1. HOW DO WE APPROACH NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK
National Safe Boating Week embodies what the Coast Guard Auxiliary recreational boating safety mission is all about

2. Is this an important event in your district?
How does your District Commodore feel about NSBW?
Is the timing of NSBW bad for your district?
With so many locations still having cold weather in May or too little water for boaters to enjoy is this a hard idea to market?
Do your divisions support NSBW?

3. Or is it more like… What! NSBW again I don’t have time
I guess we could do vessel safety exams one day
Can’t you pick someone else to do this
This isn’t really important to our flotilla
How can we sell this idea when we still have cold weather?
Our lakes and rivers are drying up, people just aren’t out there like they use to

4. Getting members to in invest in NSBW
In 2014 D7 RADM Jake Korn sent out a letter to his active duty and Auxiliary family, “I encourage all of you to participate in some venue that reflects our commitment to endorse safe boating and diving activities.” He went on to recommend topics for discussion such as EPIRBS, DSC Marine radios, Safety Expos, open house events with small boat stations and “Wear Your Life Jacket To Work” opportunities in local communities.

5. Getting organized
If the DSO-PA or DSO-PB is not the NSBW chair, in January your district should consider assigning or appointing an Auxiliarist to act as NSBW chair. By April they should share with you what they have learned from members
For those flotillas or divisions struggling with getting started recommend searching the internet to check out other organizations, find publications and news releases from previous years or contact the Branch Chief for NSBW
In the revised Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs Manual Chapter 10 is dedicated to National Safe Boating Week, it is an excellent guide

6. Start with a planning meeting
Start early!
Set goals and deadlines
Request safe boating week proclamations*
Draft news releases
Don’t forget the active duty in the area – ask for their support
Reach out to our other community partners such as law enforcement, marine units, fire departments, lifeguards and retailers
Prepare a report for the district commodore
Don’t forget recognition for a job well done
Proclamations can be request on local community level by flotillas. Templates can be found on the safeboatingcampaign.com site.
If reaching higher such as the governor of your state, best to ask for assistance from your district station liaison officer (SLO). Don’t overreach.

7. Get others to support the plan
Throughout the year our PA’s, PV’s and VE’s should be building relationships with the community
In local communities do we support other organizations with their safety days?
Reach out to local law enforcement, fire rescue, lifeguards and the US Power Squadron
Use social media
Speakers bureau
What are we marketing?

8. Command messages that we use year round
Always wear your lifejacket
File a float plan
Take a boating safety course
Never boat under the influence
Have a vessel safety exam every year
Know how to use your marine radio
Carry a water activated EPIRB
Attach a kill switch lanyard to your lifejacket

9. What can members do?
Set up an information booth at local stores, boat ramps and places where people gather
Stencil “Life Jacket Zone” signs at local launch ramps
Offer seminars or mini classes such as knot tying
Don’t forget to reach out to other marine partners to join in
Get local schools involved – make posters for the WearIt! campaign then use them to promote boating safety locally

10. Untapped resources
Contact your District Recreational Boating Safety Specialist. There are 9 around the country who work for the Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety at HQ. They are a wealth of information and happy to help the Auxiliary.
Auxiliarists serve as appointed State Liaison Officers for their districts, they have resources and network with other marine partners. Reach out to them.

11. Got Mascots? Use them

12. Choose your NSBW event
Wear Your Life Jacket To Work Day on May 15, 2015
Ready Set Wear It on May 16, 2015
Open House at Sectors or small boat stations, help them compose and deliver flyers, set up displays for the public, invite other agencies.
Bass Pro Shops and West Marine are our partners in the retail business – give talks on Cold Water Survival, Hurricane Preparedness and boating safety basics
Create a fellowship event and wear a life jacket to it

13. Websites, Apps and more USPS.org – US Power Squadron
Uscgboating.org – statistics, links to Aux sites and other organizations
Safeboatingcampaign.com – WearIt! info
Safebotingcouncil.org – lifejacket zone stencils and more
Sidekicksoncourse.com – children’s activities
AmericanCanoe.org and their Paddle Ready app
Boat Essentials App – from the USCG, links to CG SAR offices, boating accidents reporting, vendors and more

14. When the week is over, don’t forget to
Share information on events with the Branch Chief for National Safe Boating Week, Diane Riggan
Submit articles to flotilla newsletters, division, district and outside publications. (Check district protocols first)
Don’t forget The Navigator once yearly publication
Recognition for participants – certificates or plaques or consider Meritorius Team Commendation award