7th District      Division 8     Manatee Flotilla 83
		Bradenton, Florida
		Celebrating 45 Years of Service to the Boating Community!

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the volunteer civilian component of the United States Coast Guard under the direction of the Department of Homeland Security.  It is composed of nearly 37,000 members from all walks of life who are drawn together by their love of the water and a willingness to serve other boaters.  Its members receive special training so that they may be a functional part of Team Coast Guard.  The Auxiliary is an organization providing many services including:

PUBLIC EDUCATION

VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS

OPERATIONS (Land, Sea & Air)

MEMBER TRAINING

The Public Education Program provides public courses in safe boating skills and seamanship for people of all ages as well as special courses aimed at encouraging children to be safe when on the water.

The Vessel Safety Check Program offers boaters free annual checks of their boat's condition and safety equipment.  Boats that pass the inspection are awarded a decal which is displayed on the boat.

The Operations Program assists the Coast Guard in providing services of many types.  These include safety patrols to assure that a boater in trouble gets help, marine and environmental safety patrols, aids to navigation verification, and spectator traffic control at regattas, offshore races and boat parades.  A large part of the Operations function is to be ready to quickly launch and conduct search and rescue missions when the Coast Guard receives a call of a boater in trouble.  Some Operation missions are conducted from the air utilizing pre-qualified small air craft pilots, Auxiliary trained air observers and privately owned planes which are designated as Auxiliary Aviation Facilities.  Other Operation missions involve assisting local Coast Guard stations with their daily operations including watchstanding and cooking in the galley.

Members have a variety of training courses available at no cost to prepare them for participation in the various activities of their choosing in the Auxiliary.  There is an area of interest among the Auxiliary activities for everyone, from web site design to boat crew to vessel safety checks to public education.  Find your place within the proud traditions of America's Volunteer Lifesavers!

FLOTILLA 83 MEETINGS:  The Flotilla 83 meetings are held the second THURSDAY of the month at 7:00 PM. (* SEE NOTE BELOW) The meetings are held at the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport Environmental Affairs Office - (Dan McClure Auditorium located west of main terminal on Auditorium Rd.) or take General Spatz Blvd. (north of University Parkway on east side of S.R. 41) and travel east from S.R. 41 to Auditorium Rd. - building is on the left.  You are welcome to come to meet our members and to get a better insight into our activities and the numerous projects which benefit the local boating community and the U.S. Coast Guard.  Click here for more information on joining the Auxiliary.   

*NOTE:  Thursday, October 9 meeting, 7:00 PM at SRQ McClure Auditorium.  A quorum of membership must attend to conduct Flotilla elections for Commander and Vice-Commander. TCT 1-hour Required (Operational) Workshop will be presented after the meeting - everyone is encouraged to attend. 

To learn more about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary check out the links to other Auxiliary sites.  For questions and comments please contact the Flotilla Commander by email or call 941-485-4880.

Click here for "Manatee 83", the current newsletter of Manatee Flotilla 83.

Would you know what to do in the above situation?  Don't jeopardize your safety or the safety of others!

Take a boating course and be a "Confident and Considerate Captain"!

PUBLIC EDUCATION CLASSES

ABOUT BOATING SAFELY (ABS) COURSE:    This course is NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) approved and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.  With a completion certificate, you may be eligible for a discount on your boat insurance. (Contact your insurance agent for discount availability.)  If you are 21 or under, successful completion will make you eligible for the Florida Boating Certificate (required by Florida Law to operate a vessel with 15 horsepower or more).   Non-boat owners are encouraged to take this course as a way of becoming familiar with the boating experience.

The next ABS Course will be Saturday, October 11, 2008 at American Legion Post 24, 2200 75th St. West, Bradenton, FL.  The cost of materials is $40.00 - SPECIAL OFFER: Share a book and the second student pays only $20 - great opportunity for your "First Mate" or the young crew person!!   To provide the best learning conditions, we keep our classes small.  Classes fill up quickly so be sure to reserve your seat ASAP.  This is a one day course.  Registration begins at 8:30 AM; class from 9:00 AM-5:30 PM.  Lunch is not provided, but the Legion offers a lunch menu (during season) and there are many local eateries or bring your own.  Be sure to register NOW!

ATTENTION BOATING GROUPS, FISHING BUDDIES, SOCIAL GROUPS, ETC.:   A new "Sponsor Incentive" program for groups of 5 or more is now available for the ABS Boating Course.  Get a group of at least 7 people together and you can take the course for free (discounted rate for 5-6 students)!!  Contact information below to get all the details!!

For more  information or to pre-register, please click here or call:  941-758-5954.    

 FYI:  A certificate from a Coast Guard
Auxiliary safe boating course may decrease the cost of your
boating insurance.  

Does your boat have all the required safety equipment onboard?  We offer free Vessel Safety Checks to all boaters and award a decal which is displayed on your boat. 

 Make sure your family and friends are safe aboard your boat!

Call 941-447-0989 for further information or to schedule a free Vessel Safety Check.

Web Site Comments:   Webmaster

This site was last updated 20 September 2008

Disclaimer:  Please read before exploring our web site and links.

Privacy statement: This site does not collect any information from viewers of the site. Information e-mailed to Auxiliary addresses contained on this site are not used for any purpose other then individual communications with the sender and are not divulged to anyone outside the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary.