PATH: HOME, GLOSSARY, WEBSITE INDEX, WEBSITE CONTENTS » ∨
∧ BOATING ORGANIZATIONS »
∧ MEDIA w/Creator Directory » Product Documentation, Books, Magazines, Videos, Websites »

---

PAGE CONTENTS: (click ⇒ to go to each section on this page)
⇒ Vendor's Profile, Contact Information, Offerings: Products & Services,+.
⇒ ^ Media Offerings: Product Documentation, Books, Magazines, Videos, Websites,+.
⇒ ^ Related Resources: EAB Topics w/Directories, Vendors, Products: Media: Books, Websites,+.
⇒ Visit EAB's FEATURED ARTICLES Home Page to preview the vast scope of our website.
⇒ This Month's Top 20 Most Popular Articles on our EAB website.
⇒ Layout of the EverythingAboutBoats.org Website's Pages: Page Types, Contents, Topics,+.
⇒ What our nonprofit Anchors Aweigh Academy and its EAB website have accomplished.
⇒ Members must SIGN IN to gain access to Members Only areas of this website.
⇒ Become an Academy Member and gain access to additional pages and programs!
⇒ Comments: Submit To ⇒ Comments♥EverythingAboutBoats.org (Replace "♥" with "@").

---

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA, USCGAUX, CGAux, or USCG Aux) is the civilian uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. Congress established the unit on 23 June 1939, as the United States Coast Guard Reserve. On 19 February 1941, the organization was re-designated as the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Auxiliary exists to support all USCG missions on the water or in the air, except for roles that require “direct” law enforcement or military engagement. As of 2022, there were approximately 21,000 members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Collectively the Auxiliary contributes over 4.5 million hours of service each year and completed nearly 500,000 missions in service to support the Coast Guard. Every year Auxiliarists help to save approximately 500 lives, assist 15,000 distressed boaters, conduct over 150,000 safety examinations of recreational vessels, and provide boater safety instruction to over 500,000 students. In total the Coast Guard Auxiliary saves taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

History

The development of the single-operator motorboat, and later the outboard engine, during the early 20th century increased the number of recreational boaters operating on United States federal waters. By 1939 there were more than 300,000 personal watercraft in operation. The previous year the Coast Guard had received 14,000 calls for assistance and had responded to 8,600 “in-peril” cases.

Prior to World War II
The Coast Guard Reserve Act of 1939 was passed by the United States Congress creating a volunteer reserve force for the United States Coast Guard that would have four specified responsibilities. They were charged with promoting safety at sea, increasing boater efficiency for American citizens, assisting them with laws and compliance, and supporting active duty Coast Guardsmen. This encompassed boat owners being organized into flotillas within Coast Guard districts around the United States. They conducted safety and security patrols and helped enforce the 1940 Federal Boating and Espionage Acts. Commandant Russell Waesche and Commodore Malcolm Stuart Boylan are credited as the founders.

In 1941 Congress passed a law to restructure the Coast Guard Reserve which was created just two years earlier. The Coast Guard would hence forth have two reserve forces. The existing volunteer organization would be renamed the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In addition, the Coast Guard Reserve was created that year and would have military and law enforcement responsibilities.

During World War II
During World War II the Coast Guard maintained a unique category of reservist, the “Temporary Reservist,” most drawn from the Auxiliary, who were uniformed and armed but unpaid, similar to a home guard. Coast Guard Headquarters also issued policies allowing some Auxiliarists and Auxiliary vessels to be armed. In 1941 the Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, and Coast Guard Auxiliary were transferred from the United States Treasury Department to the United States Department of the Navy and in 1942 the Coast Guard Auxiliary was authorized to wear military uniforms.

During the war Auxiliarists helped the Coast Guard with recruiting and training active duty personnel. Beginning in 1942, in response to the growing German U-boat threat to the United States, the U.S. Navy ordered the acquisition of the “maximum practical number of civilian craft in any way capable of going to sea in good weather for a period of at least 48 hours.” A large number of vessels, owned and piloted by Auxiliarists with crews made-up of Coast Guard reservists, made-up the bulk of the American coastal anti-submarine warfare capability during the early months of World War II (the so-called “Corsair Fleet”). As newly constructed warships took over the load, the Coast Guard abandoned the concept. None of the two thousand civilian craft, armed with depth charges stowed on their decks, ever sank a submarine, though they did rescue several hundred survivors of torpedoed merchant ships. From 1942 through the rest of the war Auxiliarists and Coast Guard reservists served on local Port Security Forces to protect the shipping industry.

Post World War II activities
In 1950 National Commodore Bert Pouncey was elected and the National Board for the Coast Guard Auxiliary was established. In 1955 Auxiliarists started to participate in programs to support the recruitment of potential candidates for the United States Coast Guard Academy.

The North American Boating Campaign was originally known as “Safe Boating Week,” observed by the Coast Guard Auxiliary as a courtesy examination weekend in Amesbury, Massachusetts in June 1952. This tradition continued until 1957 when an official National Safe Boating Week observation took place sponsored by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in various parts of the country. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard prepared a Resolution, and on 4 June 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed PL 85-445, to establish National Safe Boating Week as the first week starting on the first Sunday in June.

Early in 1973, budget cuts forced the closing of seven Coast Guard stations on the Great Lakes. At the request of the affected communities, Congress ordered the stations to be re-opened and operated by the Auxiliary. The local division captains took responsibility for manning them and ensuring that Auxiliarists’ boats were always available to assist distressed vessels. The Auxiliary later took over seven more stations on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.

In 1976 the Coast Guard commissioned a study of the Auxiliary by a private research firm, University Sciences Forum of Washington. After interviewing key personnel in the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary and analyzing questionnaires filled out by about two thousand Auxiliarists, the researchers concluded that the Auxiliary was in good health. “In summary,” they wrote, “we consider the Auxiliary the greatest economical resource readily available to the COGARD. It performs in an outstanding manner and its personnel are among the most professional group of volunteers in the nation.“

Enhanced role for the auxiliarist
Under Congressional legislation passed in 1996, the Auxiliary’s role was expanded to allow members to assist in any Coast Guard mission authorized by the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Current policy excludes Auxiliary personnel from exercising deputized law enforcement authority or involvement in military combat operations. As of 2004, the Coast Guard Auxiliary had 35,000 members who collectively provided 2 million man hours of service annually.

Under the Department of Homeland Security
In 2003 the Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve and Coast Guard Auxiliary were realigned to be under the United States Department of Homeland Security. As of 2004, the Coast Guard Auxiliary had 35,000 members who collectively provided 2 million man hours of service annually.

On 19 June 2009, the Commandant of the Coast Guard awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation to Auxiliary members for “performance … nothing short of stellar” from the period of 24 June 1999, to 23 June 2009. On the 75th anniversary of the USCG Auxiliary, 23 June 2014, the Commandant awarded another Coast Guard Unit Commendation ribbon to all Auxiliarists.

