I have been gathering up all kinds of info for my coxswain binder that i am going to keep in my coxn bag. Is there any helpful info/tools that anyone has used that isn't in the STAN team's coxn job aid and on BM.net? Thank you!
I did not take a look at what is on the list but from my experience it has helped having things like an anemometer, and PML’s to help see in your bag a night. I also have the SIN”s package little handbook as well, the one from Yorktown. A list of local marinas with phone numbers and times they close always comes in handy.
I have a small aviators book with all the STAN drill sheets reduced down in size and inserted in it, kind of like a quick reference when getting underway for training and doing my recerts, as well as initial SAR checksheets, towing questions, etc. Also, I have some cheat sheets for search patterns, a speed/distance/time cheat sheet, basic nav equipment, etc. Hope this helps.
Get a street map of your area. Good to have when the PD or FD is trying to get you to a position.
I could only imagine the look on the crewmans face when the coxswain pulls out a street map....
If you don't have an EMT onboard with you at all times I would recommend picking up a pocket guide to advanced First Aid. If you are the coxn and EMT it's even more important to carry something like that with you.
JMU - Don't lose sight of why we require our coxswains to qualify. Although you may find a few references useful while underway, don't forget to bring your brain and experience with you. Forget about all of the references, unless you absolutely have to have them. Whoever wrote them is not on the boat with you. Great coxswains have great skills and exercise good judgment. When I think of relying on job aids and references, I think of QM's. Everything is "50 yards to the right of course and correcting, Sir". BM's get there, and then deal with the sh*t storm. Better than carrying half the station with you on the boat, go over in your mind possible situations and how you would handle them. Practice, and then practice some more. You do not have to leave the pier to run through drills. If you do take anything with you, take stuff that would help you if you lost Comms and had to do it on your own. But keep it simple and straight forward. Or do like WPB and take a "how to play golf" book and your Ram 360 driver with you and knock a few off the stern!
Hey WPB2009- took the BMCM billet at a PSU. Going home man, and getting back on the boats. I love it, and you know we will be the best in the Guard by the time we are done!
Go get extra shackles short double eye splice of line for alongside towing to attach from #2 on the 25' to anothe boat,this works good for towing during a boarding good luck get some good bug spray, sunglasses ,latex gloves andareial charts of Hopedale,Delacroix,Laffite,Pearl River.It worked good for me when I was at Nola,But I grew up not far from there and alraedy knew the area.Hope that Nola treats you good its a tough AOR but you get some bad *** cases and do some fun and rewarding stuff. BM3 Albo
Pick up some boat plugs from West Marine. A couple of times I have had a boat taking on water and it turned out that it was just a missing boat plug. 5 minutes and your RTB.
plastic bags. the UTB porta potti is a lot easier to clean if you bring a plastic bag to use as a liner. my crew has definatly appreciated them on the late night flare sighting cases.
Originally posted by XCGSWIMMER: Get a street map of your area. Good to have when the PD or FD is trying to get you to a position. Snacks are also good. Jay
Very good idea that I would expect many new coxswains not to think about.
Same with a camera. I went on a SAR case in the Keys one time and a BM1 came along just to try out his new camera. It was a large fishing vessel taking on water. When we arrived the stern was underwater with waves hitting the crew in the pilot house. The owner of the boat took the CG to court for not trying to save his boat. One look at the photos of the boat awash and the jury sided with the Coast Guard. At least I got a free week in New Orleans for court.
Definately have a flight book. Inside you should have stand team drills, conversion table, tow speed chart. Always have fog nav for in/out transit. Should be labeled with course/time/speed,etc for quick ref. Laminate and keep in bag. Don't forget standard SAR questions. Nice to read so you don't forget anything. The list can go on and on. Plan for the unexpected.
Yes have a flight log with all drill sheets even SAR Checksheet with grease/dry erase pens. You can laminate the sheets or seal the page with a laminator. To help out for STAN/RFO visits copy the CREWNAV in yellow so that the crewman can find the drill sheet quickly when you "die off". Good luck. You also may consider having the charts guy creat and up keep a few nav kits with all required gear.
