ACN 129/17 - DEC 2017 IMPLEMENTATION OF MISSIONIZED SAFETY ASSURANCE FORCE (MSAF)

united states coast guard

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE             CANCEL DATE


R 011100 DEC 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7/CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N05100//
ACN 129/17
SUBJ: IMPLEMENTATION OF MISSIONIZED SAFETY ASSURANCE FORCE (MSAF)
A. Safety and Environmental Health Manual, COMDTINST M5100.47 (series)
B. U.S. Coast Guard Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Manual, Volume I,
COMDTINST M16114.32 (series)
1. Purpose. This message announces the dissolution of the Mishap Analysis and Assistance Team
(MAAT) and the implementation of the Missionized Safety Assurance Force (MSAF).  Changes
outlined in this message will be incorporated into the next revision of Ref (A) and Ref (B),
which will be released within the next year. 
2. Background. In 2014, the MAAT was established within Ref (B) to develop a cadre of
experienced Boat Forces subject matter experts (SMEs) to quickly respond to boat mishap events
to support the analysis and reporting requirements.  Since its inception, MAAT members have
assisted in over 50 unit Permanent Mishap Boards (PMB) and served as Boat Forces experts
on more than 15 COMDT Mishap Analysis Boards (MAB).
3. Discussion. To capitalize on the success of the MAAT, the Office of Safety and Environmental
Health, COMDT (CG-113), expanded the program to include all operational communities (aviation,
boat, cutter, deployable specialized forces, and shore forces). Today, the Coast Guard is
collaborating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Training Center to deliver
the Advanced Mishap Analysis and Reporting Course (AMARC), tailored to Coast Guard operations.
This transition to standardized training for all operational communities provides the perfect
opportunity to transition from the boat forces centric MAAT to MSAF.
4. Action. Effective upon release of this message, the MSAF program will replace the MAAT as
the program of record.
5. Program Responsibility. COMDT (CG-113), with input from the operational program sponsors,
is responsible for the solicitation, selection, and training of MSAF members.
6. Roles and Responsibilities: Policy for MSAF.
   A. Class C and D mishaps. 
     (1) The primary purpose of the MSAF is to provide a trained safety professional and/or a
     human factors trained SME to assist a unit PMB while conducting a mishap analysis. A MSAF
     member may be provided at the request of the mishap unit or at the request of COMDT
     (CG-113) and/or HSWL SC (se).
     (2) The MSAF member shall act as a member of the unit PMB and assist in the analysis and
     generation of the mishap report as outlined in Chapter 3 of Ref (A).
     (3) MSAF assistance to the unit PMB will normally be by remote participation using either
     telephonic or other technical means. In some instances, the unit PMB may request on-site
     assistance from the MSAF. Requests for on-site MSAF assistance must be submitted to COMDT
     (CG-113) via email and approved prior to MSAF travel.
   B. Class A and B mishaps.
     (1) MSAF members may be appointed as a COMDT MAB member based on the circumstances of the
     mishap as outlined in Chapter 3.E.4.c of Ref (A).
     (2) COMDT (CG-113) will select MSAF members to serve on COMDT MABs based on their
     operational specialty and competencies.
   C. Air Stations, Sectors, and Major Cutter Commands shall have at least one member of their
      Unit PMB attend the AMARC course and earn the MSAF Competency.  Boat Forces units, Patrol
      Boats, and all other commands may also request quotas to AMARC for members of their PMBs.
7. Selection to AMARC training. COMDT (CG-113) will solicit members E-6 to O-6 assigned to unit
PMBs, designated safety officers/managers, and members with command cadre experience in
operational communities outlined in paragraph 3. COMDT (CG-113) will solicit members to attend
via ALSAFETY message annually for four course convenings. All qualified Coast Guard members
who complete AMARC are eligible for the (MSAF) competency.
8. For more information on the MSAF the POCs are LCDR Richard Sansone, COMDT (CG-1131),
(202) 475-5215 or Richard.C.Sansone@uscg.mil and Mr. Mark Davenport (CG-1132), (202) 475-5219
or Mark.R.Davenport2@uscg.mil.
9. Released by RADM Erica G. Schwartz, Director, Health, Safety and Work Life and
RDML Michael P. Ryan, Assistant Commandant for Capability.
10. Internet Release Authorized.