Valentine's Day Gift Ideas from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

PRESS RELEASE

Date: February 1, 2009

Contact: Anthony Turner
Public Affairs Officer
562-577-0343
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.news.auxpa.org/

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

 

With "love in the air" and spring and the boating season just around the corner, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers some Valentine's Day gift ideas for boaters to help them stay safe all year long.

One of the best gift ideas for boaters is to sign them up for a boating education course. Knowledge is power, and it has been statistically shown that boaters who have taken a safety class are far less likely to be involved in a boating mishap or fatality.

The start of the traditional boating season is just a couple of months away, so now is a good time to schedule a free Vessel Safety Check (VSC). A VSC is a valuable gift for boaters that doesn't cost anything but time.

The “switch to digital” even affects boaters. Starting February 1, 2009 the Coast Guard no longer monitors analog distress signals transmitted from the older Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs). A new digital EPIRB is another great Valentine’s Day gift idea.

Other great gift ideas to help keep boaters safe include:

• Sleek, light-weight, and comfortable inflatable life jackets (personal flotation devices - PFDs)
• A carbon monoxide detector
• Emergency signaling kits -- flares, signal mirror, whistle, etc.
• Kill switch leash -- kills the engine if the boater falls overboard
• Up-to-date navigational charts and/or a handheld GPS unit
• Navigation tools and calculators
• Hand-held VHF marine radio with extra batteries

The Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary recommend these gifts to save lives and reduce mishaps on America's waterways.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America’s Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.

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To sign-up for a Boating Education Course visit:

http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/index.html

To schedule a free Vessel Safety Course visit:

www.safetyseal.net

For more information about the switch to digital EPIRBs visit:

www.cospas-sarsat.org/firstpage/121.5phaseout.htm

For more information on how to become one of America's Volunteer Guardians visit:

www.join.cgaux.org

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Welcomes Americans Looking to Answer President’s Call to Service

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

 

PRESS RELEASE

Date: January 29, 2008

Contact: Anthony Turner
Public Affairs Officer
562-577-0343
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.news.auxpa.org/

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Welcomes Americans Looking to Answer President’s Call to Service

WASHINGTON, President Obama has called the nation to service. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have been answering that call for nearly 70 years. 

Auxiliarists have answered America’s call following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Most recently the Auxiliary, America's Volunteer Guardians, were on the waterways in the Capital region in support of the Presidential Inauguration.

Although none of the “Miracle on the Hudson,” rescuers included Auxiliarists, some of the rescuers did included the Officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department’s (PAPD) LaGuardia Airport Marine Unit.  Those police officers were trained by the men and women of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, through the Small Boat Course for Local Law Enforcement (SBCLLE), a program run through the Office of the Director of Auxiliary, First Coast Guard District Southern Region. 

According to Auxiliarist Wayne Spivak, SBCLLE Program Manager and Chief Instructor “the Auxiliarists who have been a part of this program are proud that they were part of the rescue effort of Flight 1549 ).” To date the Coast Guard Auxiliary has trained over 100 PAPD Police Officers, working with them in an intensive two-week classroom and on-the-water program.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions. 

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a perfect fit for those American’s looking to answer the President’s call to service. Membership is open to U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, and able to pass a basic background check. There is no upper age limits or height/weight restrictions, although for operational activities, members must be physically able to perform certain tasks.

For more information on how to become one of America's Volunteer Guardians visit http://join.cgaux.org/

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Luck of the Draw – Coast Guard Cutter Eagle

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

 

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 14 August 2008

Contact: Anthony Turner
Public Affairs Officer
310-908-6950
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.new.auxpa.org/

Luck of the Draw - Coast Guard Cutter Eagle

She was commissioned Horst Wessel and served as a training ship for German naval cadets throughout World War II (a translated-diary from a German naval cadet who trained aboard the Horst Wessel in 1937 is available at http://www.uscg.mil/History/WEBCUTTERS/horstwessel1937logbooktranslation.pdf .) Following World War II, the Horst Wessel, in the age-old custom of capture and seizure, was taken as a war prize by the United States.   A lottery of sorts was held between the former Soviet Union who drew number 1, followed by Great Britain, number 2, and then the United States, number 3. Before the results of the draw were officially announced, the U.S representative, through quiet diplomacy, convinced the Soviets to trade draws and on May 15, 1946, the Horst Wessel was commissioned into U.S. Coast Guard service as the Eagle. On her maiden voyage to the United States from Germany the Eagle followed Columbus's route across the mid-Atlantic.

