History:

    In 1939, Congress established " a United States Coast Guard Reserve" administered by the Commandant of the Coast Guard and composed of unpaid, volunteer U.S. citizens  who owned motorboats or yachts.  In 1941, Congress created a military reserve and renamed the original volunteer reserve as the " Coast Guard Auxiliary."

     As an integral part of the Coast Guard, the Auxiliary was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003.

Recreational Boating Safety - to improve the knowledge, skills, and operating environment of the recreational boater.

Support of the Coast Guard and States - includes many new as well as traditional roles in which the Auxiliary members help the CG and the United States in a multitude of operational and administrative  activities. By law, the Auxiliary can not perform Law Enforcement duties, but can provide mission support. 

Member Services - assist the CG in several personnel and recruiting missions essential to CG health and vitality.

The purpose of the Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard:

(1)    to promote safety and to effect rescues on and over the high seas and on navigable waters;

(2)    to promote efficiency in the operation of motorboats and yachts;

(3)    to foster a wider knowledge of, and better compliance with, the laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of motorboats and yachts;

(4)    to facilitate other operations of the Coast Guard as needed.