Coast Guard Auxiliary to receive national award

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary has been selected to receive the National Water Safety Congress' National Award for its role in promoting boating and water safety.

Only one award is presented annually to an individual, organization, firm or agency that has made a significant contribution to water safety issues/programs on a national scale. This is the highest award given by the National Water Safety Congress. The award will be presented during the International Boating and Water Safety Summit awards banquet May 3 in Florida.

The Rochester area Coast Guard Auxiliary has flotillas in Hamlin Beach, Braddock Bay, Rochester, Sodus Point, Conesus Lake and Canandaigua. Its auxiliary consists of 223 volunteer members who use their privately owned "facilities" to help support the U.S. Coast Guard.

There are currently 36 surface (boats), six air and 20 radio facilities that support Coast Guard Stations Rochester and Sodus Point.

In 2005, the Rochester area Coast Guard Auxiliary totaled 36,876 volunteered hours which include: 3,763 hours of safety patrols; 3,069 hours of operational support; 2,625 hours of search and rescue and 1,864 hours of boating safety classes. In 2005, 1,306 students were taught in the Boating Safety Classes which included 620 students under 17.

For information about the Rochester area Coast Guard Auxiliary visit www.boatingsafely.org.

April 23, 2006