The Trident Program and Augmenta

The Trident Program
An Auxiliary Program for Direct Support and Augmentation

The Trident Application is Posted Here as a PDF file.

Marine Safety Trident Training Ribbon

The ribbon is approved and is now available. The criteria this ribbon is the completion of ALL education prerequisite requirements for the Trident. The application for the ribbon is posted here as a PDF file.

The Auxiliarist may add a 5/16-inch gold star for each PQS completed and entered in AUXDATA until they earn the Trident device at which time the ribbon will be removed (like the Specialty Course ribbon) and be replaced by the Auxiliary Trident device.

General Marine Safety Mission

Coast Guard Auxiliary members completing the PQS requirements of the Trident Program are the core team of specialists in marine safety and environmental protection.

Our mission is to support the marine safety and environmental protection programs of the United States Coast Guard and to train and support members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary who join us in this effort.

These are some of the things that we do: Maritime Observation Mission

► Conduct Maritime Observation Missions (MOMs) to protect the recreational boating public and the waterways environment.

► Educate boaters and the general public on clean boating practices, responsible environmental practices in marinas, and protection of coastal and marine ecosystems.

► Conduct voluntary dockside examinations of commercial fishing vessels to insure that boats are properly equipped and crews properly prepared to venture out in this most dangerous of occupations.

► Prepare emergency response plans and train Auxiliary members to effectively support emergency mobilization of
the Coast Guard. Facility Inspection

► Augment the staffing of Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers and conduct remote testing of applicants for merchant mariner licenses.

► Conduct field sampling, prevention and public education programs designed to mitigate the spread of aquatic nuisance species.

► Conduct abandoned vessel surveys and bridge inspections and promote public education and awareness of waterways conservation and management.

► Educate and communicate with Coast Guard Auxiliary members about opportunities for service in marine safety and environmental protection missions of the Coast Guard.

The Trident Program and Augmentation

The Trident Program is a key program of "M" -- with its operation impacting just about every Division and Branch of the Department. There are several ways for Auxiliarists to augment in Coast Guard billets. This includes meeting minimum Personal Qualification Standards (PQS) such as those described in the various specialties in Operations and covered by the AUXOP Program), and may include additional PQS requirements determined by a local command.

In the areas of Prevention and Response the most common way to become qualified to augment and provide direct support to Coast Guard personnel in marine safety units is through completion of Trident Program PQS requirements in a particular specialty and being assigned to work in that specialty at a marine safety unit. The Trident Program PQS requirements for a particular specialty may be a prerequisite to any such assignment, and local commands may require additional qualifications (See Trident Update Bulletin 010.) This includes, if determined necessary by the assignment, gaining DO status through the PSI process.

FACILITY INSPECTION INTERVIEW

To be awarded the right to wear the Trident "Marine Safety Device" on the Auxiliary uniform Auxiliarists must qualify in at least four of the specialties, have at least four years service in M Missions with at least 96 hours documented in AUXDATA in each calendar year, and complete the prerequisite educational courses (Introduction to Marine Safety and Environmental Protection, Initial Indoctrination to Marine Safety, Good Mate and ICS 100). Application for the device is submitted through the DSO-MS who will verify all requirements have been met. Individuals who have met this requirement are considered experts in Auxiliary Marine Safety programs.

These requirements are more fully described in the "Marine Safety Device Application and Check-off Sheet" and in a 2004 PowerPoint presentation entitled The Trident Program, Today and into the Future. (.ppt format)

Step by step instructions on the application process for the Marine Safety Device are contained in Trident Update Bulletin 005. Provisions for a "Conditional Award" of the Marine Safety Device for Auxiliarists who have met all requirements except the four consecutive years of service are contained in Trident Update Bulletin 008.

Becoming qualified to wear the Marine Safety Device is independent of actual assignment to a position covered by one or more of the 16 specialties listed below. An Auxiliarist could conceivably meet this requirement, and maintain the right to wear the device whether or not they are currently assigned to work with the Coast Guard in any of the associated specialties.

However, to initially qualify in any of the specialties, an Auxiliarist must not only meet the published PQS requirements for the specialty, but also with any other requirements set by the particular unit taking on the responsibility of signing off on each PQS, and which are determined by the unit as meeting its needs. (See Trident Update Bulletin 010.) In short, the Trident Marine Safety Device is awarded in recognition of the knowledge and skills the Auxiliarist has attained in the area of marine safety. He/she is not a "free agent," and the services subsequently provided, or not provided, are determined by the Coast Guard and the particular marine safety unit.

