ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE MISSION IT IS TO HELP BOATERS
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
FLOTILLA 95 MARCO ISLAND
Flotilla 95 is a unit of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Flotilla has always stood ready to search for those lost, rescue those found, and care for those in need at sea. At any time, day or night, a boater in need of aid should first contact the United States Coast Guard Station at Fort Myers on marine radio channel 16. The boater should be prepared to advise the Coast Guard of his location, type of boat he is in, and the nature of any injuries to persons on board. If needed, the Coast Guard will contact Flotilla 95 to assist in search and rescue or the provision of other assistance. Flotilla 95 monitors channel 16 on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and is ready to provide direct assistance during those times.
While search and rescue is the primary endeavor of Flotilla 95, it also conducts a variety of boating safety, navigation, etc., courses for the public. Time and location of the course presentations are advertised in the local papers.
Additionally, Flotilla 95 conducts more than a thousand courtesy vessel examinations each year. If the vessel meets accepted standards, a hull decal, which certifies that the boat is properly equipped, is awarded to the owner for display on the boat’s hull.
Membership in the Flotilla is open to all responsible boaters.
MARCO ISLAND POWER SQUADRON
The Marco Island Power Squadron is one of more than 450 squadrons affiliated with the United States Power Squadrons, a national boating fraternity dedicated to civic service and self education in all aspects of boating.
Each year the Squadron conducts boating courses for the public at the Board of Realtor’s building, covering such subjects as basic seamanship, piloting, rules of the road, weather, safety equipment, docking and undocking, and boat handling. The courses are free to the public, although there is a modest charge for course materials.
Membership in the Squadron is by invitation only, and invitations are issued only to individuals who have passed the public boating course. Squadron members are then offered eleven more boating courses, including two on celestial navigation.
THE CIVIL AIR PATROL MARCO ISLAND SENIOR SQUADRON
The Marco Island Senior Squadron’s primary mission is emergency services, meaning both search and rescue and disaster relief. If you’re out in a boat around sundown, you might see a low flying aircraft circling overhead. That’s the Marco Island Civil Air Patrol flying its daily sundown patrol. They’re there to help you if you should happen to be in trouble. Wave a life jacket, or something with an orange color, and they’ll swing into action. In addition to search and rescue, the Squadron videotapes beach conditions every month for county review, and performs other valuable county functions.