06/23/2026
87 years ago today, Congress established the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, a civilian volunteer force authorized to support nearly every non-military Coast Guard mission. It launched in 1939 and has not stopped serving since.
The Auxiliary patrols U.S. waterways, conducts safety inspections, assists in search and rescue, and provides public education on boating safety. Its members volunteer their time, their vessels, and often their personal resources to keep our waters safer.
According to official Coast Guard data, Auxiliarists save an average of 500 lives every year and assist with the safety of millions more. That is the impact of volunteer service done right.