Boat Crew Seamanship Program

An Auxiliarist who wishes to participate in authorized Auxiliary surface operations must first have
passed or successfully challenged an approved boating course, and then must qualify under the Boat Crew program.

Historically, the Boat Crew Seamanship Program was brought on board to provide a base of skilled boat handlers whose training and experience could be relied upon to supplement the duties of the active duty Coast Guard. It also, incidentally, replaced the "practical" for the Auxiliary Seamanship Specialty Course. As this training program is becoming closer to that taken by the active duty personnel, it more closely fulfils that objective.

Qualification in the Boat Crew program is on two levels:

1)    Crew Member. Qualification at this level requires only minimum knowledge and experience. Attaining this qualification allows the member to serve as a crew member on an Auxiliary vessel  facility while operating under CG orders.

2)    Coxswain. Qualification at the Coxswain level requires higher skill standards of knowledge and experience. Qualification as a Coxswain allows the member to serve as the operator on an Auxiliary vessel facility while operating under Coast Guard orders.

The Boat Crew Seamanship Course has two study references: 1)/The Boat Crew Seamanship Manual, COMDTINST Ml 6798.27 and 2) The Auxiliary Boat Crew Training and Qualification Guide COMDTINST Ml 6798.28.

The Manual has 22 chapters.  The title of each chapter is as follows:

1)    Marlinespike Seamanship

13)    Man Overboard

3)    Crew Duties and Responsibilities

14)    Rivers

4)    Safety and Survival Equipment

15)    Basic Towing Techniques

5)    Efficiency Factors
This covers factors affecting both the
physical and mental performance of crew at sea

16)    Advanced Towing Techniques

6)    Boat Handling

17)    Heavy Weather Operations

7)    Aids to Navigation (ATON)

18)    Survivor Care

8)    The Magnetic Compass

19)    Radio Communication Systems

9)    Introduction to Piloting

20)    Search and Rescue (SAR)

10)    Piloting

21)    Patrol Types and Tasks

11)    Environmental Factors

22)    Air Operations