Since being commissioned in 1946 the Eagle has played a role in several historic and noteworthy moments in our country’s history including hosting OpSail in New York as part of the World's Fair in 1964 and again she hosted OpSail in 1976 during the United States' Bicentennial celebration.  In 1986 she hosted the centennial celebration for the Statue of Liberty. Just this past week the Eagle served as a backdrop for the commissioning ceremony of the Coast Guard’s first National Security Cutter, Bertholf, in Alameda, California.

In addition to its ceremonial duties the Eagle primarily serves as a seagoing classroom for approximately 175 cadets and instructors from the Coast Guard Academy. 

Starting on Friday August 15, 2008 the public will have an opportunity to not only see the Eagle lead the Festival of Sail parade into Los Angeles Harbor, but also get up close and personal by taking advantage of rare public tours until Sunday afternoon. “This is a very special opportunity for southern Californians to visit such a historic ship,  the last time the Eagle was in port here was about four years ago. “  said Coast Guard Captain James Sommer, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard base in San Pedro, California.

Free public tours of the football field long sail ship are scheduled to be held Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The ship will be moored at the Port of Los Angeles, Berth 87 for the tours. 

There are limited seats for members of the media interested in sailing on the vessel as it sails into the harbor.  For those interested, please contact Petty Officer Allyson Conroy at 310.521.4260 or allyson.e.conroy@uscg.mil no later than noon on Thursday.

To view historic photos of the Eagle visit http://www.uscg.mil/History/WEBCUTTERS/Eagle_1946.html

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Future Rescuer

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

 

PHOTO RELEASE

Date: 10 August 2008

Contact: Anthony Turner
Chief, External Communications Division
310-908-6950
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.new.auxpa.org/

 

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - Coast Guard Auxiliary members David Barber, (left) and Trent Kelly take note  as Cub Scout Andrew Freitas tries his hand at the “monkey ball” toss. Earlier in the day Coast Guard Auxiliary members competed in search and rescue competition while the Scouts looked on. Scouts from a local troop spent the day at the Coast Guard base. The day’s activities included a ride aboard a 41 foot rescue boat (pictured bottom) (U.S. Coast Guard Photos by Anthony Turner, USCGAUX)

 

 

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and direct law enforcement actions.

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COAST GUARD CUTTER EAGLE COMES TO SAN FRANCISCO

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

 

PHOTO RELEASE

Date: 25 July 2008

Contact: Anthony Turner
Chief, External Communications Division
310-908-6950
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.new.auxpa.org/

 

 

San Francisco CA (July 23, 2008) - U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Silver Charm, escorts Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, a three-masted sailing barque with 21,350 square feet of sail during Festival of Sail Parade in San Francisco Bay. The New London, Conn., based cutter's hull is built of steel four-tenths of an inch thick and has two full length steel decks with a platform deck below.

This is the Eagle's first trip to the West Coast in four years.  The ship was a war prize from Nazi Germany, and is the only square-rigged sailing ship in the United States government service.  It was originally commissioned the Horst Wessel in 1936 by Nazi Germany where it was one of three training ships used to train navy cadets.  Taken as a war prize by the United States in 1946 and renamed, the Eagle now allows the Coast Guard's future officers to apply the navigation, engineering, and leadership training they receive in classes at the Coast Guard Academy to real-life challenges on the sea.  (USCG Photo by Eric J. Hebert, USCGAUX.)

