Coast Guard Modernizes Communications

by Chuck N. Baker

(Nevada) — When most people mention the U.S. Coast Guard, they tend to think about patrol boats sailing the ocean safeguarding America’s coast lines. They also tend to be surprised when they learn that Southern Nevada’s desert is the home of no less than two Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas.

The main purpose of the Auxiliary in Nevada is to assist boat owners with free safety inspections. And much of their inspection work happens on the shores of Lake Mead. Nevada’s laws are clear. Boats must have working lights, fire extinguishers, lifejackets for all passengers on board and other equipment as mandated by the State. If boat owners are not fully compliant, Auxiliary members don’t issue citations. They explain what is required and hand out literature. Owners that meet all safety regulations are given official stickers to place on their boats.

But the fact remains that the general public is not aware of the work the Auxiliary performs.

In an effort to reach more individuals nationwide, Coast Guard headquarters has come up with a new communications program. It has launched MyCG, a publicly available web interface that has been designed to serve as an authoritative source for organizational news, announcements and additional information. In a statement issued by Jon Hickey, Coast Guard Governmental and Public Affairs Director, he pointed out that during the past several years, the organization’s senior leaders have “dedicated significant effort to advancing the readiness of our workforce. MyCG is a continuation of this effort.” Hickey said the Coast Guard recognizes it must modernize its approach to communications so that updates are clearly communicated and targeted to reach all intended audiences.

Hickey went on to say that the updated website “will focus on news, features and resources that support workforce readiness and resilience.” The site is also being designed to reduce duplicate information from what had been multiple sources.

Separately, Admiral Charles Ray, Vice-Commandant of the Coast Guard, issued a statement concerning what he said is the challenging effects of the global pandemic, the hurricane season, protests for social justice and the backdrop of a national election. He added, “When we say that we are ‘Stronger Together,’ we do not ignore our differences, but instead note that despite those differences we are ALL united in our sworn oath to the Constitution, to our shared commitment to our core values — Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty and in service to the American public.”

Ray’s comments were initially aimed at Coast Guard members, but releases issued later added the Auxiliary to the overall message. It stated that the basic tenets of the original message, “closely align with the requirements and expectations of auxiliary social media policies found in the Auxiliary Manual.” More specifically, it was noted that auxiliary members are expected to remember Coast Guard’s core values and Guardian Ethos, keeping in mind how their official as well as unofficial social media and online posts reflect upon themselves and the Coast Guard.

For more information about the local Auxiliary, to learn more about what it does, and to receive information about joining a local flotilla, email 4kitties@cox.net.

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