On 16 May 2019, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary was awarded a third Coast Guard Unit Commendation by Karl Schultz the Commandant of the Coast Guard.

Programs and missions

Above all, the Auxiliary serves as a force multiplier for the Coast Guard. Auxiliarists promote safety, security, and assistance for the citizens of the United States in the harbors, seaports, coasts, canals, rivers across the country and in the air. The USCG wholly delegated to the Auxiliary its mission of promoting and improving recreational boater safety. The Auxiliary also directly supports active duty and reservists in carrying out search and rescue, marine safety, waterways management, environmental protection, and various homeland security missions.

Missions

• Maritime Domain Awareness Air Patrols
• Academy Introduction Mission
• Active Duty Administrative Support
• Administration of Bridges
• Aids to Navigation
• America’s Waterway Watch Program
• Contingency Preparedness
• Inspections of commercial vessels
• Licensing for Merchant Mariners
• Logistic Air Transport
• Management of Waterways
• Air Reconnaissance Ice Patrols
• Marine Environmental Safety and Protection
• Operational Support
• Waterway Security & Safety
• Public Education
• Recreational Boating Safety
• Search and Rescue
• Support for USCG Civil Engineering Units
• Support for Public Affairs
• Auxiliary Chaplain Support
• Support for Recruiting

Recreational Boating Safety
The Auxiliary’s most prominent role is promoting recreational boating safety (“RBS” in Auxiliary parlance). The Auxiliary has several distinct programs that support this mission, most visibly:

• Providing free Vessel Safety Checks (formerly “Courtesy Marine Examinations”) to recreational boaters;
• Delivering a Public Education (or “PE”) program, which consists of a range of courses on boating-related topics such as seamanship, knots, laws and regulations related to boating, weather, and navigation; and
• Acting as a liaison to local businesses/organizations (such as marinas, boating clubs, civic clubs, etc.) through RBS Partnership Program Visitors (formerly “Marine Dealer Visitors).

Surface and Air Operations
The Coast Guard Auxiliary also engages in surface and air operations (“AUXAIR”) in support of Coast Guard search & rescue, marine safety/security, environmental protection/response, and (to a lesser extent) law enforcement and national defense missions. Auxiliarists who own boats and aircraft may offer them to the Coast Guard for use as Auxiliary “facilities.” Auxiliarists qualified as boat crewmen, coxswains, pilots, air crew, and air observers can take part in these activities.

Auxiliary University Programs
The Auxiliary University Programs (AUP) is a Coast Guard Auxiliary-managed initiative established in 2007. Today AUP now has nearly 200 members in 11 units representing over 30 colleges and universities across the United States. AUP prepares undergraduate and graduate students for future public service inside and outside of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Intended to function in a manner similar to ROTC programs, AUP provides students exposure to Coast Guard careers without requiring a service commitment, and more generally teaches students seamanship and leadership, and encourages public service. AUP has a positive track record of getting a large number of its graduates into Coast Guard Officer Candidate School and also offers an Internship Program.

Augmentation
The Auxiliary also directly augments the active duty Coast Guard in a number of ways. Auxiliarists can commonly be seen standing radio watches, assisting in boat maintenance, performing administrative duties, cooking, serving as morale officers, and undertaking other such support roles at Coast Guard units, particularly at small boat stations.

The Auxiliary also trains and provides members on an as-needed basis in areas such as emergency management. Auxiliarists have voluntarily deployed in support of disaster relief operations (notably Hurricane Katrina) and to provide support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Coast Guard Auxiliary Interpreter Corps provides personnel who are fluent in languages other than English for assignments with both the Coast Guard and other federal agencies to support domestic and overseas deployments that require language and translation assistance.

The Coast Guard has long had difficulty recruiting and retaining members to serve in the Culinary Specialist rating (i.e., cooks). The Auxiliary Food Service Specialist program provides Auxiliarists to fill these gaps in recruitment.

The Coast Guard, which has just one regular military band and color guard, also sometimes relies on Auxiliarists to perform these roles for events such as ship christenings and change-of-command ceremonies. In addition, the United States Coast Guard Pipe Band is formed from both Coast Guard Reserve and Coast Guard Auxiliary members.

Qualified Auxiliarists can also provide support to active duty/reserve Coast Guard members and their families as health care providers, legal assistance attorneys, financial counselors, and clergy.

Organization

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is situated in the Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety (CG-BSX), Auxiliary Division (CG-BSX-1), with the office of the Deputy Commandant for Operations (CG-DCO) in Coast Guard Headquarters. CG-DCO oversees the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security, and Stewardship (CG-5) who in turn oversees the Director of Prevention Policy (CG-54), who in turn oversees CG-542.

The Auxiliary has units in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam. Under the direct authority of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Auxiliary’s internally operating levels are broken down into four organizational levels: Flotilla, Division, District and National.

• Flotillas: A Flotilla is the basic building block of the Auxiliary. While a flotilla should have at least 10 members, several flotillas have more than 100 members. Most of the day-to-day work of the Auxiliary is performed at the flotilla level. All members join the Auxiliary at the flotilla level and pay their annual membership dues to their flotilla, which normally meet on a monthly basis. Visitors and prospective members are usually welcome to attend.
• Divisions: At least four (4) flotillas form a Division, which provides leadership, direction, and staff assistance to the flotillas so that their programs can run effectively.
• Districts/Regions: There are several divisions in a District. The District provides leadership and staff assistance to the Divisions. Each Auxiliary District is supervised by a Director of the Auxiliary who is an Active Duty Coast Guard officer usually holding the rank of Commander. Auxiliary Districts generally coincide with Coast Guard Districts.
• Areas: Three Deputy National Commodores are responsible for three geographic areas: Atlantic East, Atlantic West, and Pacific Area, respectively.
• National: The Auxiliary has national officers who are responsible, along with the Commandant, for the administration and policy-making for the entire Auxiliary. These include the National Executive Committee (NEXCOM) that is composed of the Chief Director of Auxiliary (CHDIRAUX – an active duty officer), the National Commodore (NACO), the Immediate Past National Commodore (IPNACO), Vice National Commodore (VNACO), and the four Deputy National Commodores (DNACOs) which in turn is part of the National Staff Operating Committee (OPCOM). OPCOM consists of twenty-nine (29) members: eight (8) NEXCOM members listed above, National Executive Staff consisting of eight (8) Assistant National Commodores (ANACO), and fourteen (14) Directorate Directors (DIR). These individuals along with their respective staff in the various national directorates make up the Auxiliary Headquarters organization. The Chief Director is a senior Coast Guard officer and directs the administration of the Auxiliary on policies established by the Commandant. The overall supervision of the Auxiliary is under the Deputy Commandant for Operations (CG-DCO), who reports directly to the Commandant (CCG).

