US Coast Guard Auxiliary

Marine Safety and Environmental Protection “M” Department

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Department Mission Statement 2001 emphasized that “We are the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s core tem of specialists in marine safety and environmental protection. Our principal Mission is to support the marine safety and environmental protection programs and activities of the United States Coast Guard. Our program objective is to supply need-based support to marine safety and environmental protection activities of the Coast Guard, based on local experiences, needs and member capabilities. We accomplish our principal mission and objective by providing training, expert resources and field technical support to Auxiliary members and to local Coast Guard and Auxiliary units.” To achieve this objective we chose the three C’s: “Communications – Coordination – Customer Service”. To meet the challenges and opportunities of 2003 and 2004, we feel that to continue with this process, will enhance the competency of Auxiliary members and in consequence improve the reliability of Auxiliary support to our customers.

SHORT-TERM GOALS (2 YEARS)

1. Complete the implementation of the Trident Program and ensure fast, reliable and convenient access to Trident training and documents through e-publishing.

2. Promote member interest in and enrollment in the Trident Program and continue to promote the program as the Auxiliary’s “standard of excellence” in marine safety and environmental protection missions.

3. Continue to familiarize members with the Personal Qualifications Statement (PQS) documents and their role in qualifying members for work in the field in marine safety and environmental protection missions.

4. Support the national initiative for waterway safety and security. Inform the Auxiliary members as to the opportunities for Auxiliary involvement in Harbor Safety Committees and in working with local Marine Safety Offices or Activities commands. These opportunities include Maritime Domain Awareness Patrols, administrative support for Vulnerability Security Assessment Audits, Maritime Domain Awareness outreach to Marinas, Marine dealers and Recreational Boaters. Provide appropriate training for Auxiliarists, such as need-based Personal Qualification Standards (PQSs), for example “Auxiliary Assistant Harbor Safety Officer” and  other PQSs presented by the TRIDENT Program.

5. Recreational Boating Subcommittee Initiative – Pilot Program – Creation of the              Position of “Auxiliary Waterway Management Coordinator” to assist the MSO/           Activities Commanding Officers in the establishment of Recreational Boating            Subcommittees on local Harbor Safety Committees (HSC).

6. Engage Auxiliary members in effective and appropriate roles in Homeland Security. These roles involve training and planning for individual and unit readiness. Promote the enrollment of Auxiliary members in ICS training and in the preparation of emergency response plans for local Auxiliary units. Under the guidance of the Coast Guard, train and cross-train with local emergency response organizations. Support Coast Guard units in the planning, execution and evaluation of readiness exercises.

7. Promote and publish the Trident Program.  Inform active duty Coast Guard units and commanders about the program content and how they can promote unit readiness through service as mentors and verifying officers.

8. Promote interest in and awareness of the GOOD MATE environmental education program for members.  Encourage member enrollment in the GOOD MATE course and the use of the course as a public affairs initiative with the marina industry.

9. Develop and implement a comprehensive marine environmental education initiative centered on the SEA PARTNERS program.  Partner with the Ocean Conservancy, the education office at NOAA’s National Ocean Service, the environmental education program at EPA, the National Conservation Training Center at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Mammal Laboratory’s educational program.

10. Develop and publish curricula guides for members to use in marine environmental education programs in schools and in public affairs activities.

11. Expand Auxiliary involvement in the 100^th Meridian Task Force and the federal/state partnership to stop the transport of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) by recreational boaters.  Support Coast Guard initiatives in this area and expand member training opportunities.  Involve Auxiliary members in ANS education and mitigation efforts in partnership with state conservation agencies and local marina operators.

12. Promote and expand the involvement of Auxiliary members in the National Clean Boating Campaign, including the development of a formal MOU in support of the campaign and public affairs kits for Auxiliary units to use in promoting the national clean boating effort.

13. Promote the Auxiliary’s expanded support and effective involvement in the work of the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center.  Expand the maritime school visit and monitoring program.  Train and assign Auxiliary members to staff regional examination centers and to support the processing of merchant mariner documents. 

14. Promote the development and expansion of Auxiliary involvement in support activities with the Coast Guard’s Container Inspection Training and Assistance Team.  Qualify Auxiliary members in HAZMAT awareness and in related container inspection and security support missions. 

15.  In conjunction with the Trident Program’s educational initiatives, introduce Auxiliary members to the opportunities to qualify and serve as marine inspectors in a wide variety of commercial vessels, including especially “Uninspected Passenger Vessels,” small ferries and other commercial vessels less than 65 feet in length.

16. Promote and expand the Auxiliary’s dockside fishing vessel examination program.  With security and national defense obligations commanding a greater share of Coast Guard resources, this program depends on the continued commitment of Auxiliary members to serve on the front line of personnel safety for the commercial fishing industry.

17. Improve the use and effectiveness of the Auxiliary Website and the Marine Safety Department’s Web page as a communications tool for Auxiliary members.   Keep the Department’s Safety Lines newsletter current and complete with member-centered information to encourage, inform and support member interest in the Auxiliary’s marine safety and environmental protection program.

18. Improve and expand member recognition in marine safety efforts.  Promote the new Auxiliary Marine Safety Device (the “M Pro Pin”) as a hallmark of recognition for professional achievement in marine safety and environmental protection missions of the Auxiliary. 

19. Promote and champion accurate and complete documentation methods and formats for the recording of member work and the tabulation of member contributions to the national marine safety and environmental protection effort.

20. Seek partnerships with the national Departments of Operations – Boating –             Education – Vessel Examination – Training to meet foregoing goals as             appropriate. Reach out by establishing POCs in all MSEP Department-Divisions             to liaise with our partners. Reorganize the Strategic Planning Division to create             the position of BC-ORP/MPO for joint Operations/MSEP Planning and Readiness. Review and rewrite job descriptions of members of the Strategic Planning Division to reflect our outreach initiative.

LONG-TERM GOALS (5 YEARS)

1. Identify Auxiliary marine environmental protection initiatives as a major component of national volunteerism efforts for stewardship of the marine environment.  Distinguish the role of the Auxiliary in this area and reflect credit on the Coast Guard’s role as a good steward and protector of the marine environment.

2. Establish the Auxiliary as a recognized element of the Coast Guard’s marine safety and security programs and a force multiplier that is built into local unit manning and organization.   Achieve seamless integration of Auxiliary personnel into Coast Guard marine safety missions for which they may be appropriately utilized.

3. Identify the Auxiliary as a premier element of the national commercial vessel examination program, particularly for small commercial vessels most suitable for Auxiliary inspection.  Establish the dockside fishing vessel examination program as a core element of Auxiliary support and expand the scope and effectiveness of this program to insure a greater impact on the customer population.

4. Establish the Auxiliary as a critical force in readiness planning and emergency response and use the Auxiliary to build effective, working partnerships with state and local emergency response organizations working in the maritime environment.

5. Establish the Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Department as a recognized center of excellence in member training, resource support, recognition of members and effective utilization of members in mission-critical assignments to the U.S. Coast Guard.

1/11/03