Operational Facility use for CG Auxiliary

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BaseCampAnne

New member
Sea Coaster (22 ft) is likely going to become an OF at some point and I am wondering what others have done to strengthen the towing capabilities? (Interestingly I was asked to tow a sailboat in Anacortes Saturday into the marina since the motor was down. I declined) I belong to the Edmonds group and after some discussion I have just purchased five 4" by 7" aluminum plates to strengthen the existing cleats. Did anyone change out the cleats or prefer to go with the plates underneath the fiberglass? Did you make any other changes to your boat?

Also, does anyone carry a megaphone? If so, where did you purchase it? Do you have tow line that you use exclusively for official towing only?

Any other info that might be helpful?

Thanks in advance,

Anne
 
we put in eye bolts(cleats) check out the pictures in the (Duck) its on the second page looking at the eng right below the regular rear cleat we backed them up with plywood and large s/s washers .We have towed in 30ft sailboats no problems . Good luck
 
I put reinforcement plates behind the cleats on the port and starboard sides and one under the center bow cleat on the bow. The tow line and bridles should be designated lines. 5/8 nylon should be all you would need as you shouldn't be towing anything too much larger than your own boat.
The cheapest hailing equipment is a gallon plastic jug with the bottom cut out. That passes the requirement to have some sort of hailing equipment. I am planning on adding a second VHF radio with loud hailer and fog horns soon. You can also get a battery powered hailer.
 
My dad has a vhf with hailer on his boat and it works good. You get in the fog and just push the button and the vhf sends out the right tones at the right time over a speaker. It also has a listening mode so you can better here people yelling from other boats. Nice system
 
David,

Good to hear that it will be your second radio. On both the Icom and Standard Horizon, when using the fog or hailer function, the radio ceases to operate as a radio. I guess that's why larger yachts have two radios plus a loud hailer.
 
Hi Folks,

I have a 1983 22' C-Dory. In order to become an Auxiliary OpFac I had to put plates behind my cleats. I think this rule is left over from wood boats in that the fiberglass is plenty strong in its self to hold any tow I might do.

I have two towing eyes on my aft deck to secure the tow bridle. That splits the load.

Most of your towing will be practice tows with other OpFac's because BoatUS and SeaTow are out there and they get the tow. If not, their Lawyer gets on the Coast Guard Officer you are working under.

Remember, you have right to refuse any tow you feel you can not do safely.

Good luck. Auxiliary Patrols are a lot of fun, and you are doing a good thing for the boating public.

Fred
 
Old thread new post. Am in the process of joining the USCG Aux. Was a member back around 1980 but the Active Duty Navy travel got in the way and I had to bow out. Now with more time, getting into it again. Will qualify new (to me) THATAWAY as a facility asap.

Won't have a problem unless I have to carry all the manuals and paperwork on board. I think the boat would sink. Will put it all on a thumb drive and carry it in my pocket:wink: ...Can't believe the paper those folks generate, worse than the USN!! :shock:

How many USCG Aux Facility boats do we have? Can we get an upcheck from those that are?? I'll tabulate somehow and post it, use e-mail or PM so as not to clutter up the site!

Charlie
 
Actually I have a better siren that on the hailer. It is a demo I made up for home and boat owners--very simple alarm system. Involves monofilament, roller micro switch and a relay, plus the siren and a battery... I run it on a single 6 volt battery currently and it is about 120 dB--not sure what it would be on 12 volts--but certainly enough to give the jet skiiers pause....

Actually I rode a PWC for the first time about 3 weeks ago. My good friend who lives on Pickwick lake has one of these which goes 80 mph. He goes for a ride every day. (easier than taking out his classic mahogany runabout). I don't really approve of them, and even after riding (no more than 40 mph), I still don't see the thrill. There are a lot more medical problems than are acknowledged and there have been a number of law suits which were settled with non disclosure clauses. We use them for target practice around here....I wish. Currently they are rare in our area--but occasionally one runs in.
 
My 22' Campion is a facility, based out of Olympia.

I do not believe sirens are appropriate nor sanctioned, since our emphasis is on boater safety, not law enforcement. Regarding loud hailers, our Portland division did not sanction them. The idea was that we should get close enough...personal enough...to use our voices. When I transferred to the Sound, I was told get get a loud hailer. I bought an inexpensive one for about $6. Very compact.

Regarding tow lines, I got the specs for them from the manual and had a kid from West Marine fabricate them. I use them far more for practice than in real life. In four years of patrolling, I've towed one vessel.

Great idea about putting the data on a disk. I do the same with a old Thinkpad laptop.

-Greg
 
DRIFTWOOD DREI (22' - 2002 Cruiser) has been a facility since its "birth".
I don't think I can add anything else to the e-string of responses and advice. Having been trained as an instructor for the AUX-SC&E (search coordination and execution) course, the National SAR School instructor pointed out that, when the Coast Guard SEARCH & RESCUE Addendum to the national response plan was redone (not that long ago), the Coast Guard got out of the "salvage" work that is done by private companies; however, the Coast Guard did fight for the continued right of the USCGAUX, at the discretion of the coxswain in a "come-upon" situation, to take a vessel in tow. Most of the Officers-in-Charge at small boat USCG stations (and their Sector commanders) would rather not take the calls from private salvage/tow companies and so they tend not to agree to let USCGAUX facilities tow very much. That is not what the addendum states, however...but, then again, we work for the Coast Guard.
DRIFTWOOD DREI has easily towed (with backed cleats all around... fiberglas alone is not adequate) vessels up to 28' (sailboats at 34'); personally, it's not really something I want to do a lot of, but when the safety and well-being of boaters is the question, it's great to be able to do.
Bruce D. Weber (Past Division 091-12 Commander)
COXSWAIN QUALIFIED EXAMINER VESSEL EXAMINER
AUXOP INSTRUCTOR (yes! there is a lot of stuff on my uniform.....and
it has been fun for ten years!!!)
 
Thanks all. I'm a very new auxiliarist, just applied for membership, don't have my "number" yet. Was a member YEARS ago (1978-80) but Active Duty Navy got in the way. My reply on the siren was kind of TIC (tongue-in-cheek), I know full well it's not part of the job of the USCGAux. As for stuff on the uniform, even before I get my first AUX ribbon, I'll have my Navy stuff, 5 rows plus Surface Warfare plus Major Command Ashore. Have to read the Aux Uniform Regs to ensure that I wear only what's allowed.

The boat I'm getting from Dr. Bob, THATAWAY, will make an ideal Operational Facility once checked out and "qualified" as one.

Keep the responses coming in, I'm compiling my Excel Spreadsheet list and will post it in the documents section soon. Spent the morning in a Damage Control Trainer at USCG Station Milford Haven with 5 other Aux members learning (in my case relearning) how to save a sinking boat! Valuable training to be sure, hope we never have to use it but, if we do, we'll be ready and not afraid to get wet (which we really did this morning :disgust )

Charlie
 
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