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PROPER WEARING OF LIFE JACKETS

Members of the AUX under orders are to have life jackets on and zipped up while on their boats. Life jackets are always worn on piers and docks while performing line handling duties (tying up boats, etc…). We set the example by displaying proper wear in photos or on local/national television productions.  Additional information is available:
         The Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual COMDTINST M16798.3E, page 4-25

 

Need for 2 Spare Life Jackets

There has been discussion of the need for the 2 spare life jackets, required to be onboard aux facilities, to also be rated for 50mph if the facility can exceed 35mph.

We have determined, with input from both the Auxiliary STAN Team and the Office of Boat Forces, that the 2 spare life jackets do not need to be rated. The reasoning is the intended use of the spare jackets. They are not intended to be used for crew and authorized guests who are required to have properly rated life jackets. They are for PIW's or for passengers of a vessel being towed. The logic being that the high speed ops are going to be conducted 'getting on scene' and not 'on scene'. On the active duty side the vests would be considered 'survivor vests' and not have to meet the same standards as crew.

 

Public Safety Vessel Identification Light, "Safety Light"

As per The Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual (COMDTINST M16798.3), pages 4-24 and 4-25, the light  may be used while under orders in the following situations:

 • When patrolling regattas and marine events.

 • When helping Coast Guard forces in maintaining security zones during such events as shuttle launches and hazardous cargo transfers

 • When needed for brief periods of identification of the Auxiliary facility.  These periods include helping a boat in distress locate the Auxiliary facility during a SAR case, warning boats away from hazardous situation, or when SAR activity takes place within the boundaries of regattas, marine events, or security zones.

An Auxiliary vessel facility may not display the public safety vessel ID light under the following circumstances:

• As a towing light (see paragraph E.11 in the Operations manual)

• During the prosecution of a SAR case, except as authorized above

 

Anti-exposure coveralls (Mustang suits)

If the water temp is less than 60 degrees, anti-exposure coveralls are required.  The Order Issuing Authority may waive, on a single sortie basis, the wearing of hypothermia protective devices in accordance with the Rescue and Survival Systems Manual, COMDTINST M10470.10 (series), if the degree of risk of hypothermia is minimal (e.g., non-hazardous, daylight operations in calm water). 

The coxswain may request a waiver from the OIA when there is concern about the adverse effects of “thermal stress”.  If an OIA waives the wearing of hypothermia protective devices (for example Mustangs), Auxiliarists are still required to carry Anti-exposure coveralls onboard the facility.

 

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (PEPIRB) Requirements:

As of June 1st, 2004, Auxiliary surface facilities (including PWCs) and special purpose facilities not equipped with a 406 MHz EPRIPB are required to have a minimum of one crew member carrying a PERIRB while underway on orders.  Coxswains who were never issued a PEPIRB, get in touch with Stacy Curtin.

The life span of the PEPIRB batteries is about five years. DIRAUX will be purchasing new batteries for the PEPIRBs as soon as funding is available. Please advise Mr.Kilburger,OTO, if your battery is due to be replaced in 2007 or 2008. The expiration date is located on the back of the PEPIRB.

    

• All surface facilities underway must fly the National Ensign. Some facilities find it necessary to take the flag down while doing towing evolutions.
• While there is no law against flying the National Ensign at night, it is customary to fly it only between sunrise and sunset when not underway.
• All facilities must fly the National Ensign whenever the Auxiliary Ensign is flown.
• The National Ensign should be about one inch on the fly for each foot of overall boat length. See below table for standard National Ensign sizes relative to boat length.• Auxiliarists must never display the National Ensign upside down on Auxiliary facilities.  This is not a recognized international distress signal because of the flags of many nations appear the same when flown upside down.
• Make sure the National Ensign’s fly length is never less than the AUX Patrol Flag’s fly length.
• Ensure your National Ensign has all fifty stars.

 

AUXILIARY FACILITY PATROL SIGNS

                      
                           Starboard          BOW                 Port

• Auxiliarists operating AUX facilities on patrol must prominently display the patrol signs.  See below table for appropriate size of signs.
• These signs must be visible on both sides of the facility.
• A facility must not display patrol signs while it is not assigned to duty.
• If a facility is on ordered patrols for consecutive days, patrol signs may remain displayed during periods of non-use.
• PWCs and special purpose facilities are exempt from the above provisions.
• Patrol sign lettering must be black or dark blue. A similarly colored sign border or oversized mounting board is optional
• The top of the stripes always go forward on each side.

* #2 Sign can be used on vessels 20 to 30 feet

 

WHO CAN FLY THE AUX ENSIGN?   

The Auxiliary Ensign may now fly only on either inspected surface facilities that display a current facility decal or on vessels owned by Auxiliarists that have successfully completed a Vessel Safety Check and that display a current VSC decal.

Changes in regards to non-operational facilities to the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual COMDTINST M16798.3(series) will be reflected in future editions of the manual.

To: ALAUX From: CHDIRAUX     Subj: Non-Operational Facilities      Category Eliminated -012/09