Welcome to the Division 4, District 8CR Web Site
Supporting Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, Louisiana
and the
Coast Guard Auxiliary Eight Coastal Region
Division 4 Leaders
Keith Dufour, DCDR (left) and Rafael R. Shabetai, VDCDR (right)
Division 4 Meeting Members - 28JAN23 - Madisonville, LA
Left to right front row: Perry Ducote FC47 SO-AS, Richard Eberhardt FC49, Joe Stephens, VFC 43, Chris Sandoz FC43, David Raymond SO-FN, Morrie Bishop IPDCDR, Bill Hardy SO-PV, Kraig Prinz SO-VE, Claudia Shabetai SO-SR SO-DV SO-PA.
Left to right second row: Ja'Net Chatman Auxiliary Specialist at DIRAUX Office, BOSN Chad Lawler AUXLO Sector NOLA, BOSN Kevin Smith OTO, CDR Anna Hart Response Dept. Head Sector NOLA, Bernard David FC4-10, Keith Dufour DCDR, Rafael Shabetai VDCDR, COMO Pete Scamardo D8CR Commodore, COMO Rich McConnell ASC Sector NOLA.
Not in the picture: Greg Norton FC42 SO-MT SO-PE, James Ridenour FC44, René Arcemont FC48, Kenneth Paul FC46, Joel Klein FC4-11, Richard Magee SO-CS, Cedric Walker SO-CM, Nick Frederick SO-CA, Emile Scamardo SO-IS, James Calhoun SO-MA. Matt Hammons SO-MS, Dave Buras SO-OP (taking the picture), Tré Roux SO-HR.
Next Division Meeting
Will be held September 21st, at Station NOLA starting at 1000hs.
It is also our Divison Elections meeting.
CHANGE OF WATCH CEREMONY AND DINNER
Will take place on Saturday January 13, 2024 starting at 6pm
Chateau Golf and Country Club, Second Floor
3600 Chateau Blvd, Kenner LA 70065
Please contact Joanne Burch ([email protected]) to reserve your table
"New to the Auxiliary" Link
A key demographic in the Auxiliary’s recruiting and retention efforts are those people who are on the point of joining us, and those who have just joined. These newcomers are compelled to ingest a torrent of nautical jargon, flotilla minutiae, new names and titles, and bewildering acronyms from the proverbial fire hose.
National Staff has developed a “one stop shopping” web page just for them It is called “New to the Auxiliary?” This page is easily accessible from the Auxiliary’s front page – it is a drop-down selection in the gray “Aux Members” tab. There is also an on-ramp from MyCGAux.
This page is directly accessible at: https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=H-DEPT&category=new-members
“New to the Auxiliary?” demystifies the New Member Exam, the PSI process, member IDs, uniforms, the Basic Qualification Course, the boating safety course, AUXCT, our many missions, and even a peek ahead to AUXOP. This page will often be updated, but will always be in ready reach of your newcomers. It is not designed to replace a flotilla’s mentoring process, but rather, to be a useful resource for flotilla newcomers and their mentors alike.
We need your help to alert new personnel in your units to this page, and how to navigate to it.
Division 4 consists of ten flotillas which serve much of Southeastern Louisiana.
Since 1939, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has been an integral part of Team Coast Guard, supporting the varied missions of Team Coast guard. Because of the contributions of this volunteer civilian organization, America's waterways are safer. According to the Office of the Chief Director of the Auxiliary, the following is:
Completes 62.5 safety patrols Completes 6.2 regatta patrols Performs 10.2 vessel assists Assists 28 people Saves 1 life Saves $341,290 in property Participates in 100 operational support missions Participates in 48.7 administrative support missions Completes 13.4 recruiting support missions Educates 369 people on boating safety Performs 299 vessel safety checks Attends 70 public affairs functions
We are actively seeking new members to assist us in performing our missions, many of which have the additional benefit of supporting the Coast Guard in its Homeland Security mandate.
Each flotilla's web site will provide detailed information on Auxiliary missions, locations, and operations in their respective areas of operation.
