Training

Look at the Downloads page for specific Boat Crew Qualification Program training materials that can be downloaded.

Other hyperlinks follow here. If you have a boat crew training page on your own D1NR division or flotilla web page, let the know to add the hyperlink here.

From ALCOAST message 033/06, the following text is good guidance for all coxswains and crewmembers:

"Operational commanders are obligated to ensure their assigned Auxiliary resources are properly trained, equipped and maintained for any authorized mission. A careful assessment must be made of Auxiliary crew and equipment capabilities against the operational scenario when determining whether and how to execute a given mission. Operational commanders and Auxiliarists shall uniformly and consistently apply proper risk assessment procedures prior to and during all operations."

Incident Command System/National Incident Management System Training

The Coast Guard (and Department of Homeland Security) requires training in Incident Management System and the National Incident Management System for all who are involved with incident response.

This includes the Auxiliary. There is now a list of required courses, and a phase-in schedule, for the Auxiliary, and in particular, for Crewmembers and Coxswains. There is a National Operations Department FAQ on ICS that provides details on the entire program.

It is recommended that the course exams be taken directly from FEMA, who is responsible for maintaining primary nationwide recordkeeping, rather than from any Auxiliary or other testing source. Course content can be self-study (online or based on printed materials) or in organized classes.

The online FEMA examinations are graded immediately (you will know instantly if you passed or not); you will receive a confirmation email (if you passed the course) within a business day, and a FEMA certificate of completion by postal mail in 2-8 weeks.

IMPORTANT:
On successful completion of an exam, forward completion verification to the D1NR Cape Cod office to have your completion recorded in AUXDATA. If you have already taken these courses (or the advanced follow-on courses), it is not necessary to take them again - just provide FEMA completion verification to the D1NR Cape Cod office. Course materials for independent self-study or for classroom group use are available at the links below.

The following courses are required (with a phase-in schedule) of Crewmembers, Coxswains, and all Auxiliarists involved in Direct Operational support (watchstanders, marine safety volunteers, etc):

The following courses are required (with a phase-in schedule) of Coxswains and operations team leaders:

If you do not have a computer or internet connection, you may wish to order course materials through the Auxiliary National Supply Center (ANSC). Ask your MA officer to order a course and the materials will be shipped directly to your home. Testing is still done online. If you don’t have computer access, you may need to partner with a friend to input the answers at the FEMA website.

Some of these courses are also available in your community or through your state Emergency Management Agency. Your local police or fire department might have a course that you can take if you prefer a "classroom" setting. Since these courses (except for IS-210) are "independent study" courses, they do not need a certified ICS instructor. Invite someone from the Sector who has participated in these events or exercises to teach the class so that they can share some real world experiences!

The Coast Guard NIMS Project Team is located at TRACEN Yorktown, VA. They have an extensive website located on HOMEPORT, the Coast Guard's public web portal. (Unfortunately, the Coast Guard's choice of web technology for their portal does not allow providing links to items within the portal: you will have to navigate manually). The ICS/NIMS site can be found in the LIBRARY section (look for the ICS item in the left column in the LIBRARY section).

The Chief Director of Auxiliary issued an ALAUX message in Feb 2007 to clarify requirements - click here for the message. An additional message about IS-210 was issued in July 2008 - click here for the message.

Team Coordination Training (TCT)

Every member who wishes to be certified in surface operations must be current in Team Coordination Training (TCT). A member must complete a TCT class before initial certification, and renew the training every 5 years thereafter (some categories, such as Qualification Examiner certification, must be renewed every 2 years).

Normally, a TCT class for Auxiliarists requires all day (8 hours of instruction and interaction).

The Coast Guard Division of Afloat Safety (CG-1134) is responsible for the Team Coordination Training curriculum. The TCT web site includes curriculum, online videos.

Use the D1NR Auxiliary Web Page calendar to assist in finding scheduled Auxiliary-oriented TCT sessions. Any Coast Guard TCT session is valid to meet requirements, so also ask at your local unit. However, make sure a copy of the roster showing Auxiliary attendees is provided to the D1NR Cape Cod office to be entered into AUXDATA training records.

Any USCG-approved TCT facilitator (active duty, reserve, civilian, Auxiliary) can lead a TCT class session. If you attend a class held at an active duty station, make sure you let the facilitator know that your attendance must be reported to the D1NR Cape Cod office; the active duty recording system will not provide AUXDATA with your class information.

Team Coordination Training (TCT) Annual Refesher

In addition to the formal class sessions every 5 years in Team Coordination Training (TCT), every member certified in surface operations must attend an annual local refresher TCT. This interactive training is about one hour in duration, and is intended to be led by a local member (as opposed to the formal TCT Facilitators who lead TCT classes). If attendance is not recorded within a given year, a member's surface operations certification will lapse (with the exception listed at the end of this section).

The Auxiliary National Operations Department is responsible for developing the content of the refresher training, to be posted around the first of each year.

The Downloads page has links to the current year refresher training content. There is both a Facilitator Guide (for the individual leading the training) and a Participant Guide (for those attending the training). Note that while it is recommended that the facilitator be an instructor, it is not required that the facilitator be Auxiliary instructor-certified.

Note that this annual refresher training is entirely independent of the 5 year formal TCT classroom training; while called a refresher, the content is Auxiliary-specific and focuses discussion around a hypothetical case.

A policy change has been made (see CG-3PCX-2 website) to waive TCT Refresher Training in years where a member completes a full TCT Class. Although waived in years of TCT class, it is still highly recommended that members attend the refresher in those years.

Coxswain Navigation Rules Tests

Coxswains must have a valid Navigation Rules examination recorded to maintain their certification. NavRules exams are valid for 5 years from date of exam (see this ALAUX for clarification effective January 1, 2008).

For candidates working to become Coxswain for the first time, a closed-book proctored NavRules exam ("series 70") must be passed to fulfill the NavRules task. This exam is proctored by a QE (or taken at a district conference examination center) using a paper exam booklet. The NavRules exam must be completed prior to the dockside exam/underway check ride; it is highly recommended that this be completed prior to any substantial underway training for a coxswain candidate.

Existing coxswains renewing their 5-year NavRules requirement take an open-book NavRules exam ("series 95"). This can be entirely handled online by the member, or can also be administered by a QE.

Online tests get entered into AUXDATA automatically; paper tests must be scored and entered at the D1NR Cape Cod office. Note that the online testing system is very limited in what web browsers may be used, but will check your browser and let you know if you can proceed with a test session.

Both types of NavRules exams can also be taken at the Testing Center at D1NR District Conferences on a walk-up basis (no reservation needed).

Coxswain Operations Policy and National SAR Policy Examination

The results of the exam are noted by a mentor, and the task is signed in the candidate's Qualification Guide. DO NOT SEND COMPLETION INFORMATION TO THE D1NR CAPE COD OFFICE. The results of the Coxswain Operations Policy Examination is only needed between you and your mentor, there is no AUXDATA entry or record kept by the district.

There are two preparation files from the Chief Director's office to assist in preparation for the examination: the first is the question pool used for the examination, the second is the list of answers (and underlying reference for each of the questions). These files are available here:

At this time, the examination is only available online (look for the Operations Policy examination).

Operational Risk Management

This material is being developed. The page-under-construction can be found here. When initially completed, the What's New page will be updated.

Incident Command System/National Incident Management System Training

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Team Coordination Training (TCT)

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Team Coordination Training (TCT) Annual Refesher

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Coxswain Navigation Rules Tests

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Coxswain Operations Policy and National SAR Policy Examination

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Operational Risk Management

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