KLAUS G. E. BAUMANN

1. During the period 1 September 2002 to 1 September 2004, Klaus G. E. Baumann .served as Deputy Director, International Affairs and Chief, Interpreter Corps for the Auxiliary

2. Mr. Baumann was instrumental in the support of the Auxiliary’s Caribbean Initiative by assuming personal responsibility for a significant portion of the planning, arranging, and execution of the May 2004 Caribbean Volunteer Maritime SAR Conference in which some 70 representatives of 27 countries attended a 2 day conference in Miami, Florida. His personal contributions to this very productive and successful conference were highly recognized in the attendee’s evaluation forms.

3. He was a key person in the Auxiliary’s efforts in establishing strong ties and fulfilling our “partnership agreements” with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Association, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, British Virgin Islands Search and Rescue Organization, and Citizens Rescue Organization of the Netherlands Antilles. His personal efforts and friendly approach led to closer relationships with many international search and rescue organizations.

4. On his own initiative, Mr. Baumann coordinated with the Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Association and convinced them to undertake a public boating safety education program throughout the Bahamas utilizing “America’s Boating Course (ABC).” This course has been successful implemented in the Bahamas and has been recognized by the Bahamas government as a major step toward enhancing the safety of life at sea in the Bahamas as well as a catalyst toward enacting laws and regulations enhancing safety. Already other Caribbean nations after seeing the preventive SAR efforts through education are demonstrating great interest in adapting the ABC Course for their country.

5. Acting upon a request for assistance from the newly formed volunteer Bulgarian SAR organization (BULSAR), Mr. Baumann provided them useful information and conducted a personal meeting at his own expense with this organization’s President during one of his business trips to Germany. The result of this meeting has been to stimulate progress in Bulgaria toward fostering safety on the water through the use of volunteers. Just recently, he was invited by BULSAR to attend as an advisor at a forthcoming meeting of the nations surrounding the Black Sea as they seek to organize volunteer SAR units.

6. Mr. Baumann professionally represented the Auxiliary at the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary’s 2004 National Council Meeting and at the 2003 GANTSEC Eastern Caribbean SAR Conference through presentations and active participation.

7. Mr. Baumann has continued to add and maintain ties on the Auxiliary’s website links with other lifeboat/SAR organizations throughout the world. His efforts are recognized by these links being the most comprehensive available anywhere.

8. One of his most important contributions to the missions of the United States Coast Guard itself has been the continued development and significant growth of the Auxiliary Interpreter Corps. In this regard, he successfully led the recruitment of over 200 Auxiliarists into the Interpreter Corps, which resulted in a coverage of 42 foreign languages. Many of these languages are deemed mission essential by the Coast Guard. Mr. Baumann has continued to upgrade the interpreter database located on the Auxiliary’s website and ensure it was more responsive to its customers. He has been very effective in publicizing the interpreter capabilities and availability to all Coast Guard commands and ships. Interpreters frequently deploy aboard Coast Guard cutters and serve as escort interpreters during visits of high-ranking foreign military and civilian personnel. His efforts have been recognized and commended by Mr. Jerry Yoest, G-CI, and both USCG Areas as well as various USCG districts.