| The national list of
Auxiliary Missions covers absolutely everything possible
across the country. Here in the Omaha area, we are focused on the Missouri
River and local lakes.
Our focused roles lay within national roles:
- Surface Water Missions
- Land-based Missions
- Public Education Missions
- Coast Guard Support and Boating Safety Missions
- Agency Support Missions
Our local Surface Water Missions include regular patrols on the Missouri River (MOR)
in the area bounded roughly by Plattsmouth and Tekemah, Nebraska. During these
patrols we are in radio communication with the Coast Guard Group in Keokuk,
Iowa, and our local Auxiliary Radio Station Omaha (NP Dodge Park). The various
911 operators know to call the Coast Guard Group if a river related call comes
in. The Group then calls us to respond. If no one is on active patrol at the
time of the call, we will respond from our homes or workplaces to help people in
trouble on the river. While on patrol are helping with a Search and Rescue (SAR)
effort, we maintain communications with local emergency response agencies (e.g.,
dive teams, fire departments). We also patrol on local lakes when asked
(e.g., hydrofoil races on Carter Lake). And we keep our eyes out for hazards to
navigation and report them to the Group. The Auxiliary does NOT do law
enforcement -- we leave that to the regular Coast Guard and other law
enforcement agencies. We exist to help people.
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Our local Land-based Missions include
examining recreational
vessels (at owner's request), standing radio watch at the Auxiliary Radio
Station, visiting Marine Dealers to distribute informational pamphlets, writing
websites (like this one - I don't want to be the webmaster forever, you know),
tracking Flotilla finances, training members, helping members obtain uniforms
and materials, publishing newsletters, etc. Our local Public Education Missions include teaching
boating
safety classes. We have two basic curricula: the short course (6 hours), and
the long BS&S course (Boating Safety and Seamanship), which takes about 18 hours
(6 days @ 3 hours).
Our local Coast Guard, Boating Safety, and Agency Support Missions
include such things as helping control river traffic while one of the local
diving teams is searching the river for a lost person or vehicle.
If you're interested in participating, please contact us. We'd love to have your help!
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