1

Raising the Bar in Boater Education...............2

Soundings Magazine Benefits Online!............3
A New Wave of Cooperation with USACE.....4
Grant Proposal Tips, Part 2...............................5
Welcome Aboard, BC-BSA!............................5
Brainstorming Techniques...........................6-7




Watercraft and Vessel Safety
THE NEWSLETTER FROM THE U.S. COASTGUARD AUXILIARY DEPARTMENTOF BOATING
Department Chief: Jesse L. Harrup, Jr., DC-B, 1201 Canterbury Lane, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-2709
Newsletter Editor: Heather Bacon-Shone, BC-BRN [email protected]



Jesse L. Harrup, Jr., DC-B
In this newsletter, we often showcase our three
divisions missions in various ways, so that our
members can better understand the Boating
Departments responsibilities.
Since until two years ago, our department had
no district staff officers unlike the other nine
national departments it was often difficult for our
members to understand, relate to, or even see
evidence of any of our missions at the flotilla,
division, or district levels.
However, many of our Boating Department
missions can affect members at the flotilla level.
The easiest mission to present comes from our
Resources Division. This division enables
Auxiliarists to request grant funding for local
projects, by coordinating with CGAuxA to develop
and maintain grant programs.
The Web Branch of the Resources Division
maintains list servers that facilitate communication
directly from the DC-B to Flotilla Commanders.
This streamlined process greatly increases the
likelihood that key information will reach you, the
member, in a timely manner.
Finally, the Resources Divisions Newsletter
Branch is yet another way we communicate RBS
information to our membership.
The Liaison Division works largely behind the
scenes, coordinating with CGAuxA to draft and
maintain MOAs and MOUs (Memoranda of
Agreement and Memoranda of Understanding) with
our commercial partners. These valuable
negotiations result in free or reduced cost services
and RBS equipment for Auxiliary members.
Our third division, the States Division, works with
the USCGAUX district SLOs (State Liaison
Officers) and DSO-SLs (or equivalent management
officers) to promote maximum benefits from our
partnerships with all fifty states, plus Washington,
DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
These benefits include education, public affairs,
vessel safety checks, and operations. The states
and USCGAUX also share personnel resources for
marine environmental missions: these mutual RBS-
type missions not only augment the states limited
on-water personnel resources, but also provide the
Auxiliary additional mission opportunities.
It is because of the hard work of our Liaison
Officers that so many flotilla-level members have
the opportunity to participate in joint USCGAUX-
State missions.
So, although there are few DSOs, SOs, and
FSOs to remind Auxiliarists of the Boating
Department on a regular face-to-face basis, I
hope this description of our Divisions work
provides a glimpse into how we in the Boating
Department are, in fact, putting our members first
through our missions.
Till next time, keep er tween the buoys.
J ess