Leadership and staffing

District Commodores, District Chiefs of Staff, Division Commanders, Division Vice Commanders, Flotilla Commanders, and Flotilla Vice Commanders are elected annually to provide overall organizational leadership. Staff officers are appointed by these elected officers to oversee various program areas.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary does not have a military chain of command; it does, however, have a similar concept called the “Chain of Leadership and Management” (or “COLM”). Auxiliarists are expected to adhere to the COLM when issuing instructions and seeking direction/guidance on policy matters. There are actually two COLM’s. Staff officers at each level report to both their own elected unit leader and to the staff officer in the equivalent position at the next highest level of the organization (this is known as “parallel staffing”). For example, a flotilla staff officer overseeing the flotilla’s public education program (the “FSO-PE”) reports to both his/her own Flotilla Commander (through the Flotilla Vice Commander) and the division staff officer for public education (the “SO-PE”).

National officers
The national leadership is elected once every two years. National officer positions include the following:

• The National Commodore of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (NACO) is the most senior and principal officer of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. The national commodore represents the Auxiliary and reports to the commandant of the Coast Guard through the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. Additionally, the National Commodore represents the Auxiliary with all Coast Guard flag officers and flag officer equivalent civilians at Coast Guard headquarters on Auxiliary matters. The National Commodore functions to support the Commandant’s strategic goals and objectives and serve auxiliarists.
• Vice National Commodore (VNACO) – The VNACO is the chief operating officer of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and reports to the National Commodore (NACO). Additionally, the VNACO represents the Auxiliary at the direction of the NACO with all Coast Guard Flag officers and Flag officer equivalent civilians at Coast Guard Headquarters on Auxiliary matters.
• Deputy National Commodore (DNACO) – The Auxiliary has four Deputy National Commodores (DNACO) who report to the Vice National Commodore. Three are elected (Mission Support, Operations, and Recreational Boating Safety), and one is appointed (Information Technology and Planning). Each DNACO has a specific set of operational areas of responsibility to include one or more of the appointed Assistant National Commodores (staff officers). Additionally, each of the three elected DNACOs are the reporting point for approximately one third of the 16 District Commodores, grouped by geographical area, who are elected every two years to lead their local membership.
• Assistant National Commodore (ANACO) – Eight Assistant National Commodores form the National Executive Staff and are appointed to either lead multiple national directorates or perform specialized roles (such as Chief Counsel or Diversity). They are expected to consult and coordinate with appropriate Coast Guard Flag officers and program managers in coordination with the Chief Director to determine requirements for Auxiliary resources used within their areas of responsibilities and develop and manage Auxiliary programs consistent with Coast Guard needs and objectives.
• Immediate Past National Commodore (NIPCO) – The NIPCO is the most recent predecessor of the National Commodore office and serves on the National Executive Committee.
• Director (DIR) – Appointed top officers of the Auxiliary’s various National Directorates: Government & Public Affairs (A); RBS Outreach (B); Computer Software & Systems (C); Public Education (E); Human Resources (H); International Affairs (I); Performance Management (M); Prevention (P); Emergency Management & Disaster Response (Q); Response (R); Strategic Planning (S); Training (T); IT User Support & Services (U); Vessel Examination & RBS Visitation (V).
• Deputy Director (DIRd) – Appointed aide officers of the Auxiliary’s various National Directorate Directors. They are the second-highest appointed officers within a Directorate and lead alongside the Directors.
• Division Chief (DVC) – The DVCs manage a broad program sector within each directorate under the director and deputy director.
• Branch Chief (BC) – The BCs oversee specialized functions and programs on the National Staff, and are directly responsible for carrying out many of the National Staff functions within their Directorate. They work under the direction of the Division Chief.
• Branch Assistant (BA) – The BAs serve as support staff under a Branch Chief, carrying out national-level tasks and duties provided by their respective BC.

District officers

• District Director of the Auxiliary (DIRAUX) – An active duty Coast Guard officer, usually a commander, who is dedicated full-time to Auxiliary functions in his or her district. The DIRAUX has sole responsibility for enrolling a new member or for disenrolling an existing member. The DIRAUX is also the final authority in all matters related to his or her Auxiliary district. Each DIRAUX has small staff of active duty members, Auxiliarists, and civilian employees to assist with these functions.
• District Commodore (DCO) – The highest elected officer within the district, elected by the Division Commanders, the District Commodore supervises all Auxiliary activities within his or her district.
• District Chief of Staff (DCOS) (formerly District Vice Commodore [VCO]) – The district’s Chief of Staff and Assistant to the District Commodore. Elected by the Division Commanders in the district.
• District Captains (DCAPT) (formerly District Rear Commodore [RCO]) (two or more per district) – Elected by all Division Commanders and usually supervise a group of divisions in a district. They may also have programmatic responsibilities.
• District Directorate Chiefs (DDC) – Some districts appoint DDCs based on the three major areas of Auxiliary activity (i.e., Prevention, Response, and Logistics). They are appointed by the DCO and approved by DIRAUX.
• District Staff Officers (DSO) – Manage the district’s departments and programs; appointed by the DCO and approved by DIRAUX.
• Assistant District Staff Officers (ADSO) – Assist with the management of district departments under the direction and guidance of the DSO; appointed by the DCO with concurrence of DCOS. DSO’s report to the DCOS (through a DDC, where applicable).

Division officers

• Division Commander (DCDR) (formerly Division Captain) – The highest elected Auxiliary leader within a division. Elected by the Flotilla Commanders in a Division.
• Division Vice Commander (VCDR) – Division Chief of Staff and assistant to the Division Commander. Elected by the Flotilla Commanders in a division.
• Division Staff Officers (SO) – Manage the division’s departments and programs; appointed by the DCDR.

Flotilla officers

Titles and duties of flotilla officers are dictated by the Auxiliary Manual.

Flotilla Commander (FC) – The highest elected Auxiliary leader within a flotilla. He/she is elected by the members of a flotilla. Recommends new members for enrollment to the DIRAUX.
Flotilla Vice Commander (VFC) – The flotilla’s Chief of Staff and assistant to the Flotilla Commander. Elected by the members of a Flotilla.

Flotilla Staff Officers (FSO) – Responsible for managing the flotilla’s departments and programs; appointed by the FC.

Detachment Leader (DL) – Serves as the leader for a DIRAUX approved flotilla detachment. This officer is appointed by the FC and wears the insignia of an FSO.

Staff officers

To carry out the Auxiliary program, DCDRs and FCs may appoint flotilla and division staff officers. The DCO may appoint district staff officers. A staff officer at the flotilla level is abbreviated FSO; at the division level, SO; and at the District level, DSO. Thus, the SO-CS is the Division Communications Services officer.

