R 191439Z DEC 02 ZUI ASN-A00353000197
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-OC//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N10470//
ALCOAST 576/02
COMDTNOTE 10470
SUBJ: INFLATABLE PFDS UPDATE, PROGRAM INTENTIONS AND MANUAL
INFLATORS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 08200Z NOV 02 AUTOMATIC INFLATABLE
PFDS, 18 MONTH REVIEW AND POLICY CHANGE, ALCOAST 525/02
B. RESCUE AND SURVIVAL SYSTEMS MANUAL, COMDTINST M10470.10E
1. WE CONTINUE TO EXAMINE THE SAFETY AND EGRESS ASPECTS OF AUTO-
INFLATING PFDS. A STABILITY AND SURVIVABILITY ANALYSIS OF THE RB-HS
IS ON-GOING AND EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE IN APRIL OF 2003. G-OCS
WILL CONSULT WITH THE CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE AND BOAT MANAGERS TO
ARRIVE AT A FINAL POLICY DETERMINATION. IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO
ASSEMBLE A SMALL WORK GROUP IN THE SPRING OR SUMMER. AN INTERIM
MANUAL INFLATION SOLUTION IS THE NEXT STEP.
2. THE POLICIES IN REF A REMAIN IN EFFECT WITH THE FOLLOWING
EXCEPTIONS: MANUAL DEVICES ARE AUTHORIZED ON COAST GUARD BOATS WITH
ENCLOSED SPACES, SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COCKPITS, CABINS,
ENGINE ROOMS OR SURVIVORS COMPARTMENTS AND ON OPEN BOATS.
AUTOMATICALLY INFLATING PFD USE REMAINS RESTRICTED TO OPEN BOATS
ONLY.
3. RETRO-FIT KITS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED BY LIFESAVING SYSTEMS CORP.
(LSC), AND MUSTANG SURVIVAL INC. (MUSTANG) FOR THEIR AUTO-INFLATING
PFDS. UNITS THAT USE THE LSC 485-CG OR THE MUSTANG MD3031 VERSION
22 ARE AUTHORIZED TO CONVERT THE AUTOMATIC INFLATORS TO MANUAL
INFLATORS USING ONLY THE RETRO-FIT KITS FROM THE RESPECTIVE
MANUFACTURER. PURCHASE RETRO-FIT KITS, WHICH INCLUDE INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS, DIRECT FROM LSC USING PART NUMBER 485-ML, OR DIRECT
FROM MUSTANG USING PART NUMBER MA3031. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE
INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THESE KITS ARE FOLLOWED EXACTLY.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THESE RETRO-FIT KITS ARE ALSO
POSTED TO THE COMMANDANT G-OCS INTRANET WEB SITE:
HTTP://CGWEB.COMDT.USCG.MIL/G-OCS//BOATCREWS/R&SSMANUAL.HTM. RECORD
MODIFICATIONS ON THE INDIVIDUAL INFLATABLE PFD MAINTENANCE LOG.
4. UNITS THAT MODIFY TO MANUAL AND CHOOSE TO MAINTAIN BOTH
AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL INFLATING PFDS ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE EACH
CREW MEMBER AND OTHER MISSION PERSONNEL ARE THOROUGHLY BRIEFED ON
THE MODIFICATION, HAVE A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE TWO TYPES AND ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHICH TYPE THEY
SELECT FOR USE. DURING EACH BOAT MISSION CREW BRIEFING, DISCUSS THE
PFDS SELECTED FOR USE (INHERENTLY BUOYANT, AUTOMATIC INFLATABLE OR
MANUAL INFLATABLE) AND ENSURE EACH MEMBER OF THE CREW UNDERSTANDS
WHICH PFD THEY ARE USING AS WELL AS WHICH PFD OTHER CREW MEMBERS
SELECT.
5. RETAIN A COPY OF THIS ALCOAST IN THE FRONT OF REF B PENDING
PROMULGATION OF THE NEXT CHANGE.
6. QUESTIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO KNEPRUD(AT)COMDT.USCG.MIL.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
8. RELEASED BY RADM JAMES C. OLSON, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
CAPABILITY.
BT
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