Como. Ted Neale, Jr. DC-A ----- Vol 97. August, 1997 No. 9 ----- Otis W. Littleton, BC-ANN
Como. Ted Neale, Jr. DC-A ----- Vol 97. August, 1997 No. 9 ----- Otis W. Littleton, BC-ANN
Thanks to the efforts of Bruce Tetzlaff, BC-IEW and Tony Morris, DC-Id, the PA UPDATE will soon be found on the Internet. It's address, is long compared to some, but we believe this will resolve the availability issue so many have complained about regarding our present distribution system. The address is, http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/paupdate/paupO697.htm. In addition to having current copies on the official Auxiliary Web Page, an index will be maintained at: http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/paupdate/paupindx.htm.
There are numerous WEB SITES on the Internet attributed to the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Not all of these WEB SITES are official. However, they are a tribute to the communications skills of many Auxiliarists. The official WEB SITE for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is: http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb. The USCGAUX Unofficial page is found at: http://131.230.57.1
Both Bruce Tetzlaff and Tony Morris have been great in helping us to get started. This is a genuine situation where we can say, "Without their help, support and guidance, it would not have happened."
The Official Auxiliary Web Site is a great way for Auxiliarists to keep current on information necessary to function effectively.
On one recent trip to the Auxiliary Web site, there was, among other things, operational exercises to permit Flotillas and larger groups of operational Auxiliarists to train for proficiency in specific tasks.
Another contained a summary of Coast Guard SAR assistance and salvage policies for Auxiliary coxswains. Yet another contained a good outline for a Personal Watercraft Safety Evaluation workshop. There was also a VE and MDV workshop guide as well a pre-underway and underway check list and a SAR/Emergency Checklist.
Information furnished includes timely data on ANSC inventories, schedules of events and the ability to download various Auxiliary forms we all need and use to report our activities.
Whether you are a PA officer, a coxswain or IS officer, there is something worthwhile on the web for your consideration.
And, just think, the program has just started. There is a great amount of work to get the system up to its optimum capability. Just like most of us, Bruce and Tony are working a full time job and are volunteers too, They are going to need help. If you have a computer with the capability of going on line, get in touch with them and offer your services. In the meantime, if you feel like so many of us when it comes to this computer stuff, get hold of a book about the internet and how to use it effectively. There are several your favorite computer resource could recommend to you if you would only ask them.
Of course, the Auxiliary is not the only boating safety organization that has a page or more on the Internet. The United States Coast Guard, The U.S. Power Squadron, Boat U.S and various marine resource organizations can all be found there. They are not difficult to locate.
Once you identify a website to which you will probably return frequently, its a good idea to mark them on your "bookmark" so you can return to them more quickly on future visits. check out the various Internet providers. There is great competition, so it will pay you to find the one that best suits your needs.
"I personnally know of three or four people who are coming into the Auxiliary, and the only reason they are joining is because they want to protect the environment. They are not necessarily boaters." -- Dave Sargent
This is how member David Sargent was featured in the June 1997 issue of SOUNDINGS, by Staff writer, Jim Flannery in a great article, "NEW MISSION-USCG Auxiliary's job grows". The article briefly outlined the Auxiliary's 58 year history and how the Auxiliary is now getting involved in "non-traditional" efforts.
Sargent, Director of the U.S. Department of Transportation's hazardous materials office and Department Chief (DC-M) Auxiliary Department of. Marine Safety and Environmental Protection and Helmut Hertile, VCO, 7th Coast Guard District of Jacksonville Florida, outlined some of the new missions with which it is anticipated the Auxiliary Will become involved to help the Coast Guard. These additional missions might possibly include the identification of pollution and safety problems, inspecting ship containers for hazardous materials, working on computers in marine safety offices, proctoring licensing examinations and gathering data for emergency response plans for harbors, examination of commercial fishing vessels and uninspegted passenger vessels, help jury cases, assisting in boat factory inspections, identifying abandoned vessels and helping to manage marine sanctuaries.
It is a great story about what the future holds for the Auxiliary if we take advantage of the opportunities provided for in the new Coast Guard Authorization act.