The list of staff officers, with their official abbreviations, is:

Aviation (AV) (district level only)
Culinary Assistance (CA)
Communications (CM)
Communication Services (CS)
Diversity (DV)
Finance (FN)
Flight Safety Officer (DFSO) (district level only)
Food Service (FS) (division level and above)
Human Resources (HR)
Information Services (IS)
Legal/Parliamentarian (LP) (district level only)
Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (MS)
Materials (MA)
Member Training (MT)
Navigation Systems (NS)
Operations (OP)
Public Affairs (PA)
Publications (PB)
Public Education (PE)
Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program (PV)
Sea Scouts (“AUXSCOUT” program) (AS)
Secretary/Records (SR)
Vessel Examination (VE)

Uniforms and insignia

Uniforms

Auxiliarists are not required to purchase uniforms as a condition of joining, but uniforms are required for certain activities and missions. Each auxiliary uniform is identical to a Coast Guard officer’s military uniform, with the exception that the buttons and stripes on dress jackets and shoulder boards are silver in color, rather than gold. On dress uniforms, appointed staff officers wear insignia with a red “A” and elected officers wear insignia with either a silver or a blue “A”, while black “A”s are worn on insignia by both elected and appointed officers on the ODU uniform. Auxiliarists are generally expected to adhere to the same rules of correct uniform wear as regular and reserve Coast Guard officers, although some standards are slightly relaxed (e.g. Auxiliarists are allowed to have beards).

When augmenting Coast Guard personnel in an operational environment (e.g. serving as a cook on a cutter at sea), the military-style officer insignia of Auxiliary position is generally removed and the generic “member” insignia is worn. This is done to avoid giving the impression that the Auxiliarist has any command authority over the vessel in the event of contact with foreign military personnel or a hostile force.

Auxiliary insignia, titles, and military etiquette

Auxiliarists wear military rank-style insignia that signify their leadership position (e.g., a Flotilla Commander wears insignia similar to a USCG lieutenant) but do not hold substantive military ranks and are not typically addressed by their position title. All members are generally referred to as “Auxiliarist” (abbreviated “AUX”) except for those members who hold (or formerly held) senior leadership positions equivalent to flag officers (Admirals), who are addressed as “Commodore” (abbreviated “COMO”). Specifically, the use of an office title before names is proper only for current or past Commodores. Use of a title like Commodore Lucy Jones is proper for a current or past commodore (e.g., National Commodore, Deputy National Commodore, Assistant National Commodore, or District Commodore). For elected or appointed staff officers such as a District Chief of Staff, District Captain, division leadership, or flotilla leadership, the name is followed by the office title (e.g., Mr. Sam Rosenberg, District Captain, Ms. Marion Lewis, Division Staff Officer, Mr. Xing Hueng, Flotilla Commander, etc.).

Auxiliarists also do not customarily render military courtesies (such as saluting) to each other, but to do so is not forbidden. Auxiliarist are expected to initiate salutes and render other appropriate courtesies to military officers who are senior to the equivalent office insignia held by the Auxiliarist, observe proper flag etiquette, etc. Enlisted personnel, Warrant Officers and Commissioned Officers of the Coast Guard are not required to salute Auxiliarists but occasionally do, in which case Auxiliarists are expected to return all salutes given.

The purpose of the Auxiliary’s rank-style insignia is not to signify authority but to identify the Auxiliarist’s position within the organization and recognize the responsibilities of elected and appointed leaders and staff officers. Past elected and appointed leaders are authorized to permanently wear the insignia of the highest office held if they held such office for at least half of its term. However, when an Auxiliarist no longer holds the office represented by the insignia worn, a “Past Officer Device” must be worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt or service dress jacket.

Benefits

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a number of benefits and fellowship opportunities. Auxiliarists are allowed access to the Coast Guard Exchange and have opportunities for training, awards, and uniforms. Some expenses incurred by the auxiliarist may be tax deductible. Auxiliarists are allowed access to the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Program. Auxiliary Flotillas are also supported by the Coast Guard Foundation.

While on official orders, if an Auxiliarist is injured or killed in the line of duty, they may be entitled to compensation on a monthly pay rate equivalent to the GS-9 on the General Schedule Payscale.

Identification Card
Auxiliarists are issued an official identification card from the U.S. Coast Guard by their local Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) only after the USCG Security Center completes a Personnel Security Investigation and issues a favorable suitability-for-service determination. The card also serves as an identification that the Auxiliarist falls under the protocols of the Geneva Conventions (specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention).

Coast Guard Auxiliary Association
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Association (CGAuxA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based out of St. Louis, Missouri that raises and donates money to support outreach activities of the auxiliary. According to its website, the organization was established in 1957 and supports the Auxiliary with its mission to support Recreational Boater Safety, fundraising, and provides the Auxiliary with needed supplies. In addition Auxiliary Association members have access to the Pentagon Federal Credit Union. The Coast Guard Auxiliary has also established a number of national partnerships for discounts on office supplies, hotels, rental cars, prescriptions, and insurance. The Auxiliary Association is led by a ten-member Board of Directors that receives no compensation. Auxiliarists are automatically extended a free membership to the Auxiliary Association.

Eligibility for Membership

Potential applicants must be a United States citizen, be at minimum 17 years of age, and prior members of the United States Armed Forces must provide proof that they were discharged at minimum under honorable conditions. Applicants must have never committed a felony and have a social security number that is valid. While the auxiliary attracts boat owners and veterans of the armed forces, neither is a requirement to join and both are common misconceptions.

Sea Scouts are eligible to join at age 14, under an exception granted by agreement between both organizations.

Status Level Qualifications

In order to qualify for membership the applicant must fill out an application and get fingerprinted. The initial applicant must successfully complete the new member course and pass the new member examination. After successfully passing the applicant will be issued a new member ID number and will be placed into approval pending (AP) status until their PSI is adjudicated. Starting 1 February 2018, new auxiliarists under AP Status must pass the Basic Qualification Course II which consists of seven tested modules based on the Auxiliary Manual before they can be granted any higher status.

If the PSI is favorably adjudicated the auxiliarist may be eligible to be placed into initially qualified (IQ) status, and those who have an unfavorable PSI adjudication will be disenrolled from the Auxiliary. Members in IQ status are not eligible for basically qualified (BQ) status until they have successfully completed all required mandatory training. After all mandatory training has been completed, the auxiliarist enters BQ status. BQ status is considered “full membership” and is ordinarily required to hold elected or appointed office and to pursue qualification in moats fields. Beyond that, the auxilarist may pursue operational auxiliarist (AX) qualification, which involves taking courses on seamanship, meteorology, radio communications, leadership, etc.

