About Flotilla 73

Mission Statement

Since its creation by Congress, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has served as the civilian, non-military component of the Coast Guard. Today, the 35,000 volunteer men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are active on the waterways and classrooms in over 2,000 cities and towns across the nation. Each year, Auxiliarists (people just like you) save almost 500 lives, assist some 15,000 boaters in distress, conduct more than 150,000 Vessel Safety Checks of recreational vessels, and teach over 500,000 students in boating and water safety courses. The results of these efforts save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

The Flotilla maintains a base in Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck, from which it conducts its operations and operates a radio station to monitor boating traffic in Long Island Sound.

You are invited to come down on most summer weekends and look around. We have all types of boating literature and can answer most of your questions.

History

The Coast Guard

The Coast Guard Auxiliary

Its purpose is to encourage (a) safety to life at sea and upon the navigable waters, (b) the promotion of efficiency in the operation of motorboats and yachts, and (c) a wider knowledge of, and better compliance with, the laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation and navigation of motorboats and yachts, and (d) facilitating certain operations of the Coast Guard.  more...

Flotilla 73

While the actual charter date is unknown, it was sometime in 1940. The first patrol (a "Garbage Patrol") was initiated in May 1941 when six cruisers combed Long Island Sound from Execution Rocks to Great Captains Island, Greenwich, for debris. The "Garbage Patrol" became a regular event during the summer. The members chalked up 11 rescues that first year.

The first vessel enrolled in the Temporary Reserve, 2 June 1941, was the "Duchess" owned by Ben Schanzer of our flotilla. By November of 1941 the flotilla was credited with having sixteen members qualified for Patrol Duty Certificates with more members in training.

In 1943 the flotilla acquired a 45-foot pilot boat that saw considerable patrol service during the winter. This vessel at one time belonged to the "old battlewagon" USS Virginia. From after the war until 1995, the flotilla did not own a boat but that year Bill Gershen who has since retired, donated his 20 foot Shamrock which is the 203008. In 2002, the Shamrock was sold and the flotilla acquired a 24-foot Stamas.

Two other members had interesting accomplishments: Leon Telsey, the first Permanent Member (now called Retired) and the first Rear Admiral of the Coast Guard Reserve, wrote the training manuals for the Temporary Reserve during World War II. In 1959, National held a competition to pick the Coast Guard Auxiliary Song. Three were entered and the one by Joseph J. Drexler, a member of Flotilla 63 and Past Division Captain was chosen.

Prior to about to 1975 the flotilla did not have a regular meeting place. Meetings were held in Mamaroneck High School, a store on Mamaroneck Avenue, and a headquarters donated by local citizens located directly on Mamaroneck Harbor adjacent to docking facilities contributed by Beach Point club. Later the flotilla met at the Chrysler Training Center in Rye, then at the Larchmont Savings Bank and in members' homes. In 1969 the flotilla acquired part of the present building at the West Basin from the Village of Mamaroneck through the efforts of John Prohaska and Bert Daniels. In 1970 the flotilla took over the rest of the building. Two additions were built. Permission was then obtained from the village to put in a dock for our patrol boats.

Today, the building on Harbor Island is heated and serves as a place for the monthly meetings as well as Public Education Courses for adults and youngsters. It is also the base for Coast Guard Auxiliary Mamaroneck Radio.

Since the early 1970's the flotilla has been recognized with various awards: CG Group Commanders Awards for operational assistance to the Coast Guard; District Director of Auxiliary Honor Roll Plaques for overall accomplishment in the various programs of Courtesy Marine Examination, Public Education, Operations, etc. Most Assistance Cases in the District (aiding the boating public); and plaques for Administrative Support to the District Office. Also among its firsts, Flotilla 63 had the first District Call Sign awarded to a radio station aboard a member's facility.

At present we have about 40 members of all ages, men and women of various ethnic backgrounds and occupations, both boat owners and non-owners. Recently we took in several pilots who own their own airplanes, adding another dimension to the flotilla.