2

Gus Formato, BC-BSA
The bar has been raised. Is your state leading
the nation in boating safety education or is it trying
to catch up?
During the weekend of March 24-26, 2006, the
U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, First District, Southern
Region held its annual District Conference in
Groton, Connecticut.
Reflecting D1SRs active support of boating
safety programs, a notable highlight of this event
was the SLO Roundtable presented by Harvey
Miller, DDO, CG/SS, Steve Biro, SLO, CT and
Eleanor Mariani, BLA, CT.
The focus of the roundtable discussion was local
states Boating Safety Education Requirements.
Roundtable participants began by discussing
Connecticuts requirements for the issuance of a
Safe Boating Certificate. Connecticut was a pioneer
in requiring most state boaters to successfully
complete one of three safe boating courses before
legally operating a boat on state waters.
In Connecticut, boaters must have a Safe
Boating Certificate in order to operate any
motorized vessel or sailboat in excess of 19.5 feet
in length. All Connecticut residents, owners of real
property in Connecticut, and anyone using
Connecticut waterways more than 60 days per year
are subject to these requirements.
As an alternative to the classroom course, the
Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection allows experienced boaters to take a 50-
question, multiple-choice Equivalency Examination.
Connecticut also requires PWC operators to
successfully complete both an approved boating
course and a personal watercraft course in order to
obtain a Certificate of Personal Watercraft.
Frank Catena, SLO, NJ , informed the group that
New J ersey has recently adopted similar
legislation. In New J ersey, successful completion
of an approved boating safety course is now a
requirement to obtain a boating operators license.
This requirement is applicable to all motorized
vessels in excess of 10 HP, as well as PWCs.
Like Connecticut, New J ersey legislation
provides for a test-out option, whereby
experienced boaters (100+ hours of operating
experience), born prior to 1979, may take an exam
in lieu of completing a boating safety course.
Candidates may only attempt to pass this exam
once. If they are unsuccessful, they will be required
to complete an approved boating safety course.
Currently test-out exams are only administered by
the New J ersey State Police. However, provisions
are being drafted to allow the USCGAUX as well as
the United States Power Squadron to administer
the test-out exams.
Louis Liotti, SLO, NY advised the group that the
Empire State is exploring similar legislation.
How does your state compare? Check the
graphic below, or find specifics at the following
website:
http://www.nasbla.org/education_requirements.htm
Additional information is available at the
NASBLA website, http://www.nasbla.org/, as well
as the USCGAUX Boating Department website,
http://www.auxbdept.org/.
In conclusion, proactive approaches to boating
safety legislation ensure all recreational boaters a
safer and more enjoyable time on our waterways.
States that include PWC Safe Operation Course Information
States having safe operat ion
course information
DC
As of January 2006
(M-98-100)
As of April 25, 2006
States Requiring Motorboat Operator Proof of Proficiency
Education Req Birthday-based
Short-Term Phase-In & May Require Operators License
DC
Ed Req PWCs Onl y for Certain
Ages Onl y or Rentals Onl y
Education Req Certain Ages Onl y
(Usuall y preteens &/or teens &/or young adults only)
Note that each state has unique requirements that
may impact different age operators. For example:
D.C. requires all age operators to be certified.
VI
PR
AS GU CM
1/1/83
1/1/89
1/1/89
1/1/82
1/1/82
12/31/86
7/1/72
1/1/78
1/1/86
1/2/74
8/29/84
1/2/89
1/1/86
1/2/88
6/30/80
7/2/72
3



David Delich, BC-BLP
Easy Access via http://shopauxiliary.com/


The tremendous benefits being provided by
Soundings Magazine can now be accessed online
by going to http://shopauxiliary.com/ and clicking on
the members only access block for Soundings!
The agreement signed with Soundings
Magazine includes the following key benefits:
Discounted annual Soundings subscription
Free copies of Soundings for PE class
students when requested by FSO-PEs
Discounted price for booklet, 101 Answers
To Your Toughest Boating Questions
Free publishing of PE class schedules in
regional editions of Soundings
Free subscription to Trade Only journal to
requesting FCs, PE officers at national,
district, division and flotilla levels.

Also, watch for news in December about how
consenting FCs and PE officers at national, district,
division and flotilla levels can receive free annual
subscriptions! This benefit must wait for the new
calendar year when new appointees take office.
Soundings publishes a magazine containing
very interesting articles focused on topics not found
in other boating magazines. Many relate to boating
safety and seamanship issues. Regular features
include Know How, Seamanship Quiz, Coast
Guard Response Report, Regional Calendar
(containing boat shows, dealer events,
tournaments, instructional classes including PE
classes) and much, much more!
Soundings contains articles relating to both sail
and power boats!
A sampling of some of the articles in the May
2006 edition included New Propulsion Systems,
Fire Destroys Storied Bimini Bar, Boat Show
Delivery Turns Into a Tragedy, Wraparound
PFD Tops PFD Contest, Taking the Search Out
of Search and Rescue, Analysis of Tour Boat
Tragedy on Lake George, NYK and the list
goes on This is a vital magazine for Auxiliarists!
The Trade Only journal is published by
Soundings and has timely articles about
developments in the recreational boating trades.
Auxiliarists qualify for this magazine by virtue of our
involvement in the Auxiliarys mission of
recreational boating safety.
What about Auxiliary members without access to
online services? They are encouraged to ask
another Auxiliarist who does have online access,
such as the FSO-CS, to log on to the above
website so they can obtain these fantastic benefits.
And remember, FCs, we are depending on
you to distribute this issue of WAVES if you
dont, your flotilla members may miss out on
accessing the terrific benefits outlined above.
To view the complete MOA and a summary
document, visit the Boating Departments website
at http://www.auxbdept.org. For questions about
the Soundings MOA, contact David Delich, BC-
BLP at [email protected] and go to
http://shopauxiliary.com/ right now while you are
online to visit the members-only Soundings site!

