Monthly Meetings

Date:    3rd Thursday ( Calendar*) except in December or if AACC cancels evening classes
Time:    7:00 PM Fellowship & Sign-in, 7:30 PM Official Business, 8:30 PM Member Training
Place:  Coast Guard Station Annapolis (3425 Thomas Point Road; Annapolis, MD 21403)

Newsletter - Hello All Stations                 Officers & Staff

Area of Operation (AOR)

Annapolis Harbor, Severn & Magothy Rivers including adjoining bays & creeks plus associated portion of Chesapeake Bay & other waterways in greater Annapolis/Baltimore Area (such as Eastern Bay, South, West, Rhode, Choptank, Miles, Wye, Middle, Chester, Potomac & Patapsco Rivers, Baltimore Harbor) as requested by Station Annapolis or Sector Baltimore.

History & Tradition

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGAux) Flotilla 23-1 (formerly Flotilla-16 is based in historic Annapolis, MD founded in 1649), the state capital & home of U.S. Naval Academy.  The existence of Flotilla 23-1 dates back to at least 1939 when CGAux was known as Coast Guard Reserve.  During World War II, Flotilla had thirteen members who conducted patrols & supported USCG special missions such as extinguishing jetty & wharf aids to navigation lights during air raids & blackouts.  Although Flotilla had thirteen boats willing to serve, due to gasoline rationing typically only two vessels were deployed at a time. 

Today, the Flotilla has over 50 members who volunteer their time, talents, vessels & radio facilities to aid USCG, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) & MD Department of Natural Resources (MDDNR) helping keep our waterways safe & secure, controlling pollution, preserving environment, protecting maritime assets & serving boating public.

Members conduct over 50 safety, regatta & special event (Blue Angles, Bay Swim, Tug of War, July 4th Fireworks, Naval Academy Events, etc.) patrols each boating season, stand radio watches at Station Annapolis, teach boating safety courses, perform vessel safety checks, assist community with marine events, directly support Station Annapolis & Sector Baltimore with critical projects / missions & have adopted Annapolis Harbor, Magothy & Severn Rivers as part of NOAA’s Chart Update Program.  

Fellowship activities are an important part of our activities, since working relationships built on personal friendships are a critical enabler to successfully carrying out our missions as part of "Team Coast Guard,"  & include annual potluck barbeque & picnic, an occasional cruise & annual Change of Watch ceremonies used to install new officers & celebrate contributions of members throughout the year.

Mission

Today CGAux plays a larger role than at any other time in history.  Members help enhance safety & security of our waterways, ports & marine assets by conducting on-the-water Patrols & Marine Dealer Visits, performing Vessel Safety Checks, assisting with vessel & container inspections, serving as foreign language Interpreters, teaching boating courses, acting as Watchstanders & supporting all other USCG non Law Enforcement missions.

Auxiliary Cornerstones of Service

1)  Recreational Boating Safety & Support
2)  USCG, DHS, State & Community Maritime Support
3)  Maritime Asset & Environment Protection / Preservation
4)  Member Development & Fellowship

As an Auxiliary Member, you can "Help Make a Difference" by:

Learn more about CGAux

Invitation

-  promote boating safety,

-  protect our waterways & maritime assets

-  support DHS & USCG missions,

contact us*,  attend a meeting, drop-by a boating classe,  public affairs event* or Vessel Safety Check (VSC) station to say hello & introduce yourself.  We look forward to getting acquainted, enjoying some fellowship, working side-by-side & hopefully developing a lasting friendship as part of "Team Coast Guard."  In the meantime, "May the seas rise to meet you & the wind always be at your back."

Respectfully Yours,

Walt Discenza
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Flotilla 23-1  Annapolis, MD

Member Requirements                Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)              Security Check Process

**New Member Course & Exam can be taken online by first completing a registration process (a score of at least 80% is required to use course completion e-mail in lieu of a paper answer sheet as part of your Application Package