CAPE MAY – Flotilla 82 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has a lot of history. The flotilla, based in a former Coast Guard life-saving station (circa 1890) that is located in Cape May Harbor, is celebrating its 75th anniversary as a member of “Team Coast Guard.”
The Coast Guard Auxiliary was established in 1939 as the Coast Guard Reserve as war clouds gathered that threatened the East Coast if a war was to occur.
According to Flotilla Commander James Carey, the auxiliary flotilla in Cape May provided crewmen to active duty Coast Guard vessels that patrolled the coast in the early months of the war.
“Later, the Auxiliary patrol boats were deployed for anti-submarine patrols,” Carey added. According to Coast Guard history, these patrol boats were armed with depth charges and machine guns during 1941; soon after, the Auxiliary was released from these direct combat duties although they continued to save hundreds of seamen whose ships were torpedoed by German U-boats.
Flotilla 82 was created during the war and provided coastal support to the active duty Coast Guard and U.S. Navy until the war ended. Their mission, however, was far from over.
As one of the oldest flotillas in the country, this one, in partnership with neighboring flotillas, still engages in life-saving surface patrols, boating safety courses for the public. It also supports marine safety and environmental protection missions working closely with the active duty Coast Guard small boat station in Cape May.
Members provide significant support to active, on-base duty personnel by standing watches on cutters while in port, conducting tours of the base for organizations, instructing recruits in basic seamanship, and providing the chef and food preparation services for recruit graduations and other special events on base.
With approximately 200 member volunteers, the future of Flotilla 82 seems to be secure by serving as “America’s Lifesavers” nationwide for at least another 75 years.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
