U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
U.S. 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, over 30,000 volunteer members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are active on the waterways and in the classrooms in over 2,000 cities and towns across the nation, all to promote boating safety. Membership in the Auxiliary is open to men and women, 17 years of age or older, who are U.S. citizens, and are interested in promoting Recreational Boating Safety.
The local Tucson Flotilla, with a membership of over thirty volunteers, is a part of Division 10 of the Eleventh Coast Guard District, Southern Region, and is active on all Arizona’s major lakes, as well as providing classroom instruction in Boating Skills and Seamanship, an eight hour Boating Safely Class, Advanced Coastal Navigation, and programs to introduce young people to Water and Boating Safety. 1999 marked the thirtieth anniversary of the Tucson Flotilla’s service to the boating public in southern Arizona.
Local flotilla members also perform over 100 Vessel Safety Checks annually. These safety checks are provided to any boat owner wishing to have a free, courtesy check of their boat’s safety equipment. While performing the VSC, Auxiliary Vessel Examiners conduct a “one-on-one” educational session with the boat owner, providing the owner with an opportunity to ask questions and obtain the latest information on safety equipment and regulations which affect the recreational boater. Safety Checks are free examinations of your boat and safety equipment by a qualified Vessel Examiner.
The members of the Tucson flotilla are also active in conducting safety and search and rescue patrols on Arizona’s lakes. Using their own boats, which have been equipped and inspected to Coast Guard standards, they can be found on most weekends on one or more of our major lakes, assisting the recreational boater and helping to keep our waterways safe.
The flotilla holds monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Cody's Beef 'N' Beans Restaurant, 2708 E. Ft. Lowell, with dinner at 6:00 PM, meeting starting at 7:00 PM, followed by a short member training session.
For additional information, to register for a class, to schedule a Vessel Safety Check of YOUR boat or PWC, or to get information on how you can join the Auxiliary, contact:
JIM FRANKLIN, 520-298-0362