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US Coast Guard
Auxiliary column
By Roy Crittenden
USCGA seeks more boats,
instructors and staff
Now that the 2012 Atlanta Boat Show is over, and
reports have it that a lot of boats were sold by local dealers, the
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary would like to invite the boat owners to
consider joining the Auxiliary and using your boat performing safety
and regatta patrols on Lakes Lanier and Allatoona, depending on
where you choose to do your boating. You can become “crew” and/or
“coxswain” trained, and the Coast Guard will reimburse you for fuel
used performing your patrols, usually four hours in length.
Flotilla 29, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, performs
routine safety and regatta patrols on Lake Lanier from mid-May
through September, weekends and holidays, and other flotillas
operate on other lakes throughout the state of Georgia. While we
operate our own vessels, we are under Coast Guard orders while on
patrol and operate as a Coast Guard vessel, showing CG Auxiliary
signboards and flying the “operational facility” flag. Due to
retirements, and some members experiencing job transfers out of the
area, we are in need of additional power driven vessels to perform
our routine patrols.
The Auxiliary also maintains an “Operations Center”
at Lanier with VHF radios monitoring communications on the lake. A
qualified “radio watchstander” mans the radios during patrol hours.
To become qualified as a watchstander, the member must stand watch
with a qualified watchstander before assuming the responsibility
alone. Individuals with amateur radio experience are a good fit for
this job, but it’s not necessary.
Since supporting recreational boating safety is a
major function of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, holding safe boating
courses for the public is a regular and year round activity of the
Auxiliary. Many of our certified instructors have had a teaching
background or have had experience running business meetings where
they have had the opportunity to lead discussions, etc. To become an
instructor, a member must pass the “Instructor” exam, for which
there is a study manual.
The USCGA is the civilian, uniformed volunteer
component of the United States Coast Guard, as well as the lead
volunteer force of the Department of Homeland Security. Founded in
1939, by the Act of congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves and
re-designated the Auxiliary in 1941. The 36,000 members, men and
women, donate thousands of hours in support of the Coast Guard and
Maritime Domain Awareness missions, such as Search and Rescue,
Public Education and Marine Environmental Protection. Since 9/11,
the Auxiliary has assumed many of the responsibilities and duties
previously done by the Coast Guard, especially around coastal areas
where the Coast Guard has a presence. The Auxiliary does not perform
law enforcement, that’s left to the Ga. Department of Natural
Resources, or military activities, both of which are left to the
Coast Guard in areas where they operate.
Auxiliary
membership is an excellent way to perform a real service for our
country, meet and work with fine people with an interest in boating,
and have a good time while doing it.
Safe boating course set for
March 10
Flotilla 29 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Lake
Lanier, announces a one-day, seven-lesson “About Boating Safely”
course. The course is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 10, 2012. This
course also serves as a PWC certified course for children under the
age of 16. This course will be given at the Coast Guard Auxiliary
Operations Center, 6595 Lights Ferry Rd., Flowery Branch, Ga., on
the left just before the entrance to Aqualand Marina.
Classes run from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and cost
is $40. Discounts available for additional family members.
Course contents include:
• Know your boat
• Before getting underway
• Navigating the waterways
• Operating your vessel safely
• Boating’s legal requirements
• Boating emergencies
• Enjoying water sports
• Georgia regulations
Successful completion of this course may result in a
reduction in your boat’s insurance premium.
For additional information and information on
registering for this course, contact: Dave Wall, Public Education
Officer, Flotilla 29, at 770 904-6340 or
auxiliaryclass@bellsouth.net.
For additional information on the U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary and its programs and activities on Lanier, please contact:
• Flotilla 29 Lake Lanier at (770)425-4252 or
http://a0700209.uscgaux.info.
Roy Crittenden is Public Affairs Officer for Flotilla
29, and can be reached at 770-393-4382 or
alcrit@mindspring.com. |
