NACON 2008 Coast Guard Awards

Awards

Mr. URGOLA is cited for outstanding achievement while serving as Chief, Vessel Examination and Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program Department from November 2006 to August 2008. Exercising profound commitment to the advancement of the Auxiliary’s recreational boating safety missions, Mr. URGOLA diligently coordinated a diverse array of programs that greatly enhanced the performance of Auxiliary vessel examiners and program visitors. His determined efforts and superb negotiating skill were instrumental to the establishment of a multi-year financial support sponsorship for vessel safety check decals that ensured their availability through 2011. Mr. URGOLA expertly and enthusiastically embraced new educational opportunities and incorporated them into the recreational boating safety outreach efforts of Auxiliary vessel examiners and program visitors. This included provision of materials that addressed maritime domain awareness, the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure, cold water immersion, and the benefits of digital select calling services. Displaying extraordinary concern for the needs of the field, Mr. URGOLA oversaw the development of several technical support tools for vessel examiners and program visitors, and he supervised the revision of the Vessel Safety Check Technical Guide. An ardent program advocate and team player, Mr. URGOLA worked closely with the Auxiliary’s Marketing and Public Affairs Departments to successfully commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Vessel Safety Check program and significantly raise its profile among recreational safety boating organizations and the boating public. Mr. URGOLA’s dedication, judgment, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.