FLOTILLA 33 PREPARED FOR WINTER OPERATIONS

Article and photos by Brian McArdle, Public Affairs Officer, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, VA

Don Gallagher of Flotilla 33 watching line while towing a 41 foot Coast Guard boat.

It’s been pretty cold lately. Thoughts of boating seem far away. However, a group of dedicated volunteers are still out on our waters conducting safety patrols and training with the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33 members have been on the waters during the winter. “It’s surprising how many boats are on our rivers and the Bay throughout the winter,” commented Wally Dawson, Flotilla Commander. “Although the majority of boats are Commercial Boats, there are charters and the occasional lone fisherman braving the chill.”

“Since we are part of Team Coast Guard, we wear the same winter safety equipment as the Coast Guard,” said Jim Thomas, Coxswain. “It takes a bit of training and experience to operate with bulky equipment in frigid conditions. We want to be able to operate safely and quickly in emergency situations.”

Heading out on patrol and cutting through the ice.

During the Presidential inauguration ceremonies, personnel from Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes near St. Mary’s Maryland, was sent to Washington DC. A boat and crew from Flotilla 33 spent a couple of days at the Coast Guard Station on standby for search and rescue. “We would not have been able to stand in for the Coast Guard if we were not prepared and experienced for winter operations,” said Roy Sheppard, coxswain of the boat at St. Inigoes. “The Auxiliary is a force-multiplier for the Coast Guard and it’s great to be able to assist when called.”

Flotilla 33 boats can often been seen working with boats from Coast Guard Station Milford Haven. Recruits, newly assigned to Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, have to train and become qualified as crew and coxswain. “We provide the means for the Coast Guard to practice towing and other exercises,” commented John Mill, past Flotilla Commander. “We also get to practice with the Coast Guard boats, which sharpen our skills.”

So if you see boats breaking their way through ice, it’s probably an Auxiliary boat heading out on patrol.

~GJA