Welcome from the Flotilla Commander Randy Black:
Welcome to the page of US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1-4, District Eight, Coastal Region - “The Guardians of the Gulf”. Our Flotilla consists of over 40+ uniformed skilled men and women who are part of the largest and most highly trained maritime assistance organization in existence. Unique in its function, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary
was created by Congress in 1939 to serve as the uniformed, volunteer component of the US Coast Guard. The legal authority for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary can be found at Title 14, USC § 822 which authorizes: “The purpose of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard as authorized by the Commandant, in performing any Coast Guard function, power, duty, role, mission, or operation authorized by law”. As an integral component of the US Coast Guard, we operate under the US Department of Homeland Security. Our Flotilla members receive the same training as active duty Coast Guardsmen do to allow us to operate seamlessly with them as “Team Coast Guard”. As a force multiplier for active duty Coast Guardsmen we assist them during normal and emergency situations in nearly every mission. Our commonly used descriptive title is "America's Volunteer Lifesavers". Our primary mission is promoting and supporting recreational boating safety. This includes, but is not limited to involvement in: Search and Rescue efforts, Standing Radio Watch at USCG Station Destin, Maritime Domain Awareness, Underway Operations, Marine Safety, Pollution Investigation, Public Education, America's Waterway Watch, Aids to Navigation Patrols and Vessel Safety Examinations - both recreational and commercial. In addition, we have Flotilla members with specialty skills including radio operators, web masters, computer specialists, pilots, public affairs specialists, instructors, hazardous materials experts and language interpreters. In addition to our operations on the Gulf of Mexico, we have many Flotilla members offering the same high level of support on our rivers, inlets, bays and inland lakes. Our area of responsibility stretches from the Navarre Bridge in the western Panhandle of Florida eastward to Inlet Beach, Florida. In addition, you may encounter our Operational Facilities patrolling the area waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Destin Pass, Choctawhatchee Bay, Intercoastal Waterway and Santa Rosa Sound offering assistance and friendly advice. The individuals of our Flotilla, both male and female, have joined for a variety of reasons; one is the contribution of their time and expertise devoted to enhancing the Security of our Homeland and interacting with the public to promote boating safety. Many have chosen to serve to make a positive difference in our world. We extend an open invitation for you to join us in a positive environment where you too will be equipped and trained to make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow man. An added benefit of joining is the friendship and fellowship you will experience in Flotilla 1-4. I personally invite you to visit one of our monthly Flotilla meetings held the 2nd Saturday of each month beginning at 9:00 AM at U.S. Coast Guard Station in Destin. USCG Station Destin is located on Hwy 98 at the Destin Pass just over the Destin Bridge in Destin, Florida. Please feel free to contact me or any of our Flotilla Staff Officers for more information about becoming a part of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. We are the Guardians of the Gulf. We Are Coast Guardsmen. We are Semper Paratus! Randy Black
Commander, Flotilla 01-04 District 8, Coastal Region
US COAST GUARD ETHOS:
I AM A COAST GUARDSMAN. I SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. I WILL PROTECT THEM. I WILL DEFEND THEM. I WILL SAVE THEM. I AM THEIR SHIELD. FOR THEM I AM SEMPER PARATUS. I LIVE THE COAST GUARD CORE VALUES. I AM PROUD TO BE A COAST GUARDSMAN. WE ARE THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
