Coast Guard SAR controllers are sometimes hesitant about assigning an unfamiliar Auxiliary boat (OPFAC) to a case. They may know very little about the operational characteristics and capabilities of the OPFAC to which they are talking. Up to date facility characteristic reports are not always readily available to those who need them the most, the duty SAR controllers.
"The training, experience, initiative
and judgment factors vary widely
among Auxiliarists"
Importantly, Coast Guard controllers have to consider other non-uniformity issues with respect to OPFAC and crews. Here we refer not to the vessels or its hardware, but to the training, experience, initiative and judgment of its skipper and crew. The Auxiliary's Boat Crew Qualification Program has gone a long way towards standardizing the training factor in the above list of personnel related concerns. But the experience, initiative and judgment factors remain highly variable among Auxiliary coxswains and crew members. This is only to be expected whenever the minimum annual requirement of a qualification is set so low.
"Like it or not, the image you present
through your comms is often the only
thing Coast Guard controllers can use
to sizeup your capabilities."
Why is that? Well, under normal circumstances, they will never see Brian Rollins' OPFAC or John Pulson's OPFAC to see that they are squared away OPFACs.
They won't get a chance to see that your crew members are sharply attired in their required uniforms and PPE, and that all members are in the same uniform.
In many cases, their entire impression on the capabilities of your vessel and crew will be made on the basis of how you sound over the radio!
WHAT KIND OF IMAGE ARE THE COMMS FROM YOUR OPFAC MAKING?
Are communications form your vessel transmitted in a crisp, professional manner? Are prowords used correctly and appropriately? Are your comms brief and business like, or long-winded and imprecise? Dose the Coast Guard communicator have to interrogate your communicator to get important information? Or are you one step ahead of them, sending essential SAR data just when it's needed?
Have you ever wondered how SAR controllers decide, among multiple patrolling OPFACs, who should get a case? Ever felt that you were cheated out of a case, or otherwise overlooked, despite being closer to the scene? Certainly many factors effect these decisions. I would not suggest that the image conveyed through your communications it the SOLE determinant in such cases. BUT it IS a factor, and it IS often used to form an estimate of an OPFAC capabilities, rightly or wrongly.
"What would lead (the Coast Guard)
to conclude that your navigating, boat
handling or rescue skills are any better
than your communicating proficiency?"
If a communicator stumbles through the assuming patrol message, fail to handle Ops and Position reports correctly, shifts to wrong channels, uses prowords incorrectly or not at all, can't spell with the standard phonetic alphabet or has trouble operating the radio's functions, just how prepared do you think the Coast Guard feels your boat is? What would lead them to conclude that your navigating, boat handling or rescue skills are any better than the most simple job of proficient radio comms?
Like it or not, the image you present through your boat's communications is often the only thing Coast Guard controllers can use to size up capabilities and preparedness.
If your "COMMS" are concise and succinct, transmitted on the correct working channels, answering promptly and professionally, and otherwise handled effectively, you convey the impression of a knowledgeable SAR resource, trained and experienced to handle most anything assigned to you.
If, on the other had, your comms are long and ponderous, not to the point, initiated on the wrong channels, botched by sloppy technique or inappropriate prowords, burdened by extraneous information, or otherwise substandard, they suggest that you're really not "all together" out there, and SAR controllers may very well want to think twice before steering a case your way.
You may feel that your boat doesn't have these problems.
BUT ARE YOU SURE?
Why not take a minute to rate your boat's comms after examining the following list:
1. Communicators who consistently precede every transmission with their full call sign.
2. Communicators who include the "Eyewitness News Report," in their Ops & Position reports.
3. Calling the Station Pier, Sector Dock or names "other" then Station Pier.
4. Communicators who need coaching with the mic keyed up. You hear the coxswains voice in
background.
5. Not saying correction when a mistake is made. Saying sorry is not proper radio procedure.
6. Communicators who pause multiple times in a report due to not knowing what needs to be said before key the mic.
7. Calling Auxcom, "OPSCON" or "OPSCOM"
8. Talking to the controller with a tone of voice that make them feel intrusive.
Remember we can always perform better when it comes to radio procedures. I ask that you read the Comms chapter in the BCASM man. to refresh yourself before the beginning of the patrol season.
Honor, Respect, and Devotion to duty.
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