Member Training--the Potomac Division

America's Volunteer Lifesavers

Member Training

In this issue:

1) VE/VSC - Experiences of a new VE (why you should consider becoming a VE)

2) BCQ/OWT - Training/Currency Maintenance Patrol Opportunities
3) ICS/NIMS - It's here and it's not going away

4) RFO - Coming this fall to an OPFAC near you!

[1] Why you should become a VE (Vessel Examiner)

This past weekend I took a family boating trip to Chestertown, MD. About a 60nm trip for us and at our average "steaming" speed of 15kts, it takes us about 4 hours to get up there from where we keep the boat in Rose Haven, MD. But, I digress...

Before getting underway I stopped off in Shady Side to meet a couple who had requested a VSC for their 40' trawler. Of course, I am still naive about some of this and assumed most people want the VSC in order to get the pretty little decal that comes from passing it. I was wrong (mostly). Yes, they wanted to earn the VSC decal, but more importantly, they wanted an objective set of eyes to evaluate the safety features and equipment of their vessel. They were far more interested in me finding things wrong and providing safety information then they were in making sure they passed. They quizzed me about best practices for MOB and radio procedures, first aid preparation, you name it. All and in all it was very rewarding and I realized what a service we provide when we go out and do this for folks (and yes, they did pass, albeit I found 5 bad PFDs).

Once we arrived in Chestertown and got anchored (just before sunset), we settled down for our little cocktail hour back in the cockpit (or on a lobster boat, what is called the "platform"). As the sun passed below the horizon an assortment of boats were still coming into the anchorage and I noticed one in particular with some peculiar sidelights. Yes, this was one of the models that had a green sidelight on the port side (!). I waved vigorously and got the attention of the captain and he came alongside us (to see if we needed help!) where I also noted he showed red on the starboard side. I politely informed him about the configuration of his sidelights and he was very appreciative and said he had changed the bulb 2 years ago and must have reversed the lenses (!).

Finally, while again lounging in the cockpit late Saturday afternoon. Approaching us was a vessel with another vessel in tow. About all I could do was stand there with my mouth open as they passed astern and I could see they were using a chain for a tow line, wrapped around one cleat and wrapped around someone's wrist who was holding it tight. On the vessel being towed there were 5 people sitting on the bow with their legs hanging out. Fortunately, nothing bad happened while they were in our view (and they got dropped off at nearby gas dock), but it occurred to me that when we do VSCs we have an opportunity to educate people on safety issues around being towed by "good Samaritans" and safety in general.

Vessel Safety Checks are really about much more than just the decal. Every opportunity we have to interact and educate boaters might just be something that prevents an accident or even saves a life.

Please drop me or your local FSO-MT a note if you would like more information on becoming a Vessel Examiner and/or need the training materials.

[2] BCQ/OWT - Training/Currency Maintenance Patrol Opportunities

Opportunities abound to get out on the water, brush up on skills, get annual currency requirements done early, etc. The latest schedule is posted at:

http://www.potomacdivision.org/mt/bcq/owt/tps-s06.htm

Please contact me if you would like to particpate in anything shown, or are looking to get out more this season. We can take anyone out as long as they are a member, so if you just want to come out and see what it's all about then these are some great opportunities.

[3] ICS/NIMS - It's here and it's not going away

The latest guidance for these new requirements is posted at:

http://www.auxodept.org/documents/FAQonICS5_06.pdf

The bottom line is that if you participate in any of the following missions:

Surface operations (boat crew and coxswains!)
Air Operations
Operations planning
CMDCEN/OPCEN/COMMS watchstanding
Fixed/mobile radio facility operators
Port Security or Marine Safety & Security

Then ICS/NIMS requirements apply to you.

The first ones, due now, are ICS100 & NIMS700. All the courses and tests (open book) can be accessed from here:

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp

ICS-100:

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is100.asp

My advice is to download and read:

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS100CM/ICS01summary.htm

while circling the answers to questions on (print this out):

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/downloads/FEMA_IS100_Distiller.pdf

then complete the online answer submission form at:

https://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/Exams/is100tst.asp

You'll have the results back in a day, and those should be forwarded to Barbara Allen, SO-IS at allen@msdc.org

NIMS-700 works the same way as the above.

Both took me about a couple hours each to complete, and I even learned some new stuff along the way.

PLEASE feel free to contact me if you have any questions on this or aren't whether it applies to you and/or how to get started!

4) RFO - Coming this fall to an OPFAC near you!

RFO, what's that about? Ready for Ops! More information will be forthcoming but mark the weekend of September 23-24 on your calendar. Station Washington will be hosting our Auxiliary "Ready for Ops" day for boat crew and coxswains. W e'll be reviewing best practices for operations, SAR system knowledge and patterns, seamanship, and much more. Should be lots of fun and the station is even thinking about hosting a fellowship BBQ for us. Again, more details will be forthcoming, but if you are crew or coxswain then getting ready for and participating in this event will be a rewarding (and fun!) time.

---------

Well, that's enough for now. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions on any of the above or other training related needs.

