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Yea! Passed the Boat Crew Member Exam. |
Islamorada, Florida. - For some it might take a village, but for me to become “Boat Crew,” it certainly took a flotilla.
It also takes a team: teamwork, team coordination training (TCT), teammates and team communication. All is required to fulfill the purpose of learning “the approved methods and procedures for the conduct of Coast Guard boat operations.”
My mission would not have been a success without the dedication of the men and women of Flotilla 13-8. Sharing countless hours to saturate my brain with new theory and knowledge, they allowed my fingers to twist line into knots and, while on patrol, to focus my senses (sight, smell, and sound) for any possible danger.
When I raised my hand in front of our Flotilla Commander at a monthly meeting, repeating the Coast Guard Auxiliary oath, I truly had no idea how little I knew of the Auxiliary and how it would influence the course of my life. Actually, I hadn’t given it much thought beyond boating, and just another opportunity for me, in this next chapter of my life, to be active on our beautiful Florida Keys waters.
I didn’t understand that it would be challenging and rewarding all at the same time. Truthfully, I initially got involved with the Auxiliary because my husband did and. . . . well, I just don’t want to be left behind!
In the beginning, the acronyms and jargon were so overwhelming that I often left flotilla meetings confused and bewildered. The possible areas of activities were endless. I sat on the sidelines as David became entrenched in this new world that seemed so foreign and far away. I felt like I was sinking in a sea of manuals, pins, patches, uniforms, white socks/black socks, acronyms like ODU’s, ICS and TCT, incorrect hats and without an approved PFD (life jacket)!
Oh, did I mention the manuals? I gravitated towards the vessel examiner position. It seemed perfect for me. I love meeting new people and I love to talk. What a perfect combination. The online test was easy and I started in my neighborhood with my mentor. Because these were people I already knew, I didn’t feel uncomfortable in the learning environment. I started with the small boats until I became familiar with the requirements and nuances of the program.
What a perfect fit; and oh, along the way I learned the value of the flares, the importance of mounted fire extinguishers in strategic places on a vessel as well as the role and location of a back flame arrester. It was my first realization that I was actually making a contribution towards boating safety, which of course, is paramount to the Auxiliary mission.
It was rewarding to receive ‘kudos’ for doing a positive service for and from my fellow boater. They especially were thrilled to receive their ‘badge of honor’ or ‘get out of jail free card’ as some called it, when I applied the vessel safety check sticker to their boat.
Less than a year ago, however, one safety patrol changed my life. It wasn’t until I participated as a trainee on a safety patrol boat with the “Paddle Florida” kayak group on a portion of their Key Largo to Key West trip. I could see first-hand the protection and boating safety service provided by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The gratitude from the kayakers as we conducted safety inspections on their paddle craft was overwhelming. When our group rescued a overturned kayaker from the frigid winter Florida waters, I KNEW we were making a difference.
As I write this article, I have no idea how this journey will end, but I have seen how the Coast Guard inspires, motivates and brings strangers together in a powerful and meaningful way.
As soon as I expressed interest in truly becoming Boat Crew, our Flotilla Training Officer, Bob Hoffman, took me under his wing to ensure I got my ‘book signed off.’ I quickly realized that the Auxiliary Boat Crew Qualification Guide was my new appendage whenever I participated as a trainee.
And it wasn’t just Bob that was there to lend a helping hand. The list is long and distinguished with more names than I can enumerate in one article. Suffice it to say, my dedicated teammates involved in operations were always available to show me how to tie a knot, fire a flare, properly extinguish a fire with the proper extinguisher in hand or retrieve the ‘man overboard’ when you least expected it!
The method used by these selfless individuals is exemplary for an educationally sound format. Experts tell us that most of our learning is accomplished through the visuals sense; we tend to focus on what is being shown to us. To better engage and educate the crew or coxswain candidates the training team made greater use of the classic concept of show and tell with the added twist of “now you do it.”
The use of a mentor and training officer is hands-down one of the best resources for a “show and tell” educational experience. Adding the sense of touch further heightens the learning experience. The Coast Guard training experience requires a level of proficiency in demonstrating a newly learned skill before being awarded the title of Boat Crew or Coxswain, which is accomplished through the qualification exam or commonly called, “QE.”
As the date of the QE loomed in my future, I felt overwhelmed, unprepared and nervous. As I unconvincingly whined to my training officer that I just couldn’t possibly be ready for the next QE, he refused to listen or take my insecurities with a grain of seriousness. Instead, he pumped me full of self-confidence and a can-do attitude.
I obsessed over my homemade flash cards; I read them every chance I got one spare moment. I went through the entire Auxiliary Boat Crew Qualification Guide and looked up every question for the proper response and made flash cards with each question and answer. I had several pieces of line with me at all times to practice tying my knots.
This unique fusion of Crew and Coxswain candidates quizzed each other as we ran search and rescue patterns and towing exercises. Each one of us took turns with every component of the maneuvers. We reminded each other to remove jewelry, secure our life jackets complete with mirror, light and whistle, don the correct uniforms as well as how to tie a knot faster or more efficient. Each of us had our own unique anxiety over the imminent QE
One by one the training officer and mentors eliminated all excuses that we misdirected towards our insecurities and fear of failure. To top off the high anxiety, the QE was scheduled for Friday the 13th. Oh oh I thought, “should I suddenly be superstitious?”
Two boat crew persons, a requalifying coxswain and two new coxswains emerged successfully from the testing with certificates, ribbons and patches to uphold the motto “Train, Maintain, Operate.”
So when I say, “It takes a Flotilla,” you should be able to fully appreciate the depth of my statement.