INSTRUCTOR INTRODUCTION IMPORTANCE OF VSCs AND PROGRAM VISITS IN OUR RBS MISSION IN THE ELEVENTH DISTRICT

11SR VE – PV WORKSHOP …….We DELIVER Promoting Recreational Boating Safety Doing QUALITY Examinations & Visits Contributing to Vessel Examination Growth Make VE Stations a FLOTILLA ACTIVITY

2010 DISTRICT GOALS 10,000 VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS 6,000 PROGRAM VISITS FOCUS ON INLAND WATERS WILL YOU DO YOUR FAIR SHARE?

VE - PV Workshop Objectives Review & Update Techniques for –checking certain class of vessels. –Checking safety equipment Refocus educational discussions Promote integrity in all of our work Increase boater contact

RBS Program Mission Statement To minimize loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental impact associated with the use of recreational boats, through preventative means, in order to maximize the safe use and enjoyment of United States waterways by the public.

OUR MESSAGE Although they deal with a different audience, PVs and VEs are both responsible to deliver the RBS message to the greater recreational boating community. The message includes: The value and maintenance of recreational boat safety equipment (VSC) Safe boating techniques; the right behaviors (VSC) Promotion of additional boating safety education; that knowledge is the key to a safer boating experience

OUR MESSAGE CONTINUED Marine Domain Awareness; Water Way Watch program Use of Personal Flotation Device; Boat Smart Dangers of CO poisoning Cold water safety issues; cold water immersion On the water environmental issues Alcohol and its impact on the recreational boater

IMPORTANT REMINDER We are EDUCATORS, not paper hangers The boat with obvious errors is in need of an EXAMINATION and EDUCATION of the boat owner. Passing out VSC decals is NOT our most important mission.

Visualizing The Future The primary thrust is to develop the image that VEs and PVs are in fact: EDUCATORS. We are educating the public and those with close ties to the public with the RBS message. With this “new” image comes a primary focus to educate more and more individuals.

Visualizing The Future We must continue to support repeat business, while placing a high value on reaching new customers. PV & VSC This is especially true in terms of our VSC program. The VE must educate and expose as many new customers as possible each year to sell the RBS message.

Visualizing The Future The glue, which will bind this future state, is the V Department’s operative acronym: ACT ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITMENT TEAMWORK

Visualizing The Future The operative RBS message is: WE DELIVER!

D11S 2010 GOAL:10,000 VSCs 6,000 PROGRAM VISITS LET’S CREATE OUR TACTICAL PLAN FOR 2010 FOR VSCs AND PROGRAM VISITS RIGHT NOW Plan your 2010 Flotilla Ramp & Marina events. Plan your 2010 Program Visits

EVENTS TO INCLUDE National Safe Boating Week (at least one day) Memorial Day Weekend (all three days) 4 th of July (all three days) Labor Day Weekend (all three days) Two Weekends each Month (at least Saturday or Sunday, preferably both days) Make Every Event a Flotilla Party

Making this a Flotilla Event using non VE members Have a 10X10 Tent for Shade At least 2 card tables for handout materials Hang some PFDs on the tent, attract attention Especially children’s PFDs Staff the PA Station by FLOTILLA members HOLIDAY WEEKENDS, have a picnic on the last day.

PUBLICITY Get FSO-PA to Advertise VSC Events Ask Marina Mgrs. To announce the event. Talk about VSCs during PE Classes PVsDistribute VSC and PE Class Schedules

TRAIN NEW VEs & PVs We MUST Increase our Numbers!!!! Schedule training sessions (NOW!!!) Train new members as VEs & PVs Bring back those that are REYR. (and lost their quals.) Stimulate VEs that only do 5 each year. (Encourage a minimum of 35, or more, VSCs during 2010) Encourage PVs to increase their numbers.

BE PROUD OF YOUR WORK Do QUALITY - COMPLETE Examinations Do a good Education. Explain each item. Encourage using Pre-Departure Check list. Compliment the boater, about their “baby”. Be Friendly. Involve everyone on board. Talk about Auxiliary membership. Talk about Auxiliary classes.

SOME KEY POINTS NUMBERING: Only accept BLOCK letter, properly spaced, contrasting in color to the background, and visible from 100ft. Allow a little leeway on PWCs but no multi color letters/numbers. AVAILABILITY: Educate the boater to keep PFDs, VDS, fire extinguishers visible and readily available. Discuss where to mount a fire extinguisher. DECALS: You place the decal on the port side of the boat. Ask the boater where they would like the decal, but NEVER on the hull. DISCUSSION ITEMS. Don’t blow these off. Spend time with your customer. They will appreciate your interest in them.

SPECIAL SITUATION: You are checking a boat that has an old VSC decal. Perhaps the numbering or another required item is NOT in accordance with our manual. POLITELY explain to the boater: “I reserve the right to be smarter than those that go before me. The previous examiner must have overlooked this item(s).” Then continue your education.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY The Coast Guard DOES NOT endorse products. We RECOMMEND legally required equipment not a manufacturer. A boater has a new product and asks your opinion of the item. Suggest they submit it to CGHQ for their review. We are not qualified to endorse products.

PROGRAM VISITOR SPECIAL Maintain a good supply of handout materials. Have FSO-MA order supplies from ANSC. You can order from State Boating Law Administrators. then find your state. New display racks are available from ANSC. Go to: Also: PWC Industry Assoc. American Water ski Assn. ( AWSA)

FILE REPORTS TIMELY VEs & PVs MUST report your activities. You know the forms, USE THEM. VEs use form 7038, for VSCs PVs use form 7046, for Partner visits. Use new form 7029-H for preparation and travel time for your missions. GET THE CREDIT FOR YOUR ACTIVITIES!

WE ARE NOT FINISHED!!! Did everyone sign Attendance FORM 7039? There are two more Power Point sessions. Change to Module 2 This program prepared and edited by: By your D11SR VE & PV Staff