US Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 4 Heartland District

08/08/2026

We are about to start
Comenzamos en unos minutos

08/06/2026

One year countdown for to open a National Museum

WASHINGTON — One year from today, Americans will have the opportunity to experience the remarkable story of the United States Coast Guard in a way never before possible. The U.S. Coast Guard announced

08/06/2026

USS Eagle 2026

08/03/2026

Operations and exercises on Bayou Lacombe, yesterday with Members of
USCG Auxiliary - Division 4
Heartland District.

Auxiliarists Pete Scamardo, Rafael Shabetai, Greg Norton, Gissela Mejia Zsembik, Dennis O'Leary, Darlene Brister, Holly Hopper, improved their seamanship skills through on hands training.

Thanks to Greg for hosting us at his home and his CG Aux Facility.

08/02/2026

Division IV members on a training day at Bayou Lacombe, with Facilities Work Plan and Protector.

07/31/2026

07/31/2026

This happened last night around 9pm


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07/19/2026

This a very interesting publication with notes and photographs provided by FC Robert Jones of Flotilla 49 in our Division 4.
This was an outstanding opportunity during
See the info info below

For the pictures:

1) Bob Jones boarding USCG Barque Eagle in Charleston, SC for Norfolk, VA. Protocol and Safety Information was forwarded beforehand and reviewed in person.
2) Trops with Combination Cap was the UOD for greeting visitors and during the evening receptions. Approximately 4000 visited Eagle each day in Port
3) The first day, 150 new USCG Cadets arrived to be trained in climbing to the Yards and in Sail and Line Handling.
4) Six Cadets are required to be at the Helm to steer a verbal heading shouted from the Bridge
5) Paper Charts are used to plot position in real time to preplanned waypoints and to plot Closest Point of Approach of other vessels.
6) Bob Jones is assisting the Cadets in learning the Local Apparent Noon sun position followed by sights of nautical twilight stars and planets for the evening Fix. Bob took sights throughout the day to demonstrate Advancing the LOP for plotting g a Dead Reckoning Position.
7) The UOD while underway is ODU. Bob Jones is with USCG Rear Admiral John Nadeau retired, Commander Eighth District, including the Mississippi River System and Gulf Coast Ports and parts of 26 States

Bob Jones Experience on the USCG Barque Eagle

Flotilla 4-9

It was a privilege and an amazing experience to be on board the USCG Barque Eagle from Charleston, SC to Norfolk, VA to teach celestial navigation to the 150 Cadets on this voyage. I also gained much experience myself in taking sights on a rolling and pitching ship. We had fair winds and sailed under full sail most of the way. I was able to take Sun sights throughout the day for plotting our Dead Reckoning position to demonstrate advancing the LOP. Each Cadet was required to perform a Local Apparent Noon sight. Nautical twilight provided excellent star shots and we achieved an accuracy of one half nautical mile.

Leaving Charleston we practiced Coastal Navigation with a preplanned route and area for emergency if we needed to drop the hook. The preplanned route included allowance for currents and tides. We used ATONS and Range Markers and all other land marks for fixes and plotted these on a paper chart to confirm our location in real time. Our lookout for other vessels included use of Radar and real time plotting of Closest Point of Approach.

Each morning we had a briefing for weather for the day and future days, as well as sea state. Each day included drills for man overboard, abandon ship, fire fighting, repair for hull damage, medical emergencies, etc.

The Cadets were required to know every line and maneuver for a square rigger. Line handling and knots were significant knowledge for these maneuvers.

I am bringing back much to share in all aspects of sailing and seamanship for the boating public, our Flotilla and Division as well.

Rafael Shabetai Claudia Shabetai Pete Scamardo

07/19/2026

USCG Auxiliary Division 4 - Quaterly Meeting at Coast Guard Station in Metairie, Louisiana
With the participation of CAPT Melanie Berham, Sector New Orleans Commander, CAPT Beth Newton, Deputy Commander, Sector New Orleans and LCDR Morgan Manville, LCDR Nicholas Hartmann, DIRAUX New Orleans
DIV Commander Rafael Shabetai.

07/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17hQu29s82/
Excersizes today at NO USCG Station with USCG US Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 4 Heartland District
On a super hot day with a heat index between 105 and 110 degrees Farenheit