Training

Auxiliarists with prior service are likely to have a smooth transition into their flotilla as they are able to come up to speed with current Coast Guard Auxiliary responsibilities and military customs. Prior service in the United States Armed Forces such as military service insignia, badges, ribbons, and devices earned may potentially be worn on the Auxiliary uniform based on what is approved in the Auxiliary Manual.

Operational Auxiliarist
Operational Auxiliarist (or “AUXOP”) is the highest Auxiliary membership status, requiring completion of certain advanced training in subject areas that support operational capabilities. This program has been in existence since 1952 and was established under leadership of National Commodore Bert Pouncey.[65] AUXOP was created to better assist the Coast Guard to fill needed skill sets and to assist with operational Coast Guard missions. In order to achieve the Operational Auxiliarist distinction seven credits must be completed from three different types of courses. Core, Leadership, and Electives are the different required course types. Specialty courses in weather, seamanship, and communications are required in the core curriculum that are all good for a credit each. An additional four credits are required under the leadership and elective course types. Upon completing the training program the Auxiliarist is entitled to wear the AUXOP Device. AUXOP advanced training also helps the Auxiliarist to increase their support capability and capacity to assist with operational missions for the Coast Guard.

Core training
Auxiliarists are required to complete six mandated training courses within their first year of joining the organization, and then must complete them all again every five years after. These six courses cover Fundamentals of Security, Suicide Prevention, Privacy, Sexual Harassment & Assault Prevention, and civil rights awareness. In addition, auxiliarists must complete influenza and ethics awareness just once in their career using the Coast Guard Auxiliary Learning Management System.

Failure to complete the mandatory training may make the auxiliarist ineligible to participate in Coast Guard Auxiliary exercises, drills, or response events.

Incident Command System training recognized by the Coast Guard Auxiliary

The Coast Guard Auxiliary requires auxiliarists to take mandatory Incident Command System (ICS) courses. Four of the Incident Command System (ICS) courses are offered through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and another course if offered through the Auxiliary Learning Management System. Auxiliarists are expected to take courses that will help them to understand the Incident Command System’s organization, basic terminology and common responsibilities. Auxiliarists are required to acquire the skills necessary to perform in an ICS support role. Officers, certified coxswains, pilots, or those in a leadership role may need to take additional EMI courses pertaining to the National Incident Management System and/or the National Response Framework. As part of ICS Training, all auxiliarists must respond immediately to emergency response alerts and participation is mandatory.

FEMA courses

Coast Guard Auxiliary Learning Management System course

C-School Training
The Coast Guard sponsors over 15 different advanced training courses for auxiliarists to take at C-Schools. Selection to attend a C-School is competitive due to limited availability, and the training is for auxiliarists who want to be promoted in their levels of responsibility. To attend a C-School course the auxiliarist must first be approved by their DIRAUX who will then issue official orders to the auxiliarist. When an auxiliarist is attending a C-School course their lodging and per diem are typically reimbursed by the Coast Guard. C-School opportunities include leadership training which are offered at three levels: AUXLAMS (Leadership and Management), AMLOC (Mid-Level Officer course), and AULOC (Upper-Level Officer course).

Center for Homeland Defense and Security Courses
Auxiliarists may register and participate in the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security Self Study Courses. As of 2019 over 10 online courses are available.

Legal protection

While assigned to federal duty, auxiliarists are considered federal employees for the purpose of civil liability; therefore, individual auxiliarists are protected against being sued directly in many tort, property, and injury cases arising from their official duties. Furthermore, during wartime, Coast Guard auxiliarists fall under the protocols of the Geneva Conventions (specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention).

Employment protection
A handful of states offer limited employment protection for members of the auxiliary who are called to assist emergency responders following a disaster or to attend to other auxiliary matters.

From Wikipedia.
From USCG-Aux.

Vendor's Contact Information

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
The Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard Headquarters building in St. Elizabeths West Campus
1790 Ash St SE
Washington, DC 20032, USA

Toll Free: 1-800-
Telephone:
Fax Line:

Website: www.cgaux.org
^ Contact Form:

Email (Replace “♥” with “@”):

From ΞSourceΞ.

Please do not try to contact any of the vendors on this website via our EverythingAboutBoats.org Phone, Email or Comment Systems. Your message will NOT be forwarded to the vendor.
Contact vendors directly (if still active).

Boating Safety Education

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary boating courses provide instruction to boaters at all levels, from the fundamental to the advanced. Our courses (virtual and classroom) are taught by experienced and knowledgeable CGAUX instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. They are offered in two modalities: virtual, video conference with CGAUX Virtual PE Instructors, and classroom setting with CGAUX PE Instructors.

The links below provide short descriptions of each course.

Abbreviation	Course	Length	Audience
BA	Boat America	8 hours	All boaters
BS&S	Boating Skills and Seamanship	8 to 13 lessons	Power Boaters
BnKids	Boats N’ Kids	Variable	6 – 12 year olds
GPSFM	GPS for Mariners	8 hours	All boaters
IBBSESP	Introducción a la Seguridad Básica de la Navegación	2 horas	Novatos
IBBS	Introduction to Basic Boating Safety	2 hours	Novice Boaters
KNPC	Kids and Paddle Craft	Variable	6 – 10 year olds
NAVAM	Navegando América (en español)	8 hours	All boaters
PGS	Paddler’s Guide To Safety	Varies	All boaters
PWC	Personal Watercraft Course	1 hour	All boaters
SS&S	Sailing Skills & Seamanship	8 to 13 lessons	Sailors
SIC	Suddenly In Command	4 hours	All Boaters
WHBS	Waterfowl Hunting and Boating Safety	2 hours	Hunters
WYPTS	Waypoints	1 hours	6 to 10 year olds
WN	Weekend Navigator	8 to 13 lessons	All Boaters

Become a better, safer boater. Find a course near you!

PUBLIC EDUCATION COURSE FINDER (BY ZIP CODE) ⇐ CLICK HERE

Vessel Safety Checks

A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is performed at your boat − ranging in locations from a public boat dock to your driveway. A vessel safety check usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon the size of your boat.

What’s In it For Me?

Vessels passing safety checks are awarded a U.S. Coast Guard / Auxiliary Decal that informs:

• Coast Guard / Auxiliary
• Harbor Patrol
• Sheriff’s & Police
• other boating law-enforcement & safety agency’s

that your boat was in full compliance with all Federal and State boating laws during a safety check for that year. Best of all every Vessel Safety Check is 100% Free of charge!

What if I Don’t Pass?

If your boat does not pass, no citation is issued at that time. Instead, you are provided a written report in how to correct any discrepancies.

Why Receive a Vessel Safety Check?

Safety! The peace of mind that your boat meets federal safety standards and that in an emergency you will have the necessary equipment to save lives and summon help.

