A group of volunteers known as the Coast Guard Auxiliary is a branch of the United States Coast Guard and they continue to reach out to the community, to not only educate but to serve.

While they support main missions of the U.S. Coast Guard, they also patrol on the water and work to educate boaters about safety, flotation devices and boating courtesy. 

Nationally, Auxiliary members have logged 3.8 million volunteer hours, with 26,000 members throughout the United States. 

All members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are volunteers. To be part of the Auxiliary is easy. You must be 17 years old to join and you can set your own schedule as to when and how often you want to take part in missions. There is training that is completed along side U.S. Coast Guard members. 

A common myth is that you need to be a member of the military or retired military to join the Auxiliary, but you don’t need to be. The Auxiliary is open to anyone. 

Currently in Northeast Wisconsin there are 94 volunteers and 5 different flotillas in Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Neenah/Menasha, Algoma/Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay.