Boat Crew

Members who wish to participate in authorized Auxiliary surface operations must first have passed or successfully challenged the core portion of the Boating Skills and Seamanship or Fundamentals of Sailing Course, Boating Safely Course or the US Power Squadron's Public Education courses and then must qualify under the boat crew program.

There are three levels of qualification in the boat crew program:

Crew Member: The crew member assists the coxswain with handling the boat and performing mission activities. Skills include line handling, knot tying, communications, observation, making up tows, and emergency procedures. Qualification at this level requires only minimum knowledge and experience. Attaining this qualification allows the member to serve as a crewmember on an Auxiliary boat facility while operating under Coast Guard orders.

Coxswain: The coxswain is in charge of the facility and is responsible for directing the safe navigation of the boat, the activities of the crew, and the performance of the missions. Skills of a qualified coxswain include navigation, piloting, boat handling, communication, search planning, and emergency procedures. Qualification as a Coxswain allows the member to serve as the operator of an Auxiliary boat facility while operating under Coast Guard orders.

PWC Operator: Operates personal watercraft (PWC) on Auxiliary patrol orders. Like the coxswain, the PWC Operator is in charge of the facility, and is responsible for the safe operation and navigation of the PWC as well as carrying out the assigned mission.

Boat Crew members and Coxswains are qualified in accordance with the current Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual. Click here to access the manuals for surface operations personnel.

Crew personnel may retain qualification by fulfilling the following annual requirements:

Crew: A certified crew member must log twelve hours underway as a crew member on orders each calendar year. Additionally, the currency maintenance tasks for this position, as outlined in Enclosure (1), must be performed every three years with a Qualified Examiner.

Coxswain: To maintain currency, a certified coxswain must log twelve hours underway as a crew member or coxswain on orders each calendar year. Additionally, the currency maintenance tasks for this position, as outlined in Enclosure (2), must be performed every three years with a Qualification Examiner.

PWC Operator: To maintain currency, a certified PWC Operator must log twelve hours underway as a PWC Operator each year. Additionally, the currency maintenance tasks for this position, as outlined in Enclosure (3), must be performed every three years with a Qualification Examiner.

In addition the five year requirements are:

Crew Members, Coxswains and PWC Operators must attend a TCT Class at least every five years IAW Team Coordination Training, COMDTINST 1541.1 (series).

Coxswains and PWC operators must pass an open book Auxiliary Navigation Rules examination at least every five years with a minimum score of 90 percent. Members failing to complete the open book exam within the five year period are considered lapsed and must retake the exam and achieve a minimum score of 90 percent to regain certification and receive orders.

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Boat Crew Program