1. As described in The Coast Guard Compass, the Ready Coast Guard (http://www.uscg.mil/worklife/ready.asp) preparedness program is a stark reminder that while Coast Guard men and women are best known as lifesavers during an emergency, we have to take steps to protect our families and property in the communities where we live and work. The program urges members to take three simple steps: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and stay informed about the types of emergencies that could take place in the local community.

2. In addition to the programs that we offer to improve our readiness stance, I'd like to encourage all of our members to explore this program as one way of taking a more proactive approach to emergency response. As we keep the watch for the first hurricane of the season, this year's theme words are sound advice.

3. Some websites of note:

A. http://www.ready.gov/
1. http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html
B. http://www.noaawatch.gov/
C. http://www.weather.com
D. http://www.intellicast.com/Local/Weather.aspx?location=USNY0996
E.

ALCOAST 382/10
COMDTNOTE 16000
SUBJ: BOAT FORCES CELL PHONE/TEXTING DEVICE POLICY

A. U.S. COAST GUARD BOAT OPERATIONS AND TRAINING (BOAT) MANUAL VOLUME I, COMDTINST M16114.32(SERIES).

1. PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO PROVIDE FORCES UNITS GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF CELL PHONES AND TEXTING DEVICES WHILE UNDERWAY.

2. BACKGROUND: CELL PHONES, IPHONES, AND PDAS, SUCH AS TREO DEVICES, HAVE BECOME A COMMON COMMODITY IN EVERYDAY LIFE. MOST COAST GUARD MEMBERS HAVE THEM AND, AS SUCH, AN EXPECTATION OF CONSTANT COMMUNICATION HAS DEVELOPED. HOWEVER, IT IS APPARENT THAT THESE DEVICES CAN EASILY BECOME A DISTRACTION DURING THE CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS.

3. ACTION: THE USE OF CELL PHONES/TEXTING DEVICES AND PHONE APPLICATIONS ABOARD BOAT FORCES ASSETS IS NOT AUTHORIZED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE COXSWAIN. AT NO TIME WILL THE OPERATOR OF THE BOAT USE A CELL PHONE OR TEXTING DEVICE.

4. THIS POLICY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT REVISION OF REF A.

5. A COPY OF THIS MSG SHALL BE MAINTAINED IN THE FRONT OF REF A.

6. POC LT WILL SCHRADE, CG-7311, AT (202) 372-2472 OR WILLIAM.A.SCHRADE(AT)USCG.MIL.

7. RELEASED BY RDML VINCE ATKINS, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR CAPABILITY.