In many cases boating insurance agencies offer discounts for vessels which undergo a Vessel Safety Check every year. All decals and safety checks are void December 31st of year they are inspected, they are also void should the operator /owner fail to maintain the vessels equipment or the vessel itself to the standard at the time of the safety check.

Find an Examiner

Are you ready to get started on your path to safer boating? Click the link below, then fill out the short request form and click the submit button. We will locate the closest volunteer vessel examiners within 30 miles of your location and request that they contact you and set up a Vessel Safety Check for your boat.

What Type of Items Are Checked?

• Life Jackets
• Registration and numbering
• Navigation lights
• Ventilation
• Fire extinguishers
• Distress signals (flares, horn, etc.)
• Battery cover and connections

All of these items are currently required by state and federal laws and, if missing or non-operating, can result in a citation if your vessel is inspected by the Coast Guard.

---

Vendor's Media Offerings
with Links to EAB's Media Overview and Co-Creator Profile Pages
(Bold Media Links lead to EAB On-Site pages & Links that are not bold lead Off-Site)

Media with BOLD Resource Codes in the RC column are part of our Academy eLibrary!
Academy Members can view the entire Media by clicking on its Media Title Link to go to our
EAB Overview Page and then scrolling down to the “Academy eLibrary” section for its link.
Resource Codes are explained in the Table Key under Related Resources below.

⇒ Media Directory Under Development ⇐

If any Media or Creators should be added to this list, please submit their info/links via email To:
Editor♥EverythingAboutBoats.org (Replace "♥" with "@")

---

NOT AN ACADEMY MEMBER?
CLICK HERE to discover how you can become a Member and gain FULL access to
thousands of expanded pages and dozens of excellent programs including our eLibrary!

CLICK HERE to view ALL the books, magazines, videos, etc. in our Academy eLibrary.
Media are also listed by category on the Topic Pages found on the Right Sidebar ⇒
CLICK HERE to donate any books, magazines, manuals, or videos, etc. to our Library.

---

Related Resources:
Topic Pages w/Directories, Vendors, Products: Media: Books, Websites, etc.
Categorized by Topic & Hierarchy w/Links (Sitemap).

TABLE KEY: Resource Types are identified by the following Resource Codes (RC).
T = Topic Page.
TD = Topic Page w/Directory
V = Vendor Page.
VO = Vendor's Offerings.
VW = Vendor's Website.
MV = Media Vendor/Creator.
MS = Media Source.
P = Product Page.
PD = Product Documentation.
B = Book.
BB = Book - Biography.
BE = Book Excerpt.
BF = Book - Fiction.
M = Magazine.
MI = Magazine Issue.
MA = Magazine Article.
Vid = Video.
W = Website.
WA = Website Article.
WV = Website Video (incl. YouTube).
F = Forum.
FP = Forum Post.
S = Social Media.
SP = Social Media Post.
NOTES: Resource Codes are arranged above by resource directory hierarchy.
Resource Codes are displayed in the Right Column labeled "RC".  ⇒  ⇒  ⇒  ⇒  ⇒  ⇒  ⇒  ⇒  ⇒ ⇓
Resource Codes which are BOLD indicate Media is available from our Academy eLibrary.⇒ ⇓
^ To view Media, Click on the Media Title to go to our webpage for that media and then:
^ ^ Scroll down to the Academy eLibrary section for media viewing instructions.
Resource Media (Books, Magazines, Videos, etc.) Titles are displayed in a smaller font.
Resource Titles below are arranged by hierarchy using "^" to show subordination.
Resource Links which are BOLD lead to EverythingAboutBoats.com ON-SITE pages.
Resource Links which are NOT BOLD lead OFF-SITE. We is not responsible for their content.
If a link fails or we should add a resource to this listing, please submit info via email to:
^ Editor♥EverythingAboutBoats.org (Replace "♥" with "@")

If any Related Resources should be added to this list, please submit info/links via email To:
Editor♥EverythingAboutBoats.org (Replace "♥" with "@")

---

NOT AN ACADEMY MEMBER?
CLICK HERE to discover how you can become a Member and gain FULL access to
thousands of expanded pages and dozens of excellent programs including our eLibrary!

CLICK HERE to view ALL the books, magazines, videos, etc. in our Academy eLibrary.
Media are also listed by category on the Topic Pages found on the Right Sidebar ⇒
CLICK HERE to donate any books, magazines, manuals, or videos, etc. to our Library.

---

EVERYTHING ON THIS PAGE OK?
If there is anything on this webpage that needs fixing, please let us know via email To:
Editor♥EverythingAboutBoats.org (Replace "♥" with "@")

THIS ARTICLE IS STILL EVOLVING!
The page may contain rough drafts that include raw source materials.

---

Visit our FEATURED ARTICLES Home Page
to see examples of our website's comprehensive contents!

Thanks to our amazing contributors for the steady flow of articles, and to our dedicated all-volunteer staff who sort, polish and format them, everyday we get a little bit closer to our goal of
Everything About Boats. If you would like to submit an article,
See Submitting Articles.

---

— TOP 20 MOST POPULAR ARTICLES —

Detroit Diesel 8.2 Liter “Fuel Pincher” V8 Engine
Cummins V-555 & VT-555 “Triple-Nickel” V8 Diesel Engine
Lehman 120 (6D380) Diesel Engine (Ford 2704C & 2715E)
Ford Industrial Power Products Diesel Engines
How to Identify Ford Diesel Engines
Ford 2715E Diesel Engine
Lehman Mfg. Co.
Perkins Engines
Universal Atomic 4
Sears Boat Motors: Motorgo, Waterwitch, Elgin, etc.
Chrysler & Force Outboards
Eska Outboard Motors
Allison Transmission
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Marine Surveyors by Country
American Marine Ltd (Grand Banks)
Boat Inspection (Types of Marine Surveys)
Boat Builders: (A∼Z) (w/Vessel Types, Locale & Years Active)
USCG NVIC 07-95 Guidance on Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of Wooden Hulls
American Boat and Yacht Counsel (ABYC)

---

Layout of the EverythingAboutBoats.org Website's Pages

— Types of Webpages —
This website consists almost entirely of 3 types of webpages as follows:

1. TOPIC PAGES (See Main Topic Pages listed on Website Contents or the Right Sidebar) ⇒
   • EXAMPLE: – WEBSITE CONTENTS w/Links to MAIN TOPIC & Subtopic Pages:
   • EXAMPLE: 02 – BOAT BUILDING, OUTFITTING, REFITTING & REPAIR:
   • EXAMPLE: 02.06 – Boat Equipment:
   • EXAMPLE: 02.06.08 – Propulsion Machinery:
   • EXAMPLE: 02.06.08.01 – Engines w/Directory of Vendors.
2. VENDOR PAGES (Vendors of Products, Services, Events,+, Destinations & Media Creators)
   • EXAMPLE: 02.06.08.01 –  ^  Ford Industrial Power Products Diesel Engines.
3. PRODUCT PAGES (Equipment, Events, Media: pDoc, Books, Magazines, Videos, Websites,+)
   • EXAMPLE: 02.06.08.01 –  ^   ^  Ford 2715E Diesel Engine.
   • EXAMPLE: 02.06.08.01 –  ^   ^  Ford OpManual - 2710 Range Diesel Engines.
   • EXAMPLE: 02.06.08.01 –  ^   ^  Ford Service Manual - 2700 & 2710 Range Diesel Engines.

