Division 1

Welcome to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 1,  8^th Coastal Region Page.

Division 1 of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary comprises men and women involved in the US Coast Guard’s volunteer component in Northwest Florida, southeastern Alabama and south southwestern Georgia. At present we have eight Flotillas, the operating units of the Auxiliary, two detached units in Panacea, FL and Lake Seminole, FL, a Search and Rescue Detachment and vessel at Carrabelle, Florida, and two aircraft.

We have approximately 400 members who unselfishly volunteer their time and equipment to support the United States Coast Guard. The Auxiliary is involved in every facet of the Coast Guard mission, with the exception of military operations and law enforcement. Our primary focus is on recreational boating safety thru safe boating courses, vessel examinations and safety patrols. With the move of the US Coast Guard into the Department of Homeland Security, the Auxiliary’s roles and missions will likely change to some extent. ADM Collins, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, has instructed all his Flag Officers to include the Auxiliary in their operational plans. Accordingly, it is likely that we will see an even greater involvement of Auxiliary vessels and personnel in safety patrolling, harbor patrols, environmental protection, recreational boating safety, and search and rescue. We are also involved in teaching boating safety courses from the most basic one-day course to advanced navigation. Our On-Water Training experience exposes you to boating safety while on board one of our Auxiliary vessels. In addition, you will find Auxiliarists writing boating-related articles for area newspapers, appearing on local television and radio programs of interest to boaters, ready and willing to answer questions about boating safety at boat shows, conducting our free Vessel Safety Checks to confirm that your boat has all the equipment on board required under Federal Regulations, in the classrooms at your local schools teaching boating safety and environmental awareness to our youngsters, serving as radio watchstanders at Coast Guard Stations throughout our Area of Responsibility, flying safety and search missions in aircraft piloted by Auxiliary pilots and staffed by Auxiliary Air Observers, and guiding tours for thousands of people at historic sites related to the Coast Guard such as the Pensacola and St. Marks lighthouses. If you have an interest in recreational boating and are willing to commit at least one hundred hours per year to serve your boating neighbors, perhaps the US Coast Guard Auxiliary is a way for you to contribute to Homeland Security.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact me or the Flotilla Commander nearest your home. We are here to serve you and would be delighted to welcome you to our ranks.

Semper Paratus.