Welcome to the Division 3, District 1NR Web Site

      Proudly serving the Merrimack Valley area of Northeastern Massachusetts. 

      This division has been serving the area since 1939, when it was chartered as a unit of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, and has a long, proud history as far back as World War II. During World War II, Auxiliarists from this division who had volunteered for service as Temporary Reservists, arrested a foreign agent on Plum Island. Additionally, during war time, a Flotilla 408 patrol boat spotted an enemy submarine, which was later sunk by the USCG Cutter HARRIET LANE.

      In 1948, a group of Auxiliarists from flotilla 408, now known as flotilla 308, developed a public education program. Their very first class was the first in the nation, and was held at Newburyport City Hall, where they graduated 25 students in May of 1949. In 1952, a member of that same flotilla conceived the idea of Safe Boating Week, to peak interest in the Courtesy Motorboat Examination program, which is still running today as the Vessel Safety Check, under the Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Program. Six years later, the U.S. Senate proclaimed National Safe Boating Week in recognition of the efforts in enhancing recreational boating safety.

      In 1954, the Ipswich Bay flotilla 307 was formed as Air Flotilla 525, and a women’s flotilla 303, now flotilla 301, was charted in November of 1959. A year later, in 1960, the Merrimack River Flotilla 408 was changed to 308.

      In 1991, a member of the division serving on Active Duty as a Reservist during Operation Desert Storm, raised the Auxiliary Ensign over the USCG base at Al Jubail on the Persian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia.      

      Auxiliarists in Division 3 come from many backgrounds, and not all of them are boat owners. Among the members are lawyers, retired law enforcement, software engineers, Federal employees, business owners, and veterans of all branches. Members of the Auxiliary are trained in operations, communications, marine safety, environmental protection, culinary services, and many administrative services. Each of us using our skills and talents in our professional fields, to enhance the ability of the U.S. Coast Guard to run its operations. As a force multiplier, the Auxiliary is uniquely qualified to take on some aspects of the Coast Guard’s mission, so that they can focus their manpower on the tasks that save lives and eliminate threats to Homeland Security.

      If you feel inspired to be part of the Auxiliary, please reach out to us and we will be happy to answer any questions, and start the enrollment process so that you can get started on your journey of volunteerism with the United Stated Coast Guard Auxiliary,

Division Commander, Elissa Pepin                Vice Division Commander, Brian Shaw     
                                                      

            Immediate-Past Division Commander, Justin Wright
             

US Coast Guard Auxiliary: Overview

Established by Congress in 1939 under title 14, §§ 23 of the U.S. Code, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is Semper Paratus (Always Ready). We invite you to explore our site and learn more about who we are and what we do to be "Semper Paratus."

The Auxiliary operates in:

• Safety and Security Patrols
• Search and Rescue
• Mass Casualty or Disasters
• Pollution Response & Patrols
• Homeland Security
• Recreational Boating Safety
• Commercial Fishing and Vessel Exams
• Platforms for Boarding Parties
• Recruit for all service in the Coast Guard 

Our Mission:

• To promote and improve Recreational Boating Safety
• To provide trained crews and facilities to augment the Coast Guard and enhance safety and security of our ports, waterways, and coastal regions
• To support Coast Guard operational, administrative, and logistical requirements