USCG Auxiliary Southeast District

06/25/2026

Check out this great article written by imbedded reporter Southeast District Auxiliarist Bill Garvey about his first hand experience in the Paddler Safety training program held in Charleston, SC last month (May 2026). "Spring AUXPAD Training" was hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Paddlecraft Safety Division in partnership with Charleston County Parks, ACA Paddlesports and Cross Currents Leadership. Please like and share... and stay tuned!

Cross Currents Leadership Guest Blogger - William Garvey: The Making of a Proper Paddler
A first-person account of the Skills Building Track at Spring Auxiliary Training (SAT2026)

Skills for all ages; Future lifesavers all By William Garvey

'So, they explained, the mission of SAT2026 participants was to gain the skills as paddlers, exemplars and friendly communicators to help others appreciate and learn the right way to pursue the activity. As a result, they continued, “You might save 50 or 100 people in the next five years,” and closed with, “Thank you for being lifesavers.”

'Here were total strangers so committed to that same special interest that they traveled hundreds, even thousands, of miles and sacrificed personal days to get tired, wet and often frustrated in pursuit of new on-water skills and knowledge. I was delighted to make their acquaintance.'

Read the full article:
https://open.substack.com/pub/crosscurrentsleadership/p/guest-blogger-william-garvey-the?r=6u03iz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

05/18/2026

DANIA BEACH, Fla. – Jeff Barnes, District Captain East, conducts recreational boating safety interviews with West Marine during at Dania Beach Marina, May 18, 2026.

Barnes discussed the importance of checking the weather and your vessel’s safety equipment before getting on the water, making sure your navigation lights are in proper working order, filing a float plan, and wearing a life jacket. These simple tips take minutes to go over and helps prevent boating accidents, incidents, and fatalities.

📸 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by Nichole R. Betterson, Public Affairs Specialist.

05/16/2026

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Earlier today, members from Flotilla 6-10, North Bay conducted vessel safety checks (VSC) at Haulover Marina to kickoff . Getting a VSC ensures boaters are aware of federal and state safety standards; and that their vessel has the minimum equipment required for a safe voyage on the water.

📸 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by Nichole R. Betterson, Public Affairs Specialist.

05/15/2026

Tomorrow kicks off (NSBW) across the nation! To commemorate the occasion, Commissioner Alex Fernandez of the City of Miami Beach Government presented U.S. Coast Guard Station Miami Beach with a NSBW proclamation.

NSBW is the unofficial start of boating season ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend here in South Florida. For mariners getting out on the water for the first time in a while, the U.S. Coast Guard encourages you to check your safety equipment and make sure you have a properly sized life jacket for everyone onboard.

📷 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by Nichole R. Betterson, Public Affairs Specialist.

04/28/2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - This past Saturday, members throughout the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Southeast District traveled far and wide to get a firsthand look at innovative initiatives and mission readiness updates at the quarterly Response Summit held at U.S. Coast Guard HITRON, Apr. 25, 2026.

During the summit, presenters COMO Martin Goodwin, Doug Armstrong, Jadon Duff, Drew Buglione, Jon Fischer, Joe Blanchard, Chris Juall, and Wilson Riggan provided updates, insight, and interactive demos of the AUX AI Coach, Auxiliary Asset and Workforce Awareness for Readiness and Engagement (AUX AWARE), Auxiliary Software Defined Radios (AUX SDR), and Auxiliary Visual Detection and Ranging (AUX ViDAR) programs.

Special thanks to Kimberle and Joseph Sheehan for providing culinary assistance.

Bravo Zulu to Doug Armstrong, Chaplain Gary Gray, and the 40+ attendees for helping to make the summit a success!

📸 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by Nichole R. Betterson, Public Affairs Specialist.