Clickable Links that lead to other webpages appear in Blue Text and usually open in a new window.
Links in the Right Sidebar and most directories open in the current window, not a new window.
Note in the examples above that these pages form a natural hierarchy.
The unnumbered "^" pages are listed alphabetically in most tables.
Media Titles in tables are distinguished by their smaller font size.
Media (Books, Magazines, Videos, Articles,+) are treated as Products.
Vendors' Product Documentation (pDoc) are considered Media.
Destinations & Media Creators are treated as Vendors.
All Website Pages are optimized for viewing on
full-width disktop computer monitors,
but can be viewed on phones.

— Contents of Webpages —
Website Pages typically contain the following Sections:

1. PATH (Shows the chain of EAB pages w/links that lead to the page being viewed).
   1. EXAMPLE:
      PATH: HOME, WEBSITE INDEX, WEBSITE CONTENTS » ∨
      ∧ BOAT BUILDING & REPAIR » Boat Equipment » Propulsion » Engines » ∨∨
      ∧∧ Ford, Ebro, American Diesel, AmMarine, Barr, Beta, Bomac, Bowman, Couach,
      Lees, Lehman, Mermaid, Parsons, Renault, Sabre, Thornycroft, Wortham Blake »
      ∧ DO-IT-YOURSELF » DIY Boat Building & Repair » DIY Schools & Classes »
      ∧ MEDIA w/Creator Directory » Documentation, Books, Magazines, Videos, Websites »
   2. (The "»" right pointing Guillemet symbol shows the chain through the page links.)
   3. (The "," comma between page links in the chain indicates pages are not subordinate, but are instead at the same level. See engine brands in the example above.)
   4. (The "∨", "∨∨", "∨∨∨",+ symbols indicate that the path line continues with whatever follows the "∧", "∧∧", "∧∧∧",+ symbols respectively. "∧" Precedes each MAIN TOPIC Page.)
2. PAGE CONTENTS (Table of Contents with links to each main section on the page).
   
3. PAGE BODY (The type of page determines the contents of its body as follows:).
   1. TOPIC PAGES (Topic Treatment: Introduction, Overview, Background, Details,+).
      • (Many Topic Pages contain Directories of Vendors with Links).
      • (Most Directory Listings are Alphabetical and/or by Locale).
   2. VENDOR PAGES (Vendor's Profile, Contact Information, Products, Services,+).
      • (Manufacturers, Resellers, Refitters, Yards, Surveyors, Clubs, Schools, Authors,+).
      • (Boating & Travel Destinations are treated as Vendors on their own Vendor Pages).
   3. PRODUCT PAGES (Product Features, Vendor Links, Specifications, Documentation,+).
      • (Media created by a vendor is often treated as a Product on its own Product Page).
      • (Boating & Travel Events are often treated as Products on their own Product Pages).
4. RELATED RESOURCES (Topics, Vendors, Products, Media: Books, Websites,+ with Links).
5. PAGE TAIL Contains the following Anchors Aweigh Academy & EAB Website Features:
   1. The Anchors Aweigh Academy's EverythingAboutBoats.org Header.
   2. A link to our Featured Articles EAB Home Page.
   3. Top 20 Most Popular Articles. (The section that appears right above ⇑ this section).
   4. Layout of the EverythingAboutBoats.org Website's Pages. (This very section ⇐).
   5. Topics of Webpages. (The very next section below ⇓).
   6. What we have accomplished so far.
   7. Members must Sign-In to gain full access to Expanded Pages & Programs.
   8. Sign-Up (if not already a member).
   9. Public Comments (about the website & about this page).
6. RIGHT SIDEBAR (Website Contents menu with links to Main Topic & Subtopic pages).
   (On some smart phones, the Right Sidebar may appear at the bottom of the webpage)

— Topics of Webpages —
Website Pages are categorized under the following 16 MAIN TOPICS:

The MAIN TOPICS follow a natural progression from conception of the vessel thru its
building, marketing, survey, financing, insuring, transport, moorage, use and upkeep.
The MAIN TOPICS (all Caps) below are followed by their Main Subtopics with Links.

00 – HOME: CONTENTS, ABOUT EAB: Contact EAB, Abbreviations & Symbols, FAQ, GLOSSARY, ADs,+.
01 – ABOUT BOATS w/Museum Directory: Early History, Recent History, Modern Vessel Types,+.
02 – BOAT BUILDING, OUTFITTING, REFITTING & REPAIR: Materials, Equipment, Builders,+.
03 – BOAT MARKETING: Boat Shows, Dealers & Brokers, Importing & Exporting, Auctions & Sales,+.
04 – BOAT INSPECTION: Types of Marine Surveys, Marine Surveyors, Schools, DIY Inspections,+.
05 – BOAT TITLES & VESSEL REGISTRY: Boat Title & Registration, Vessel Registry, Title Co's,+.
06 – BOAT FINANCING: Conventional (Banks, Credit Unions,+), Unconventional (Creative),+.
07 – BOAT INSURANCE: Maritime & Recreational: Coverage, Carriers, Agents,+., Claim Processing,+.
08 – BOAT TRANSPORT: By Sea (Piggyback, Delivery Skippers & Crews, & Towing), Over-Land,+.
09 – BOAT HAULING & LAUNCHING: Drydocks, Ways, Lifts, Cranes & Hoists, Launch Ramps,+.
10 – BOAT MOORAGE & STORAGE: Builders, Anchorages, Marinas, Yards, Racks & Stacks,+.
11 – BOATING ORGANIZATIONS: Yacht Clubs & Sailing Clubs, Paddling Clubs, Boat Owners,+.
12 – BOATING & TRAVEL: Events, Destinations, Boat Rentals & Charters, Cruises, Voyages,+.
13 – BOATING & MARITIME EDUCATION: Recreational Seamanship, Ship's Master & Crew,+.
14 – MARINE LAWS & REGULATIONS: International & National Laws‚ Lawyers‚ Investigators‚+.
15 – DO-IT-YOURSELF: DIY Boat Building & Repair, DIY Boat Sales, DIY Boat Surveys, DIY Classes,+.
16 – MEDIA w/Creator Directory + Academy eLibrary: pDocs, Books, Magazines, Videos, Websites,+.

