About Our Flotilla

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a component of the United States Coast Guard, which is a multi-mission maritime service under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security, and one of the Nation’s five Armed Services.  The mission of the Auxiliary is to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic interests – in the Nation’s ports and waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security in a non-military role and non-direct law enforcement role. 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 30,000 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 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 each year. Auxiliarists assist the Coast Guard in non-law enforcement programs such as public education, vessel safety checks, safety patrols, search and rescue, maritime security and environmental protection and Coast Guard Academy introduction programs for youth. Congress established the Coast Guard Reserve in 1939. It was comprised of unpaid volunteer citizens of the US who owned motor boats and yachts. It’s mission was to promote small boat safety. In 1941, Congress created a Military Coast Guard Reserve, and the original volunteer reserve was renamed the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Coast Guard Auxiliary assists the Coast Guard in all missions except Military and Law Enforcement operations. Following the events of September 11, 2001, port security has required increased attention. In addition, as the Coast Guard deploys assets overseas to assist with military operations in the mid-east, there has been an increased need for the Auxiliary to “fill in the gaps” in terms of safety and security patrols in and around large ports and critical infrastructure. Auxiliary vessels on patrol are the eyes and ears of the Coast Guard on these missions, in addition to providing a level of deterrence simply by our visible presence on the water.