NLV Flotilla joins Coast Guard units on Lake Mead

Caitlin Hudgins

Friday, July 23, 2004 | 4:30 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

July 24 - 25, 2004

The Coast Guard has landed in Nevada, despite the fact that the state is in the middle of a desert -- one that happens to be going through a five-year regional drought.

Still, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's North Las Vegas Flotilla 95 was chartered in April to support rescue missions, conduct vessel safety checks and teach boating classes for Lake Mead recreationalists.

Even with the lake's water at its lowest level in 40 years, Vice Flotilla Commander Jennifer Power said the North Las Vegas auxiliary, a group of volunteers interested in water safety, is a necessary addition to Lake Mead's staff, which includes members of the Nevada Wildlife Department, Arizona Fish and Game and the National Park Service.

Two other flotillas, from Henderson and central Las Vegas, have been patrolling Lake Mead for 10 and 31 years, respectively, but Power said the area needs extra help from the new North Las Vegas auxiliary.

The drought "is all the more reason for us (to be there) -- the calls for service we're getting are because of the lowering water levels," she said.

Even visitors familiar with Lake Mead can beach their boats on peaks that are now closer to the surface because of the drought, Power said.

"People don't understand there's land where there didn't used to be," she said.

The Lake Mead auxiliary's biggest job is towing boats that are stranded or have run out of gas, Power said. Because the lake is on National Park Service property, no commercial towing companies can operate there.

The Lake Mead flotilla -- and every other Coast Guard auxiliary in the country -- is made up entirely of civilian volunteers, who must be at least 17 years old, of good character and able to pass background checks.

Some volunteers have their own boats, which must meet Coast Guard standards, Power said, but owning equipment is not a requirement to lend time to the flotilla.

Twenty-two civilians currently volunteer for the North Las Vegas auxiliary, and the flotilla is looking for recruits.

Once volunteers are qualified by the Coast Guard after successfully completing an eight-hour boating safety class, they can get involved in any area of the auxiliary they choose, Power said. The flotilla members can take courses to become instructors, wave-runner operators, vessel-safety examiners, crew members or coxswains.

All of the volunteers go through yearly maintenance training and keep up with current mariner information.

Volunteers also have the advantage of being members of an organization that ranks fellowship as a high priority, Power said.

"We try to take a weekend every month to go out to a beach and do barbecues or picnics," Power said. "Most of the people are friends -- it's very family-oriented."

Although some volunteers are retired, many have regular jobs and work at Lake Mead only on the weekends. However, there are always members on call to respond to emergencies.

The new flotilla includes six certified instructors, and more are in training right now, Power said.

Those instructors combine with teachers from the two other Las Vegas auxiliary branches to hold about four classes per year, for which students pay the cost of materials.

Flotilla 95's first class, a $25 boating safety course, is scheduled to run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 31 at the Nevada Wildlife Department offices, 4747 Vegas Drive.

The Lake Mead auxiliary also attends boat shows and other events to educate people about boating safety.

"It surprises most people because they don't know there's such a thing as a Coast Guard in the desert," Power said.

For more information on the new flotilla, call Power at (702) 375-1891.