Auxiliarist Dean Culwell (2nd from left) of the Helena Flotilla holds Boat Crew Training.

Members of the Helena Montana Flotilla 10-3 recently completed 16 hours of classroom instruction on topics taken from the Boat Crew Training program for leaders of the Helena, Montana based Lewis and Clark Search and Rescue Association.

Led by Coxswain Dean Culwell, members of the flotilla and members of the search and rescue (SAR) team spent 16 hours in four meetings over two months.  They studied water based search and rescue techniques, first aid and other topics.  This will make the SAR team members more effective at carrying out their mission of assisting the local sheriff’s office in SAR activities.

The classroom training was supplemented by on the water instruction at Canyon Ferry Reservoir located 15 miles east of Helena (see photo).

The Helena Flotilla operates seven surface and one radio facility and patrols the waters of the Missouri River from Canyon Ferry Reservoir to Fort Peck Reservoir some 400 miles downstream.  The Missouri River along with Flathead lake- the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi- form the area of operations for Division 10.

Spring Time Brings Renewal

Auxiliary Facility on patrol on Canyon Ferry Lake

Spring Time brings renewal of many things long dormant in Montana including the patrol activity of the Helena Flotilla.

Beginning about early May, marinas come to life, boats go into the water for the summer, and members of the Helena Flotilla begin their yearly cycle of dealer visits, vessel safety checks and patrols.

The Flotilla’s membership is widely disbursed around the state.  While many members live in or near the Montana capital city, several others live more than 400 miles to the northeast in Glasgow Montana (near Fort peck Reservoir) or 250 miles to the southeast in Billings, Montana.

At nearly 150,000 square miles Montana is a mighty large area to patrol.  Division 10 patrols Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.  They also patrol the Missouri river reservoirs from Helena to Great Falls and Fort Peck Lake, a man made reservoir with over 1500 miles of shoreline in one body of water.

Because the water temperature rises above 60 degrees for only a brief period of time each year, Auxiliarists often go about their duties wearing protective suits of international orange.  Because the Coast Guard’s only other presence in Montana is a small Loran station detachment near the Canadian border, the Auxiliary is the Coast Guard to most people in Montana.