Submitted by Thomas Violante, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
(June 11, 2023) — Connecticut has already counted several boating deaths during the current startup of the boating season, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is focused on preventing those deaths and mishaps by teaching boating safety and navigation courses.
The Auxiliary invites boaters to take the Boat America course at its Training Center in Milford. The course and the proctored exam can be completed on the same day, in the same location, on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. at 1 Helwig Street in Milford.
Also offered is the Navigation, GPS and Course Plotting course on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. at the USCG Auxiliary Training Facility, 1 Helwig Street, Milford.
For advance registration prior to the course date, go to http://a0142403.uscgaux.info/. You can sign up here for either course and pay by credit card online. After you register for the course, instructions for the Boat America or the Navigation course will be emailed to you. To pay at the door by check or cash, arrive at 7:30 a.m.
All students must obtain a State of Connecticut conservation ID number before taking the BA/PWC/TOW course. To register for a free ID number, go to https://ct.aspirafocus.com/internetsales.
Boat America will cover all the basic topics required for the safe operation of recreational boating and seamanship. It also will cover safe personal watercraft operation and towing. Successful completion of this eight-hour ABS course satisfies the Connecticut licensing requirements for boats, personal watercraft (PWC) and towing. Family participation is encouraged. Cost is $60 per person.
The Navigation and Charting course will cover basic navigation, use of GPS, how to read a nautical chart and how to plot a course. Cost is $60 per person. This course is separate from the Boat America course.
Additional boating courses are scheduled for August 5, 2023 and September 9, 2023.
For additional information about U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary courses, please call Timothy Mulherin, public education officer, at 203-298-9719, email him at milfordflot073inc@gmail.com or visit http://a0142403.uscgaux.info/
For more information on the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary safe boating course, please visit www.cgaux.org/boatinged/
A brief history of the USCG Auxiliary
When the Coast Guard “Reserve” was authorized by act of Congress on June 23,1939, the Coast Guard was given a legislative mandate to use civilians to promote safety on and over the high seas and the nation’s navigable waters.
On Feb. 19, Congress amended the 1939 act with passage of the Auxiliary and Reserve Act of 1941. Passage of this act designated the Reserve as a military branch of the active service, while the civilian section, formerly referred to as the Coast Guard Reserve, became the Auxiliary under title 14, chapter 23 of the USC. Milford Flotilla was chartered on November 1, 1942 and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022.
 When we entered World War II, 50,000 Auxiliary members joined the war effort as military teams. Many of their private vessels were placed into service in an effort to protect the U.S. For the Milford Flotilla, it was the Connecticut shoreline on Long Island Sound.
Semper Paratus – Always Ready!
