USGS Watercraft Safety Program Committee
I. Purpose/Scope. The purpose of the Watercraft Safety Program (WCSP) Committee is to recommend policy; provide guidance; develop plans; promote actions to implement and maintain a USGS Watercraft Safety Program (Program); and ensure compliance with regulations and statutes relating to watercraft activities. The scope of the WCSP Committee is bureau-wide.
II. Authority.
A. Department of the Interior (DOI) Safety and Health Handbook.
B. 485 Department Manual, Chapter 22.
C. USGS Occupational Safety and Health Program Requirements Handbook, 445-2-H, Chapter 31 .
D. 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Navigation and Navigable Waters, Subchapter S.
E. 46 CFR Part 25, Shipping, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Requirements.
F. COMDTINST M16672.2B, DHS, USCG Navigation Rules, International-Inland.
III. Membership. The WCSP Committee consists of the following voting members:
A. Watercraft Safety Program Manager (WCSPM). The WCSPM must have a Motorboat Operators Instructors Course Certification (MOICC), as required by DOI, and also hold a U.S. Coast Guard license. The WCSPM is responsible for ensuring that the voting membership reflects a variety of technical expertise in order to represent the broad range of watercraft activities within the Bureau.
B. Bureau Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental (OSHE) Program Manager or designee. The OSHE Program Manager forwards discipline and regional nominations from the WCSPM to discipline and regional management for approval.
C. Appointed regional and/or discipline representatives from each discipline using watercraft. These representatives must be approved by discipline and/or regional management.
IV. Officers. The WCSP Committee Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson will be elected every two years and will be approved by the WCSPM.
V. Committee Roles and Responsibilities.
A. Reviews and evaluates DOI instructions and USCG regulations for their effect(s) on Bureau operations. Develops recommendations and proposes alternative methods for implementing compliance programs.
B. Participates in Bureau and DOI planning for watercraft safety.
C. Monitors watercraft safety training to ensure consistency, accuracy, adequacy of coverage, and overall quality.
D. Assists in the selection of qualified operators to be trained as instructors.
E. Develops or endorses training curricula that specifically address potentially hazardous Bureau watercraft operations (e.g., airboats, hovercraft, fast water, taglines, locking/dams, electro-fishing, navigational electronics, night operations, taking measurements from boats, and watercraft safety for non-operators).
F. Develops or endorses Job Hazard Analyses that address watercraft safety issues of the Bureau.
G. Investigates accidents/incidents involving watercraft and recommends corrective action(s), as appropriate.
H. Develops computer information systems and databases on topics such as training, operators, instructors, and watercraft to assist in the management of the WCSP.
I. Develops standard guidelines on handling issues related to watercraft safety to ensure consistency throughout the Bureau.
J. Assists all USGS organizational units in promoting and implementing DOI and Bureau watercraft safety programs.
K. Identifies issues related to watercraft safety and provides recommendations to management for corrective action.
L. Communicates and shares ideas/resources with USGS organizations.
M. Evaluates and recommends safety equipment for operating basic and specialized watercraft, and performing tasks associated with watercraft operations.
N. Distributes watercraft safety information and participates in promotions of local watercraft safety.
VI. Meetings. Committee meetings will be held quarterly by teleconference, with the exception of one face-to-face meeting each year. In addition, the committee may meet when a serious accident or incident occurs. Locations for the annual meeting will be rotated to accommodate all members and minimize/equalize travel costs.
VII. Subcommittees and Work Groups.
Subcommittees and ad hoc work groups will be formed, as needed, to undertake
specific tasks and provide reports.
VIII. Voting. Voting members include representives from each discipline using watercraft. At a minimum, the discipline representatives who vote must have a Motorboat Operators Course Certification (MOCC), as required by DOI. The act of the majority of members will be the act of the WCSP Committee. In addition to voting members, the WCSPM may (through the Bureau OSHE Program Manager) nominate non-voting ad hoc members, as needed, to provide additional technical expertise on the committee.
IX. Salary, Travel, and Incidental Costs. WCSP Committee members' costs are borne by each participant's organization. Extraordinary expenses must be pre-approved by the appropriate authority and covered by a written agreement.
Approved:
signed_________________________________
Carol F. Aten
Chief, Office of Administrative Policy and Services
Designated Agency Safety and Health Official