Auxiliarist John Rohring (left), communications specialist, discusses proper radio procedures with Charles Watry, radio operator, at the Oceanside facility operated by Flotilla 16-6. (Photo by CPO Chuck Wullenjohn)

Editor’s note: It is refreshing to read a description of the work of the Auxiliary through the eyes of an active duty or reserve member of our parent Coast Guard. What follows is such a narrative…

Thousands of Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers perform vital services for recreational boaters throughout the nation, but one of the finest examples of what the volunteers can accomplish takes place in local waters off Oceanside, California.

Frank Young, a qualifying examiner for Flotilla 16-6, D11-SR, operating in Oceanside, has been an active member of the Auxiliary for 22 years, working in nearly every job the organization offers. A little over 20 years ago, he says, the Oceanside Flotilla was on the verge of disbanding because it had grown so small. Today, the situation is totally different.

"We number over 60 members now," he said, "with a surge of recruits coming in over the last few months. We have a real mission to perform here in Oceanside. This can be an unbelievably busy place at times."

Oceanside is the largest recreational harbor between Newport (south of Long Beach) and San Diego, with nearly 1000 recreational boats homeported in its fine harbor. Featuring a moderate climate conducive to year round boating, the waters off Oceanside are busiest in the summer, but the action never really stops. The Coast Guard based the Coast Guard Cutter Hobart in Oceanside until the late 1990's, but has maintained no active presence there since that time.

Auxiliarist Kevin Byrne is Commander of Flotilla 16-6, volunteering over 500 hours each year to keep up with the steadily growing mission. The organization moved into the Coast Guard's abandoned building two years ago. The building had reverted to the city and grown dilapidated in the time since its last use. Auxiliarist Byrne worked with Don Hadley, Oceanside's director of harbor and beaches, and led a successful effort to refurbish the building and get it loaned back to the Coast Guard. Today, the Flotilla makes its headquarters in the freshly painted and repaired building, having dubbed it "Station Gracie."

Marilyn Barrett, Flotilla public affairs specialist, inspects foul weather gear used by Auxiliarists when patrolling the waters off Oceanside, CA, during inclement weather conditions. (Photo by CPO Chuck Wullenjohn)

"The first priority of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is to provide for the safety of recreational boaters," said Byrnes as he recently readied himself for a busy weekend. "We have watercraft that conduct marine safety patrols, instruct boating classes, offer courtesy examinations, and operate a radio system. What we've been able to accomplish over the years has exceeded our expectations."

No private towing operations operate out of Oceanside, so when boaters require a tow back into port due to a failed engine, water craft operated by the city or provided by the Flotilla tow boaters to safety.

"I also volunteer for the harbor police," explained Flotilla communications specialist John Rohring. "I and others noted that there are a number of radio 'blind' spots in the off shore waters around here. That led to our founding an Auxiliary radio station."

Auxiliarist Rohring worked with others to establish the radio system that works closely with Coast Guard Sector San Diego, relaying information back and forth and offering radio checks to mariners off Oceanside. The system cost over $6000.00 to purchase and install, a cost members donated themselves. What they've accomplished since the radio system went into operation is nothing to sniff at.

"Just a few months ago," said Byrne, "a boat sinking off the coast contacted Sector San Diego for help, but since the transmission was garbled, the Coast Guard could not fix a location. We stepped in, did it, and a rescue helicopter was speedily dispatched. The city sent out boats to rescue those on board who could not fit on the helicopter."

Byrne says one cannot put a monetary value on the fact that their work helped save several lives. "As far as I'm concerned, a few months after we took the radio out of the box, it paid for itself many times over."

Auxiliarists work for no pay and many are retired, though some continue to lead active work lives. Byrne, for instance, is a land surveyor for Caltrans, while Flotilla member Young is a 31-year Marine Corps veteran and performs volunteer work for two organizations in Oceanside. All agree, however, that a great deal of satisfaction comes from their Auxiliary work.

"I always go home feeling good about what we do," remarked Byrnes. Rohring, nodding in agreement, added, "We're close to the boating public out here. We do things that free up Coast Guard regulars to concentrate on other missions, such as law enforcement and securing our ports. That's important stuff," he said with a smile.

"More than anything, I enjoy the challenge I get from my work with the Auxiliary," said Young. "Teaching is what I like to do best, be it boating safety, navigation or search and rescue. I'm only a half-way expert, but this work is great."

There are tens of thousands of Coast Guard Auxiliary members throughout the United States, all dedicated to the safety of the boating public. The selfless volunteers of Oceanside are but one example.