“Progress,” was a word used many times during the CSAR 2005 SMEE (Caribbean Search and Rescue Initiative, Subject Matter Expert Exchange) held in Santo Domingo , Dominican Republic this past June. Captain Mark Kern, former Chief Director of the Auxiliary and the USCG liaison to US SOUTHCOM explained, “A SMEE, ‘subject material expert exchange’ is an opportunity for emerging volunteer search and rescue (SAR) organizations to obtain ideas and advice that will help them in their endeavor.” A slate of highly experienced and dedicated facilitators gathered to share their expertise with the attendees. “By sharing ideas, we not only help ourselves we also help our organizations,” said Kern.

“The SAR organizations attending this conference fall into three categories; the mature organizations, those that are established and ongoing; the emerging organizations, those that have taken their first steps and are staring to function; and the ‘wannabees,’ those that have the desire and intent to form a SAR organization,” said PNACO Everette L. Tucker, Jr.

Four years ago then Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral James Loy, in an effort to enhance safety at sea in the Caribbean, offered assistance in the forming and strengthening of volunteer search and rescue organizations in that area. Backed by financial and technical assistance from SOUTHCOM, the US Southern Command, and executed by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary with US Coast Guard support, the Caribbean Search and Rescue Initiative (CSAR), was born.

Representatives from 12 nations met over a three day period to discuss their progress and seek answers to some of their ongoing problems. Each nation, understandably so, had problems and sought advice that was uniquely based on their category. Established organizations had the perpetual membership recruiting, member retention and organization funding problems. The emerging organizations had problems that most fledgling groups face, organization structure, funding, recruiting, liability, and community/government acceptance. The “wannabee” representatives basically wanted to know “where do we start?”

The backgrounds of the attendees to this SMEE were as diverse as the countries and organizations they represented. Men and women, young and not so young, military, government and law enforcement officers, a carpenter, a builder, a local utility worker, a computer programmer, an attorney, an educator and a salesperson to name a few. Regardless of their background, they met with one common purpose, “So that others may live,” said Mr. Jonathan Cornelius, Director of ABSAR, Antigua and Barbuda SAR.

Considerable progress in the formation of volunteer SAR organizations became evident as representatives from the nations of Grenada, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, the Turks and Caicos and St. Lucia presented reports to the conference. Most pointed out the considerable progress achieved since the last CSAR conference in 2004.

The theme, “Preventative SAR” was the prevailing theme throughout the conference. Many of the representatives presented thumbnail sketches of their organizations. Their goal, as described in each of their presentations, was to save lives through boating safety education, in the classroom or on the dock.

Some of the organizations represented were long established and well populated, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, for example is 65 years old with over 30,000 members. With 35 members in his organization, Mr. Jason Henzell of the newly formed volunteer Jamaica SAR Organization (JASAR) said, “We are the new kids on the block. We are here seeking ideas to help in our future expansion and recruiting methods.”

The “established” organizations, USCG Auxiliary, British Virgin Islands SAR (VISAR), the Bahamas Search and Rescue Association (BASRA), the Citizens Rescue Organization of Curacao (CITRO), the International Lifeboat Federation (ILF) and the Association for the Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) contributed support to the conference by providing the session presenters and facilitators.

Tourism is a major commodity in the Caribbean Islands and fickle, often dangerous weather provides the need for a volunteer search and rescue group. “The coming of cruise ships to our port and an increase in the number of phone calls to the local police, in the aftermath of a disaster, prompted the formation of our organization,” said Mr. Dudley Been, Director of TACRA, Turks and Caicos Rescue Association.

Addressing the needs of the “wannabee” category, Ms. Alex Hewitt-Jones, the Executive Administrator for the British Virgin Islands SAR (VISAR), discussed determining the need for a SAR organization in the community and constructing a plan that has a reasonable chance for success. “It’s like starting a business. Careful research, similar to a business plan, will help insure that the right decisions are made the first time around. Avoid jumping before you plan,” she said.

Establishing an organization and keeping it afloat were a major part of the presentations and discussions during the three day conference. Funding the operations of the organization went hand in hand with membership recruiting and retention. On the one hand, a considerable source of funding was the group’s own membership, while on the other hand, operating funds were necessary to keep the organization active and attractive to potential and existing members. “Time, money and volunteers are scarce. We need a good plan and we need good people. Above all, make them feel part of a team,” said Mr. Curd Evertsz, Vice President of CITRO, Citizens Rescue Organization of Curacao.

Equipment needs and methods of acquisition occupied most of a full morning’s discussion. Mr. John Chomeau and Mr. Scott Clendenin of AFRAS, the Association for the Rescue at Sea, presented points of consideration needed prior to spending money for equipment. “Consider the crew comfort and protection when choosing a boat. Include your local water conditions and the amount of territory in your area of responsibility when making your decisions,” said Clendenin.

Highlighting the dangers that search and rescue crews face everyday, a video of an actual event that cost the lives of some of the participants was viewed by the attendees. Following the film, Mr. Clendenin said, “This is a wake up call, what we do is dangerous.”

Mr. Richard Clinchy, Chief of the USCG Auxiliary’s Department of Education offered ideas and discussed methods of using marketing tools and public affairs in promotion and expansion plans. “To get the support you need, first determine to whom you want to sell your message, then plan and execute accordingly,” he said.

Mr. Clinchy was later joined by his Assistant Department Chief, Ms. Robin Freeman, who facilitated a discussion whose main focus was preventative SAR. Stressing the importance of boating safety education as the backbone of preventative SAR she said, “Ignorance is a killer; knowledge is a life-saver.” Commodore Dennis Lightbourn told the attendees of the great success the Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue organization is having with “America’s Boating Course.” Both Robin and Mr. Clinchy offered the services of their department to any nation desiring to institute a boating safety education program. “We can tailor a program to fit your local flavor and needs,” he said.

“What would happen to the tourist industry if the ports of Miami and Fort Lauderdale were attacked (by terrorists)?” asked Mr. Clinchy at the start of his “Waterway Watch” presentation. He suggested enhancing a country’s security system utilizing volunteer organizations and private citizens. He used the USCG Auxiliary’s “Waterway Watch” program as a means to implement such a program. “The program can be adapted to any country’s needs, as it already has in the Bahamas,” he said.

In his summation of the conference, Captain Kern and Commodore Tucker thanked all of the facilitators and attendees for their enthusiastic participation. Referencing the progress of some of the emerging SAR organizations Captain Kern said, “What do I do with the ‘gifts’ I received as an attendee? How will I use it? Some have already done something.”

“Wow, the conference opened my eyes to what is really going on with the participating organizations,” said Captain Kern. “We are growing as a community, our security is growing, and even the security of established organizations continues to grow. CSAR has given us the opportunity to solve problems as a region rather than as separate countries,” he said.

“Let’s continue in this spirit so that others may live,” summed up Klaus Bauman, Assistant Director for the USCG Auxiliary’s International Affairs Department.