The above MAIN TOPICS and a more detailed listing of Subtopics
can be found on the Website Contents page and on the Right Sidebar.
An Alphabetical Index of the website can be accessed at Website Index.

---

What we have accomplished so far.
Anchors Aweigh Academy and its EverythingAboutBoats.org website.

• Published over 50,000 website pages about boats and boating, bringing us closer to reaching our goal of becoming "The ultimate reference resource about boats and ships for everyone from the beginning recreational boater to the seasoned professional mariner!"
• Published over 300 website main topic webpages, many with full articles on the topic. See our Website Contents or the Right Sidebar for the listing of the main topic pages.
• Published over 9,000 marine vendor webpages, all with their contact information, most with a description of their products and services, many with product documentation, specifications and independent reviews. (incl.: Boat designers, boat building tools, material and equipment manufacturers and suppliers, boat builders and dealers, yacht brokers, marine surveyors, boat insurers, boat transporters, skippers and crews, boatyards and marinas, yacht clubs, boat rentals and yacht charters, boating, seamanship and maritime schools, marine law attorneys and expert witnesses, boat refitters and repairers, book authors, magazine publishers, video producers, and website creators)
• Acquired over 120,000 pages of product documentation including Catalogs, Brochures, SpecSheets, Pictures, Serial Number Guides, Installation Manuals, OpManuals, Parts Catalogs, Parts Bulletins, Shop Manuals, Wiring Diagrams, Service Bulletins, and Recalls. And have made all viewable to Academy Members through our EAB website eLibrary.
• Acquired over 1,200 books and magazine back issues in our academy library and so far have made over 700 viewable to Academy Members through our EAB website eLibrary.
• Published over 500 DIY How-To articles about boat design, construction, inspection, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair. We are working hard to do more.

We are currently formatting and polishing the Anchors Aweigh Academy online and hands-on courses. Our Marine Surveying course has proven to be excellent for both the beginner and the seasoned surveyor, and especially helpful to the Do-It-Yourselfer.

---

Current Academy Members must SIGN IN to gain FULL access to this
website including expanded pages and valuable Academy programs
like our Academy eLibrary and our Ask-An-Expert Program!
If your membership has expired, CLICK HERE to Renew.

IF YOU ARE NOT YET AN ANCHORS AWEIGH ACADEMY MEMBER,
CLICK HERE to discover how you can become a Member and gain FULL access to
thousands of expanded pages and articles, and dozens of excellent programs
WITH JUST A SMALL DONATION!

---

Comments for Public Viewing

Submit any comments for public viewing via email To: Comments♥EverthingAboutBoats.org (Replace "♥" with "@")
Please remember to put this webpage's title in the subject line of your email.
All comments are moderated before they appear on this page. See Comment Rules.

General Comments About the Website

FROM Donald: "This is an awesome website. I found the information that I needed right away from one of the over 20,000 free articles that you provide as a public service. I'm surprised that so much if this site is free. But I still signed up so I could access the thousands of expanded pages, interesting articles, and dozens of valuable programs! The member's library of books, magazines and videos that I can view online is really terrific! I understand that you and your staff are all unpaid volunteers. Please keep up the good work. And I commend you for your plans to add another 10,000 free informative articles over the next year. I'm thrilled to support you in this endeavor with my small membership donation. Thanks again for all your hard work."

FROM Huey: "I agree with my Uncle, I too have found the articles to be very enlightening. They say that it will take about 100,000 articles to cover the full scope that they have envisioned for the website. They have over 20,000 articles so far and that's doing pretty well, but it could take several years to get the rest. I also noticed that many of the Main Topic Pages and some of the article pages are still in the rough draft stage. I guess that they will fill in as they can get volunteers to work on them. But what I can't figure out is why anyone would spend the time writing informative in depth articles just to give away free to this website for publication? What's in it for them?"

FROM Dewey: "Well Huey, to me It looks like most of the articles on this website are written by very informed people, like boating instructors, boat designers, boat builders, riggers, electricians, fitters, marine repair technicians and marine surveyors. Writing such articles helps establish them as knowledgeable professionals. After all, this website was originally created by a school for marine technicians and marine surveyors. The website is growing in content every day. They even had to move to a bigger, more powerful server because the website's traffic has been growing exponentially."

FROM Louie: "I agree with everyone above. This site is quickly becoming the ultimate reference resource about every aspect of boats and ships for everyone from the beginning recreational boater to the seasoned professional mariner. I use the topic pages on the right sidebar to browse around the website. It's like a Junior Woodchucks' Guidebook for Boaters. Their Members' Library of over 300 popular and obscure books and over 200 magazine back issues that can be viewed online is fabulous. The Academy's magazine is especially informative. On top of that, there is the "Ask-An-Expert program for members where you can get an expert's answer to any of your boat questions. And a whole years membership is only $25. What a deal! I really love being part of this "Everything About Boats" community and help provide thousands of helpful articles free to the public. I think that I'll sit down right now and write an article about my experiences boating with my uncle."

FROM Scrooge: "You rave about this website like it was the best thing since sliced bread. Well, I think it stinks. Sure, it has a lot of good information for boaters, and they're adding more every day, but it will probably never be finished. Furthermore, I don't even own a boat. And I wouldn't have a boat even if someone gave me one. Boats are a waste of money and time and energy and money! They're just a hole in the water you pour money into. If you gave me a boat, I'd sell it quicker then you could say Baggywrinkle. Then I'd lock up the cash with all my other money so I could keep my eye on it and count it every day. Bah humbug."

FROM Daisy: "I'm just so glad that Donald got the boat so we and the boys could enjoy boating — together. And of course all of the girls, April, May, and June, love to be on the water too, especially when that is where the boys are. Oh poor Scrooge, boating is more fun then you could possibly imagine."

FROM Scrooge: "After seeing how much fun you all have on the water together, I regret that I didn't have that much fun when I was young. I've had a change of heart, and I'm giving each of you a Lifetime Academy Membership."

FROM Editor: "For those of you that have stayed with us this far, many thanks, and we hope that you found this little narrative informative. Your faithful support inspires us to keep working on this phenomenal website. We know that we have a lot more to do. Ultimately, we hope that we can help you enjoy the wonder filled world of boating as much as we do. We are all waiting to see what you have to say about this webpage article. Submit any comments via email To: Comments♥EverythingAboutBoats.org (Replace "♥" with "@"). Be sure to include this page's title in the subject line. Also, your corrections, updates, additions and suggestions are welcomed. Please submit them via email To: Editor♥EverythingAboutBoats.org (Replace "♥" with "@"). It has been truly amazing to see what we have been able to accomplished when we've worked together. Thanks to all those that have donated their valuable time and energy, and a special THANK YOU to all that have supported this cause with their membership donations."

Comments About This Particular Page

FROM ΞNameΞ: “Be_the_next_to_comment_about_this_page.” {230316}

---