Editor's note: A few weeks back SITREP published an article "Hands Across the Braid," posted 12/31/06, where "off duty" Auxiliarists were assisted by Coast Guard Station personnel. The following article symbolizes the "Team Coast Guard" spirit. One good turn deserves another and another….

Disabled personal watercraft in tow

While on a recent patrol south of Port Everglades, Florida, an Auxiliary crew led by Coxswain Dave Cox of Flotilla 38, found two people with a disabled personal watercraft. They seemed to look familiar and as the Auxiliary facility "Loggerhead Light" approached, they yelled out that they were very happy to see their "brothers" coming to the rescue.

The Auxiliary crew quickly recognized the persons on the disabled personal watercraft. They were two rescue swimmers from USCG Air Station Miami. They had tried to attract help for about two hours while swimming and towing their disabled craft. At least two law enforcement vessels had passed them by.

After a call to Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale, the Auxiliary crew towed the disabled craft to Whiskey Creek boat ramp. There they were embraced by their concerned families who were about to report them as overdue.

Dave Cox, Flotilla 38, owner and coxswain, at the helm.

Once they were safely ashore, the Auxiliary crew resumed its patrol. Other patrol activities that day included reporting a sunken vessel and later reported an unidentified person stripping that vessel. He fled as the Auxiliary facility approached, but not before his description and license number were reported to local authorities.

Who ever said nothing interesting ever happens on patrol.