A 2003 Trident PowerPoint Presentation explaining the program is also available for download.

The current specialties covered by the Trident Program are listed below, along with a description of the intent to apply the PQS requirements to positions augmenting the work of Active Duty and Reserve personnel at Coast Guard marine safety commands:

TRIDENT PQS SPECIALTY	INTENT AND APPLICATION
► AUX-ACP - Assistant Contingency Preparedness Specialist	Upon completion of this personal qualification, an Auxiliarist will hold the minimum competencies to assist their local Marine Safety Office in planning for various incidents. Auxiliarists may need specific security clearance levels as determined by their command. If such clearance is required, it is up to the command to make such a request.
► AUX-AEI - Port State Control Boarding Team Assistant	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to assist a qualified Port State Control Officer in conducting Port State Control boardings. Auxiliarists should not participate in boardings where members of the boarding team are armed, or where the vessel's cargo presents an elevated health or safety concerns (ex. Explosive loads, Liquified Hazardous Gases, carcinogenic cargoes, etc).
► AUX-CI - Assistant Container Inspector	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to complete an exterior Container Inspection, including a review of both the transportation markings/papers and external container integrity. Auxiliary members will conduct these inspections as part of an inspection team. Auxiliarists do not have law enforcement authority and cannot independently exercise COTP, OCMI, or FOSC authority. They may become personally liable for actions they take outside of prescribed directives. Do not allow an Auxiliary Container Inspector to be placed in a position that will compromise the limits on his or her member status.
► AUX-ED - Assistant Pollution Investigator	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to assist a qualified Pollution Investigator in completing a Pollution Investigation case. Auxiliarists should not be exposed to conditions posing an elevated health or safety risk (ex. HAZMAT Spills, Hazardous Gas releases, carcinogenic cargoes, etc), or conditions that require a response team to be armed.
► AUX-EK - Assistant Harbor Safety Officer	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to assist a qualified Harbor Safety Officer in conducting a wide variety of Port Safety and Security tasks. Auxiliarists should not participate in boardings where members of the boarding team are armed, or where the vessel's cargo presents an elevated health or safety concern (ex. Explosive loads, Liquified Hazardous Gases, carcinogenic cargoes, etc).
► AUX-ET - Assistant Pollution Response Specialist	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to assist a qualified FOSCR in an Oil Pollution Response. Auxiliarists should not be exposed to conditions posing an elevated health or safety risk (ex. HAZMAT Spills, Hazardous Gas releases, carcinogenic cargoes, etc), or conditions that require a response team to be armed.
► AUX-EU - Assistant Facilities Inspector	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to complete a routine Facility Inspection under supervision. This qualification does not qualify a person to lead a facility inspection team. Auxiliarists do not have law enforcement authority and may act only within the scope of their authority. They cannot independently exercise COTP, OCMI, or FOSC authority. They may become personally liable for actions they take outside of prescribed directives. Do not allow an Assistant Facility Inspector to be placed in a position that will compromise the limits on his or her Auxiliary authority.
► AUX-LDEV - Assistant License & Document Evaluator	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to work in a Regional Examination Center and assist with processing applications for Mariners’ Credentials. Completion of this personal qualification does not authorize Auxiliarists to issue or evaluate mariner license documents.
► AUX-LDEX - Assistant License & Document Examiner	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to work in a Regional Examination Center and assist with proctoring mariner licensing exams. Completion of this personal qualification does not authorize Auxiliarists to issue or evaluate mariner license documents.
► AUX-LR - Assistant Liferaft Inspector	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to inspect liferafts and their associated equipment in all routine periodic tests. Completion of this personal qualification does not authorize approval of construction standards, tests, or repairs of liferafts.
► AUX-MEES - Marine Environmental Education Specialist ─ AUX-MEES - Marine Environmental Education Specialist Study Guide	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to act as a Marine Environmental Education Specialist providing short duration (8 hour or less) seminars on selected Marine Environmental Protection topics to a wide range of audiences.
► AUX-MSAM - Marine Safety Administrative & Management Specialist ─ AUX-MSAM - Study Guide for Marine Safety Administrative & Management Specialist Due to recently reported problems with incorrect information contained in the on-line AUX-MSAM Study Guide the link has been removed from the M Department website	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification an Auxiliarist will hold the minimum competencies to successfully fulfill staff positions in a District or National post. This Standard is not intended to be a mandatory prerequisite for any assignment. Instead, it is intended to be a professional development tool for any/all Auxiliarists interested in serving in a post above Flotilla Staff Officer.
► AUX-MSW - Marine Safety Watchstander	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies necessary to complete a Marine Safety Watch. The Marine Safety Watchstander is intended to be a conduit for receiving, passing, and recording information. He/she is expected to be able to follow directions and to conduct activities described in the unit Quick Response Sheets (QRS). If a situation arises that is not covered in the QRS, or if the watchstander fails to obtain voluntary compliance with the requirements described in the QRS, he/she is expected to contact a watch supervisor/Command Duty Officer for direction. Auxiliarists do not have law enforcement authority. They cannot independently exercise COTP, OCMI, or FOSC authority and may become personally liable for actions they take outside of prescribed directives. Do not allow an Auxiliary Watchstander to be placed in a position that will compromise the limitations on the member’s authority.
► AUX-PSC - Port State Control Dispatcher	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies necessary to perform the vetting and dispatch functions in the Port State Control office of a Vessel Safety Branch.
► AUX-UPV - Uninspected Passenger Vessel Examiner	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to examine Uninspected Passenger Vessels (UPV) and their associated equipment for compliance with the applicable safety regulations in 46 CFR Subchapter C.
► AUX-UTV - Uninspected Towing Vessel Examiner	Upon successful completion of this personal qualification, a person will hold the minimum competencies to examine Uninspected Tow Vessels (UTV) and their associated equipment for compliance with the applicable safety regulations in 46 CFR.
► CFVE - Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examiner

PQS Reference Material

Each PQS booklet also contains a list of references pertaining to the particular specialty. Ensure your unit possesses the reference material and you know where each is located. These references will aid you in completing the majority of tasks in this manual, and help you carry out your duties in the particular specialty. Some of these references can also be found on the Internet, as can information about how Trident-related specialties operate and are administered in the various districts and marine safety units throughout the country. Links to many of these references and additional Trident information is provided on the Links of Interest Page of this web site.

Training Focus of the Trident Program

The Trident Program is the Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Department's member training and qualifications program for personnel participating in operations and support activities with the US Coast Guard's Marine Safety Directorate and local marine safety units. Completion of Trident Program components will qualify an Auxiliary member for the award of the Auxiliary Marine Safety Device, a distinctive uniform badge indicating full attainment of professional competency in the MS/MEP program, and may qualify a member to augment in certain positions at Coast Guard marine safety commands.

The Active Duty Training Coordinator at each M field unit will assign the initial mentor and verifying officer of Auxiliarists participating in the program. Best efforts will be made at this stage to train the participating Auxiliarists as trainers, mentors and verifying officers for successive Auxiliarists seeking qualification in a particular PQS. Auxiliarists can serve as verifying officers (the right to sign off on a PQS) only for those qualifications in which they themselves are certified.

Upon completion of a PQS booklet, candidates must pass a PQS panel, led by Active Duty personnel qualified in the particular specialty, in order to receive a letter of designation testifying to completion. The remaining members of the PQS panel may be Active Duty, Reserve, Civilian and/or Auxiliary personnel who are certified in the subject qualification or a related, higher level, Active Duty PQS.

Upon completion of all certification requirements of a particular PQS, the affiliated M unit commander will issue a letter of designation to the member. The Auxiliarist is responsible for submitting a copy of the letter through appropriate channels. The Designation Letter shall be forwarded to the appropriate DIRAUX (dpa) who will enter the designation into AUXDATA. A Letter of Designation can only be provided to members who have competed the particular PQS booklet in its entirety.

For further discussion of the training requirements and procedures of the Trident program, a review of the PowerPoint presentation "Developing Members Critical Skills" is suggested. Authority for these requirements is contained in ALCOAST 262/03.

In addition to the 16 specialties described above, the Trident Program includes the following training courses:

Introduction to Marine Safety (INTRO-MS/MEP)

a)
b)

Text Book and Student Study Guide
To take an exam at the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Training Department National Testing Center and scroll down to your exam after reading the instructions.

The advanced course series, (ADV-MS/MEP) consisting of the following:

Initial Indoctrination to Marine Safety (IIMS). You will need to schedule a proctored end of course exam.

Incident Command System (ICS100)

Jump to Incident Command System (ICS) Program for description and link to instructions for the ICS course and on line testing. (This page, below)

Good Mate Course

Text Book and student study guide - All courses require an "end-of-course test" to be taken on-line. The passing score is 90 percent correct. The tests are open-book. To take an exam, go to the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Training Department National Testing Center and scroll down to your exam after reading the instructions.

For answers to questions about course material or general questions about the Trident program please email Karel Kester, DVC-MO

links to sources relevant to the Trident Program

National and District Auxiliary Websites

USCG Auxiliary Marine Safety & Environmental Protection Department Home Page (This web site)

Safety Lines "M" Department Newsletter Archive (This web site)

USCG Auxiliary What's New Page Announcements may be posted here first -- before being moved to the "M" Department web site.
USCG Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Web site

USCG Marine Safety Manual

The Marine Safety Manual Volume 1 provides an overview of the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety program. NOTE: Change Notice to Volume 1, Chapter 7 Marine Safety Manual.

Incident Command System (Now Being Required for all Auxiliarists)

The Incident Command System is standardized response management system that is used extensively by government agencies and private organizations to organize and respond to complex events, both crisis
and non-crisis. It has been adopted by the Coast Guard as its standardized system for all response operations. Coast Guard Auxiliary members train with and augment local response activities and organizations. Knowledge of the ICS system is critical to effectively supporting the Coast Guard‘s planning and response
functions.

USCG 2001 Incident Management Handbook is available in English, Spanish and Russian.

NB: Knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS) and certification by FEMA is now being phased in as a requirement for all Auxiliarists.

Coursework and testing can be completed online.

Go to HTTP://WWW.TRAINING.FEMA.GOV/EMIWEB/IS/CRSLIST.ASP and follow the step by step instructions.

After completing and submitting the final test, FEMA responds by e-mail in 24 hours or less that an Auxiliarist has passed the course. A certificate of completion arrives in the mail 4-8 weeks later.

Deadline Date	Courses	Action
30 JUN 2006	IS 100, IS 700	· Members will not be allowed to participate in any Coast Guard exercise, drill or response event. · Members seeking to be qualified in an Auxiliary Operational Program must complete this coursework prior to certification by the DIRAUX.
30 SEP 2006	IS 200, IS 800	· Members designated as leaders or single unit resource leaders (SURLs) are strongly encouraged to complete required coursework.
31 DEC 2007	IS 100, 200 IS 700, 800	· Members participating in an Operational Program will be considered REYR and will not be issued Auxiliary patrol orders. · Coursework will be required for a member to qualify as a candidate for office (described above) or be appointed as a staff officer (described above).
Unknown	IS 210	· Consequence to be determined as course becomes widely available to Auxiliary members.

Marine Safety (In General)

USCG Marine Safety Manuals Compete set of 10 volumes

Hazardous Material

Hazardous Materials/Marine Pollution Basic Awareness USCG Auxiliary
DOT 2000 Emergency Response Guidebook - First Responders HazMat

Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety

In support of Coast Guard efforts to improve commercial fishing vessel (CFV) safety, the Auxiliary is training and assigning dockside examiners. These members conduct CFV exams dockside and inspect both the boat and the safety equipment carried on board. Just like the Auxiliary’s CME program for recreational boats, participation is voluntary and there is no penalty if a boat fails the exam. Safety Lines Vol. 1 No. 2.

Dockwalker Program

A companion to the CFV safety check program is the “Dockwalker” program. This program provides members who may not have the time or interest to train for the specialized work of vessel inspectors the opportunity to act as dockside public affairs officers. Dockwalkers provide critical information materials to fishing vessel crews. They are frequently the first point of contact with the fishermen and are able to encourage the voluntary dockside exam. Safety Lines Vol. 2 No.1

State Emergency Management Offices

For Emergency Management Offices, see the FEMA Regional Offices - click the link for the particular State Emergency Management Agencies and Offices.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Environmental Protection and Sea Partners Programs

USCG Sea Partners Program

Outline and training material for the "Sea Partners" program, including the use of the new "Good Mate" manual and documents as part of that program. PowerPoint and Word documents. (ZIP format, 262KB).