KAYAKING/CANOEING REPRESENT MORE THAN 15% OF ALL RECREATIONAL BOATING FATALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

 

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 16 July 2008

Contact: Anthony Turner
Chief, External Communications Division
310-908-6950
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.new.auxpa.org/

 

KAYAKING/CANOEING REPRESENT MORE THAN 15% OF ALL RECREATIONAL BOATING FATALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

LOS ANGELES, Calif – In a year where overall recreational boating fatalities decreased from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007 the number of fatalities associated with the use of canoes/kayaks increased to 107 in 2007 as compared with 99 in 2006. This is according to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety. This figure represents about 15.6 percent of the total of all recreational fatalities in the U.S. in 2007. Of the 107 fatalities associated with kayaking/canoeing 97 were from drowning (66 canoe/ 31 kayak.) The complete 2007 Recreational Boating Statistics are available at http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_stats.htm.

A recent study by the Outdoor Industry Foundation has shown a dramatic increase in the number of Americans participating in kayaking, a 23% increase in 2005 alone. As the number of people turning to kayaking/canoeing (especially with rising fuel cost), so does the risk for kayak and canoe operators getting themselves into trouble.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the American Canoe Association (http://www.americancanoe.org ) offers some basic safety tips:

· Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.

· Be comfortable in the water, out of your boat.

· Obtain the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for kayaking and canoeing.

· Always boat with a group. Three boats is a recommended minimum.

· Know how to self-rescue. Practice! Practice! Practice!

· File a float plan, with friends,,family, or the authorities.

· Bring appropriate safety, rescue, and navigational aids, and more than adequate food, water, and extra protective clothing. Do not wear cotton!

· Pick an activity level that matches your ability, and progress to more demanding challenges.

· Monitor your physical and emotional condition, and watch the other members or your group for fatigue, illness, and changes in behavior.

· Know and follow all local, state and federal laws.

· Be visible - wear bright colors so others can see you between waves or in the fog. Carry a bright light, flares, and whistle to signal your position.

· Take a boating safety class offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and direct law enforcement actions. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral part of the United States Coast Guard. For more information visit www.cgaux.org  if you are ready to be join visit http://join.cgaux.org/ .

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A Farewell to Ken Coddington after 21 Years of Service To Coast Guard Station Channel Harbor

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

 

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 30 June 2008

Contact: Henry Goldman
Public Affairs Officer

(805) 985-7740

cgauxpa@yahoo.com

                

A Farewell to Ken Coddington after 21 Years of Service To
Coast Guard Station Channel Harbor

CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR, Calif - June 26, 2008, Mr. Coddington was honored for his outstanding service in the USCG Auxiliary and to the USCG Station Channel Islands Harbor. He started his career serving his country in WWII, enlisting in 1942. He left active duty as a Naval Flight Commander in 1977. In 1987 Ken joined the USCG Auxiliary and soon after qualified to be a part time volunteer OOD, the person responsible for the operation of the station while on duty. To date Ken has spent over 3600 hours in performing his duty at the station, and has mentored hundreds of Coast Guard and Auxiliary personnel qualifying for their movement through the ranks of responsibility.

Coast Guard Commanding Officer Lt. Marcus Gherardi presented to Auxiliarist Ken Coddington, Flotilla 7-4 a Medal Of Operational Support for his devotion to duty as Officer of The Deck for the past 10 years.

Commander of the Station Lt.Marcus Gherardi stated “ There will be a void here at the station, with Cmdr. Coddington’s presence almost every Saturday standing duty as the responsible officer for the day. We are here today with over 40 of Coast Guard family. He will be missed but never forgotten and we all wish him well in his move to the East Coast to enjoy his retiring years with his extended family.” Mr. Coddington responded, “I will be leaving a great part of my career here at the station, but I will not be giving up my devotion to duty. I will join the local Coast Guard Auxiliary in the area that I am moving to in order to continue my service to the Coast Guard.”

We thank men like Ken Coddington for his devotion and commitment to serving the U.S.COAST GUARD, U.S.COAST GUARD AUXILIARY and HOMELAND SECURITY.

(Pictured - Coast Guard Commanding Officer Lt. Marcus Gherardi (right) presents to Auxiliarist Ken Coddington, Flotilla 7-4 (center) a Medal Of Operational Support for his devotion to duty as Officer of The Deck for the past 10 years, Photo by Mick Brodey, USCGAUX)

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