Whats New
This website has been designed as a one-stop portal for all USCG Auxiliary members looking for information about Auxiliary C-School programs. This site will grow as all C-School program managers post specific school information. The USCG Auxiliary and Commandant (G-OCX) are dedicated in their support of auxiliary training and want every student have all the necessary information they need.
(as of 16 August, 2010)
Student Support Sites
This list of C-Schools will grow as more Student Support websites come online! Operations Department has taken down the student support websites AUX-18. Contact the O-Dept staff for further information: |
posted august 10,2010.
Please read article from the American Society of Safety Engineers about the Yukon Coastie trip.
posted july 28, 2010
- New SAR Incident Form Posted
-
An updated version of the CG-4612 Auxiliary SAR Incident and MISLE Case Data Entry Report form has been posted to the Auxiliary National Website Forms page. The new form has been improved to better capture data for MISLE entry. Click HERE for the new form.
Since PDF files are difficult to use if you don't have a current version of Adobe Acrobat, Dave Brubaker has converted the PDF file into a word document. As you know, it is easy to copy and save a word doc. and send it as an e-mail attachment. I have reproduced the word doc here so you can down load to your desktop and use if you are on a case. DHS SAR Incident Report
posted July 28,2010
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DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH DSC RADIOS
April 13, 2010 Alert 02-10
Washington, DC
DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH AUTOMATIC CHANNEL SWITCHING ON DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) EQUIPPED VHF MARINE RADIOS
It has come to the Coast Guard's attention that an automatic channel switching feature found on certain models of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipped VHF marine radios may create an unintended hazard by automatically switching from a working channel that might be in use at the time to Channel 16 when the VHF marine radio receives a DSC distress alert, distress alert acknowledgment or other DSC call where a VHF channel number has been designated. This could happen without a vessel/radio operator's immediate knowledge and could initiate an unsafe condition by which the vessel/radio operators would believe they were communicating on a working channel such as Channel 13 when, in fact, they were actually on Channel 16. Imagine a towboat operator on the lower Mississippi River making passing agreements on VHF channel 67 and then suddenly, without warning, not being able to quickly reestablish communications with those vessels because his/her radio automatically switched to Channel 16 instead.
Since this unsafe condition can happen at any time, the Coast Guard strongly recommends disabling the automatic channel switching feature when maintaining a listening watch or communicating on the designated bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone, or while monitoring the vessel traffic services (VTS) channel. Radios that lack the disabling feature should not be used for bridgeto-bridge or VTS communications.
The International Telecommunications Union Sector for Radiocommunications, Recommendation M.493-11 published in 2004 and later versions require DSC-equipped radios to provide for disabling of this channel auto-switch feature. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires all DSC-equipped radios certified after March 25, 2009 to meet this requirement. Manufacturers that do not provide a disable function are encouraged to do so and to inform their customers if means for correction exist. Updated information including a listing of manufacturers of radios believed to be affected by this Safety Alert will be posted as available at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/.
The Coast Guard strongly reminds radio operators and other users to always ensure they are on the proper operating channel when communicating or maintaining watch, particularly with DSCequipped radios capable of channel auto-switching.
This safety alert is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational or material requirement. Developed by the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Policy Division (CG-652), United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC. Questions should be directed to Mr. Russell Levin at (202) 475 3555 or Russell.S.Levin@uscg.mil.
[Posted: Jul 26, 2010. Source: P. Urgola, Director V-Dept]
posted April 30,2010
All OPFAC Owners:
Subject: OPFAC Status Reporting Procedures
These
procedures are effective immediately. If this message came to you by
mistake, please disregard and inform me. If you know an OPFAC owner who
is not on this email, please forward to them and inform me and I'll
correct my list. Thanks! Our District's Auxiliary leadership and our
active duty commanders require up-to-date status information on all
Auxiliary privately-owned OPFACs. This information is used to provide
our leadership with a summary of our OPFACs' availability at their
request and will also be used on a weekly basis to update Sector Command
Centers. We need you, the OPFAC owner, to provide this information, and
keep it updated, as it changes during the year. Your OPFAC's status
may be "Green" or "Red". Green means ready for operations. Red means
non-operational status.
OPFAC owners may report the status of their boat by two methods:
Method 1. Direct access to the tracking website
at http://aux17.webhop.org/auxopsstatus Log on to the system with
your auxiliary member number and the initial password auxtest, and then
set your status. Attached to this email is a quick reference guide to
the system. You can use Adobe Acrobat Reader to print it out and refer
to it for your initial connects. This document is also available from
the login screen. This website will be your easiest method and only
requires a couple of mouse clicks to update your status. You can change
your password with a system command link found under the admin tab.
You may want to choose your POMS password for this system too.
Method 2. Email the ADSO-OP (Doug Alsip) at dalsip@ak.net using the
following format. (Cut/Paste this into your email program).
Subj: OPFAC Status for 3120001 (use your OPFAC number)
Body of email: (omit this line) OPFAC: 3120001 (use your OPFAC number)
Owner: 1001111 (use your member ID) Status: Green or Red (use only
one of these) Availability: 12 hours (Optional; must be in hours)
These procedures are effective immediately.
New edition of the AHOY is now available online. Ahoy is the District 17 newsletter.
http://cgauxalaska.org/Data%20Files/Ahoy%20April%202010j.pdf
posted April,17, 2010
This is a new course that the Coast Guard has released to the Auxiliary to be taught to the public. As a result of the upcoming Sportsman Show and a Canoe and Kayak Symposium there may be enough interest by the public to have a class before this boating season. For instructors that may be interested in this endeavor the Powerpoint Presentation for the class can be downloaded at http://www.cgauxed.org/paddle.htm .
Paddlesports America
Canoeists and kayakers are boaters also. Now, there is a course available to address the unique needs of this audience. Paddlesports America is an exciting safety course designed to attract the novice paddle enthusiasts. This four-hour course presents five chapters of safety information.
Topics include
- Know Your Paddlecraft - parts of a canoe and kayak; understanding paddlecraft characteristics such as basic types, hull shapes hull materials, lengths and widths and weights; selecting your paddle for both canoe and kayak.
- Before You Get Underway - knowing your paddlecraft’s capacity and how to file a float plan; transporting your paddlecraft; conducting a pre-departure check; dressing for a safe trip; loading gear in a canoe or kayak; storing paddle craft; the responsibilities when paddling with others.
- Operating Your Boat Safely - how to enter and exit a canoe or kayak safely; securing the paddlecraft and sharing the waterways with others; the U. S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONS); learning about local hazards on waterways.
- The Legal Requirements of Boating -vessel registration, hull identification numbers and who may operate a paddlecraft; unlawful operation of paddlecraft; Homeland Security restrictions; policies on alcohol and drugs. Life jackets; navigation lights; sound-producing devices and visual distress signals; protection of environment and what to do if in a boating accident. State specific information may be added at the end of this chapter.
- Boating emergencies… What to Do - minimizing the risk of drowning, capsizing, swamping or falling overboard; emergency techniques; how to deal with cold water immersion and hypothermia; understanding heat related illness; dehydration; handling weather emergencies.
Posted 3/23/2010
Safe Boating Movies on youtube that you should watch. These were made by the Alaska State, Office of Boating Safety.
Posted 3/7/2010
Visit the websites of other flotillas in our District.
| District 17 Flotilla Websites | ||
|---|---|---|
| Divison 1 | Divison 2 | Divison 3 |
| Juneau Flotilla | Homer Flotilla | Fairbanks Flotilla |
| Ketchikan Flotilla | Kenai Flotilla | Anchorage Flotilla |
| Sitka Flotilla | Kodiak Flotilla | Eagle River Flotilla |
| Petersburg Flotilla | Whittier Flotilla | Mat-Su Flotilla |
| Seward Flotilla | Valdez Flotilla |
Posted 3/9/2010
Want to know about DSC radios? Check out these video's
Posted 3/2/2010
TEAM COORDINATION TRAINING- TCT
March 23, 30 and April 6, 2010, 1800 to 2100
BP Energy Center
Team Coordination Training, TCT, is one of the steps to
become crew/coxswain qualified with the Auxiliary. If you
wish to go out on the water in a crew capacity or your
current TCT session is about to expire after 5 years please
consider joining Mark Parmelee and Tom Kane for this
spring session.