4

Atul Uchil, PhD, BC-BLA
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and
the USCGAUX have always cooperated at the local
flotilla level.
In September 2005, a new era of cooperation
dawned between the USACE and USCGAUX.
Many months of negotiations, backed by the will
and perseverance of a few determined individuals,
led to the signing of a tri-lateral Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the USACE, USCG
and USCGAUX.
The MOU focuses primarily on the following
functional areas:
1. Vessel Safety
2. Public Education
3. Charting and Mapping
4. Homeland Security
5. Search and Rescue
The MOU is being furthered by the Boating
Departments Liaison Division, under the able
guidance of Division Chief J ohn Potts (LCDR
USCG Retired).
To date, the Liaison Division has conducted
several meetings with its USACE counterparts,
resulting in the rudiments of a plan. The first draft
of the plan addresses the following actions to be
taken jointly by USACE and USCGAUX (box to
right).
Those interested in more information can find a
copy of the USACE-USCG-USCGAUX MOU at the
Department of Boating website,
http://www.auxbdept.org/main.htm. You may also
contact Atul Uchil, PhD, BC-BLA at
[email protected].
Primary action items
1. Vessel Safety
Identify a pilot site (lake) where there is no
local CGAUX flotilla
Identify the process detailing how to train
and qualify certain USACE personnel as
VEs for this pilot area
Detail the logistics involved to certify
Corps of Engineers personnel in the
CGAUX VE program. Such details may
include (but are not limited to):
o Training
o Exams
o Procurement of VE Decals
o Monitoring of program
2. Public Education
Identify opportunities for CGAUX and
USACE to collaborate
Secondary action items
3. Charting and Mapping
USACE currently has a program with US
Power Squadrons to report key
information for charting in USACE
navigation database (e.g., bridges,
marinas, gas availability, buoys,
sandbars, etc.)
Identify if something similar is possible
with the CGAUX and the USACE
4. Homeland Security
Identify the USACE DHS contact and
initiate discussions with the USCGAUX
Americas Waterway Watch contact
5. Search and Rescue
TBD
5

Thomas Nunes, BC-BRG
Editors Note: Part 1 of this series was in our last
issue; watch upcoming issues for more valuable tips on
preparing grant proposals.
In the last issue, we outlined some initial steps in
the Auxiliary grant writing process. Part 1 of this
article covered Auxiliary grant procedures, how to
prepare a grant proposal, and the need to identify a
problem and its potential solutions in order to find a
project to submit for grant funding.
Brainstorming is a technique to help you
overcome mental roadblocks in order to identify
such thorny problems or to help you list solutions to
an identified problem. Productive brainstorming
sessions will generate healthy lists of useful
projects in need of grant funding.

Brainstorming
A good general idea or goal is a great place to
start, but specifics are needed before you can write
a grant proposal. Good planning is another key
component of the project's success. In addition to
brainstorming and clarification processes, a
proposal writer must research a projects feasibility.
Here are a few questions to consider:
What do you want to do?
How much will it cost?
How much time will it take?
What difference will the project make and
for whom: your flotilla, division, boaters, the
state, the nation, the world, etc.?
What has already been done in the area of
your project? By whom? What were the
results?
How does the project fit within the
Auxiliary's?
Is the project strictly local in nature or can it
be replicated in other places by other
organizations?
Can the problems you claim to be
addressing actually be solved?
How will you accomplish your goals? What
is your plan?
How will the results be evaluated?
How will the project be maintained once it's
implemented?
Why should you (your organization), rather
than someone else, do this project?
Why should this project be done now?
On pages 5 & 6, we present detailed instructions
for the brainstorming process.




