USCG Auxiliary Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiners

Excerpt from U.S. Coast Guard Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council magazine by Mr. Matthew Hooper, USCG Marine Safety Transportation Specialist.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary was established by Congress in 1939 and today is comprised of nearly 30,000 members. These men and women volunteer more than two million hours annually.

Auxilarists perform hundreds of commercial fishing vessel safety exams annually. Nationwide, approximately 25 percent of all exams are performed by auxiliary examiners.

Prospective examiners may attend a week-long training course, must complete a “personal qualification standard,” and pass an oral and practical examination to demonstrate the appropriate knowledge. Once qualified, auxiliary commercial fishing vessel examiners join the ranks of those who work diligently to improve fishing vessel safety.

Full article is available at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/winter2010-11/

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