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Flotilla 20-10 History

   

   The Swansboro Flotilla was chartered on 03 April, 1982 and its history is closely associated with that of Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle, previously known as Station Swansboro.

   In 1996, budget cuts reduced Station Swansboro staffing from 22 to 10 and it was downgraded to a Station Small, falling under the command of Coast Guard Group Fort Macon (28 miles to the east). With the reduction in staffing, flotilla members provided an important training resource for active duty Coast Guard stationed there. During law enforcement training, Auxiliarist's boats were boarded and their crew was “arrested” many times for violations such as DUI, illegal drugs, etc. Boating Auxiliarists were “rescued” when their boats “caught fire” or when they had a possible heart attack.

  Two-boat drills for towing practice were frequent, one Auxiliarist recalling that he would have been unable to sell his boat as it was seen to be under tow by the Coast Guard in local waters so often! Flotilla members were also an asset in maintaining the physical structure of the Station during this time period. Hammer, nails and paintbrushes were familiar tools as Auxiliarists made themselves available to assist Station Swansboro in any manner required. The Station was also used as the 5th Southern District Training Center for the Auxiliary, the training room having been extensively renovated with the assistance of flotilla members.

   As the population increased and recreational boating traffic in the local inlets and waterways continued to grow, the need for a fully staffed Coast Guard Station also grew. Thus, in April 2003, the Coast Guard decided to re-staff the Station, increasing the active duty members to 18. In June of 2004, the process was complete and the Station was commissioned as Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle. This same increase in population and recreational boating traffic added to the need for boating education and vessel safety checks.

  Once again the members of the flotilla came forward to provide recreational boating education, vessel safety checks, marine dealer visits, and other educational and safety programs. Although the requirement for flotilla members to serve as a training resource for active duty Coast Guard at Station Emerald Isle has decreased, Auxiliarists still participate in two-boat drills and other training exercises with active duty personnel at the Station.

   Watchstanding at the Station has always been an important contributionby flotilla members. This was especially true from 1996 to 2003 when the Station was designated a Station Small and numbers of active duty Coast Guard were greatly reduced. It is still an important activity today, and Auxiliarists from any flotilla are encouraged and welcomed to participate in the Watchstanding Program at the Communications Center at Station Emerald Isle.

   In October of 2012, members of the flotilla received The Association for Rescues at Sea Silver Medal. The awarding citation is below:

AFRAS SILVER MEDAL
   (Presented to a Coast Guard Auxiliarist(s) who displays extraordinary bravery during a rescue at sea.) An AFRAS Silver medal will be awarded to US Coast Guard Auxiliarists Ronald Johnson, Dennis Szeba, Jim Mauk, Bill Gerdsen, and Fred Jelinek for their outstanding operational skill while serving aboard Auxiliary Facility 25371 on 30 June, 2011.

  While underway conducting man overboard training, the Auxiliary crew noticed a woman frantically waiving her hands while her small boat was circling. The operator of the boat was slumped over the helm in obvious medical distress. Auxiliarist Johnson, serving as coxswain, sprang into action and skillfully maneuvered the Auxiliary vessel alongside the out of control boat to get it under control and further assess the situation.

  Once alongside, Auxiliarists Jelinek and Gerdsen boarded the boat and immediately determined the operator was in cardiac arrest. They quickly started CPR while Auxiliarists Johnson, Mauk and Szeba rigged the small boat for alongside tow and coordinated additional assistance with Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle and local EMS. The Auxiliary team continued CPR as they towed the boat toward shore while the station dispatched one of its rescue boats to assist.

  Upon rendezvousing, the station and auxiliary teams continued all attempts to revive the boater until they reached the pier and the rescue team successfully employed an Automatic Emergency Defibrillator restarting the boater’s heart. The boater was stabilized and transferred to local EMS. The fast action, perseverance, and devotion to duty displayed by Auxiliarists Ronald Johnson, Dennis Szeba, Jim Mauk, Bill Gerdsen, and Fred Jelinek proved critical to saving the boater’s life and resulted in his full recovery from the events of that June afternoon.