Through discussion, case studies, videos, and examples;
attendees will cover topics to reduce human errors leading
to boating accidents. All auxiliarists are invited to
attend. One does not need to have final status as an
auxiliarist nor be involved in the crew program. The
boating lessons learned have applications for all.
Please RSVP to Mark at potterview@gci.net. Please note that to get credit for the training one must attend all three sessions offered.
Posted 2/16/2010
· NAME CHANGE- HUMAN RESOURCES/ PROGRAM UPDATES
TO ALL DSO-HR, The Department of Personnel has changed it's name to the Department of Human Resources effective today. This will best describe the new evolving department, and mirror our Coast Guard counterparts. New program area's like the Ombudsman program, and the Collage detachment program are moving from development to exciting new way's to recruit new younger member's, and to assist the active duty, when they need it the most. The Department of Human Resources has again been tasked with the AIM program. We look forward to bringing the AIM program back into our department, and will be expanding to meet the needs of the candidates. Please spread the word through your Districts, and down to the deckplate, the membership. Anyone who would like to help, or needs more information, please contact Joseph O'Leary , Director of Human Resources. josephgoleary@optonline.net
[Posted: Feb 1, 2010. Source: Dante J.Laurino ANACO-RS]
Posted 2/10/2010
The 2010 VSC Decals Are Available
The 2010 VSC decals have been shipped to the Auxiliary National Supply Center (ANSC). The overall supply should be more than adequate to meet our demands and the demands of our partners.
Instructions are at http://safetyseal.net/pdf_files/2010-Decal-Announcement.pdf
The Order Form is at http://safetyseal.net/pdf_files/VSCDECALFM-2010.pdf
Posted 2/10/2010
· 7029 Form Video and Explanation
Darren Lewis created this video and explanation about the new 7029; it is very useful and should be viewed. See it at 7029 Video and Explanation
[Posted: Jan 22, 2010. Source: Roy Savoca DIR-I]
Posted 2/10/2010
http://safetyseal.net/newsletters/ve-mdv/fss10-01.pdf
· For Safety's Sake, Volume I - 2010
The newest edition of For Safety's Sake, Volume I - 2010 has been released. This new issue was released on January 12th and is available for downloading from the V Departments Newsletter page at http://safetyseal.net/Newsletters/.
In this issue is: RBS Awards of Excellence, VSC Tips, Funds Available to Flotillas, Fire Extinguishers, Orion Safety Awareness, Materials Update and more.
Download your copy and pass it on to your associates after you've read it.
[Posted: Jan 12, 2010. Source: P. Urgola, Director V-Dept]
Aux History http://www.history.auxpa.org/
Posted 2/10/2010
Please note that a new link has been added to the members page. It is called Flotilla Operations, located in the last box of the table and the link takes you to the flotilla operations page. Unclassified material about the ops program will be posted here. I have just added a new document from District that speaks to OPFACS and Safeboat policy. Flotilla Operations Please review this document if you are in the Operations program. Posted 2/4/2010
Mark Parmelee has just posted a new TCT class on the Member training page. It will be held at the BP Energy Center on the following Tuesday nights. March 23, and 30 and April 6. Please contact Mark at potterview@gci.net if you are interested.
Posted 1/25/2010
http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/BookletChart.html
The NOAA BookletChart™ is an experimental product that you can print at home for free. They are made to help recreational boaters locate themselves on the water.
The Booklet Chart is reduced in scale and divided into pages for convenience, but otherwise contains all the information of the full-scale nautical chart. Bar scales are also reduced in scale, but are accurate when used to measure distances in a BookletChart. Excerpts from the United States Coast Pilot are included. Most chart notes are consolidated on a single page for easy reference. Emergency information for the charted area is printed on the back cover.
Booklet charts are updated weekly for all Notice to Mariners.
Posted 1/20/2010