About Us

The Coast Guard Auxiliary supports the U.S. Coast Guard and the public by patrolling the waterways, responding to boaters in distress, conducting search and rescue operations, promoting and teaching boating safety, offering free vessel exams, and providing auxiliary chefs (AuxChefs) for short tours at Coast Guard stations and VIP events.

About Flotilla 26
Flotilla 26 Base Sign
Flotilla 26 operates out of a base at 7053 Cove Road (adjacent to Wood Creek) in Sylvan Beach, NY, during the spring-summer-fall boating season. The base features docks for members' patrol boats and a building housing maritime radio communications, a galley/mess area, and a classroom/meeting room. The base also houses the Oneida County Sheriff's Marine Patrol.

As members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, flotilla personnel are all volunteers, performing a variety of missions and tasks benefiting the boating public or providing support for the U.S. Coast Guard.
For example, Flotilla 26:
    Auxiliary Boats
  • patrols Oneida Lake.
  • assists boaters in distress.
  • responds to Coast Guard search-and-rescue calls.
  • conducts free vessel safety checks.
  • does public education outreach.
  • sponsors boating safety classes.
  • has AuxChefs to provide  food service support for active duty personnel at Coast Guard Station Oswego.
  • trains, trains, trains to qualify members for missions and to improve performance.
Flotilla 26 is one of five flotillas in the Central New York Division 2, and is part of the Ninth District Eastern Region.
 
About the Auxiliary
Auxiliary Members
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and law enforcement actions.

The Coast Guard’s motto is to be Semper Paratus (Always Ready) against all threats and hazards. The Coast Guard also has an unofficial motto to excel -- Semper Nostra Optima (Always Our Best).  Thus, the opportunity in the Auxiliary to participate in training, build skills, and strive for excellence.

We conduct safety patrols on local waterways, assist the Coast Guard with homeland security duties, teach boating safety classes, conduct free vessel safety checks for the public, along with many other activities.