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I’m S E. Thomas your DSO-PV and have been in the Coast Guard Auxiliary since 1977 (soon starting 44th year). I’ve been in the Anchorage Flotilla on and off for 10 year, Huntsville First (Previously 2nd Southern) for approximately 3 years and the Eagle River Flotilla about 30 years. Have held numerous staff and elected positions: Division Commander (DCPII), DVCR, Flotilla Commander and vice several times and appointed positions cover DSO/FSO-CM, DSO-MDV/PV, FSO/SO-DV, FSO-PE, FSO-IS (90s/2017-Present), and several others. Currently, am a VE, PV, Instructor, and AUXOP.
The Primary mission of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is Recreational Boating Safety. The Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program is a vital part of Recreational Boating Safety. The purpose of this program is to integrate existing RBS Programs Into a focused boating safety initiative which will increase the delivery of the RBS messages in an efficient and concentrated manner. Program Visitor is one of the most important jobs to the Coast Guard Auxiliary. It is our mission to provide the recreational boating Public and Dealers with information and literature on safe boating. Our goal is to educate the recreational boater about safety to reduce the loss of lives and property damage caused by boating accidents. At Prevention: Our vision is to be Ready, Relevant and Responsive. We’ll do this by achieving the goals of mitigating loss of life, injuries, and property damage. We endeavor to use our resources and knowledge to guide the recreational boater to have a better outdoor aquatic experience because they’ll be a safer, “always ready” boater, kayaker, or paddle-sporter.
We achieve this by reaching out to the public through Teamwork with our Partners, Recreational Boating Safety displays and Marine Dealer Visits. The Program establishes Program Partners in local areas and visit them on a regular basis. The Program Visits inform Program Partners of the Coast Guard's Recreational Boating Safety program and the applicable federal, state, and local safety requirements. While doing so the Program Visitor has the opportunity to clarify safety issues, promote safe boating education, and the Vessel Safety Check program. A partner is any business or facility where the general public visits or waits can become a partner. All they have to do is agree to display the material that you provide them, you should visit them at least quarterly (4 visits per year).
Do you want to make a difference? If you answered yes to these questions then you should take a look at the Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program (RBSVP) and becoming a Program Visitor (PV). How do I become a PV you might ask? All you have to do is contact your FSO-PV, SO-PV or DSO-PV to get started.
The requirements to become a certified PV are (1) you must be BQ (2) you must pass an open book written test (3) you must satisfactorily complete 2 partner visits under the supervision of a certified PV and (4) you must perform a minimum of 4 visits each calendar year. The manual is located at
http://vdept.cgaux.org/JobAidFiles/RBSVP ManualWeb.pdf
For your first visit you should in a proper uniform, service dress blue; winter dress blue or tropical blue. After you have established yourself a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary neat polo shirt and civilian clothing is permissible.
Take a look at last year’s workshop.
http://vdept.cgaux.org/workshops/2020 Program Visitor Workshop Final.pdf