To assist you in finding the flotilla that serves your area, please refer to the map on the "home" page; visit the Flotilla Finder on our National Web Site; or go to this sites "Flotillas" page.
Membership Opportunities
Team Coast Guard is composed of an active-duty force of 35,000 men and women, augmented by the 8,000-member Coast Guard Reserve, the 30,000-strong all-volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary, and a civilian workforce of 5,500.
We are constantly looking for qualified members. United States citizens 17 years of age and older without a felony conviction are welcome to join us.
Members are eligible to receive the world's finest on-the-water training. Courses are offered in Navigation, Seamanship, Communications, Weather, Patrols, and Search & Rescue. Other optional benefits include the Coast Guard Credit Union, access to Coast Guard Exchanges, and insurance coverage. The pride of wearing the Auxiliary uniform is amplified by the Auxiliary awards system. Your efforts will be recognized and rewarded.
As a member you will have the opportunity to:
Be part of the action & help save lives. Since the recreational boating population in the United States is growing rapidly, the Coast Guard Auxiliary needs a few good men and women like you. As an Auxiliarist, you will have the opportunity to select and participate in one or more of the Auxiliary's major programs. If you feel strongly about the rewards you can get from serving your community, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is the right place for you! Either through on- water Operations, the Auxiliary's Public Education Program, Vessel Safety Check Program, Radio Watchstander, Coast Guard Recruiting, Marine Environmental Protection or Coast Guard Administration.
Increase your skills. The Auxiliary and the Coast Guard provide specialized training on all aspects of boating, as well as leadership and administration. Auxiliarists receive valuable training in seamanship and related skills, and enjoy the sense of confidence of knowing that they are better and safer boaters.
Support the Coast Guard. Auxiliarists provide direct operational and administrative support to many local Coast Guard units. You can wear the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform and become part of Team Coast Guard. When you qualify through training, you can take part in Search and Rescue operations, stand radio watch at the Coast Guard Station, work with the Marine Safety Office on pollution matters or work in the Recruiting Office.
Service to your community. Auxiliarists aren't paid with money, but with satisfaction. We furnish and maintain our own equipment and can choose to participate at a level tailored to our individual capabilities. We provide boating safety classes for youth and adults and examine recreational vessels for safety equipment to ensure that our neighbors will be safe on the waterways.
Enjoy fun and fellowship. In all activities, enjoy fellowship -- the good company of other Auxiliarists at meetings and training sessions, on patrols and other missions, and at ceremonies and social events. One of he Auxiliary's trademarks is good old-fashioned hospitality. Friends, neighbors and interested members of the public are always welcome to attend one of our flotilla meetings. In addition, dedication to boating safety provides the atmosphere for getting together to swap boating experiences and participate in cruises and rendezvous. You'll find a special camaraderie among Auxiliarists that's hard to beat. There's time to relax and have fun at Auxiliary outings, training sessions, patrols, VSCs, classes, and conferences. Auxiliarists make lasting, meaningful friendships. Knowing that you belong to a special group of people and directly participate in helping save lives gives your Auxiliary membership a special meaning.
Opportunities
We have numerous opportunities for members to become involved in all aspects of boating:
- Public Education - Teach courses on boating safety, navigation, and seamanship to recreational boaters of all ages.
- Vessel Safety Checks - Give free safety checks to recreational and commercial fishing vessels.Operations - Provide boaters with helpful information and emergency assistance.
- Partnerships - Help develop partnerships with boat dealers and other interested parties by supplying information about safety and recalls.
- Public Affairs - Spread the word and stories about the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Fun & Fellowship
Our dedication to boating safety provides a congenial atmosphere for getting together to exchange boating experiences. You'll find a special camaraderie among Auxiliarists. We're sure you will make long lasting, meaningful relationships.
Knowing that you belong to a special group of people and directly participate in helping to save lives gives your membership a special meaning.
This is an official United States Coast Guard Auxiliary website for the public’s information. Our postings do not endorse this site or anything on it, including links to other sites, and we disclaim responsibility and liability for the site and its content.