R 231604Z NOV 11

ALCOAST 547/11
COMDTNOTE 5100
SUBJ: HOLIDAY SEASON SAFETY AND HEALTH
1. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, MANY OF US WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO GATHER WITH FAMILY, SHIPMATES AND FRIENDS TO PAUSE AND REFLECT ON
THE PAST YEAR, AND MAKE PLANS FOR THE NEXT.  THIS SEASON BRINGS WITH
IT INCREASED RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH TRAVEL, SEVERE WINTER WEATHER IN
SOME REGIONS, AND OFF-DUTY ACTIVITIES.  SIMILAR TO HOW WE APPROACH
OUR CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS, WE MUST NOT RELAX OUR VIGILANCE AND DUTY
TO WATCH OUT FOR OURSELVES, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR SHIPMATES.
2. IN PREPARATION FOR THIS SEASON, PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON
THE LIVES OF THE SIX SHIPMATES LOST IN OFF-DUTY INCIDENTS DURING THE
PAST YEAR.  THEIR LOSS IS NO LESS TRAGIC THAN COAST GUARDSMEN LOST
DURING OPERATIONS, AND WE MUST DOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO PREVENT
TRAGEDIES LIKE THESE.  ALL COMMANDING OFFICERS, OFFICERS IN CHARGE,
AND SUPERVISORS SHALL RE-EMPHASIZE OUR COMMITMENT TO OFF-DUTY SAFETY
AT AN ALL HANDS SESSION.  PLACE SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON SAFE TRAVEL
PLANNING, RISKS OF FATIGUED DRIVING, AND, IN APPLICABLE AREAS,
HAZARDS OF DRIVING IN SNOWY / ICY CONDITIONS.  ONE OF THE GREATEST
DANGERS DURING THIS PERIOD REMAINS DRUNK DRIVING, WHETHER BY COAST
GUARD PERSONNEL OR OTHERS.  ENCOURAGE THE USE OF THE ONLINE TRAVEL
RISK PLANNING SYSTEM (TRIPS), AND REQUIRE ALTERNATIVES TO AN UNSAFE
TRAVEL PLAN. HTTPS://TRIPS.SAFETY.ARMY.MIL/CG/LOGIN.ASPX
IF YOU ARE DEPLOYED DURING THIS TIMEFRAME, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WORK
WITH YOUR OMBUDSMAN TO DEVELOP CREATIVE AND SAFE OPPORTUNITIES TO
BRING COMFORT AND JOY TO BOTH YOUR PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES.
3. LINDA AND I SEND OUR BEST WISHES TO THE ENTIRE COAST GUARD FAMILY
FOR A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY SEASON.
4. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
5. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.