Volunteer Lifesavers

How We Serve You

The Members of the Big Pine Coast Guard Auxiliary are very actively involved in keeping the waters of the Lower Florida Keys safe for everyone.  We take our role as  "Volunteer Lifesavers" very seriously. We teach boating safety classes; perform free vessel examinations upon request; routinely check aids to navigation; supply marinas with up to date information to distribute to the boating public; assist the Coast Guard in checking for oil spills; participating in the Hawkeye program to protect our shores; and supporting the United States Coast Guard at their request. We patrol power boat races, pick up parachute jumpers and have even helped stranded dolphins.

That is a sampling of the many services that we perform. For more details see following paragraphs.  Please click on the blue links for more information.

 

• Many insurance companies offer discounts on your boat insurance if you take our Boating Skills and Seamanship course. Boat Classes

• At your request, we can perform a

• Vessel Inspections check.  This is an audit of safety equipment on your boat. Only you are told of the results. Our equipment list is usually above and beyond what is required by most state boating laws. If your boat passes the exam, a Safety Vessel Check decal is affixed to your boat which lets others know that you boat with confidence, knowing your equipment is up to safety standards.

• Our operations programs provide you patrols for boat races and surface or air searches and rescues. Also, we help the Coast Guard protect the marine environment, and we report on boating conditions.

• Availability permitting, we can provide you with speakers, safety booths, and participants for parades as part of our Public Affairs mission.

  Click onto the Flotilla Contacts to request more information.

  Other Programs

  Other programs of the Auxiliary not otherwise mentioned specifically in this web site:

  • National Safe Boating Week

  • Boat Show Participation

  • Aids to Navigation

  • Chart Updating

  • Marine Dealer Visitation Program

  • Commercial Fishing Vessel Examination Program

  • Un-inspected Passenger Vessel Examination Program

  • Marine Environmental Education/Protection Program

  • Administrative and Operational Support Missions for the Coast Guard

  • And, Many, many more