Training Page
Flotilla 5-10 runs a number of training courses for its members throughout the year. While many of these courses are exclusively for members, some may be open to the general public.
The flotilla has also been active in working with groups on a "by appointment basis" to provide USCG Auxiliary Public Education courses to schools, police, companies, and local municipal authorities. The flotilla has also had some success teaching GPS courses to groups in a retail environment or at a marinas.
The Flotilla currently does not provide training for the New Jersey safe boating certificate.
The most common Public Education courses taught by the Flotilla include
• Boating Skills and Seamanship
• About Boating Safety (Does not qualify for NJ safe boating certification)
• Weekend Navigator
• GPS for Mariners
• How To Read a Nautical Chart
A complete listing and description of Public Education Courses offered by the USCG Auxiliary including many of the accompanying Power Point Presentations can be found here:
The Auxop Specialy Courses
Flotilla 5-10 is proud to teach the majority of the AUXOP specialty courses every year. We have developed a reputation in the division as the leading provider of AUXOP training.
The AUXOP or Operational Auxiliarist Program is an advanced training program of 6 courses available only to members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. These courses form the building blocks of good seamanship and are provide superb training for mariners of all levels.
The Flotilla is commited to teach the Coastal Navigation Course annually in January. This course runs for approximately 12, 3 hour sessions and is without question the most complete navigation course taught outside of a specialized maritime univerisity. This course is very challenging and it is not uncommon for auxiliarists to take this course a number of times before passing. Many experienced local mariners start off their careers in the Auxiliary with this challenging course.
Detailed explanations of the AUXOP Courses and the study guides and powerpoint presentations can be found below. These resources are free and provide excellent coverage of their respective subjects.
AUXCOM - Auxiliary Communications
AUXCOM, the Auxiliary Communications Specialty course, is focused upon radio communications for the Auxiliary and Coast Guard. It is one of the few specialty courses cited as a requirement for other Auxiliary activities. Specifically, AUXCOM is a requirement for ownership of an Auxiliary Fixed Land, Land Mobile, or DF Radio Facility. It is also required by Communication Officers who conduct radio facility inspections. The Communications Specialist has a broad knowledge of the principles underlying communications systems in use by both the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary.
AUXACN - Auxiliary Coastal Navigation
The Auxiliary Navigation Specialty course, prepares a member to become a genuine asset to the Flotilla's operations activities. The AUXACN course covers coastal navigation and embraces two basic concepts - location and direction - and three basic disciplines - dead reckoning, piloting and electronic navigation.
You can achieve success as an AUXACN Specialist by passing a two part closed book, proctored examination with a score of 75% or better. The first half, Part A, covers the theory; the second half, Part B, requires actual chart work to demonstrate a firm grasp of the material.
AUXPAT - Auxiliary Patrols
The Auxiliary Patrols Specialty course, is focused upon the complete spectrum of operational patrol activities both on the water and in the air. This includes Safety Patrols, Search and Rescue (SAR), Regatta spectator safety control (powerboat race, sailboat race, rowing race, etc.) and Chart Updating/Aids to Navigation Patrols.
AUXSC&E - Auxiliary Search Coordination & Execution
The AUXSC&E course is the Auxiliary version of the Coast Guard’s Search Coordination & Execution course. This course replaces AUXSAR in our suite of AUXOP courses. Successful completion of the AUXNAV course is a prerequisite before taking the AUXSC&E TTT course.
AUXSEA - Auxiliary Seamanship
The Auxiliary Seamanship Specialty course, is designed to present the Auxiliarist with a thorough knowledge of vessels and proficiency in their operation. An AUXSEA Specialist has extensive knowledge of how vessels are constructed and operated. The AUXSEA Specialist understands marine engines, how to perform minor repairs, is knowledgeable about vessel handling and knows how to approach distress situations.
AUXWEA - Auxiliary Weather
The Auxiliary Weather Specialty course, is designed to present the Auxiliarist with a thorough knowledge of weather, its importance in the marine environment and to the conduct of safe and effective operations. An AUXWEA Specialist is able to make accurate and valuable short range (several hours) weather forecasts to enable crew mates to avoid dangerous weather conditions while performing their patrol activities. Long range (two or more days) forecasts are also developed to assist in planning operational activities. The Auxiliary Weather Specialist develops a keen sense of weather processes, including those which have an element of danger: the thunderstorm, the squall line, fog, tornadoes and other severe phenomena. A comprehensive knowledge of weather processes and effects is essential to the competent mariner, whether on the high seas, the coastal areas, lakes and rivers or local reservoirs.
Boat Crew
This hands-on, practical training is required of all USCG Auxiliarists who go out on patrol in boats as part of the crew. It is based upon the Boat Crew Manual and the interaction of candidates with Mentors and Qualification Examimers in the class room and on the water. The Boat Crew and Coxswain Qualification Training Guides provide a road map for operational oriented Auxiliarists to learn the intricacies of boat handling, patrols, search and rescue, navigation, emergency actions, communications, and other knowledge and skills necessary to directly support the Coast Guard in a safe and competent manner.
To participate in the on-water portions of the training, you will need:
1) A current CGAUX ID card.
2) A Working Blue or ODU uniform.
3) A life jacket, at least Type III.
4) A whistle, signaling mirror, and strobe or chemical light attached to the life jacket.
Below is the link to the Boat Crew Training Manuals. These guides are an excellent reference guide on safe boat operations.
Radio Watch Standing
This past year several of our flotilla members have actually worked along side the active duty USCG standing radio watch at the Coast Guard Station in Staten Island. These members have trained with the USCG to respond to radio calls to the USCG and are important assets to station operations. These Auxiliarists are extremely devoted to their work and are at the top of our efforts to support the USCG.
ICS Courses
In order to do any Boat Crew, Communication, Emergency Response, or pretty much any other cool job in the Auxiliary, you must complete the FEMA IS-100.FW and IS-700 courses. These are free, open-book courses you can take online. After you complete the courses and pass the tests save the certificates and emails that state that you passed them. You must submit a copy of the certs to FSO-IS so they can be entered into the system for you. To learn more about ICS Courses click here: ICS requirements