U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 095-07-01

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Welcomes Americans Looking to Answer President’s Call to Service

2009-01-29T12:59:00.004-06:00

PRESS RELEASE

January 29, 2009

Contact: Anthony Turner
Public Affairs Officer
562-577-0343
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.news.auxpa.org/

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Welcomes Americans Looking to Answer President’s Call to Service

WASHINGTON, President Obama has called the nation to service. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have been answering that call for nearly 70 years.

Auxiliarists have answered America’s call following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Most recently the Auxiliary, America's Volunteer Guardians, were on the waterways in the Capital region in support of the Presidential Inauguration.

Although none of the “Miracle on the Hudson,” rescuers included Auxiliarists, some of the rescuers did included the Officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department’s (PAPD) LaGuardia Airport Marine Unit. Those police officers were trained by the men and women of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, through the Small Boat Course for Local Law Enforcement (SBCLLE), a program run through the Office of the Director of Auxiliary, First Coast Guard District Southern Region.

According to Auxiliarist Wayne Spivak, SBCLLE Program Manager and Chief Instructor “the Auxiliarists who have been a part of this program are proud that they were part of the rescue effort of Flight 1549 ).” To date the Coast Guard Auxiliary has trained over 100 PAPD Police Officers, working with them in an intensive two-week classroom and on-the-water program.

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 supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a perfect fit for those American’s looking to answer the President’s call to service. Membership is open to U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, and able to pass a basic background check. There is no upper age limits or height/weight restrictions, although for operational activities, members must be physically able to perform certain tasks.

For more information on how to become one of America's Volunteer Guardians visit http://join.cgaux.org/

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Boating Education

2009-01-01T12:59:00.002-06:00

Learn from the best . . .

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Need Your Boating Education Certificate?

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is proud to offer About Boating Safely, their new boating education course. This boating education course is an introductory course to meet the boating education needs of recreational boaters, satisfying the boating education requirement
of most state’s laws.

A Boat Safety Course You Can Trust!

Taking About Boating Safely, adopted by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, will satisfy the state requirements for mandatory boater safety education.

When you review your state’s laws and regulations, you will be confident you are staying current and staying safe. Even if you have been boating for many years, you can always learn something new ‘about boating safely!’

Topics Include

Introduction to Boating - Types of power boats; sailboats; outboards; paddle boats; houseboats; different uses of boats; various power boating engines; jet drives; family boating basics.

Boating Law - Boat registration; boating regulation; hull identification number; required boat safety equipment; operating safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal boat law; state boating laws; personal watercraft requirements.

Boat Safety Equipment - Personal flotation devices ("life jackets"); fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; dock lines and rope; first aid kit; anchors and anchor lines; other boating safety equipment.

Safe Boating - Bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides; using charts; choosing and using an anchor; safe PWC handling; general water safety.

Navigation - The U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules (sometimes referred to as right-of-way rules); avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC "tunnel vision."

Boating Problems - Hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; strainers: emergency radio calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); other boating and PWC problems.

Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat - Types of trailers; trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires, and bearings; loading, balancing, and towing a trailer; towing (and backing) a trailer; boat launching and retrieving; boat storage and theft protection; launching, retrieving and storing a PWC.

Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating - Carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; fishing from a boat; water-skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; water-skiing with a PWC; navigating rivers, and other boating tips.

Course Dates, Times & Locations

February 14th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
March 7th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
March 14th, 2009 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Aurora, IL
March 15th, 2009 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
April 11th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
May 9th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
June 9th, 2009 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
July 11th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
August 8th, 2009 9:00am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
September 13th, 2009 10:00am – 6:00pm Hoffman Estates, IL

For more information visit: http://www.a0950701.uscgaux.info/

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Not wearing a life jacket is like playing Russian Roulette with your life.

2008-10-21T12:59:00.004-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2008

Contact: Anthony Turner
Chief, External Communications Division
(562) 577-0343
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.new.auxpa.org/

Not wearing a life jacket is like playing Russian Roulette with your
life.

LOS ANGELES - This past weekend the Coast Guard and other rescuers searched the waters about 100 feet from a breakwater in southern California for a man who fell overboard from a small boat. The man was not wearing a lifejacket. Unfortunately stories like this are not that uncommon, boaters and their passengers unexpectedly find themselves in the water all too often. Some survive and unfortunately some do not. This man did not survive. Not wearing a life jacket while boating, including, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding is like playing “Russian Roulette.” The chances of a non-swimmer surviving a fall overboard if not wearing a lifejacket are remote if not rescued quickly.

Coast Guard personnel, including the Auxiliary are required to wear lifejackets at all times while underway on vessels under 65 feet in length. “Not to wear a lifejacket whether you are a swimmer or not is to take an unnecessary risk – you never know when you might end up in the water”, said Senior Chief Richard Cheyney, the Officer in Charge of Coast Guard Station – Los Angeles/Long Beach.

There many excuses for not wearing a life jacket, such as “they are uncomfortable” or “too expensive.” U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets range in price from as low as $15.00 to about $400.00 for the top of the line inflatable, although, even the most expensive life jacket is of no value if it is not worn.

It is undisputable a life jacket can and will save a life if properly worn – but what about preventing boating accidents in the first place. Since most boating accidents are caused by operator inattention, inexperience, and speeding resulting in collisions, remembering and following a few simple boating rules of the road, such as keeping a sharp lookout for other boat traffic, can help prevent collisions.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian 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 direct law enforcement actions.

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