Member of Flotilla 16-5, 9CR, 9th District for Grand Traverse Region, of Northern Lower Michigan.

Twin Bay Flotilla 16-5, D9-CR, participated in the recent International Coastal Cleanup Day, in the Grand Traverse Region of Northern Lower Michigan.

Sweeping the shoreline along the tip of Old Mission Peninsula, which separates Lake Michigan's East and West Grand Traverse Bays, was just "a day in the life" for Coast Guard Auxiliarists of the Twin Bay Flotilla. Their mission was to represent Coast Guard Forces from the 9th Coast Guard District, remove coastal trash and debris, and catalog marine debris in Lake Michigan.

“This is the first year that our flotilla has participated as an organization, although individual members have participated with other organizations during the past several years,” said David C. Gummere, the flotilla’s Publications and Personnel Services Officer. “The intent was to represent Coast Guard forces from USCG Air Station Traverse City and USCG Station Charlevoix, who are heavily involved in ongoing ‘surge’ and other operations.”

Beginning mid-morning and armed with garbage bags, gloves and strong wills, their trek began near the Old Mission Peninsula Lighthouse. Moving south along West Bay, they discovered an amazingly wide variety of trash and debris.

In 1985, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified plastic as the main form of marine debris. Their assessment continued to be correct, as the main items found were plastics: bags, rope, cups and straws, eating utensils, tarps, beverage containers and caps, collapsible juice pouches and large amounts of unidentifiable molded plastic.

They also found foam cups, lumber, rubber and aluminum foil balloons. However, the most noticeable items were the "zillion plus" cigarette butts and filters.

View of the northern tip of the Old Mission Peninsula as an Auxiliarist prepares for the cleanup.

As the winds increased and the skies clouded-over, one last shocking item came into view and was recovered -- a Child's Type II Near-Shore Personal Flotation Device. It was relatively new, but – fortunately – they found no child within.

Continuing past the scheduled termination time, the cleanup continued into early afternoon. One trio of sea kayakers stopped to ask about the program and appeared pleased with the effort. Other visitors near the Old Mission Lighthouse were quick to add their praise for the Coast Guard’s effort and wanted to learn how they could help.

Finally, by mid-afternoon, the trash was consolidated, cataloged and disposed. The group of Auxiliarists cleared one small part of Lake Michigan shoreline of debris, educated several members of the public on marine environmental programs, and they cataloged a composite picture of current marine debris. Overall, the annual project was a success.

“We wanted to take some pressure off of our local Coast Guard stations, while in turn, educating the public, cleaning the debris, and generally putting the Coast Guard in the lead as community service volunteers. From what I have seen, we accomplished that mission,” Gummere said.

In 1986, the International Coastal Cleanup began in an effort to remove trash and debris from the world's beaches and waterways, much of which is hazardous to humans and marine life. The program provides data to the Coast Guard to document the amount and types of debris collected. This information assists ongoing educational efforts and statutory proceedings directed at public and commercial enterprises. It will also support future efforts to maintain a clean maritime environment.

“For example, many of the things we take for granted relating to the MARPOL pollution discharge restrictions or U.S. Codes, relating to maritime pollution restrictions, are based on the results of this information,” Gummere added.

The Ocean Conservancy (for the EPA) is the overall coordinator for this effort, and locally, the Inland Seas Education Association and the Lake Michigan Federation (private organizations) make efforts to coordinate Great Lakes efforts.

According to the 9th Coast Guard District’s Marine Safety Office in Chicago, "One of the missions of the Coast Guard is environmental cleanup. International Coastal Cleanup Day is just one event in which the Coast Guard will be involved throughout the year to promote the importance of a clean environment, and to educate people of the harmful effects of pollution on wildlife."