Flotilla 9-6 What's New!

 Community Recognition of upcoming National Safe Boating Week 

The Village of Estero presented to Flotilla 9-6 a proclamation in recognition of its outstanding and honorable service to the community in promoting National Safe Boating Week. On May 7th, 2025 Mayor Joanne Ribble presented a plaque to Michael DiPierro, Immediate Past Commander and Chuck Moore, Vice Commander. 

Flotilla 9-6 and member Michael DiPierro, Division Vice Commander,  were prominently featured in a special WINK news segment that first aired on April 11, 2025.  Exemplify the Coast Guard spirit of Semper Paratus, Michael was quickly available and ready to give a good demonstration and explanation of the safety devices the flotilla utilizes in all of its on-water activities. The same devices are commercially available to all recreational boaters, often for only a few hundred dollars.  Money that is well spent in an emergency, as the devices can send a beacon signal that indicates the position of the sender within 300 feet. In search and rescue minutes matter and without an accurate location to narrow the search zone,  response can arrive too late.  These are just one of the many safety devices that we feature and recommend in our Boat America Safety Training Class.  

This quick-response interview, driven by the 24-hour news cycle, came about when WINK news contacted Sector St. Pete to do a story on EPIRB’s used to locate vessels in distress. The PA Officer at St. Petersburg, Santiago Gomez, also featured in the story, remembered that Flotilla 96 did the Hell’s Gate incident story for a local TV station and contacted Chris Juall, AUX Coordinator Sector St. Petersburg,  who then called Michael to step up to do the interview on short notice. It was easy from there as the reporter and video team were in Fort Myers and they came down to the Flotilla and the interview.  Thanks to Michael for well representing the flotilla and starting a public safety dialog that will lead us into this year's safety message crescendo with National Safe Boating Week starting May 17th. 

Click on the image above to see the full interview.

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As part of our mission to promote Boating Safety in Southwest Florida Flotilla 9-6's dedicated team, including FC Michael DiPierro and FSO-NS Brian Strojny, has taken to the air waves to share our message. Thanks to our local media for their important part in bringing the urgency of safe and responsible boating to the public in our ongoing effort to help prevent future accidents.

Please find the links below to some of our most recent messages.

On Radio:   WGUF-FM Naples' FM Talk on the Dave Elliott Show

On TV:        NBC-2 Fort Myers, Florida

You can NOW  Donate to Flotilla 9-6 Online! 

1.Thank you for considering a donation to the operating expenses of our Flotilla. Your support will be used to further the goal of boating safety in the Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero communities.

2. Please go to this link: Donate (cgauxa.org) and follow the instructions listed below.

3. Select the image above "USCG Auxiliary Unit Donations: Support a Specific Unit or Flotilla"

4. Choose the frequency and amount you would like to donate and select Continue

5. Complete your payment details and Select Continue

6. Enter our Unit Number: 070-09-06 and Select Continue

7. Enter your Credit Card information and Select Finish

8. The Association will send you a confirmation of your Donation and documentation for tax deduction purposes

Thank you for helping us serve our local communities and keeping our waterways safe.

USCG Auxiliary Celebrates 84th Birthday

This June marked the official 84th birthday of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Here’s a little background about the auxiliary and the role they play and the accomplishments that have been made nationally over the last year. 

Created in 1939 as the Coast Guard’s “Volunteer Reserve”, the Auxiliary has served with pride as uniformed volunteers. Over the last 84 years, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has grown and evolved to incorporate new and innovative methods to promote recreational boating safety on America’s waterways and to assist the Coast Guard as a true force multiplier.

2022 Accomplishments

Auxiliarists demonstrate selfless service, enthusiastically devoting their time, skills, and resourcesto an increasingly diverse range of roles that preserve and protectour Nation’s maritime interests. This was exemplified in 2022 when the Auxiliary served at thevanguard of the Coast Guard’s response on our Nation’s southwest border. More than 145 Auxiliarists volunteered to handle complex logistical challenges to support the unique mission, enabling thetimely humanitarian processing of over 320,000 migrants. 

In 2022 the Coast Guard Auxiliary provided over 6,200 boating safety courses, 48,000 vessel safety checks and 62,000 marine dealer visits. Auxiliarists helped ensure that America’s maritime public enjoyed their recreational boating endeavors in a responsible and safe manner. 

The Auxiliary as a Force Multiplier

Auxiliarists augment Coast Guard units in increasingly diverse and valuable ways. They launched a virtualAuxiliary flotilla to support Coast Guard Cyber Command, delivered superb culinary assistance in dining facilities both ashore and underway, and provided remarkable support to Coast Guard recruiting through their Auxiliary University Program. 

These facts were highlighted recently by Coast Guard ADM Steven D. Poulin, Vice Commandant (VCG) who concluded with this: “thank our Coast Guard Auxiliary for all their incredible contributions, along with their exceptional commitment to Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. Bravo Zulu and Semper Paratus!” 

Join Us as Wiggins Pass Celebrates 50 years 

The Wiggins Pass Flotilla 96 has also celebrated a milestone anniversary this June. A year-long schedule of special events and activities are being planned. Stay tuned for more information!  And if you'd like to be part of the action check out the Team Coast Guard requirements and opportunities available here.

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