SWFL BOATING

Coast Guard AuxiliaryRestaurants Is Here To Serve


 

 

Located in our backyard is a key portion of the safety net for our local boating community. I refer specifically to the local flotilla of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Headquartered at the Wiggins Pass – Vanderbilt Beach Cocohatchee Park Marina, our local unit is headed by Flotilla Commander Jim Mayer, Vice Flotilla Commander Rich Laughlin and Staff Flotilla Officer Alan Poysner among other men and women. As a matter of fact, our local flotilla is comprised of 92 men and women.

Most boaters know the Coast Guard Auxiliary for offering boating safety courses, the most basic of which provides most with a ten percent discount on their boat insurance. That fits the focus of the auxiliary and its critical mission to increase vessel safety on the water. That focus has their volun- teer force working in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard providing courses, safety inspections of boats, on the water patrols, radio monitoring and, in emergency situations, assistance to the local Coast Guard and its operations.

Auxiliary members provide boating courses on boating safety, local waters knowledge and paddle craft.

Auxiliary members provide boating courses on boating safety, local waters knowledge and paddle craft.

Every action the local flotilla takes is communicated to and receives approval from the local Coast Guard office in Fort Myers Beach. Vessels on patrol call in with frequency at least once every 30 minutes. Their role is to act as liaison with the Coast Guard or other entities that can provide assistance, such as Sea

Tow or Boat

US.

Criti- cal to the mission is the effort to help the public understand the importance life jackets. Seventy percent of deaths on the water are attributed to drowning. In 80 percent of those deaths, there is no life jacket. The majority of these incidents occurred in calm shallow water with no wind and often alcohol being a factor.

Our volunteer force is comprised of retired business executives, CPA’s, surgeons, a former New York Supreme Court justice, an active FBI agent, and a lot of very normal average everyday Floridians.

Boaters or members of the general public are invited to participate in flotilla activities and to become members. You do not need a boat of your own. In fact, some members never get out on the water as they man the radios, help with functions, teach courses and do other work that helps the flotilla be successful in its mission of promoting boating safety. Members range from the young all the way to 70 year olds .

Commander Mayer expressed it this way, “We are here to serve the boating public. We are an all volunteer force always seeking new members and working hard, having fun and giving back to the community”.

“We are a self-funded organization. Our dues cover our costs. The US Coast Guard provides fuel for us when we are on the water. We will be holding public safety courses in paddle boarding and kayaking November through April.”

We can’t think of a better organization for you to consider joining. Meetings are monthly at Cocohatchee Park at 7pm. To register for courses call 239- 594-8009.

Mark Generales can be reached at mark@swspotlight.com


Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.