Get the drift on a new program for boaters to assist the U.S. Coast Guard, local sheriff marine units and the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Aqua Alert would provide authorities with volunteers for those unique situations when extra “eyes on the water” would help during a lost at sea search. The inspiration, the Aqua Alert Pilot Program and the nation-wide vision, will be featured in this presentation. Bringing additional hope to water searches, these volunteers could be the answer to prayers. Speaker: Judy Schink, Aqua Alert

1. Aqua Alert
In Memory of David Schink

2. Meet Dave...

3. On the Water

4. 6 years

5. Loved Sunsets

6. 3 Days
Over 9,000 square miles
Included: Fish and Wildlife Commission
US Coast Guard and the USCG Auxiliary
Okaloosa County Sheriff Department
Pan-Pan-Pan sent out in morning- typically large turn out
The Search

7. Day 2
Search Plans
Search Support- 2 of everything
Helicopters, search planes,
Coast Guard cutters, drones
Sheriff's Marine Unit
USCG Auxiliary
Search Plans

8. Day 2
Murphey's Law- fog
Weak response to Pan-pan-pan
Small Craft Advisory- fog 1/5
Planes grounded
Additional Situation
Foggy

9. Day 2
Weak response to Pan-pan-pan
Advisory- foggy 5/1/160
Son Arrives-
"We need an
Amber Alert
For boats!"
Aqua Alert!
Call it Aqua Alert!

10. Search
Continued...
10 mile offshore
8
22 miles west

11. Aqua Alert
A Notification system for volunteer
licensed/registered boaters to help authorities
in a water search when they have determined
that additional “eyes on the water”
would be helpful.

12. When
Only in authority verified situations.
Civilians cannot call an Aqua Alert
Agencies will use their own criteria.
"Imminent" danger or loss of life.
Victim(s) location is unknown

13. Who?
Authorities:
US Coast Guard
Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission
Okaloosa County Sheriff Department
Local Fire Depts.- EMC and Lifeguard

14. Aqua Alert Support!
Aqua Alert Team - Destin

15. Benefits of Aqua Alert
8
Better communication for authorities
8
• Talk to other authorities at the same time this alone / privacy
• Improve response time- nearby boats, 40 min./ Bay Watch Myth
• Reach more people- phone, electronics
• Reach specific boating groups:
• Small or large crafts, fishing/commercial vessels
• Provide search area- TBD

16. Benefits of Aqua Alert
18, 20, 22
Save lives!!!

17. Benefits of Aqua Alert
Save lives!!!
• Free resources - cutters, choppers, planes
• Expand searches- more searchers with knowledge of the area
• Provide search area- Web watchers/boater sightings
• Free up man-hours: over 100 searches
• Won't change the # of searches- reduce the time spent
• Lead to more rescues and recoveries DC, 5 yr wait

18. • Licensed boaters sign up at: county site, (myokaloosa.com)
Community Launch Events, Option at license renewal-TBD
• Boat Safety Check: US Coast Guard Auxiliary- no cost
• Additional criteria as determined by:
US Coast Guard,
Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission
Okaloosa County Sheriff Department
Local Fire Departments- EMC and Lifeguard
Volunteers

19. Aqua Alert Volunteer
s
Personal Information:
Information will not be available to the public.
8
Volunteers enter into Aqua Alert Data base
Everbridge Systems / Nixel
Example: name, phone # , boat safety check,
address, launch site, small or large water craft
x
Additional training as may be required by
x USxCoast Guard or state government.

20. Aqua Alert Differs ...
Pan-Pan-Pan
Amber Alert

21. 1) Law enforcement uses to notify the public about children thought to
have been abducted.
2) Notify the public: "add extra eyes and ears to help the safe return of
the child and apprehension of abductor."
3) There are 90 different notification systems used - more specific local
4) Emergency Alert System to relay - probably not, safety issues
Aqua Alert Differs from Amber Alert

22. 1) International “urgency” signal for a VHF transmission
when safety of the person/boat is in serious need of help,
but no immediate danger to lives exists.
2) Coast Guard typically, but boaters may call
3) Issued frequently and needn't be verified. Aqua 3-4
4) Only received by the VHF radios that are turned on
and tuned to Channel 16. Mobile phone coverage.
Alert Differs from Pan-pan-pan
Pay attention now

23. Do It Now!

24. Know It Now!
Awareness of tides,
riptides and currents.
It's a snap!
Understand
the waterways
Inform others
Rips Canyon

25. Share Knowledge

26. Grow ideas!

27. Do It Now!

28. Thank You