Welcome to the Flotilla 43-4, District 9WR Web Site

 SERVING THE INLAND LAKES AND RIVERS
OF THE MADISON WI AREA

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, all-volunteer, civilian component of the United States Coast Guard.  The Auxiliary was established by Congress in 1939 and currently has over 21,000 members who daily support the Coast Guard in all its non-military and non-law enforcement missions. 

Auxiliary members conduct safety patrols on local waterways, assist in Search and Rescue, teach boating safety classes, conduct free boat safety checks for the public, and provide boating safety literature to dealers as well as many other activities related to recreational boating safety.

The Coast Guard considers the Auxiliary its primary resource for Recreational Boating Safety outreach and prevention (see the message "From the Commandant").  Each Coast Guard district around the nation has established a senior officer and staff to provide tight liaison and coordination between the active-duty Coast Guard and the various Auxiliary units in that district.

In inland portions of the country where recreational boating occurs on lakes and rivers, the Auxiliary is essentially the sole Coast Guard presence.  Our Flotilla is proud to serve Madison's recreational boating community by assisting boaters on our lakes, providing free safety checks of boats, teaching DNR-certified boating safety classes, and meeting the public in many venues to provide information on water safety.

The Auxiliary is more than recreational boating safety.  We regularly serve alongside our active-duty shipmates as communications watchstanders, safety and security patrols, commercial fishing vessel inspectors, training resources for air and sea operations, numerous duties related to environmental protection and homeland security, assistance with mass casualties and disasters, and as chefs, clergy, and interpreters.  In fact, there are dozens of qualifications open to Auxiliarists willing to put in the time and training.  Collectively, Auxiliarists volunteer over 4.5 million hours per year and complete nearly 500,000 missions – a true force multiplier for the Coast Guard!

SHORT VIDEO
showing the 75-year history of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
In 2023, the Auxiliary turned 84 years old, and our Madison Flotilla turned 80! 

US Coast Guard Auxiliary 75th Anniversary Promo Video from USCG Auxiliary on Vimeo.