Subject: Establishment of Auxiliary Marine Operations, Non-Coveted Collateral Duty Assignments
PURPOSE OF ORDER:
Establish and define non-coveted collateral duty assignments for Avalon Station personnel assigned to assist the Avalon Station resident deputies/boat operators (Units 185/185A) with safe and effective marine operations (upon unincorporated Los Angeles County waters).
SCOPE OF ORDER:
Applies to all Avalon Station personnel directed by the Avalon Station Unit Commander (or Watch Commander) to assist Units 185/185A in marine patrol operations.
SITUATION:
Avalon Station’s patrol area includes marine patrol of state (Los Angeles County) waters in a three mile radius around Santa Catalina Island (reporting districts: 1813, 1872, 1876, 1877) and a three mile radius around San Clemente Island (reporting districts: 1882, 1883).
Response areas may also include waters between Santa Catalina Island and the mainland (RD 1890) and waters between Santa Catalina Island and San Clemente Island (RD 1890); and port security for Avalon city/county waters and Catalina Island federal anchorages.
No other local law enforcement agency or LASD sheriff station has jurisdictional authority or responsibility for the state/county waters up to three miles around these two islands.
The LASD/SEB Emergency Services Detail is tasked with support operations for Avalon Station and other sheriff units can be requested by Avalon Station to provide assistance as needed.
The California State Department of Fish and Game has authority to enforce state fish and game regulations in state waters, and the USCG has primary federal responsibility for enforcement of federal regulations and for coordinating federal search and rescue efforts in coastal waters.
Per state law, Avalon Station marine patrol units have the duty to enforce all state and county laws and initiate search and rescue efforts on and in the waters around San Clemente and Santa Catalina Islands. Avalon units also assist federal agencies (such as USCG and CBP).
In addition, Avalon Station marine patrol units have an active MOU with San Clemente Island NALF to assist the US Navy with various operations; and also support Avalon Station functions such as prisoner, personnel, and election ballot transport to the mainland.
MISSION:
Avalon Station Units 185/185A are responsible for maintaining and operating Avalon Station sheriff patrol boats for law enforcement and search and rescue coordination in county waters.
Units 185/185A currently deploy one Avalon Station patrol boat out of Two Harbors, and one out of Avalon Harbor, along with skiffs. LASD/SEB also has tasked 185/185A with operational deployment of one of their patrol boats kept at Catalina Island.
Units 185/185A are qualified and able to man these patrol boats only when two deputies are working during routine operations and directed patrol.
During marine search and rescue missions, Units 185/185A can augment a deck crew with selected boat qualified civilian volunteers and USCG certified captains, from Avalon Station’s Catalina Search and Rescue Team or from LACoFD Baywatch rescue boat personnel.
For other marine operations, such as station patrol level vessel interdiction and compliant or non-opposed ship boarding (especially with larger vessels such as commercial fishing boats), it is beneficial to have tactical, boat trained Avalon Station personnel assist Units 185/185A.
LASD/SEB teams are tasked with handling opposed boardings, barricaded suspects, larger vessel boardings (such as freighters and cargo container ships), and other specialized responses.
CONCEPT:
In order to maintain safe and efficient combined operations, Avalon Station personnel assisting Units 185/185A, must be familiar with basic boat operations and patrol level maritime tactics.
Standard operational procedures will be developed and unit level training will be conducted for all personnel assigned this collateral duty. Unit level drills will help the cadre function as a team.
EXECUTION:
Avalon Station’s Unit Commander will direct all policy regarding Avalon Station maritime operations. The “Isthmus” collateral sergeant will oversee the commander’s intent, supervise training, and monitor combined operations. Resident deputies/boat operators Units 185/185A will be responsible for all Avalon Station sheriff boat operations and coordination.
ORDER:
Chain of Command and Duty Assignments Aboard Avalon Station Patrol Boats
During Avalon Station boat operations (combined with Avalon Station personnel), Unit 185 or 185A will act as the “boat officer” and be responsible for the safe and proper operation of the sheriff patrol boat and proper conduct of all personnel embarked. The boat officer will have overall responsibility for fulfilling the mission objectives and adhering to the station commander’s intent of operations.
If a “senior line officer” (such as a sergeant) is embarked, the senior line officer will function as a field supervisor under standard LASD protocol. The field supervisor will not normally overrule or relieve the boat officer of his duties, but the boat officer will report to the field supervisor for special orders or any instructions that may be applicable.
If the boat officer chooses not to operate the sheriff boat, the boat officer may assign a competent “coxswain” to steer the helm and handle the boat. The coxswain has, subject to the mission orders and the boat officer and senior line officer embarked, full authority over the boat, its crew, and its passengers in all matters concerning safety and operations of the sheriff patrol boat.
Other boat assignments (depending on the number of crewpersons aboard and if the patrol boat is underway) include a “lookout” to assist the coxswain with navigation, radar, operation of the FLIR, and avoidance of obstacles. The lookout can also assist with radio communications.
“Deckhands” will assist the coxswain with boat lines, fenders, and other deck seamanship.
During complex boardings and vessel contacts, a “boarding officer” (someone other than the coxswain) will be assigned to lead investigations (similar to a “bookman’s” duty in a radio car).
The boarding officer will be responsible for contact with a vessel of interest and determine if vessel boarding is required. If boarding is chosen, the boarding officer will coordinate a tactical boarding plan with the boarding detachment, security long rifleman, and coxswain.
The boarding officer will supervise the investigation, search, and any seizures (for the safety of all concerned and in accordance with laws and department policy); and finalize the investigation.
A boarding detachment will include a boarding officer as well as two other deputies, leaving the coxswain and a security long rifleman aboard the sheriff patrol boat (an ideal minimum of personnel for compliant boarding of most commercial size fishing vessels in the vicinity).
REPORTING PROCEDURES:
Deputies will share responsibility for report writing, booking evidence and prisoners, and agency contact (as with Navy, USCG, DFG, etc.). The coxswain is responsible for completing the patrol boat log: including recording courses, en route times, and personnel aboard. The boat officer is responsible for ensuring that the sheriff patrol boat is refueled, maintained, and moored.
TRAINING:
Personnel operating on sheriff patrol boats will be familiar with the appropriate boat bill; which establishes general guidelines, procedures, and standing orders for each sheriff patrol boat.
Personnel shall be trained in basic boat operations, deck and marlinspike seamanship, and tactical boat operations. The Isthmus boat deputies and collateral boat sergeant shall coordinate, approve, and oversee the training program.
Experienced Avalon Station personnel will be assigned to conduct unit level training for basic boating operations and seamanship and for patrol level tactical boarding operations.
Training can be held at the station, in addition to drills conducted upon the sheriff patrol boats. Personnel assigned training duty will have particular expertise, training, and experience (surf rescue, SWT, etc.) to share. Unit level training will be documented, as well as patrol operations.
EQUIPMENT:
Appropriate safety and operational equipment will be issued to or provided for personnel during operations and training drills. Such equipment includes personal flotation devices, ballistic armor, and radio communications.
The boat officer will ensure that sheriff boats will also be appropriately and safely equipped for mission operations and training.
PERSONNEL:
Personnel will be selected for this collateral duty based on their experience, specialized training, and willingness and ability to contribute to a team effort. The scheduling sergeant or Watch Commander will arrange for training times and operational deployment as possible, and when not in conflict with priority assignments and other staffing issues.
Updated: May 31, 2023