COMDTINST 16618.8
violate federal, state or local law or federal policy concerning privacy or profiling.
To minimize the possibility of a private individual being categorized as an agent of
the government, both industry members and the public being encouraged to report
suspicious activity are not considered members of the Coast Guard or AWW
programs or issued any identification as such. This outreach effort does not establish
any formal organization that the public can join. Members conducting AWW
outreach shall consider their efforts analogous to efforts encouraging industry and the
public to report oil spills and other pollution.
g. Outreach Materials. The national program manager (G-MPP) will develop and distribute
Area and District Commanders and Captains of the Port (COTPs). The COTP, as well as
Auxiliary units, may request national program material from the Auxiliary National Supply
Center (ANSC) by calling 1-618-452-4309. The program manager will normally only fund
procurement of national vice local program materials. Local programs may use unit, district,
or area funds to develop material specifically targeted for their area.
h. Local Programs.
(1) As noted in the BACKGROUND, many local units, primarily under the direction of a
COTP, initiated efforts to reach out to the maritime and recreational boating industries
and the boating public to encourage them to increase their awareness of events in the
maritime domain and to report suspicious activity. Most of the initiatives continue to
date. The formality of organization and intensity of effort put into the local initiatives
vary from location to location depending on resources and threats. Some initiatives are
very simple and only involve encouraging the reporting of suspicious activity by unit
representatives attending public forums or through newsletters. However, other units
organized programs with detailed unit instructions, literature for distribution, formal
training, dedicated personnel, etc. Some initiatives are organized on a sector or district
level to a certain extent while others operate independently.
(2) AWW, as the national oversight program, encourages area, district and local commanders
to determine the level of effort needed for outreach and awareness efforts based on
resources and threats without requiring the establishment of specific local programs.
However, the national program manager may promulgate specific guidance for the
conduct of AWW outreach to ensure national consistency with respect to training and
guidance to the industry and public when necessary. Area and district commanders may
also determine it necessary to establish guidelines for local programs based on regional
threats and concerns.
i.
Program Name and Logo.
(1) The brand name "America's Waterway Watch" was chosen based on recommendations
developed by program workshop attendees and professional public relations experts. The
word "watch" is associated with the maritime phrase of "standing watch" to protect
vessels, ports and facilities. "Watch" also correlates with similar existing initiatives such
as "Neighborhood Watch" and "Airport Watch." In adopting the brand name,
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