R 191430Z NOV 12

ALCOAST 485/12
COMDTNOTE 3502
SUBJ: PROSPECTIVE COMMANDING OFFICER/OFFICER IN CHARGE
FAMILIARIZATION TRAINING
A. CUTTER TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION MANUAL, COMDTINST M3502.4
(SERIES)
1. REF (A), PARA 7.D, REQUIRES PROSPECTIVE COMMANDING
OFFICERS/OFFICERS IN CHARGE TO SPEND A PERIOD OF UNDERWAY
FAMILIARIZATION ON A CUTTER OF THE SAME CLASS AS THEIR PROSPECTIVE
COMMAND, BUT NOT ON THE SAME CUTTER. THIS REQUIREMENT WAS ISSUED AS A
RESULT OF THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD (NTSB)
RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOWING THE COLLISIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE ONBOARD CGC
BLACKTHORN AND CGC CUYAHOGA.
2. THE TRAINING QUOTA MANAGEMENT CENTER (TQC), CHESAPEAKE, VA IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSIGNING PCO FAM QUOTAS TO PCOS/OICS EACH YEAR.
PCOS/OICS SHALL CONTACT TQC AS SOON AS THEY RECEIVE PCS ORDERS TO
ARRANGE FOR THIS MANDATED TRAINING.  A PERIOD OF 2-5 DAYS IS
TYPICALLY AUTHORIZED NOT TO EXCEED 800 DOLLARS PER QUOTA.
3. INDIVIDUALS EXEMPT FROM THIS REQUIREMENT INCLUDE MEMBERS WHO HAVE
PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THE SAME CLASS OF CUTTER AS CO, XO, OIC OR XPO.
FOR SINGLE CUTTER CLASSES (CGC HEALY, CGC MACKINAW, CGC ALEX HALEY,
FOR EXAMPLE), A FAM RIDE ON A WAGB, WLB, WMEC OR SIMILAR CUTTER IS
AUTHORIZED. PROSPECTIVE WPC-154 (FRC) COS ARE AUTHORIZED TO COMPLETE
THIS REQUIREMENT ON A WPB-110 UNTIL MORE FRCS JOIN THE FLEET.
4. TYPICALLY, ONLY 60-70 PERCENT OF THE AVAILABLE PCO FAM QUOTAS ARE
USED ANNUALLY DUE TO THE EXEMPTION POLICY PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED.
THIS IS A PRIME OPPORTUNITY (AND REQUIREMENT) FOR ELIGIBLE PCOS/OICS
TO OBSERVE U/W OPERATIONS, DRILLS AND EXERCISES AND GAIN INSIGHT INTO
THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND HANDLING OF THEIR FUTURE AFLOAT
COMMAND.  NOTE: PCO FAM RIDES ARE NOT MEANT TO BE AOR FAM RIDES.  PCO
FAM RIDES SHALL BE ARRANGED ON BOARD THE CLOSEST AVAILABLE CUTTER TO
A MEMBERS CURRENT DUTY ASSIGNMENT.
5. THOUGH PCO/POICS HAVE PRIORITY, THERE IS A LIMITED OPPORTUNITY FOR
FIRST-TIME PXO/PXPOS TO COMPLETE FAM RIDES ON A FIRST-COME,
FIRST-SERVE BASIS.  THE ELIGIBILITY, EXEMPTION CRITERIA AND QUOTA
COST LIMITATIONS ALSO APPLY.  INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS/UNITS SHOULD
CONTACT TQC TO CHECK THE AVAILABILITY OF PXO/PXPO FAM RIDES.
6. PCO/POIC WAIVER REQUEST MESSAGES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO COMDT
(CG-751), INFO TQC AND ALL AFFECTED COMMANDS.
7. COMDT (CG-751) POC IS DENNIS THORSETH AT (202) 372-2335 OR
DENNIS.C.THORSETH (AT) USCG.MIL.
8. RDML M. E. BUTT, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR CAPABILITY,
SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.