Conference vicki::boats

106.0. "Know your rights!" by CIMNET::CREASER (SUPER STRING) Wed Aug 10 1988 11:03

Over the past few months there has been much discussion and concern over the
Coast Guard Non-emergency assistance policy. The following is my brief summary
of the new (currently effective) policy issued by the Commandant. This policy
is spelled out in COMDINST 16101.2B and contains items which all boaters should
know.

****** NOTE THAT THIS SUMMARY ADDRESSES NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ONLY ********
      FURTHERMORE, IT IS A SUMMARY OF A 12 PAGE DOCUMENT AND THEREFORE 
      CAN ONLY OUTLINE MAJOR FEATURES OF THE POLICY AND DOES NOT ADDRESS
      ALL OF THE POSSIBLE VARIATIONS OF ANY GIVEN SITUATION.

Procedures:

1. When a call for assistance is received [by the C.G.], the case will 
   classified based on a checklist of items used to determine the appropriate 
   emergency phase. When all items are deemed not to exist or are non-emergency 
   in nature the Coast Guard defer to an alternate responder.

2. For Non-Distress situations, the C.G. will "advice and seek desires" from
   the skipper. This may include contacting a friend or specific commercial
   assistance provider.

3. When specific alternate assistance is not requested or available, the C.G.
   should ask the skipper if he desires a Marine Assistance Request Broadcast
   (MARB). If agreed the C.G. will make this broadcast "invitation" on VHF
   Channel 16. If the skipper declines the MARB, the C.G. need take no further
   action other than to monitor the situation.

4. If a MARB has been issued the clock starts running in that if there is
   no response within 10 minutes then C.G. Auxiliary vessels may be directed
   to respond. Auxiliary vessels may also be directed to respond if no
   alternate responder can actually do so within a "reasonable period of
   time (normally not exceeding one hour)". 

5. If the assistance requester refuses offers of assistance from a Good
   Samaritan or Auxiliarist, another MARB may be issued or the C.G. may
   choose to intervene and dispatch a different Auxiliary vessel or a
   Coast Guard resource.

6. If the assistance requester refuses offers by the first commercial provider,
   the C.G. may issue a second MARB or provide the telephone numbers of other
   commercial providers so that the skipper may contact them through the
   Marine Radiotelephone Operator. 

7. If a commercial provider is standing by at the scene after all the options
   above have been utilized, then it is made clear to the skipper that
   neither Coast Guard nor Auxiliary units will be dispatched. As always the
   situation will continue to be monitored for changing conditions by the C.G..

8. When an Auxiliary vessel on routine safety patrol discovers a vessel
   requesting assistance, but not in radio contact with the Coast Guard, it
   should relay the request to the Coast Guard operational commander and the 
   Auxiliary vessel may undertake to provide assistance if capable.


I can supply further details in a second installment, if you noters wish 
to see more.   

Jerry