Operations
Robert M Burton DSO-OP
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
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