|
Attend a Flotilla Meeting
Flotilla meetings are every second Thursday evening. They start at 1900
hours (7:00 PM). We usually meet at the Red Tail Lounge at the Clearwater
Air Station. Call (727) 736-1191
Attend a Boating Safety Program
A list of courses on the Boating Course web page.
Contact Person
Contact the Flotilla Staff Officer for Personnel Services for more information.
|
What is
the Auxiliary
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the
United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the
Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military
and law enforcement actions.
The Coast Guard’s philosophy is to be SEMPER PARATUS (ALWAYS READY)
against all threats and all hazards. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral
part of that philosophy and the Coast Guard Forces.
We conduct safety patrols on local waterways, assist the Coast Guard with
homeland security duties, teach boating safety classes, conduct free vessel
safety checks for the public, as well as many other activities.
The Auxiliary has members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,American Samoa, and Guam.
Applicants must be U.S.
citizens, at least 17 years old, and pass a basic background check. There are
no upper age limits or height/weight standards, although for operational
activities, you must be physically able to perform certain tasks. There are
no minimum service hours – you can serve as little or as much as you want.
You do not have to own a boat or participate in water-based operations to
join the Auxiliary.
Finally, the Auxiliary supports its members through local unit meetings,
regional conferences and enjoys heartfelt fellowship with each other.
Why
Volunteer for the Auxiliary
What is the Coast
Guard Auxiliary?
- Since its creation by
Congress in 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has served as the civilian,
non-military component of the Coast Guard. Today, the 33,000 volunteer
men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are active on the
waterways and classrooms in over 2,000 cities and towns across the
nation. Each year, Auxiliarists (folks just like you) save almost 500
lives, assist some 15,000 boaters in distress, conduct more than 150,000
courtesy safety examinations of recreational vessels, and teach over
500,000 students in boating and water safety courses. The results of
these efforts save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every
year.
Why join the Auxiliary?
- BE PART OF THE ACTION &
HELP SAVE LIVES -- Since the recreational boating population in the United States
is growing rapidly, the Coast Guard Auxiliary needs a few good men and
women like you. As an Auxiliarist, you will have the opportunity to
select and participate in one or more of the Auxiliary's major programs.
If you feel strongly about the rewards you can get from serving your
community, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is the right place for you! Either
through on- water Operations, the Auxiliary's Public Education Program,
Courtesy Examination Program, Radio Watchstander, Coast Guard
Recruiting, Marine Environmental Protection or Coast Guard
Administration.
- INCREASE YOUR SKILLS -- The Auxiliary and the
Coast Guard provide specialized training on all aspects of boating, as
well as leadership and administration. Auxiliarists receive valuable
training in seamanship and related skills, and enjoy the sense of
confidence of knowing that they are better and safer boaters.
- SUPPORT THE COAST GUARD -- Auxiliarists provide
direct operational and administrative support to many local Coast Guard
units. You can wear the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform and become part of
Team Coast Guard. When you qualify through training, you can take part
in Search and Rescue operations, stand radio watch at the Coast Guard
Station, work with the Marine Safety Office on pollution matters or work
in the Recruiting Office.
- SERVICE TO YOUR COMMUNITY -- Auxiliarists aren't paid
with money, but with satisfaction. We furnish and maintain our own
equipment and can choose to participate at a level tailored to our
individual capabilities. We provide boating safety classes for youth and
adults and examine recreational vessel for safety equipment to ensure
that our neighbors will be safe on the waterways.
- ENJOY FUN AND FELLOWSHIP -- In all activities, enjoy
fellowship -- the good company of other Auxiliarists at meetings and
training sessions, on patrols and other missions, and at ceremonies and
social events. One of he Auxiliary's trademarks is good old-fashioned
hospitality. Friends, neighbors and interested members of the public are
always welcome to attend one of our flotilla meetings. In addition,
dedication to boating safety provides the atmosphere for getting
together to swap boating experiences and participate in cruises and
rendezvous. You'll find a special camaraderie among Auxiliarists that's
hard to beat. There's time to relax and have fun at Auxiliary outings,
training sessions, patrols, VSCs, classes, and conferences. Auxiliarists
make lasting, meaningful friendships. Knowing that you belong to a
special group of people and directly participate in helping save lives
gives your Auxiliary membership a special meaning.
|
