(10/19/03) OSSINING - The U.S. Coast Guard keeps busy in Westchester patrolling the Hudson River, rescuing people from drowning, and aiding boaters in distress. Since 9/11, water patrols around the perimeter of Indian Point have also increased, but the Coast Guard could not get the job done without its volunteers, or auxiliary members.

Since 9/11, the Coast Guard auxiliary members expanded their role from teaching boater safety courses to include search and rescue. The volunteers patrol the Hudson River from the George Washington Bridge up to the Bear Mountain Bridge. They assist the Coast Guard mainly by rescuing boaters in distress and providing homeland security.

In all, there are about 150 auxiliary members of the U.S. Coast Guard patrolling the Hudson River waters around Westchester. They are the eyes and ears of the Coast Guard, protecting the shorelines of Westchester County.

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Launch 5 Hudson River Environmental & Safety Foundation

We Need You -- The Coast Guard Auxiliary is called upon to provide essential services to the Coast Guard as they focus more heavily on their military missions.  We need all the help we can get.  You needn't own a boat or be an experienced boater, since our missions are wide-ranging.  For information about Auxiliary missions and the Auxiliary in general, go to our Join the Auxiliary web page.  You will find there a form through which you can ask that a local Auxiliarist make contact with you to explore the ways in which you can assist Team Coast Guard. 

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