CDR John Little Auxiliarist Bill Walters and Mr. John Walters

This past February, the Coast Guard recognized Auxiliarist Bill Walters of Flotilla 66, in Matthews County, VA, for one and a half decades of exemplary service. They cited Bill for his work as a surveyor for the Fifth District Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch. Since the mid 1980’s, Bill has been working with the Coast Guard positioning aids to navigation.

Commander John Little, USCG, Fifth District Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch Chief and Mr. John Walters (no relation), Waterways Management Section Chief presented the Coast Guard Auxiliary Meritorious Service Award and the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation Award to Mr. Walters.

The presentation of the two awards took place at the Flotilla 66 meeting held at Coast Guard Station Milford Haven.

“Bill’s knowledge of surveying is extensive. While working for the Fifth Coast Guard District he was responsible for all aspects of the surveying process including planning, analysis, establishment of control stations, performing surveys and conducting post survey debriefings,” said Commander Little.

Picture of the medal

Throughout his tenure, Bill has trained 13 active duty Coast Guardsmen in the art and science of surveying, positioned over 100 navigational range structures, and contributed a cost benefit of over $2 million to the government. Bill has selflessly volunteered his time, knowledge, car and boat to the Survey Team’s mission. Even today, in his semi-retired status, Bill stands ready to deploy if ever needed.

Working from the Fifth Coast Guard District headquarters in downtown Portsmouth, VA the Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch oversees all of the aids to navigation in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington D.C., and eastern Pennsylvania.

One valuable tool used by mariners transiting pilot waters are ranges which help vessels remain in the center of a navigational channel. A range is composed of two towers attached to which are either lights or dayboards that, when lined up from the perspective of the boater, indicate when the vessel is in the center of the channel. During most of his survey work, Mr. Walters accurately positioned the center pile for newly constructed ranges.
For many safety reasons the Coast Guard deemed it necessary to improve the way aids were positioned and how records were kept. In 1989 Bill and John Walters did just that, they founded the Fifth District Geodetic Survey Team. The other team members, working with Bill, traditionally came from active duty and civilian ranks who work in the Waterways Management Section.

Team members come and go, they are assigned and reassigned, but Bill has been a permanent local source of knowledge and support for the team.

In the mid-1990’s Bill was instrumental in arranging training for the survey team when methods using the Geographic Positioning System (GPS) became available. GPS increased accuracy when incorporated with the team’s conventional methods and made finding an aid’s position a lot easier and less time intensive.

“Bill’s accomplishments are highly commended and much appreciated. He knows there will always be an open invitation for him to travel with the survey team regardless of location. Wherever Bill’s willing, can-do, attitude and surveying expertise are needed,” said Commander Little.