Coast Guard Auxiliary

[mstern]

Does anyone belong to or have experience with the Coast Guard Auxiliary? I had a nice talk with an Aux Member at a recent boat show, and I was wondering if it was a good organization to join. I am generally familiar with their mission, but I am curious about others' experience in that organization.

[kd3pc]

awesome organization and people...I learned a lot, about even more.

They are rather rigorous about the training, and you can not usually "crew" until you complete crew training...

Great group!

[wingNwing]

I think member DRFerron is CG. If you're not familiar with her posts here, they provide a lot of knowledge with excellent attitude. I took the Advanced Coastal Navigation course about 10 years ago from the Aux in Annapolis, MD and got a lot of excellent info from it.

[chuck53]

I took a class from them some years ago. Good class. Any contact I've ever had with them has been positive. All good people.
I might add that I'm a member of the US Power & Sail Squadron. Also a good organization.
Being a part of either of these organizations will make anyone a better boater.

[DRFerron]

The US Power and Sail Squadron has partnered with the CG Aux on several initiatives. Same mission, different master.

I took my first in-class boating course with the power squadron. The instructors who were sailors sitting in the back of the room tipped the scales for me when I was deciding between power and sail. They just seemed like such a cool group.

[jameswilson29]

I took my first boating safety class from the C.G. Aux. - great materials and a great class.

Anyone who volunteers his or her time to save lives and make boating safer for all of us through education, patrols and free inspections is tops in my book!

[FSMike]

Excellent group, and needed more than ever as the USCG's funding is way down.

[hellosailor]

USCGAux is a Committment. You should be able to find their full procedures manual online. Among other things, you will have to buy proper uniform out of your own pocket, and you will be expected to dress properly at all times. So, it isn't just a casual involvement.

I'm sure that your local group would be delighted to have you out for a tour and perhaps to accompany them for a day, to give you a better idea of what's involved.

[Brent Swain]

I would have supported them , until I saw them childishly harassing kayakers, who were watching the fireworks ,50 feet from the beach , over flares and life jackets.
Once the flashing blue light went on their boats, my support for them evaporated.

[kd3pc]

Originally Posted by Brent Swain

I would have supported them , until I saw them childishly harassing kayakers, who were watching the fireworks ,50 feet from the beach , over flares and life jackets.
Once the flashing blue light went on their boats, my support for them evaporated.

flashing Blue light....that was the REAL coast Guard, they can shoot, arrest, impound, etc

....Aux can not do LEO functions, and unless you are really well trained can not be with the CG when they do...

were one of those kayakers to drown or be hit by your boat, you would be all over the CG for NOT doing their job...