Tony A. Lorenc, DVC-BS
The Boating Department takes pleasure in
welcoming its newest member, Gus Formato. Gus
will serve as BC-BSA in the States Division, where
he will be responsible for activities of all SLOs
(State Liaison Officers) in the Atlantic East Region.
As BC-BSA, Gus will collaborate with Boating Law
Administrators and law enforcement individuals. He
is very qualified for the task due to his active
membership in the Nutley, NJ , Police Department
for the past 23 years. For 16 of those 23 years, he
has been a Detective; for the past three years, he
has served as a Senior Detective, assigned to a
major case squad.
In addition, Gus is a certified Range Master and
an Instructor at the Essex County Police Academy.
He also serves on the New J ersey State PBA
(Policemans Benevolent Association) Critical
Stress Management Team and served as a stress
counselor to officers at Ground Zero in the
aftermath of 9/11. Most impressively, Gus has the
distinction of being a member of the Honor Legion,
Police Departments, State of New J ersey, one of
only 432 such police officers in the state. This
honor is bestowed on officers for gallantry and
risking their life in the line of fire, while saving
others.
Gus is a member of Flotilla 10-13, 1(SR), where
he serves as Fingerprint Technician and FSO-
PS. He is also Executive Officer of Sea Scout Ship
66, Nutley, NJ ; and a member of the Navy League
of the United States as well as the Naval Reserve
Association and Nutley Elks, Lodge 1290.
Gus is married to Donna; they have three sons
and one daughter. His middle son, Christopher, is
Nutley's newest Police Officer. Of course, Gus has
other joys in his life; these include boating, baseball
and travel. Please join the entire Boating
Department in welcoming Gus. He can be reached
via email: [email protected]
6
Ground Rules
Facilitator leads each session
Stick to the topic of discussion
Stay positive no criticism
allowed
Collect & Prioritize
(General Guidelines for Suggestions)
Ask for suggestions on given topic
Focus on collecting information
no criticism allowed!
Write all suggestions on the board
Record all suggestions voiced, no
matter how outlandish or
improbable they may seem
As a group, cluster similar/related
suggestions
Prioritize suggestions using a group
technique such as multi-voting to
create ownership of the
prioritization process


by Phil Bartle
The purpose of a brainstorming session is to work as a group to define a problem, and find, through creative
thinking, the best group decision for a plan of action to solve it. These basic guidelines will help you lead a
group to making a decision by consensus. The technique can be used in a variety of settings and is essentially
a way to facilitate creative group decision making.
While you need good leadership qualities to conduct the session, and must be very firm in ensuring that the
format and ground rules of the session are followed (e.g., no criticism; no cross talk), following this process
ensures that the resultant decisions are truly those of the group, untainted by your preferences and pressure.

Requirements
A problem to solve
A group with potential to work as a team. This
process can work with a small management or
operational team of five to ten people (e.g.,
trainers, field workers, a trade union), all the way
up in size to a village meeting of a few hundred
people
A board, large sheets of newsprint, or something
that can be seen easily by all (often an easel and
chart paper pads), and some large markers to
write on it
A facilitator (you). The facilitators task is to draw
out the suggestions from the participants, not to
impose her or his own opinions, while still using
leadership skills to maintain the order and
purpose of the session. [Note: Formal facilitator
training is available if you wish to pursue it.]

Define the Problem
Ask for suggestions: What is the most important
problem, or aspect of the problem?
Use the General Guidelines above to collect
and prioritize problems
Determine the top problem or aspect of the
problem
Generate the Goal
Reverse the definition of the identified problem
to find its solution. This solution is your goal!
Write a goal statement large enough for all
group members to see that clearly defines your
goal as the solution to your problem.
Create ownership for group members by linking
the goal back to your identified problem.
7
Define the Objective
Explain the difference between goals and objectives: a goal is a generalized destination, whereas
objectives (measurable, finite, and with completion dates) are the waypoints to achieving the goal!
Use the General Guidelines above to collect and prioritize objectives
Identify Resources and Constraints
Ask the group to consider resources available to help achieve the identified objectives, and potential
constraints that may prevent achievement of objectives
Use the General Guidelines above to collect and prioritize resources and constraints
Identify a Strategy
Strategies are ways of selecting and combining objectives, while maximizing resources and minimizing
constraints, in order to achieve a goal
Use the General Guidelines above to collect and prioritize strategies
The top priority strategy will be the one the group adopts
Action Plan!
Summarize the following group decisions on the board:
o Problem (or aspect of problem)
o Goal
o Objectives
o Resources
o Constraints
o Strategy
Inform the group that they have produced a plan of action!
Ensure that the scribe or secretary has recorded the strategy and its components (i.e. the Action Plan)
Remind the team that they have collaborated to produce an Action Plan; it truly reflects their decisions
Conclusion: Brainstorming is simple. That does not mean it is easy. It improves with practice. You can
intersperse the different phases of it with role-playing, group games and other techniques of group work.
Experiment with it and try different styles.
Good luck and successful mobilizing!








Distribution: All FCs, DCOs, VCOs with email
addresses in AUXDATA, plus NEXCOM, G-PCB-
2, and G-PCX-1 via direct email from DC-B.
Upon receipt, FCs are asked to copy and
provide copies to Flotilla members.