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Established for service to the Greater New Orleans area
Our Mission
Established in service to the Greater New Orleans area and the waters of Lake Pontchartrain and surrounding coastal regions, Flotilla 081CR-04-09 proudly supports the mission of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Our members are dedicated to promoting recreational boating safety, supporting Coast Guard operations, and serving our local maritime community.
Our flotilla provides public boating safety classes, conducts free vessel safety checks, supports regattas and marine events, participates in search and rescue support missions, and contributes to environmental protection and maritime stewardship efforts. Through ongoing training and active patrols, our members remain mission-ready and committed to saving lives and protecting property on the water.
We meet monthly on a consistent schedule to train, plan operations, and welcome new members interested in serving. Visitors and prospective members are always encouraged to attend and learn more about how they can get involved in one of the most active and rewarding volunteer organizations in the nation.
Boating safety
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is dedicated to promoting recreational boating safety, supporting Coast Guard missions, and educating the public on safe boating practices. Auxiliary members provide boating safety classes that teach essential topics such as navigation rules, required safety equipment, emergency procedures, weather awareness, and responsible vessel operation. These courses help boaters gain confidence on the water while reducing accidents and improving overall maritime safety.
The Auxiliary also offers free Vessel Safety Checks conducted by certified Vessel Examiners. These voluntary inspections help ensure recreational boats meet current federal and state safety requirements, including life jackets, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, and other required equipment. Vessel Safety Checks are educational and non-punitive, helping boaters identify safety concerns before getting underway while promoting safer waterways for everyone.
Vessel Exams
A U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Examination (VSE), often called a Vessel Safety Check (VSC), is a free public service conducted by trained members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary to help recreational boaters improve safety and comply with federal and state boating regulations.
During the examination, a certified Vessel Examiner checks important safety equipment and operating requirements such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, ventilation, sound-producing devices, registration or documentation, pollution placards, emergency signaling devices, and overall vessel condition. The exam is educational rather than punitive—no citations or fines are issued—and the goal is to help boaters identify potential safety issues before getting underway.
Boats that successfully meet all current safety requirements receive a yearly Vessel Safety Check decal, showing the vessel has passed inspection. These examinations promote safer waterways, reduce boating accidents, and help educate the public on responsible boating practices throughout communities such as New Orleans and the Lake Pontchartrain region.
Culinary Program
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Culinary Assistance Program (AUX-CA) supports Coast Guard missions through food service, sanitation, morale, and operational support during training events, patrols, emergencies, and community outreach activities. AUX-CA members assist with meal planning, food preparation, safety and sanitation practices, logistics, and galley support while promoting professionalism, teamwork, and mission readiness throughout the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The program also serves as a platform for culinary education, leadership development, and volunteer service, combining maritime tradition with hospitality and operational support. AUX-CA helps strengthen member morale, supports disaster and event operations, and provides opportunities for members with culinary, hospitality, and food safety experience to contribute directly to the mission of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
