The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
was established by Congress in June 1939, to assist the Coast Guard in promoting
boating safety. It is composed of nearly 33,000 members from all walks of life
who are drawn together by their love of the water and a willingness to serve
other boaters. Its members receive special training so that they may be a
functional part of Team Coast Guard.
As the non-military arm of the U.S. Coast
Guard, Auxiliarists assist the Coast Guard in non-law enforcement programs such
as public education, safety patrols, search and rescue, marine environmental
protection and Coast Guard Academy introduction programs for youth. Auxiliary
members volunteer more than 2-million hours annually to benefit other boaters
and their families.
Each year, Auxiliarists (people just like
you) save almost 450 lives, assist some 13,000 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.
