Serve your country, meet new friends, learn new skills. Join The Coast Guard Auxiliary - no special skills required - all training provided for any number of volunteer jobs - from office filing to search and rescue, there is a need for you somewhere in between!  Pass this along to anyone you think may be interested.  

Flotilla 13-01 is the local Auxiliary unit based out of Gloucester Township, NJ.  We draw members from all over the area, and from all walks of life. We are ordinary people; your neighbors, co-workers, retired military, boat owners, and citizens who want to contribute to boating safety and homeland security.

Are you still not sure you want to join?  Here are facts about the Coast Guard Auxiliary:

• If you like to teach, or would like to instruct others on boating safety, we've got just the (volunteer) job for you. Auxiliary members teach, and attend, a variety of boating-related public education and member training classes. Some people join the Auxiliary primarily for the training opportunities. 

•  If teaching is not your bag, how would you like to join us as crew on one of our patrol boats, assisting boaters in distress? Members conduct safety patrol using their own private recreational boats or as crew on other members' boats on waterways during which we might be called upon to do anything from search and rescue to environmental monitoring. We act as the "eyes and ears" of the Coast Guard providing a force multiplier for this busy Homeland Security agency.   With more training, Auxiliary members can also qualify for crew positions on Coast Guard boats, cutters and ice breakers.

• Imagine yourself doing a boat examination with the owner and his or her family, while explaining all of the safety equipment required to be on board. Many boaters know the Auxiliary as the organization which performs voluntary Vessel Safety Checks, which help save lives through prevention. Another way Auxiliaries promote boating safety is through Marine Dealer Visits, meeting with the management of local marinas and boat dealers to provide information and materials to help introduce their customers to safe boating practices.  

•  We also work with the Coast Guard to clean up water fowl after oil spills.  Regional Hazardous Materials drills and planning are supported by Auxiliary boats and members who are trained to respond in a real environmental emergency to help protect the health and safety of the public and our local wildlife.

• Coast Guard Auxiliarist are members of Homeland Security.  It might not be enough to get your New Jersey driver's license renewed, but it will get you onto the military base, where you can perform any number of jobs.

• The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer civilians who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education.

• Auxiliarist may use their own vessels (i.e. boats), aircraft and radios in carrying out Coast Guard operation missions, or apply specialized skills such as carpentry, cooking, or professional skills such as medical, legal or computer sciences to assist in Coast Guard missions.

• Joining the Auxiliary is not all work, however.  A cornerstone of the Auxiliary is the Fellowship with others who share an interest in our missions supporting the Coast Guard and boating safety.  Along with our missions we find time to relax and have fun at Auxiliary outings, training sessions, classes, and conferences. Auxiliarist make lasting, meaningful friendships. Fun activities are planned throughout the year to promote camaraderie amongst members of our flotilla as well as with other flotillas' members.

• These jobs and many more are waiting for you as a member of the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. And not only do you do a service to the boating public locally, you also support the Coast Guard in many other ways. The Coast Guard calls on Auxiliarist to perform a host of duties such as radio operator, engine mechanic interpreter duties, medical backup or administrative functions. These Auxiliarist have completed Auxiliary training as well as Coast Guard training specific to their assignment. Where available, current Auxiliary members volunteer and are trained for these augmentations. Where there is not a sufficient number of local Auxiliary members for Coast Guard needs, the Auxiliary “target recruits” specifically qualified local citizens.  Even if you do not presently have training, the Coast Guard Auxiliary provides training for you to help however you choose.  Auxiliarist helped victims of Katrina by going to the location of the disaster and employing whatever talents they have.

• Membership in the Auxiliary can be almost anything the member wishes to make it. Beyond our day-to-day missions, there are many leadership roles at the flotilla, division, district and national level which can be earned.  We contribute as much or as little time as each of us is able.

• Auxiliaries provide local input to the Coast Guard and NOAA teams which produce nautical charts and maintain aids to navigation such as buoys, daymarks and bridge lights and signage.