File a Float Plan!
Float Plan - Always file a float plan before you get underway. It may save your life!
Auxiliary and Flotilla News
Four Fathoms - Flotilla Newsletter
Flotilla 15-04 is nestled in the small town of Homosassa Springs, Florida, located approximately one hour North of Tampa, Florida off of U.S. Highway 19. Meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at our Flotilla Building located at the West Citrus Community Center, 8940 West Veterans Drive, Homosassa, Florida 34448.
Read Matthew Dooris' Naval Postgraduate School Master's thesis (December 2008) "Enhancing Recruitment and Retention of Volunteers in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary."
Access your Auxiliary news electronically? Learn more...
Access additional Auxiliary News through SITREP, NAVIGATOR, or clicking here...
Take our Survey!
Click here to complete a 10 question survey on your experience in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The survey is open to all Auxiliary members. Answers are strictly confidential and results cannot be correlated back to the respondent. The results of the survey will be periodically reviewed, analyzed, and results posted on this website for your review. Any questions concerning this survey may be directed to Matthew Dooris. Flotilla 15-04 Survey Results - Download File.
Want to Become a Member?
Member Application
Do you want to learn more about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary? Click here for a history lesson.
Do you want to learn more about the structure of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary? Click here to learn more.
Still have questions concerning membership? Click here for answers to frequently aked questions.
There are security measures for prospective members to be aware of prior to submitting an application. Read more ...
Do you want to become a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary but do not live near Flotilla 15-04?
Find a Flotilla close to you.
Still confused whether or not to become a member? Please read our member handbook for more information
Membership benefits presentation.
Flotilla Staff Officers
Commercial Operators
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) - Learn more! All Coast Guard credentialed mariners must have a TWIC no later than April 15, 2009 unless you are holding a credential for continuity purposes (that is, not using it for profit but hanging it on a wall). However, all credential renewals after April 15, 2009 will require the TWIC. Otherwise, the National Maritime Center will not issue your License, Document, or Certificate of Registry.
Coast Guard Documents and Licensing - Learn more! Regulations governing Merchant Mariner Documents can be found in 46 CFR 10 while Licensing regulations are located in 46 CFR 12.
Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements - Learn more! A marine employer is responsible for ensuring that all crewmembers involved in safety sensitive positions are enrolled in a random drug testing program as required in 46 CFR 16.
Uninspected Passenger Vessels "Six Packs"- Learn more! A six pack is a vessel carrying no more than six passengers with at least one for hire. This means that only one passenger has to pay for you to be operating as a six pack. You must possess a Coast Guard License and be enrolled in a drug program to operate a six pack.
Safety regulations for Uninspected Passenger Vessels "Six Packs" can be found in 46 CFR 24, 25, and 26. Towing vessels must also meet requirements in 46 CFR 27 while commercial fishing vessels must meet requirements in 46 CFR 28.
Marine Casualty Reporting for commercial operators or to download CG-2692 Form - Learn more by clicking here and then clicking on "Investigations" Tab on the left hand side of the Homeport webpage. Reporting injuries, deaths, fires, groundings, collisions, allisions, losses of steering or propulsion, and pollution are required by 46 CFR 4. Make immediate notifications to Sector St. Petersburg 24-hour Command Center at 727-824-7506. Fax written reports (CG-2692) forms to 813-228-2399.
For owners/operators of Coast Guard Inspected Vessels, you may schedule a Coast Guard inspection on your vessel by calling 813-228-2191, Ext. 8122.
For any questions concerning the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, Merchant Mariner Credentials, Drug and Alcohol Program requirements, or marine casualty reporting, please call Sector St. Petersburg's Senior Investigating Officer at 813-228-2191 Ext. 8150. To report illegal operators, call Sector St. Petersburg 24-hour Command Center at 727-824-7506.
Need to find a law or regulation? For the U.S. Code, search here. For the Code of Federal Regulations, search here.
More Useful Information
Learn safe boating and protect your children read more ...
Coast Guard rescues here ...
Flotilla Commander's November 2009 Report
October was a busy month in the Flotilla. Three coxswains and four crew members successfully performed their triennial re-qualification missions. Our new radio facility is fully functional and will be available for emergency operations and for training prospective radio watchstanders as soon as we receive the Facility Offer for Use form from DIRAUX. Rusty Hayes installed a marine VHF radio in his motorhome for use in emergency operations; we await the Facility Offer for Use form on this new facility also. And, the Flotilla received recognition for all of the fine work done by Frank Hardy and Pete Haggerty in the Program Visitor mission, which is part of the Recreational Boating Safety Activity of the USCG and USCG Auxiliary. However, there is still work to be done.
The Flotilla needs more radio watchstanders and crew members to support the Operations program. Anyone interested in becoming a radio watchstander should contact Bill Maurer, FSO-CN, or me; anyone interested in the crew program should contact John Algeo, FSO- OP, or me.
All of the information that a member needs on the flotilla or the Auxiliary, including the AUXOP courses and Coxswain/Crew training programs, can be accessed through our flotilla’s web site (http://www.a0701504.uscgaux.info/). Also on our flotilla’s web site is our monthly newsletter, The Four Fathoms, put together by Eric Berg, FSO-PB.
Thanks for everything that you do!
Flotilla Members Receive Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations
John Algeo and Ray Koeppel accepting the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations for AIRBORN RADAR TEST AND EVALUATION. The recognition was presented by Captain M. J. Sisson for assisting in the test program in May of 2009. There were other Flotilla members who participated but were not present at the ceremony at Air Station Clearwater.
Flotilla Members Enjoying Coast Guard Day
Flotilla members enjoy this year's Coast Guard Day.
Coast Guard ANT Team working on Aids on the Homosassa River
Coast Guard ANT Team members working on marker #26 on the Homosassa River
.
AUXACN (Navigation)
Dates: Wednesday evenings starting September 16, 2009-January 21, 2010
Time: 1900-2100
Location: Flotilla Building
Contact: George Dooris, FSO-MT (gdooris@dooris-assoc.com)
Flotilla Members Install Radio Antenna at Flotilla Building
Flotilla members work diligently to install the antenna base at the Flotilla building as part of the development of a radio facility.
Flotilla 15-04 Public Education Schedule for November 2009
- November 14 and 21 : About Boating Safely – 2 Sessions – Sat. 9 am-1:30 pm.
* Inquiries to Elaine Miranda at 352-564-2521 or Al Hepner 352-795-9875.
