Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Pacific) – Unit 33

And

Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

 

All Rules and Regulations and By-Laws of the CCGA(P) shall apply to all members.  In addition, the following shall apply to all Unit 33 members:

 

Vessel Operation:

 

1.      The vessel shall be used for authorized activities only.  This would include incidents, training, authorized special events and sea trial after repair and fueling. Only CCGA members are allowed on board. All CCGA Unit 33 members must also belong to the Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society. Any other activity must be pre-authorized by the Unit Leader.

 

2.      The vessel must be properly maintained with all necessary SAR equipment on board.  Any deficiencies must be reported by the Coxswain to the Maintenance Crew Chief or the Unit Leader immediately.

 

3.      When it is necessary to stand down the vessel, the Coxswain or Maintenance Crew Chief must advise the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC). Once JRCC has been notified the Unit Leader, CCGA Units 35 and 36 must also be notified by pager. (Procedures are posted in the boat house) When the vessel is ready to return to service JRCC must be advised again.

 

4.      The appointment of Coxswain is at the sole discretion of the Unit Leader.

 

5.      The vessel shall be adequately crewed. The following minimums shall apply but may be circumvented at the discretion of the Coxswain under extraordinary circumstances.  However, the vessel is never to be operated single handed.

·        During daylight hours – Coxswain plus one (1) crew member

·        During dark hours – Coxswain plus two (2) crew members

 

6.      All personnel on board must wear a Department of Transport/CCG approved PFD.  Cruiser suits must be worn at night and during rough weather. Helmets to be worn at the discretion of the Coxswain.

 

7.      Unit 33 will supply as much personal safety gear as possible, however it is the responsibility of crew members to ensure they have proper apparel and equipment when on the vessel.

 

8.      Should a Coxswain or crew member fail to conform to the requirements of CCGA(P) and/or CCGA(P) Unit 33 regulations, the Unit Leader may have that person removed from their respective duty.  Complaints pertaining to the conduct of a Coxswain or crew member may be forwarded to the Unit Leader, in writing.

 

9.      Channel 16 is to be monitored at all times when under way.  Channels 04A and 83A may be used to contact CCG or other rescue vessels. 

 

10.  The vessel shall be operated in a seamanship manner at all times, with due regard to our high public profile.  Cruising speed will be strictly observed except in emergencies. Cruising speed is defined as a maximum of 4,000 RPM during the day and 3,500 RPM during the night.

 

11.  The lanyard attached to the kill switch must be worn at all times by the helmsman when the vessel is under way.

 

12.  Smoking on the vessel or in the boathouse is not permitted.

 

13.  The consumption of alcohol and/or any performance altering drugs (prescription or illegal) while on call is not permitted. See #3 under Coxswain’s Duties.

 

Coxswain Duties:

 

1.      Coxswains shall ensure that crew members receive the necessary on the water Training, as detailed by the unit Training Officer, to complete the “Crew Level” requirements. 

 

2.      The coxswain may recommend a crew member be promoted to the position of coxswain.  This recommendation shall be brought forward to the Unit Leader for consideration.

 

3.      The coxswain must refuse to allow a crew person on board if he feels this person in incapable or unable to adequately perform the duties of a crew member.

 

4.      The coxswain shall ensure the vessel is operated in a safe manner at all times.

 

5.      The coxswain must refuse a mission if he feels it is beyond the capability of either the vessel or the crew.

 

6.      It is the responsibility of the coxswain to see that the “Trip Log” for the vessel is kept up to date and remains in the boathouse. The log shall be an ongoing and continuous record of the operation of the vessel.  The engine hours shown on the hour meters at start up and shut down shall be recorded in the log at the end of each operation.  Any irregularities to be noted and the Unit Leader informed.

 

7.      Incident and training forms shall be completed in a timely manner and left in the boathouse.

 

8.   The coxswain shall ensure that the vessel is properly maintained and cleaned.

      Any problems existing at the completion of training or an incident must be noted and an explanation written in the log. All problems must be fixed or the Maintenance Crew Chief notified immediately.