Sincerely,

Russ Magnuson

S0-MT Division 2, VFC 21


Links Home Page Boating Classes Vessel Safety Checks Waterway Watch Join the Auxiliary! You're in Command!! Member Training Calendar	Welcome to the Potomac Division U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary America's Volunteer Lifesavers Member Training In this issue: 1) VE/VSC - Experiences of a new VE (why you should consider becoming a VE) 2) BCQ/OWT - Training/Currency Maintenance Patrol Opportunities 3) ICS/NIMS - It's here and it's not going away 4) RFO - Coming this fall to an OPFAC near you! [1] Why you should become a VE (Vessel Examiner) This past weekend I took a family boating trip to Chestertown, MD. About a 60nm trip for us and at our average "steaming" speed of 15kts, it takes us about 4 hours to get up there from where we keep the boat in Rose Haven, MD. But, I digress... Before getting underway I stopped off in Shady Side to meet a couple who had requested a VSC for their 40' trawler. Of course, I am still naive about some of this and assumed most people want the VSC in order to get the pretty little decal that comes from passing it. I was wrong (mostly). Yes, they wanted to earn the VSC decal, but more importantly, they wanted an objective set of eyes to evaluate the safety features and equipment of their vessel. They were far more interested in me finding things wrong and providing safety information then they were in making sure they passed. They quizzed me about best practices for MOB and radio procedures, first aid preparation, you name it. All and in all it was very rewarding and I realized what a service we provide when we go out and do this for folks (and yes, they did pass, albeit I found 5 bad PFDs). Once we arrived in Chestertown and got anchored (just before sunset), we settled down for our little cocktail hour back in the cockpit (or on a lobster boat, what is called the "platform"). As the sun passed below the horizon an assortment of boats were still coming into the anchorage and I noticed one in particular with some peculiar sidelights. Yes, this was one of the models that had a green sidelight on the port side (!). I waved vigorously and got the attention of the captain and he came alongside us (to see if we needed help!) where I also noted he showed red on the starboard side. I politely informed him about the configuration of his sidelights and he was very appreciative and said he had changed the bulb 2 years ago and must have reversed the lenses (!). Finally, while again lounging in the cockpit late Saturday afternoon. Approaching us was a vessel with another vessel in tow. About all I could do was stand there with my mouth open as they passed astern and I could see they were using a chain for a tow line, wrapped around one cleat and wrapped around someone's wrist who was holding it tight. On the vessel being towed there were 5 people sitting on the bow with their legs hanging out. Fortunately, nothing bad happened while they were in our view (and they got dropped off at nearby gas dock), but it occurred to me that when we do VSCs we have an opportunity to educate people on safety issues around being towed by "good Samaritans" and safety in general. Vessel Safety Checks are really about much more than just the decal. Every opportunity we have to interact and educate boaters might just be something that prevents an accident or even saves a life. Please drop me or your local FSO-MT a note if you would like more information on becoming a Vessel Examiner and/or need the training materials. [2] BCQ/OWT - Training/Currency Maintenance Patrol Opportunities Opportunities abound to get out on the water, brush up on skills, get annual currency requirements done early, etc. The latest schedule is posted at: http://www.potomacdivision.org/mt/bcq/owt/tps-s06.htm Please contact me if you would like to particpate in anything shown, or are looking to get out more this season. We can take anyone out as long as they are a member, so if you just want to come out and see what it's all about then these are some great opportunities. [3] ICS/NIMS - It's here and it's not going away The latest guidance for these new requirements is posted at: http://www.auxodept.org/documents/FAQonICS5_06.pdf The bottom line is that if you participate in any of the following missions: Surface operations (boat crew and coxswains!) Air Operations Operations planning CMDCEN/OPCEN/COMMS watchstanding Fixed/mobile radio facility operators Port Security or Marine Safety & Security Then ICS/NIMS requirements apply to you. The first ones, due now, are ICS100 & NIMS700. All the courses and tests (open book) can be accessed from here: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp ICS-100: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is100.asp My advice is to download and read: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS100CM/ICS01summary.htm while circling the answers to questions on (print this out): http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/downloads/FEMA_IS100_Distiller.pdf then complete the online answer submission form at: https://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/Exams/is100tst.asp You'll have the results back in a day, and those should be forwarded to Barbara Allen, SO-IS at allen@msdc.org NIMS-700 works the same way as the above. Both took me about a couple hours each to complete, and I even learned some new stuff along the way. PLEASE feel free to contact me if you have any questions on this or aren't whether it applies to you and/or how to get started! 4) RFO - Coming this fall to an OPFAC near you! RFO, what's that about? Ready for Ops! More information will be forthcoming but mark the weekend of September 23-24 on your calendar. Station Washington will be hosting our Auxiliary "Ready for Ops" day for boat crew and coxswains. W e'll be reviewing best practices for operations, SAR system knowledge and patterns, seamanship, and much more. Should be lots of fun and the station is even thinking about hosting a fellowship BBQ for us. Again, more details will be forthcoming, but if you are crew or coxswain then getting ready for and participating in this event will be a rewarding (and fun!) time. --------- Well, that's enough for now. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions on any of the above or other training related needs. Sincerely, Russ Magnuson S0-MT Division 2, VFC 21	Our Flotillas Flotilla 21 - Washington, DC (USCG HQ) Flotilla 22 - Washington, DC (Capital Yacht Club) Flotilla 24 - Laurel, Maryland Flotilla 25 - Leesburg, Virginia Flotilla 29 -Ft. Washington, Maryland Home Page
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