Coastie's Operator has a two-part mission. First, they are the voice of Coastie. Second, they control Coastie's animated features, that is, they keep Coastie ALIVE! The Operator can be an adult male or female. This person should stay "out of sight" as much as possible. They should speak in a clear and slow natural voice. Coastie will work the magic on your voice so you sound like a cartoon character or, in this case, Coastie. This is accomplished thourgh a voice synthesizer. The operator will be wearing two control boxes and a combination microphone and headset earpiece. One box is a transmitter for Coastie's voice and the other is a receiver so you can hear when the children are talking to Coastie. It is very important that Coastie interacts and maintains conversation with the children and audience. He must move his eyes and eye lids and turn from side to side. If this animated action fails to occur, the magic of Coastie is lost!The following comments that Coastie can say to children or audiences are from Coastie's Uncle John Wargo from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Watercraft Division.

1. "Hi! What is your name? My name is Coastie."2. "How old are you? I'm five years old."3. "Today is my birthday. Would you sing Happy Birthday to me?" (Everyday is Coastie's birthday as he is always 5 years old.)4. "Are you enjoying the ______________?" (put in boat show or event name)

5. "Do you enjoy riding on a boat?"

6. "Let me ask you a very important question. 'What is the most important thing to wear when you go boating?'"

When they answer correctly have Coastie sound his siren and jump up and down and say, "That's right, that's right. Great job!"

As a reward, Coastie say's, "You're right. Reach in my smoke stack and get one of my Coastie trading cards." As the child reaches in, Coastie giggles and says, "That tickles!" He then settles down so they can get a card.

If they don't answer correctly, Coastie helps them out by calling attention to the little toy bears and snoopy riding on his deck who are all wearing life jackets. Each child always receives a trading card.

7. "Do you want to hear my siren?"8. "Cover your ears and I will sound my foghorn. It is very loud. Are you ready?"

The Operator and Director need to make sure everyone is aware that Coastie is going to sound his foghorn as some children are very frightened when this occurs. Make sure they cover their ears!

9. Coastie can share that his dad is a Coast Guard cutter and they go on patrols together. Coastie's dad is teaching him how to be a big Coast Guard cutter when he grows up.

10. "Do you know what I'm going to be when I grow up? A cutter like my Dad! What are you going to be?"11. "I like to eat pizza, McDonalds, and peanut butter. What do you like to eat?"12. "I sleep in the bathtub --- that's where all toy boats sleep. Where do you sleep?" (see no. 18)

13. "My dad is a Coast Guard cutter on Lake _______."

14. "My mom is a buoy tender on Lake _______."

15. When talking to aduls specifically ask them, "Have you taken a safe boating class? Please call the phone number on my trading card to sign up for a class so our waterways will be fun and safe for all."

16. "Do you want to hear my Coastie Jingle?" Have Coastie move fore and aft dancing to the jingle.17. "Would you give me a big hug? I love hugs!"18. "See my rubber ducky? I got him for my birthday!" or "That's my rubber ducky, I take him in the bathtub!"

19. During the summer and when outside, Coastie can squirt the kids with his squirter. This is something all kids love. Be very careful that they are not too close as the squirter can hit them directly in the eye. The floor can also become slippery and someone may fall. Use good common sense when using this accessory.

20. Tell kids jokes. "Why did the hippopotamus cross the road? -- Because it was the chickens day off!" Coastie giggles.

"Why do cows wear bells? -- Because their horns don't work!"

"Which house weight the least? -- A lighthouse!"

21. You can always play one of the many children's songs available on CD or cassette tape. Children love to dance, march, and sing along with Coastie.

Most of all, Coastie must have a bubbly, outgoing, creative personality. But most of all, he needs to be 5 years old! He must always be animated and appear alive!!!