USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 9-11

Here is the recording from KWQC TV6 News with Charles Brennan AUXPA3, and Chris Truee from River Action Quad Cities.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Paddlecraft Safety Division
USCG Auxiliary Division 9

Floatzilla set for Aug. 17 Take a cruise down the Mighty Mississippi with paddlers from all across our region on Aug. 17, with a lofty goal of breaking the world record for the largest floating raft.

Charles Brennan our Public Affairs Specialist will be on KWQC TV6 News today talking about floatzilla and paddle safety.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Paddlecraft Safety Division

USCG Auxiliary Division 9

River Action Quad Cities

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Are you going to be attending River Action Quad Cities floatzilla? This is a great opportunity to make sure your paddle craft is meeting state and federal regulations. Once you pass the exam you will get a sticker showing completion.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Paddlecraft Safety Division

USCG Auxiliary Division 9

Are you going out on the water?

Here are a few tips before you get underway:

-Wear a life jacket.
-Ensure you have your emergency equipment aboard.
-Make sure you have proper communications equipment.
-If you're on a chartered vessel, ask the Captain for their credentials.
-If you're going on your own vessel, file a float plan with friends or family.

Most importantly, have fun!!

Graphic by U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.

Are you going to be doing Floatzilla? or new to paddling? Join our Paddle Safety Course. Coming up July 31st.
Paddle safety is important and should be taken seriously .S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Paddlecraft Safety Division, is a good place to go for information, but also safe paddlers are educated paddlers so join the course and help gain knowledge to keep you and your friends safer on the water. If you do nothing else as the Safe Boating Campaignn says Wear it. Your life jacket can save your life.

USCG Auxiliary Division 9

Are you going to be doing Floatzilla? or new to paddling? Join our Paddle Safety Course. Coming up July 31st.

Paddle safety is important and should be taken seriously U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Paddlecraft Safety Division, is a good place to go for information, but also safe paddlers are educated paddlers so join the course and help gain knowledge to keep you and your friends safer on the water. If you do nothing else as the Safe Boating Campaign says Wear it. Your life jacket can save your life.

USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 9-11

Life jackets save lives

A great way to think about it. 🩵

Due to high water on the Mississippi River, the Rock Island District has closed the locks at Lock and Dam 12 (Bellevue, Iowa), Lock and Dam 16 (Ilinois City, Illinois) and Lock and Dam 17 (New Boston, Illinois) to all traffic. These closures will remain in place until the river recedes and equipment re-installation and cleanup can take place.

Visit our lock status website for the status of all locks within the District: https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Lock-Status

Due to the rising tailwater below Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has closed the auxiliary lock, effective immediately. Recreation vessels will need to use the main chamber at Lock 14 until the tailwater recedes. It is unknown at this time how long the closure will last, however, it will be in effect at least through the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Drinking and operating a boat is not a good combination. When we drink the water we put not only ourselves at risk but also other boaters.

Boating and drinking can be a dangerous combination. Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time, which are critical for safe boating. Here's some important information regarding boating and drinking:

Impairment: Alcohol can impair your ability to operate a boat safely. It affects judgment, coordination, and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents, collisions, and injuries on the water.

Safety Concerns: Alcohol consumption can impair your ability to make sound decisions, such as assessing navigation hazards, reacting to emergencies, or recognizing signs of fatigue or hypothermia.

Remember, boating should be a fun and relaxing activity, but safety should always come first. Avoiding alcohol while boating is a simple yet critical step in protecting yourself, your passengers, and others on the water.

Legal Consequences: Being caught boating under the influence can result in serious legal consequences, including fines, loss of boating privileges, and even jail time. Additionally, accidents caused by impaired boating can lead to civil lawsuits and liability for damages.

An ECOS matters – use it.

Happy Armed Forces Day!

Today we celebrate the courage and dedication of our servicemen and women who tirelessly defend our freedoms. Their unwavering commitment brings happiness and security to our nation, and we salute them with utmost gratitude.

📸: Naval Sea Systems Command.

Hey everyone, we will be having a Public Affairs Booth at the Rock Island Arsenal Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 18th. Also one at Sunset Marina - Rock Island in conjunction with doing vessel exams at the marina. Come on out and see us in either place.

Float plans save lives. This is an important step in safe boating. If something happens and you can not call for help, this plan allows your loved ones to call and give first responders a good starting point to start the search and rescue.

Your float plan does not need to be overly detailed, just let someone know when(leaving and returning), and where(putting in route taking, stopping, and pulling out. , boat description(color, length, and hall type), motor description(hp, color, and number of outboards), and Who is on the boat. 

Are you heading out on the water? Do your friends or family know where you're going or when you'll be back?

Filing a float plan before embarking on a boating trip is essential for ensuring safety on the water. It provides vital information about your intended route and timeline, enabling authorities to initiate timely search and rescue operations in case of emergency.

Visit our website to learn more about float plans.

🔗https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/

Hey, just resharing this. This course is a great opportunity to grow the knowledge that you gained from Boat America, that is thought in partnership with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District and Illinois Conservation Police. If you have never taken Boat America this course would also be good.

We will cover more topics than in Boat America along with more in-depth of topics covered in Boat America. Boating education can save lives, we should be proactive in our efforts to be safe on the water.

On the river one of the biggest hazards we have are wing dams, and lateral dams, our charts can show us the location of these. We can also based on how the water is acting tell by looking.

We also have driftwood. This hazard is not on the chart. By keeping a proper lookout we can avoid the hazard.

Stay alert!!

Much like driving a car, it is important to stay focused when operating a vessel. Hazards, swimmers, vessels and marine life can all appear instantly, so boaters must be prepared to handle those situations.

Graphic by USCG Auxiliary A Directorate

USCG Auxiliary Division 9 will be hosting an advanced boating course. This course will go into more detail than Boat America. We will cover topics such as navigation, VHF radios, rules of the road, and more.

Remember there is a proper way to overtake and pass another vessel.

Just as lights play a significant role in understanding what other boats are doing, so do sounds. Understanding what you hear is another step towards being a "complete mariner". These rules are meant for inland US waters.

Fuel Dock info and Safe Boating Week Cookout Hours of Operation     sunsetmarinari.com 309-732-2282   Sunset Marina Safe Boating Week Cookout   When: Saturday May 18, 2024 Where: Sunset Marina Cost for meal: $5.00 OR proof of participation in

Are you a boater who wants to give back? Do You want to make a change in the boating community? Come join us as a member of the Auxiliary. https://join.cgaux.org/join.php

Honoring Our Coast Guard Auxiliary Volunteers!

During National Volunteer Week, we salute the dedicated men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary who selflessly give their time and expertise to serve our nation's maritime community.

From conducting safety patrols and assisting in search and rescue missions to providing boating education and environmental protection efforts, our volunteers are the backbone of our organization.

Auxiliarists commitment to service and unwavering dedication make a difference every day, ensuring the safety and security of our coastal waters.

Join us in celebrating National Volunteer Week and recognizing the incredible impact of our Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers!

📸: Rafael Baez.

Attention to recognition.

Both Steve and Sandy Mizen completed their Boater Safety Course. A Boater Safety Course. Is required for members to have their BQ status.

Photo: PA3 Brennan.

USCG Auxiliary Division 9

Public Education is one of the many different missions of the Auxiliary. Boat America is a basic entry-level course. USCG Auxiliary Division 9, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, teach this course as partners in teaching this course, along with Illinois Conservation Police, helping.