In a Glance

An Average Day

in the Coast Guard Auxiliary

Completes 62.5 safety patrols
Completes 6.2 regatta patrols
Performs 10.2 vessel assists
Assists 28 people
Saves 1 life
Saves $341,290 in property
Participates in 100 operational support missions
Participates in 48.7 administrative support missions
Completes 13.4 recruiting support misisons
Educates 369 people on boating safety
Performs 299 vessel safety checks
Attends 70 public affairs functions

Auxiliary Resources

Operational Vessels 4,971
Aircraft 226
Communications Stations 2,641
Members 32,950
Personal Watercraft Facilities 2,873

Auxiliary Volunteer Mission Hours

Public Affairs 96,628
Safety Patrol Hours 143,871
Air Patrol Hours 10,038
Support of CG Missions 269,652
Hours of Public Education 73,097
Hours of Member Training 51,212

Auxiliary Qualified Team Members

Boat Crew 7,098
Auxiliary Coxswains 5,240
Air Observers 294
Pilots 263
Navigation Aids Verifiers 2,829
Instructors 8,547
Personal Watercraft Operators 30

Posted: 2004-11-20 : 12:00:00

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian component of Coast Guard Forces. Founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the US Coast Guard Reserves and re-designated the Auxiliary in 1941. The 38,000 volunteer members (men and women) donate thousands of hours in support of Coast Guard missions.

The Coast Guard does more than just Search and Rescue, and with the exception of direct law enforcement and military action, the Auxiliary is there, side by side, working with regular and reserve Coast Guard units, every step of the way. We're found in every part of the United States where Recreational Boating is found.

The National Organization is broken down along the lines of the Coast Guard Districts (some districts are further sub-divided for ease of administration). Districts are then sub-divided into Divisions, with these units further sub-divided into Flotilla's. The Flotilla is the mainstay of the Auxiliary, and every member must belong to a Flotilla.

We're serious about Boating Safely and Boating Safety. We provide public education on a wide-range of boating topics. We even have programs for KIDS!

In addition to being a major team member of the Coast Guard (our numbers exceed the current strength of the USCG), we are a social and fraternal organization