District 7 Prevention Department

Prevention, often referred to as the RBS Group (Recreational Boating Safety), consists of six areas of Auxiliary involvement, each headed by a district staff officer. Most all issues of boating safety are addressed by this group – Marine safety, MS; Member Training, MT; Public Education, PE; Program Visitor, PV; State Liaison, SL; Vessel Examination, VE – and contact with the RBS world is a frequent on going regimen.

Member Training fits well into this department as members participating in the RBS areas require initial qualification training and the on going training programs that hone members skills such as  AUXOP courses which are water oriented.

Marine Safety is of particular importance given the national emphasis concerning activities in the terrorist arena. Some of those areas of interest involve Marine Domain Awareness (MDA) such as the Dock Walkers, American Waterway Watch (AWW) and other security type programs.

RBS programs, prosecuted by the Auxiliary, in direct support of the Coast Guard in preventing accidents, reducing property damages and losses and saving lives is the Auxiliarists paramount motivation.

The challenge: Become an active Coast Guard Auxiliarist and help save a life.

Philip Merrill, D-CP