of the inland waters and rivers of New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and part of southwest Georgia. Each operating area presents its own peculiar set of operational problems and challenges that need to be learned to function effectively and safely. In addition to these problems are the challenges of working with multiple organizations. In addition to working with their Order Authority almost all Auxiliary units work with various military, state, county and other private organizations. The missions that the auxiliarists participate in are as varied as are the areas involved. SAR (Search and Rescue) is the standard operation that is common to all areas and we are all expected to be competent in this program.. In addition we have strong programs in Aids To Navigation (ATON), Marine Safety and Pollution, (MSO), safety and security patrols, public education On Water Training and member training and Boat Crew training patrols. With the events of the past months the Auxiliary has been called upon to assist regular units to accomplish their increased operational programs. As we review the variety of functions that are part of our day-to-day programs we need to be aware of one of our newer programs. This involves the use of Personal Water Craft to assist in accomplishing the many diverse missions. Indeed experience has shown that there are missions that are better done by PWC's than with conventional vessels. Not only have auxiliary members been active in the utilization of the PWC's but the regular Coast Guard has started to utilize the PWC's in some of its programs. In addition to the above issues, the area of operations is important to the Auxiliary for another very important reason. The annual surveys have shown that the number one reason people join the Auxiliary is to acquire and improve boating skills. Thus it is that as the members participate in the many diverse operations they not only serve the Coast Guard and their country but are also accomplishing their goals of improving their own boating skills.

[Posted: 0/18/02  Source  DSO-OP]

Official Policy Regarding "Come-Upons"

We have become aware of a number if cases where there is misunderstanding of the "come-upon" part of the Maritime SAR Assistance Policy. Some CG units are not allowing Auxiliary facilities on orders to take cases when they are discovered by the Auxiliary facility before the CG is notified. The following guidance is provided to help all levels of the chain of command understand the intent of the come-upon policy:

"The purpose of this guidance is to clarify the policy for response to SAR cases discovered by Auxiliary vessels underway on ordered patrols. The policy is contained in paragraph 3.B.6.d of COMDTINST M16130.2B, USCG Addendum to the National SAR Manual, and states, in part, "when an Auxiliary vessel on patrol discovers a vessel requesting assistance, but not in radio contact with the Coast Guard, it should relay the request for assistance to the Coast Guard operational commander and may undertake to provide assistance, if capable." There has been some confusion as to the intent of "relaying the request for assistance to the Coast Guard." This action is intended to alert the operational commander that a vessel in the commander's AOR is in need of assistance, but is not intended to be a request for authorization for the Auxiliary vessel to undertake assistance. As indicated in the NOTE associated with paragraph 3.B.6.d., the intent is that the Auxiliarist, not the SMC, will make the judgment as to whether he/she can safely assist. This policy in no way reduces the operational commander's authority and responsibility to exercise command and control over all assigned forces, including Auxiliary vessels on ordered patrols. The intent is that in a non-distress situation discovered by an Auxiliary vessel, the Auxiliarist should alert the operational commander, evaluate the situation, take appropriate action to assist if deemed safe by the Auxiliarist, and then notify the operational commander of action taken. The operational commander may override the Auxiliarist's decision if warranted by an evaluation of the circumstances. However, unless there is a specific reason to do so, such as an indication of unusual risk or hazard, or an operational need to assign the Auxiliary vessel to a higher priority mission, the decision to assist should be left to the Auxiliarist."

v/r,

CDR Bob Thomson
Chief, Auxiliary Operations Division (G-OCX-2)
U.S. Coast Guard
202-267-1012, fax -4409