Have a Question?
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Recreational Boating Safety & Education
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- How Do I Stop Receiving "I Want A VSC" Notifications?
- Where Should the VSC Decal Be Placed?
- I was boarded by the Coast Guard. They found that some of my safety equipment was outdated. Can I get a Vessel Safety Check?
- Member Status Requirement for Becoming a VE
- Is there any thing that a Flotilla Commander can do to prohibit me from going into another AOR? Is there any other documentation in support or prohibiting working in other AORs?
- Is the new Vessel Examiner required, in the calendar year of initial qualification, to perform the 5 VSCs (on their own) in order to maintain currency?
- Do VSCs conducted as a trainee count towards the RBS insignia?
- Authorized Uniforms for Vessel Examiners
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- What is Aux policy on PE outside one's division?
- Can I include swimming as part of a public education class?
- I’ve submitted forms 7023, “Intent to Teach”, but our courses aren’t showing up in the National PE Database. Why not?
- Are There Minimum Crew Requirements for Recreational Boats?
- RBS Insignia - Eligibility Criteria
- What is the Auxiliary Paddlecraft (AUXPAD) Program?
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Member Training and Support
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IT Support
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- I Can't Get WOW II to Allow Me to "Configure Site"
- PE Course Address Won't Take in the WOW/National Public Education Calendar Dashboard? Try This
- Support of Mobile Devices Including iPad and iPhone at Auxiliary Websites
- Can I link to the CHDIRAUX web site?
- I Cannot Change My Unit's Website URL in the AuxOfficer Unit Table - Do I Need National Site Approval?
- In WOW, I Made a Change on My Home Page, and Now WOW Crashes When I Try to Browse to the Site. Help!
- On the "About this Unit" page - Email and Phone Numbers not showing.
- WOW Website Quick Checklist
- How do I add a Google Calendar to my WOW web site?
- I Can't Get WOW II to Allow Me to "Configure Site"
- WOW Website Links
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Membership
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Policies and Protocols
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- Cell Phone Use On Board Auxiliary Facilities
- Are paddleboards considered vessels?
- Personal Hydration Systems
- Use of Cell Phones and Hand Held Devices
- Traveling under CG funded travel orders
- Are There Standards For Using/Posting U.S. Coast Guard Photos/Imagery?
- Can I fly the Coast Guard Auxiliary Ensign at my home?
- What is the current policy on flotillas accepting donations of money or property?
- What is the official policy of the USCG regarding Auxiliarists claiming federal veterans preference in federal hiring decisions.
- Are Auxiliarists required to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) in order to go onto port facilities?
- DIRECT DEPOSIT (DD) AND ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) REQUIREMENT FOR AUXILIARISTS
- Clarification of existing policy on Vehicle Markings
- Auxiliary use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)
- Are Auxiliarists eligible for the benefits of the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act?
- CPR and Use of AEDs
- Assignments to Duty
- Can Active Duty PQS Be Entered In AUXDATA?
- Procedure for Receiving Augmentation Service Credit in AUXDATA
- Can I Get a Waiver Based on My Military/Government/Civilian License?
- What is the policy on allowing non-Auxiliary spouses of the deceased to be aboard either Coast Guard or Auxiliary operational facilities to attend burial at sea services?
- What is the policy for using a military exchange other than a Coast Guard exchange?
- Show Remaining Articles (6) Collapse Articles
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- Going on board a military vessel.
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- Coast Guard Anthem/March (Semper Paratus)
- An Auxiliary member died, what type of service can we perform?
- I'm aware that Auxiliarists hold an Office and do not salute one and other. However, sometimes when I'm in uniform and on a base an enlisted person will salute me. What should I do?
- While dining aboard a Coast Guard vessel or on an installation, are there any topics I should refrain from during meal conversation?
- What is expected of me as I board a military vessel?
- What is the flag etiquette, as it refers to the Auxiliary Ensign, Operational Ensign, Officer burgees?
- Under what conditions, if any, is it mandatory that Auxiliarists in uniform initiate salutes to either active duty or other Auxiliarists?
- While in uniform, is it required for me to maintain a salute during the Pledge of Allegiance?
- What is the correct way to arrange the Ensigns (flags) for our Flotilla meetings?
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Response Operations (Air/Surface/Radio)
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- So how do I get started in Auxiliary Aviation?
