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America's
Waterway Watch

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
9th Coast Guard District
Central Region

Chartering of Flotilla 26-5
Manistique, Michigan

Photos taken by Robert Shafer, DSO-AV. To view more photos of this event visit the Robert Shafer Galleries.

Coast Guard Launches New Auxiliary Flotilla 26-5, in Manistique, Michigan

by Douglas Colwell, ADSO-PA

Celebrating the launch of United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Manistique Flotilla 25-05, the first new Flotilla within the Ninth District in over five years, U.S. Coast Guard Commander Karl Willis, Director of Auxiliary Ninth District Cleveland and Auxiliary Commodore Jerri Smith, Ninth District Central Region, both spoke of the key role that Auxiliary members have played, since 1941. Since then, tens-of-thousands of men and women of the Coast Guard Auxiliary have spent millions of volunteer hours helping the Coast Guard carry out its missions. The Manistique Flotilla will join the other 134 Flotillas within the 9th Coast Guard District . This District stretches over eight states, 35 divisions and includes more than 3230 Auxiliarists.

This Flotilla’s key strategic location on Lake Michigan’s northern shore will fill a critical gap in response time for possible water rescues, supporting the Coast Guard’s ability to enhance its rescue efforts when called upon to do so. Commander Willis also cited the incredible effort put forth by Auxiliary Division 26 Commander Dora Jasinski, 9CR, and presented a citation for her having contributed well over 1,000 hours to bring to fruition the Chartering Ceremony of the Manistique Flotilla. Her contribution has greatly enhanced the ability for both Flotilla Commander Allen Grimm and Vice Flotilla Commander Laurel Jasmin to launch their Flotilla’s critical mission, the support of United States Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie, Guardians of the Northern Lakes.

The Chartering Ceremony occurred on Saturday, June 5 at the Comfort Inn, Manistique Michigan, where the initial 19 Flotilla members were sworn in by Commander Willis, Commodore Smith and also Commanding Officer of USCG Sector Sault Sainte Marie, Captain Mark Huebschman. CAPT Huebschman also offered his words of praise and encouragement for the new Flotilla members providing insight as to how they may volunteer their time in support of the many Coast Guard missions. He explained how the creation of the Manistique Flotilla will most likely remove some of the strain placed on the other Flotillas, including Sault Ste. Marie, where he is in command, for possible water rescue events. He further stated that the men and the women of the Auxiliary may volunteer in many ways, especially in support with the monumental oil spell relief currently under the command of Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, in New Orleans. Other significant support missions in the past where Auxiliary members have unselfishly volunteered their time have been with Hurricane Katrina and the recent earthquake relief for the Dominican Republic.

The weekend activities in Manistique served as the initial training mission for the Manistique Flotillas members to qualify for “Boat Crew” missions, possible water search and rescue operations as well as future training as the Flotilla grows. Flotilla members will be able to receive additional training to participate with on the water boating patrols (assisting boaters where needed), trained to be instructors of boating courses, IT support and other possible opportunities. This Flotilla will also be providing all-important basic boating classes in the near future, especially “About Boating Safely,” a basic boating course for operators of Personal Water Craft and boats of all sizes. This course is a critical got some PWC operators may obtain their Michigan “Safe Boating Certificate.” This certification is required by law for most Michigan PWC operators who were born after 1978. See who needs to take a boating safety course at Michigan DNR

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service’s missions. For information about how to join the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, visit "Join Us", and to learn about a safe boating class, please contact: