The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is a volunteer service organization, civilian in nature, open to both men and women who are citizens of the United States, its territories and possessions, and who are age seventeen or older. We are a committed, responsive, and a highly trained team focused on public service. We educate and assist the boating public, augment and support regular Coast Guard, and provide training and personal growth for members.
Members operate on their own time and for the most part at their own expense.
The minimal federal funding received by members only partially pays for subsistence, training, and fuel used in the performance of official operations. While on duty, Auxiliarists are considered federal employees for the purpose of civil liability, for medical, disability, and death benefit compensation. The Auxiliary offers a wide variety of boating courses tailored to specific needs including boat handling, legal responsibilities, aids to navigation, rules of the road, piloting, etc. We assist the Coast Guard in search and rescue, environmental protection, and marine events. The Auxiliary performs safety patrols often in conjunction with regular Coast Guard units and we provide verification of private aids to navigation.