May 2008

New Port Richey, Florida

To:   ALAUX

From: CHDIRAUX

Subj: DISCONTINUATION OF BOATING SAFETY HOTLINE   -011/08

1.  Coast Guard support of the toll-free Boating Safety Hotline number 1-800-368-5647 has been discontinued.  However, this hotline number is still displayed in many boating safety materials used and distributed by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  It is displayed in approximately 2.5 million separate boating safety items available from the Auxiliary National Supply Center

(ANSC), namely the following types of materials:          

Boat Responsibly (You're-In-Command) pamphlets

Carbon Monoxide (You're-In-Command) pamphlets

GDMSS Recreational Boating pamphlets

Boating Fun (Coastie) books

Safe Boating Tip pamphlets

Solid Waste/Debris pamphlets

Storm Water Runoff pamphlets

Good Mate training manuals

Vessel Safety Check (ANSC-7012)

 forms (back, bottom right corner)

 

Federal Requirements and Safety Tips

booklets (back of prior-year versions)

VSC Manual (COMDTINST M16796.8,

pages 5 / 34 / 35 / 38) RBS-VP Manual (COMDTINST M16796.3, pages 5 / 14)

2.  ANSC has begun to line out/obliterate the number wherever it appears in these materials.  However, it will not be able to do so for all of them. Auxiliarists must therefore review all boating safety materials received from ANSC and ensure that this hotline number is thoroughly lined out/obliterated prior to use for training or distribution to the public.  If found to be retained for reference by an individual, Auxiliarists should point out that the Boating Safety Hotline number has been discontinued.

3.  Recognizing that Auxiliarists may already have some stocks of these materials on personal hand for intended future use, and in the interest of maximizing their value, the same attention must be paid to ensure that the number is thoroughly lined out/obliterated prior to using them.

4.  Auxiliary vessel examiners shall pay particular attention to ensure that the Boating Safety Hotline number on ANSC-7012 Vessel Safety Check forms is thoroughly lined  out/obliterated prior to presenting them to vessel owners/operators at the conclusion of vessel safety checks.  Similarly, Auxiliary public education instructors shall pay particular attention to ensure that the number is thoroughly lined out/obliterated in any boating safety course materials prior to provision to the public.

5.  Some stocks of these materials at ANSC may last about two more years. Auxiliarists should anticipate having to continue this action into 2010.