HARPATS 2002

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HARPATS 2002

• Description of the
• Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Harbor Patrol Program
• at MSO Buffalo, NY
• Michael Kittell
• DSO-MS, 9ER
• US Coast Guard Auxiliary
• N-TRAIN 2002

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Introduction

• The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides personnel and
  facilities to support many Team Coast Guard
  missions.
• A new and exciting opportunity for the Auxiliary
  to expand beyond its traditional roles is now
  available Marine Safety and Environmental
  Protection (MS/MEP) Program Support for the Coast
  Guard.

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MSO Buffalo A.O.R.

• MSO Buffalos area of responsibility extends from
  the PA/OH border to Ogdensburg NY.
• It encompasses the largest area of responsibility
  for an MSO in the 9th District.

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MSO Buffalos A.O.R.

• MSO Buffalo will respond to any oil spill or
  chemical release that occurs within our area of
  responsibility (AOR) and that impacts a navigable
  waterway of the U.S. or any tributary thereto.

• For example, if someone dumps used motor oil
  down a storm drain that leads into a small creek
  ...that leads directly into Lake Ontario MSO
  Buffalo will respond. We will not respond to an
  inland lake that has no tributary to a navigable
  waterway. However, we will help to notify the
  correct agencies.

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Increasing Efficiency

• The Auxiliary can now help to increase the
  efficiency of MSO Buffalo by
• Conducting Harbor Patrols
• Conducting Sea Partners presentations
• Establishing safety zones
• Performing MARPOL V visits
• Conducting Charterboat Examinations
• And providing Auxiliary air assets

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Harbor and Remote Area Patrols (HARPATS)

• HARPATS are the eyes and ears of the Captain of
  the Port.
• Purpose To identify hazardous conditions, unsafe
  work practices, and marine pollution. To
  document incidents to support appropriate USCG
  and state actions.
• Patrols are conducted on a seasonal basis the
  frequency of patrols will vary dependent upon
  patrol area.
• Trained and qualified Auxiliary Harbor Safety
  Specialists can assist the Captain of the Port by
  conducting harbor patrols (HARPATS).

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Eligibility for HARPATS

• Boat crew qualification is not necessary to
  participate in the Harbor Safety Specialist (HSS)
  program as patrols are done by both conventional
  waterborne facilities and also by automobile. If
  the patrol is conducted by waterborne facility
  the crew manning regulations must be strictly
  adhered to! If the HSS is neither the qualified
  coxswain or crew, then these must be filled by
  qualified Auxiliary personnel.
• Automobile HARPATS must be conducted by at least
  two persons, one of whom holds a valid N.Y. State
  drivers license and is a qualified HSS. This can
  be the same person. (The requirements for HSS
  can be split up or held by one person, as long as
  all required positions are filled by the members
  participating in the HARPAT.)

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Conducting HARPATs

• Harbor Patrols may be conducted by one or more
  persons, at least one of whom will be a qualified
  Harbor Safety Specialist. The qualified member
  will be responsible for instructing trainees in
  proper harbor patrol procedures and completing
  harbor patrol report.
• The responsibility for the safe operation of the
  Auxiliary Facility lies with the Coxswain. If
  he/she is not HSS qualified, the execution and
  direction of the HARPAT lies with the HSS (to the
  extent that safety is not compromised).

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Orders for HARPATs

• Auxiliarists require orders to ensure they are
  covered for liability purposes and for
  reimbursement.
• Routine harbor patrols are scheduled with the MSO
  Auxiliary Liaison at least one week in advance.
• A patrol order number and hard copy of orders
  must be issued by the MSO prior to conducting a
  harbor patrol.

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Communications

• Patrol vessels, either waterborne vessels or
  automobiles, will have adequate communication
  capabilities with the MSO as well as with the
  local Station or Group Buffalo.
• Communications could include marine radio,
  cellular phones and pagers.

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• HARPAT Training Requirements

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Training

• Harbor Safety Specialist candidates must complete
  the quals book (PQS).
• Training for harbor patrol qualification consists
  of both underway patrols and classroom
  instruction. The training is conducted by MSO
  active duty personnel and qualified Auxiliarists.
• At the completion of the training requirements,
  an oral board is held to review the knowledge and
  experience level of the candidate prior to
  approving qualification

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Final Approval

• The recommendation for final approval goes to the
  Commanding Officer, MSO Buffalo.
• Qualification letters are issued by Marine Safety
  Office Buffalo.
• Original copy goes to the Auxiliarist.
• Copy to DSO-IS and D9 (oax).
• Copy is kept on file at the MSO for duration.

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Opportunities for Auxiliary Members at MSO
Buffalo

• WANTED Enthusiastic Auxiliarists for New and
  exciting opportunities for the Coast Guard
  Auxiliary to expand beyond its traditional roles
  in Search and Rescue and Boating Safety have
  become available. The Auxiliary can now help to
  increase the efficiency of MSO Buffalo by
  conducting Harbor Patrols, conducting Sea
  Partners presentations, establishing Safety
  Zones, performing MARPOL V visits, conducting
  Charterboat Examinations, and providing Auxiliary
  air assets. Come and join us!
• Contact MSO Buffalo at [phone] or Michael
  Kittell, DSO-MS, 9ER at GUFF333_at_aol.com