- Does a pilot have to own a facility in order to achieve air crew qualification?
- Now that pilots are able to operate however they want, and buy fuel wherever they want. Won't this lead to abuses, such as people inflating their fuel expenses?
- Why Join US Coast Guard Auxiliary Aviation?
- Is an Aircraft With a Throw-Over Yoke Acceptable as a Facility?
- Can I use my plane in Auxiliary Aviation?
- Do Civil Air Patrol qualifications count towards AUXAIR qualifications?
- Auxiliary Aviation Fuel Reimbursement Policy
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- Do hours spent on CG Crew Augmentation (Mission 26) count for a qualified Coxswain’s currency maintenance?
- Does the Coast Guard Auxiliary have an Ensign that can be used in lieu of the American Flag?
- Operational facilities that exceed 35 mph require Auxiliarists to wear 50mph rated life jackets. Operational facilities are required to carry 2 PFDs over the min. required. Must these be rated 50mph?
- While on a patrol an OPFAC comes upon a vessel which has run aground. After assessing the risk to both vessels may the facility be used to tow the stranded vessel back into safe water?
- In the Auxiliary manual Chapter 6, Section B.4 it states that active duty coxswains may be designated as QEs following procedures specified by the Director. Where can these procedures be found.
- When preparing to terminate a patrol, does the coxswain notify the OPCON that they are terminating the patrol or does (s)he request permission to terminate the patrol?
- Displaying the CGAUX ensign on a member owned vessel.
- Can a PWC be operated after dark, if it is equipped with Navigation Lights?
- Auxiliarist Coxswains/Crew and Surf Zone Operations
- Can I use an alternating Red & Yellow Strobe light as my safety light?
- Can a Facility "Speed Up and Chase Down" Speeding Boats?
- Can an officer pennant (or a past officer burgee) be flown in the absence of the Auxiliary (Blue) Ensign? i.e. On a non-facility?
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- Articles coming soon
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Uniforms and Awards
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- What size attachments go on the Annual Service Performance Award ribbons?
- I have not received my second and third Sustained Aux. Service Awards yet
- Where are the templates for Certificate of Appreciation?
- When all AUXOP courses and tests are completed, how do you apply for the AUXOP designation?
- Is the PUC a Ribbon-only award?
- Verification of Annual Service Performance Award Eligibility
- Lapel Pin Versions of Awards
- Can a Relative Wear a Deceased Member's Medals?
- Wearing Military Medals and Ribbons
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- Approval for Wearing Foreign Service Qualification Devices and Insignia
- Is there a medal & ribbon for the AFRAS Silver Medal?
- When and how is the Boat Force insignia properly worn?
- Which Public Affairs mission activity codes count towards the RBS insignia?
- Clarification of Boat Force Operations Insignia Criteria for Auxiliarists
- In the RBS Insignia program, what year is the qualification based on?
- Wearing of National Staff Identification Badge and the Academy Partner Badge
- Wearing of the Past Officer Device
- PWC Operator Badge
- Wearing Military Qualification Devices and Insignia
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- Disposing old ODUs
- Wearing of the ODU at a Flotilla Meeting
- Authorized Boots with ODU
- Can the ODU Be Ironed/"Pressed"?
- ODU Shorts and Hot Weather Uniform
- Occasions for Wearing the ODU in Public
- Wearing of Staff Officer Insignia on ODUs
- Wearing of Qualification Insignia on ODUs
- Auxiliary Sew-On Qualification Insignia
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- Can My Name Tag Have My First and Last Name?
- Uniform Inspection Program
- Wearing of the Same Uniform During Operations
- Wearing of the Vessel Examiner Patch
- Guidelines for "Unserviceable" Uniforms
- Hot Weather Uniform
- Coast Guard PT Gear
- Wearing of Name Tag on Operational Polo Shirts
- Wearing of the Auxiliary Uniform at Military Events
- Wearing of the Silver Aiguillette
- Are Uniform Costs Tax Deductible?
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Marine Safety & Environmental Protection
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Other
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Is there a regulation prohibiting the use of inflatable PFDs by those under the age of 16?
Posted2025-09-16
Updated2025-09-16
ByJohn Bigrow
Checking on the Office of Boating Safety website, specifically http://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php, it states:
“Coast Guard Approved Inflatable lifejackets are authorized for use on recreational boats by person at least 16 years of age”.
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