Queen City Volunteers “Force Multipliers” at Work for Marine Safety Detachment - Cincinnati

Article and photos by Robert Craig, District 8-ER Navigation Services Officer, Franklin, OH
Reprinted from “Pilot House” the D8-ER Publication

Auxiliary flag flying on the MSD mast

For the past eighteen months a dozen Auxiliarists from several divisions in Southwestern Ohio and North-Central Kentucky have assumed the role of “force multipliers” for USCG Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Cincinnati.

Starting in April of 2007, the volunteers have served as Marine Safety Watchstanders. The Marine Safety Watchstanders spend 95% of the day answering the telephone and performing multiple tasks that allow the active duty Coast Guard professionals to perform their work uninterrupted. A joint venture of Auxiliary Divisions 5 and 6, D8-ER, (with individual volunteers from Divisions 4 and 18) allows a Marine Safety Watchstander volunteer to be scheduled for every day the Detachment is open.

The Auxiliarists are trained and qualified by Coordinators Bruce Perri of Division 6 and Mort Mullins of Division 5 who also conduct the required oral testing boards for the Marine Safety Watchstander qualification. After achieving the MS Watchstander qualification, Auxiliarists are encouraged to strive for the marine safety training award.

Ultimately they try to earn the prestigious Trident device that signifies expertise and commitment to the marine safety program. The Trident Award requires a minimum of 96 hrs of marine safety activity per year for four years. Serving as a watchstander is an excellent way to build time while getting the satisfaction of helping the active duty professionals perform their missions.

The volunteer’s basic role as marine safety watchstander is to man the reception desk and answer telephones. In order to effectively perform these missions, the Auxiliarist must keep track of those professionals who are present for duty and those on other assignments.

The watchstander is tasked with answering in a professional and competent manner and is encouraged to refer to the MSD Watchstander Manual to find information requested by callers. If the incoming call needs to be directed to a specific Coast Guard professional, the watchstander is trained to do so or to take a message for the staff member.

LT Stratton and
Auxiliarist Dennis Mullins

Beyond the clerical basics are a myriad of widely assorted tasks including posting the Detachment’s colors. The watchstander can also be tasked with fingerprinting for documentation and licensing. Other tasks that are performed away from the reception desk include assisting in hosting port safety and security conferences and manning the facility on selected weekends during major events.

The watchstander can also assist in facility inspections and pollution investigations (when qualified). There are also numerous patrols for Auxiliary vessel crews during the boating season and to assist the Detachment in providing a Coast Guard presence at a dozen on-the-water events each year.

The relationship with the Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) is, of course, a two way street. The MSD provides space for Auxiliary meetings and training opportunities. Most recently the MSD assisted in training the 2008 D8-ER Auxiliary National Search and Rescue Competition (NSAR) team.

The MSD Supervisor, LT Heather Stratton, USCG, has attended countless change of watch events to present awards, and is a “go-to” resource for information and training. LT Stratton, along with CWO Carlton and CPO Coomer have made this arrangement possible by recognizing our potential as force multipliers for the USCG MSD-Cincinnati and making it rewarding and enjoyable for the Auxiliarist volunteers.

~HRW