SAN DIEGO – A U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla will be presented with a trophy commemorating their selection as the 2012 Flotilla of the Year at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Water Safety Center, at 10 a.m., Saturday.
The award, presented by Coast Guard Cmdr. DesaRae A. Janszen, the Coast Guard District 11 director of Auxiliary, recognizes members of Lake Mohave's Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-7 for their dedication to recreational boating safety.
Flotilla 9-7 was selected for the award out of 1,000 other Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas by the Boat Owners Association of The United States (Boat U.S.) for the second year in a row.
Located in the southern portion of Lake Mead Recreation Area in Cottonwood Cove, Nev., six flotilla vessel examiners worked diligently to complete 1,117 vessel safety checks, 400 more than the previous year, completed 21 safety patrols with a single patrol boat and verified the position of 33 aids to navigation.
The treacherous 67-mile stretch of water downstream of the Hoover Dam is hemmed by a sheer-walled canyon and has blistering summer temperatures as well as afternoon winds known to kick up four-footers that can smash boats against sheer cliffs and scuttle small craft. Members of Auxiliary Flotilla 9-7 provided hundreds of hours of educational outreach and recreational boating safety information to thousands of lake visitors, helping both new and seasoned boaters.
"I am extremely proud to be the District Commodore in which Flotilla 9-7 is located," said Coast Guard District 11 South Region Auxiliary Commodore Harry M. Jacobs. "I am personally grateful to the Boat U.S. Foundation for recognizing the efforts of this proficient group of Volunteers."
Flotilla 9-7 is in need of more members interested in volunteering to help improve boating safety. For more information about Flotilla 9-7 or joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary go to: cgaux.org <http://cgaux.org> .
Janszen and members of the Auxiliary will be available for media interviews immediately following the presentation of the trophy. For more information please call Cmdr. Janszen at 310-427-0651 or Auxiliarist Barbara Sherman at 702-420-6402.