Today marks the 75-year anniversary of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Congress founded the auxiliary in 1939 as an organization of volunteers to promote boating safety and to augment the Coast Guard.
The 8th Coast Guard District celebrated this event by honoring 8th District Commodores Richard Lawrence, Larry King, Joseph McGonigal and Richard McConnell. Additionally, Richard McConnell received an award for his 50 years of service in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a voluntary force of local citizens that supports Coast Guard missions and activities in this area.
Most recently the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 4-4 from Lafayette, Louisiana in alliance with Coast Guard Commercial Fishing Vessel Branch of Morgan City, Louisiana conducted free safety exams in the Port of West St. Mary June 12.
These exams included more than half a dozen crab vessels at St. Mary Seafood and additional recreational vessels in the port to ensure safety of boaters. Voluntary exams are complemented by the Coast Guard’s at-sea law enforcement program. Critical safety items are checked at sea during fisheries law enforcement boardings.
If interested in a free, no fine safety examination of a commercial fishing vessel, please visit www.fishsafe.info.