| In 1936 as Commandant, Admiral Waesche | | | | start flowing to the states. |
| moved to solve the Coast Guard's problems one | | | | The states now give, free no cost, training |
| by one. In doing so, he turned to the solution of | | | | material to its citizens the training booklet |
| using recreational yachtsmen to assist the Coast | | | | necessary to get the license it requires it's citizens |
| Guard in solving the ever-growing recreational | | | | to have. Who to teach the class? To shorten this |
| boating safety problem. In 1938 the Coast Guard | | | | down, well we know the CG Aux and USPS got |
| provided assistance to over 14,000 cases of | | | | on the list as valid locations. Also on the list were |
| recreational boaters in distress. The majority of | | | | ex-Axis/USPS, and not necessary ex, with |
| which were caused by the boaters lack of | | | | boating training companies, the state itself. The |
| knowledge of boating fundamentals, equipment, | | | | cash register stopped ring as much state by |
| and laws. | | | | state. |
| So the Auxiliary was formed to assist the Coast | | | | And now, we entered the year with less |
| Guard"To promote efficiency in the operation of | | | | members than when we started coupled with a |
| motorboats and yachts," "To promote safety of | | | | two tier system of membership, either SO or DO. |
| life at sea and to effect rescues on and over the | | | | Also we have a cobbled together ABC course |
| high seas and upon the navigable waters," "To | | | | that requires Flotilla to provide additional material |
| foster a wider knowledge of, and better | | | | and additional exams by state. It a short course, |
| compliance with the laws, rules, and regulations | | | | which covers the requirements, but does not |
| governing the operation of motorboats and | | | | teach boating. The difference between ABC and |
| yachts, "and "To facilitate other operations of the | | | | BS&S is like reading state mandated drivers |
| Coast Guard." | | | | license book and taking a drivers Ed course. |
| In 1947 two of what would be the four | | | | Who do you think is a better driver? We have a |
| "cornerstones" of the modern Auxiliary were | | | | National organization that brags about bulk selling |
| established: vessel examination and education. The | | | | of the ABC course, and marketing letters to |
| Courtesy Motorboat Examination (now known as | | | | Flotilla saying go find a retail store to sell the |
| the VSC) program quickly became one of the | | | | course too. So the food chain (follow the money) |
| Auxiliary's most important assignments. The | | | | is changing, feed national. Worse, in most cases |
| Coast Guard published a booklet of safety | | | | the ABC is the same course that states give out |
| standards and regulations, and gave the Auxiliary | | | | free. |
| the authority to train its own members as | | | | If you are going to say there is a problem, then |
| inspectors. | | | | you had better have an idea on how to solve it. |
| The Auxiliary developed public education programs | | | | By pass the PSI ogre. Go back to a time in our |
| based upon a core lesson plan that as grown to | | | | past when there was provisional membership and |
| the current BS&S series and a spin off S&S. It | | | | create a non-member member, our Associate |
| was this PE program that generated income for | | | | member. They pay dues to national and get the |
| Flotillas and the major source of new members. It | | | | red polo shirt. No PSI check, no uniforms to buy, |
| became the money line. So as "Deep Throat" said | | | | no politics to play. They are the volunteers for |
| follow the money line. | | | | RBS, they can teach classes, do VSCs, MDVs, |
| The Coast Guard, with the Auxiliary and the USPS | | | | boating booths etc. |
| started a major push to have mandatory boater | | | | How to make it happen! CG Aux signs an MOU |
| education. The Coast Guard's accident rate | | | | with CG Aux Inc for teaching, inspecting and |
| figures, even understated by lax reporting, were | | | | visiting.Just as they have with the USPS. Same, |
| used as bases state by state to work in getting | | | | no difference. Aux Inc exams and certifies these |
| the states to pass such laws. | | | | Associate members just the same way the USPS |
| As these laws were passed several things had to | | | | does for its members. Not only that national can |
| happen. First, if a state puts a law on the book, | | | | sell them a new red polo shirt that has instructor |
| there has to be a way for the citizens of that | | | | and/or vessel examiner and /or visitors in script |
| state to comply. A licensing law must provide a | | | | right under the Aux Inc logo. |
| way and means for the citizen to get that license. | | | | Follow the money. National gets the dues, as it |
| Public policy then required the state to provide the | | | | does now for the associate membership and |
| training material for its citizens to study for that | | | | shares with the sponsoring Flotilla. The Flotilla |
| license. (Just think about how you get your | | | | sponsors the course and tracks the money, |
| drivers license). | | | | sending National the cost of the books and |
| The Coast Guard had/has the money as the | | | | supplies. Follow the associate members. Recruited |
| administrator of the B-W trust fund; a mandatory | | | | to do RBS, no PSI, and no uniform. The Flotilla |
| tax funs it each year. As more and more boaters | | | | does not have to worry about burn out and |
| go on the water, the more money comes into | | | | dis-enrolling, not an Aux member. Associate |
| the trust. The states apply for the funding to | | | | member gets to come to Flotilla meetings; just |
| meet the new licensing requirements, as urged by | | | | can not vote r play politics. |
| the Coast Guard to create and the B-W funds | | | | |