On November 22, 2013 the CG Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety approved the CG Auxiliary Life Jacket Loaner Program Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines. The goal of this program is to increase life jacket wear during water based activities as well as to educate the boating public on the importance of proper use and fit. The promulgation memorandum establishes the Life Jacket Loaner Program as an authorized Auxiliary activity. Auxiliarists may be assigned to duty to support this program. The Life Jacket Loaner Program SOP may be viewed in the MEMBERS ONLY area of the V-Dept website.

Source [William J. Howard, DVC-VC]

The New VSC Decal Distribution release letter and SOP have been posted in the MEMBERS ONLY area of the V-Dept website.

Source [William J. Howard, DVC-VC]

Articles in this Issue: 'Ready Set Wear It!' Sets New World Record; Safety on the Great Lakes; Boating Safety Statistics 2012; Vessel Safety Check "Saves the Day" for a Bassmaster Elite Series Angler; How to be the Best Darn Vessel Examiner Possible! And Then Become a Program Visitor Too!; Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Checks; and Frequently Asked Questions About the "I Want a VSC System".

Click here to visit the Newsletters Page to view this newsletter as well as past newsletters.

Source [Paul Mayer, DVC-VC]

For Safety's Sake Volume VI, Issue 1 Spring 2013 - Now Available

Articles in this Issue:

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This VSC Decal Announcement document describes in detail the ordering procedure and our allotment formula for each flotilla of "last year's passed VSC's + 10% overage". Click Here for Order Form.

Originally announced 26 Nov 2012 in the What's New from the DIR-V (DIR-V Say's) blog.

Source [Mr. Kelly Townsend DIR-V]

The 2013 VE/PV Workshops are now available. These are Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and can be downloaded from the V-DEPT Web Site. Click here for the 2013 workshops.

Please spread the word to your training officers and VE and PV officers.

Source [Kelly Townsend, DIR-V]

A rule making effort is currently underway to revise the domestic regulations of 33 CFR 151 (APPS) to accurately reflect U.S. requirements under a revised MARPOL Annex V. The international MARPOL requirements go into effect on 1 January 2013, but domestic rule making will not be ready by that time.

All Vessel Examiners should review this document for the full story and what you will do as a Vessel Examiner in regards to the problem.

Source [Kelly Townsend DIR-V]

This RBS Alert Notice is to clarify the role of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and US Power Squadrons Vessel Examiners (VEs). Please download the PDF file from the link below and pass it on to all VEs that you know.

http://safetyseal.net/pdf_files/Clarification-of-VE-Role.pdf

Source: [Kelly Townsend, DIR-V]

WASHINGTON, D. C., May 16, 2012 -Total boating fatalities last year rose to 758, the highest number on record since 1998, according to the U.S. Coast Guard's official 2011 Recreational Boating Statistics released today.

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National Commodore James E. Vass, Jr. is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly L. Townsend as Director of the National Department of Vessel Examination and Recreational Boating Safety Visitation. Kelly was previously Division Chief, Liaison Division in the RBS Outreach Department.
Congratulations to Kelly Townsend.

Source [Anne Lockwood, N-EA]

Great News, the West Marine VSC discount coupon will be continuing in 2012. While this is not an endorsement of West Marine, they do provide a great service to the boater.

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Due to a number of questions arising about this issue, we felt it necessary to distribute this notice to all qualified USCG Auxiliary Vessel Examiners. The Auxiliary National Supply Center has received numerous requests for the "Combination VSC/If-Found Paddlecraft Decal" (sample below left) that has been seen being used in District 13 and District 1.

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Flotilla Training Officers get your new members involved with the VE program as early as possible with the VE BOOT CAMP - A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW which is a great tool to use to introduce new members to the Vessel Examiner Program. This is a great PowerPoint to use to get your new members interested and on the road to becoming a VE. Click Here.

Source: [Lillian M Haines DIR-V]

The newest edition of For Safety's Sake, Volume I - 2012 has been released. This new issue was released on February 24th and is available for downloading from the V Departments Newsletter page at http://safetyseal.net/Newsletters/.

In this issue is: Ready, Set, Inflate; Ten Thoughts on Increasing Vessel Safety Checks; Daddy, Wear Your Life Jacket!; Amphicar Passes Vessel Safety Check!; Vessel Safety Check Data Can Be Used to Improve Recreational Boating Safety and much more!

Download your copy and pass it on to your associates after you've read it.

Source: [Lillian M Haines DIR-V]

The 2012 VE / PV Workshops Are Available are now available for download on our website. These are Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and can be downloaded from this web page:

http://safetyseal.net/workshops/

Please spread the word to your training officers and VE and PV officers.

Source: [Lillian M Haines DIR-V]