Flotilla 63

   Poquoson, VA

Join the Auxiliary and Flotilla 63

Introduction

The Auxiliary is a group of dedicated civilian volunteers.  Membership in the Auxiliary brings diverse training and enhanced boating experience.  It also enables you to support the US Coast Guard, to assist other boaters needing assistance, and to build friendships with others who share in your desire to be a better and safer boater.

Membership

Membership is open to all citizens of the United States and its territories and possessions, who are at least 17 years old.  Facility (boat, aircraft or radio station) ownership is desirable but is NOT mandatory.  Individuals with any special training or previous experience in any Auxiliary program are especially encouraged to join.  Membership is also open to all active duty or former members of any of the uniformed services and their reserve organizations.

Gaining membership is easy.  Before deciding, we encourage prospective members to join us at a regular meeting, meet Flotilla members, and get a feel for the nature of the organization.  If you elect to proceed, our Flotilla recruiting officer will see that you receive a packet of information about the Auxiliary.  When you are ready, a short exam on that information is administered.  Upon successful completion of the exam your complete application is submitted to the Auxiliary for processing.  Once processed, you are "initially qualified, "IQ," and after completion of a recognized Boating Safety course, you achieve basic qualification or “BQ."  However, membership processing also requires a background check which can take up to several months to complete.  During this time, prospective new members are permitted to begin participating in many auxiliary functions, including the many training opportunities provided.  Once the background check is complete, you are sworn in as a member.  You are then able to participate in all Flotilla activities, and you continue to pursue the training of your choice (as it is offered).

Benefits

Once in the Auxiliary, you can immediately begin providing a valuable service to the public and your efforts are appreciated by all who benefit by your time and expertise.  You meet new friends and find time to relax, exchange sea stories, and learn from others' experiences.  You have the opportunity to increase your knowledge of boating safety, attend training classes, and improve your boating skills.

Activities

Operations... become certified as crew or coxswain and participate in patrols and associated activities with other Auxiliarists, local Coast Guard personnel, and other local government agencies.  Perform aids to navigation inspections, work with Coast Guard trainees, and compete in Search in Rescue competitions.

Public Education… become a certified instructor delivering courses and helping the boating public learn to become safer and more knowledgeable of boating skills for the benefit of all boaters.

Program Visitor...become a certified Program Visitor and regularly visit your choice of local establishments where boaters frequent.  Keep literature racks full and become a ready source of boating information for the business owner.  Businesses are not required to be directly associated with boating to be in the Visitor Program.

Vessel Exams… become a certified vessel examiner and help to insure that boaters have the equipment onboard to provide a safe boating experience and have the ability to respond to problems should they arise.

Fellowship... build long lasting friendships when members gather to share sea stories.  Flotilla 63 generally holds a picnic during the summer, a holiday party, change of watch ceremony, and other social events as schedules permit.

In addition to these common areas of participation, there are many others to suit individual's personal interests.   Some members even participate in the Auxiliary chef program.

Costs

Flotilla 63 members pay annual dues of $30.

Members are authorized to wear uniforms in accordance with US Coast Guard Policy.  Many Auxiliary activities that deal with the public require members to appear in uniform.  Uniforms are available from a variety of sources including the Exchange at the Yorktown Training Center.  The minimum uniform is not extremely costly and varies depending on the member's participation.  The uniform for meetings and public affairs events (like boat shows) is our "Tropical Blue Long" uniform.  For those who become active in the boat crew program we wear the "Operational Dress Uniform" (ODU).

Training material is provided or available on the internet.  There is no cost to members for training. 

Flotilla 63 is fortunate to have access to a variety of US Coast Guard activities and facilities, particularly at the Sector Hampton Roads office in Portsmouth, VA and Training Center Yorktown (TCY).

Contact Mike Davis for additional membership information.