ACN 076/17 - JUL 2017 BOAT FORCES UNDERWATER EGRESS TRAINING POLICY CHANGE

united states coast guard

 

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE   CANCEL DATE 02 JUL 2018

R 031218 JUL 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N03500//
ACN 076/17
SUBJ: BOAT FORCES UNDERWATER EGRESS TRAINING POLICY CHANGE
A. U.S. Coast Guard Boat Operations and Training (BOAT)
Manual, Volume I, COMDTINST 16114.32 (series)
B. U.S. Coast Guard Boat Operations and Training (BOAT)
Manual, Volume II, COMDTINST 16114.33 (series)
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 311634 MAR 17/ ALCOAST 107/17
1. Purpose. To announce the new Boat Forces Underwater Egress
Course (course code 100144), and changes to policy requirements.
2. Discussion. COMDT (CG-731), CG FORCECOM (FC-TOT), and CG ATTC
collaborated to revise this course in efforts to maximize
throughput, safety, and effectiveness, and to implement directed
actions as per Ref (C). This course exposes boat crew members to
underwater problem solving and procedures associated with safe
and orderly egress from a capsized boat. 
3. Action. Effective 01 January 2018, all active duty
personnel shall attend this course prior to obtaining initial
boat crew member qualification for all shore-based units and
enclosed cutter boats (e.g. Long Range Interceptor and the
Landing Craft). In order to minimize impact to the field, BM
“A” school students will attend this course prior to graduation,
and MK “A” school students with orders to a Boat Force unit or
a cutter will attend this course upon graduation. Boarding Teams
and other members that routinely operate underway on boats are
not required, but are highly encouraged, to attend. Headquarters
offices will continue to evaluate this requirement to ensure
the correct risk mitigation measures are put in place for all
members that are routinely operating in boats. COs/OICs shall
discuss the contents of this message with all personnel pursuing
qualification as a boat crew member.
  A. Policy: The following policy and training requirements become
effective on 01 January 2018, and will be reflected in the next
revision of Refs (A) and (B), which will be released within the
next year:
  B. Grandfathering: All active duty and reserve personnel who are
qualified in any boat crew position in any CG boat on or before
31 December 2017 are not required, but are strongly encouraged, to
attend this course. Successful completion of this course will not
impact certification or re-certification of grandfathered personnel. 
  C. Reserve personnel: After 01 January 2018 Reserve personnel may,
but are not required to, attend this course prior to initial boat
crew member qualification. The CG Reserve program is working to
identify the funding and the logistical process for CG Reservists
to attend this training.
  D. BM “A” school: BM “A” school students that fail to complete
the Boat Forces Underwater Egress Course (course code 100144)
prior to graduation will not graduate.
  E. Qualification: Ref (B), Part 2, Chapter 2, will be updated
to include a new boat crew member “ANY” qualification task that
requires completion of the Boat Forces Underwater Egress Course
(course code 100144). Ref (A), Part 4, Chapter 4, Section C
contains deferment policy.
4. Course information: Boat Forces Underwater Egress Course
(course code 100144) is a 1-day course. In order to successfully
complete this course the member will be required to egress the
front seat of the Underwater Egress Trainer (UWET) system without
assistance, and attempt to egress the backseat of the UWET.
  A. Course Failures: Members that do not successfully
complete the course will be authorized to retake the course
subject to course availability. Priority for course attendance
will be “A” school students, followed by break-in boat crew
members, then currently certified coxswains, engineers or boat
crew members.
  B. Prerequisites:
    1). Members must be fit for full duty
    2). Members must have passed the boat crew physical
fitness test in accordance with Ref (A) within 6 months prior
to class convening.
    3) Members shall complete required medical screening by a
Coast Guard Independent Duty Health Services Technician,
physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or physician, and
document results on the SF-600, Chronological Record of
Medical Care form, within 90 days of course convening. To find
the form, navigate to https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg731/,
go to the References drop down and select Links.
5. Units shall keep a copy of this message with Ref (A).
6. POC:
  A. COMDT (CG-731): CDR Michael Keane, Michael.A.Keane@uscg.mil,
202-372-2453.
  B. FC-TOT: LT Jay Hagwood, Jay.B.Hagwood@uscg.mil, 202-475-5045.
7. Released by RDML John P. Nadeau, Assistant Commandant for Capability.
8. Internet release is authorized.