Mr. Vincent Farr:

We would welcome a full review of the volunteer training and Coast Guard code. We would love to have an input into it. We need certain items to be removed from the code, as there are too many inconsistencies in the document. It is not a user-friendly document for the common member of the Coast Guard, who is a simple volunteer. Excuse me for using the term “simple volunteer”, but that is what we are. Some people come from professional backgrounds and are used to dealing with this type of thing, but others are not. They may be mariners, fishers, farmers, local milk deliverers, shopkeepers or office clerks. We need these inconsistencies to be removed.

Through simple actions, management has proven time and again that it has a blatant disregard for volunteers. Management uses the code against them for management’s personal gain. It will employ a HR company specifically to find fault with a volunteer’s answer on a certain question. Unfortunately, we have lost numerous volunteers – good men and women – around our coast. In simple terms, the management structure is not working. CUAG is not working because it is set up not to work. That is evident in its terms of reference.