 

9.      The coxswain may delegate duties on the vessel but he is ultimately responsible to see these duties completed.

 

10.  According to CCGA Regulations, the Collision Regulations and the Small Vessel Regulations, responsibility for the safety of the crew and the vessel rests with the vessel’s coxswain.  Therefore, the coxswain has the authority for final decisions in all aspects of operation of any Auxiliary vessel while he is in command of that vessel.

 

Crew Members Duties:

 

1.      Crew members are required to participate in at least 8 out of 12 training meetings during the calendar year.  Failure to comply with this rule may result in the member being removed from crew status.

 

2.      The requirements of item one above in this section may be waived due to extenuating or special circumstances.  Such circumstances to be approved by the unit leader.

 

3.      Requests for an approved leave of absence in excess of three months shall be submitted  to the unit leader.  In the event of a prolonged approved absence the member’s crew position may be assigned to someone else.  Upon their return, the crew member may not be reassigned to the same crew.

 

4.      When on duty, it is the responsibility of the crew member to find a replacement if they will be unavailable to respond to a call out.  They shall also advise the coxswain of the change.

 

5.      Crew members answer directly to the coxswain. Should a problem arise between the coxswain and a crew member, the crew member may contact the Unit Leader to request that a complaint be reviewed and dealt with.

 

6.      Standard First Aid courses are offered on a regular basis.  It is the responsibility of each member to ensure that their first aid certificate is current.

 

Membership Recruitment Policy

 

1.      Because of the nature of the obligations undertaken by a CCGA(P) Unit, a dedicated commitment by the Unit’s membership is required.  Prospective recruits should be aware that members will be taken off the crew list if they prove to be unreliable.  

 

2.      Prospective recruits must be within fifteen (15) minutes of the vessel while they are on call.

 

3.      A prospective recruit will:

·        be in good health

·        be eligible to enter the United States

·        hold or be willing to obtain a Restricted Marine Radio Liccense

·        hold or be willing to obtain a Canadian Coast Guard Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Card

 

4.      Persons with related experience and who already have the required certificates and qualifications may be given preference in the membership selection process.

 

5.      Recruits shall familiarize themselves with and agree to comply with the “Rules and Regulations” set out by the unit. (See Memorandum of Agreement)

 

6.      Prospective members must posess their Restricted Radio Operators License and the Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Card and have returned all necessary documents to the Recruitment Officer before attending to an orientation ride on the vessel.

 

7.      When all crew positions are full, prospective members will be placed on a waiting list.  During this time they should attend regular unit meetings.  Please note that crew membership selection is not based on a first come, first served basis.  Persons with related experience and who already have the required certificates and qualifications may be given preference in the selection process.

 

8.      All new crew members are subject to a 90 day probationary period.  This period starts from the date of their assignment to a crew.

 

9.      Prospective members should keep in mind that any Unit member may be removed from the CCGA(P) and Unit membership rolls after a six month period of inactivity. A specified leave of absence may be granted by the Unit Leader upon written request. (As detailed under “Duties of Crew Members”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorandum of Understanding between

 

 

 

 

And

 

 

Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit 33

Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society

 

 

 

I, the undersigned member, agree to comply with the Regulations and Policies of CCGA(P) Unit 33 and Oak Bay Sea Rescue, in addition to the Rules, Regulations and By-Laws of Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Pacific) Inc.

 

I understand that Unit Regulations and Polices may be amended from time to time be CCGA(P) Unit 33, at a regular or a special meeting.

 

I understand that grievances resulting from breaches of CCGA(P) Unit 33 Rules and Regulations should be directed to the Coxswain of my crew.  If the grievance is not satisfactorily addressed at that level it should then be directed, in writing, to the Unit Leader.

 

This Memorandum of Understanding shall remain in effect as long as I am a member of CCGA(P) Unit 33.

 

I confirm that I have read and understand the Rules and Regulations of CCGA(P) Unit 33 and Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society.

 

 

Member:________________________          Date: __________________

 

 

 

Witness: ________________________          Date: __________________