Commodore Edward G. Neale, Jr. DC-A, also was included in the article with comments on recruitment efforts. The article described the Sea Partners program as taking a message to some 170,000 boaters and 830,000 other persons over the past two and one half years regarding the prevention of oil. chemical, sewage and garbage pollution. Previously run by reservists, MCPO Linda J. Reid, Coast Guard Reserve related how the Auxiliarists had the connection with recreational boaters. This article was a great public affairs accomplishment. Congratulations are due to Dave Sargent, DC-M, Helmut Hartile, VCO, 7th Coast Guard District, Como. Edward G. Neale, Jr, DC-A and MCPO Linda J. Reid, USCG Reserve, for their contribution to getting the word out to the public. Of course, it is also appropriate to recognize SOUNDINGS and their Staff Writer, Jim Flannery for their role in featuring this story. Soundings is fast earning a reputation as a news magazine for boaters that indeed seeks to bring into focus the many controversial and non-controversial issues facing the recreational boating public.
It's been discussed before, but one of the important duties of the PA officer is to visit the local media. Recently, we have heard some rumblings, we won't call them complaints, to the effect that it is most difficult to get articles published in newspapers or broadcast on the radio or TV.
The media visitation should always be conducted in uniform. You should have a plan to inform the editor or publisher of the role and mission of the Auxiliary. Many, especially those outside of recreational boating areas, just don't know much about the Auxiliary. Our job is to inform them. Carry with you some data about the accomplishments of the Auxiliary and its relationship to the Coast Guard.
Ask them about the format in which material should be submitted. You job is to facilitate the use of your information and stories by them. What is the deadline for filing information to get it published in the next edition or broadcast. Whenever possible, furnish them with photograph that have an appropriate caption identifying the person(s) and describing the activity in which they are engaged. Try to provide 'action' shots, not the stilted "posed head shot."
To get the Broadcast media (and the printed media) to come to you, you must have a truly newsworthy event or function. It takes more than a phone call or brief announcement of the event.
Keep a record of your visits. You should plan on contacting you media representatives at least every six months as you determine may be necessary.
This is the time of the year when recreational boating activities are at their peak. This is also the time of the year when your Public Affairs activities should also be reaching their peak.
If you really donl have any truly newsworthy events to report, try providing them with some well thought out Public Service Announcements (PSAS) that are intended to appeal to local audiences.
The slogan for this years Safe Boating Week was a repeat of last year's life jacket theme. The NSBW kit contained some good PSAs suitable for both the printed and broadcast media. You may feel they are not adequate or suitable for your area. If that is the case, make your own to offer the various media.
Remember, the media is under no obligation to run PSAS, but it is certain that nothing will get done unless and until you take the initiative to offer it.
Take cognizange of the news reported in your local media. Maybe there is some problem regarding local boating activities that are seeking some form of resolution. Just maybe, you may have some information that will contribute to a satisfactory resolution of that problem. Perhaps the information can be distributed by the local print or broadcast media with a PSA you have made available to them.
Information just doesn't walk into the offices of the media. They need the help of informed citizens to properly report on many issues. As the local Public Affairs Officer representing the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, you have a responsibility to become a reliable resource for the news media within your operating area.
Note: The clip-art below are examples found on the web page of Ron West. Flotilla 12-02 (05S) -- BLT, BC-IEW
The judicious use of appropriate clipart can be just the thing youneed to make your PSA more attractive. Clip art can be used effectively to help make some issue more understandable to the layman.
For example, the clip art depicting ranges might help explain the function or purpose of range markers and how their use helps boaters avoid dangers in the waterways.
Other clip art or photographs may enhance the visual attractiveness of a PSA. They may be used to arouse a feeling of excitement or pleasure.
The hoisting clip art depicts action relating to the rescue of a person from the sea or other body of water. Clip art allows the user to heighten visual interest in the subject. It's effective use will sometimes tax the creativity of the PA officer, but properly used, can make your PSA or other publication more interesting to your reader.
Clip art is not intended to be free standing, but should be used as a means of llustrating some activity, to elicit humor or sympathy or pathos. Too often we use clip art (& photos) as fillers, but with the variety available today, there is no reason why they can't be used to effectively enhance our message.