U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, District 11 South, Division 2

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 33,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary Collage

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 every 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.