U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Chicago Flotilla 35-06

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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Chicago Flotilla 35-06

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Flotilla 35-06 is an auxiliary unit that supports all U.S. Coast Guard missions except direct law enforcement & military combat in the Chicagoland area. The U.S.

To learn more about our flotilla, please visit our website at https://www.cgauxchicago.com. Team Coast Guard is composed of an active-duty force of 41,000 men and women, augmented by the 8,000-member Coast Guard Reserve, the 32,000-strong all-volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary, and a civilian workforce of 5,500. As a unit of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 35-06 Chicago consists of nearly 30 members from the greater metropolitan Chicago area. We actively patrol Chicago area waterways and regularly meet with the boating public at marinas and in classrooms. Since 2003, Flotilla 35-06 has been recognized as one of the most active flotillas in its division, providing public educational programs, vessel safety checks, and assisting the U.S. Coast Guard in non-law enforcement programs such as safety patrols, search and rescue, and marine environmental protection. As the volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard, we directly support all of its missions except direct military and law enforcement actions. We also serve side-by-side with active duty and reserve members of Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor (located along the Lake Michigan shoreline at 98th Street in Chicago) and the Chicago Marine Safety Station located at the Chicago River Controlling Locks near Chicago's Navy Pier. Individuals or groups interested in recreational boating safety are invited to take advantage of our educational programs, free vessel safety checks, or even explore becoming a member of our flotilla. Flotilla 35-06 Chicago meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at the Chicago Police Department - 1st District Station, 1718 S. State Street, in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood. Visitors are welcome, but please contact us for more information.

-DISCLOSURE-
This page is for public information only and is not a distress communication channel. If you have an emergency and need Coast Guard assistance, use VHF-FM Channel 16
(156.8 MHz), dial 911, or call your nearest Coast Guard unit. All comments are moderated. The Coast Guard Auxiliary retains the discretion to
determine which comments it will post and which it will not. We expect all contributors to be respectful and will not post comments that contain personal attacks; that refer to Coast Guard or Auxiliary personnel by name; contain offensive terms that target specific ethnic or racial groups; or contain vulgar language. We will also not post comments that are spam, off topic, or that promote services or products. The Coast Guard Auxiliary disclaims any liability for loss or damage resulting from any
comments posted on this page. This forum may not be used for the submission of any claim, demand, informal or formal complaint, or other form of legal and/or
administrative notice or process, or for the exhaustion of any legal and/or
administrative remedy. Coast Guard will not collect or retain personally identifiable information unless you voluntarily provide it. Any links provided to a U.S. Coast Guard presence on other third-party sites is for your reference only. The Coast Guard or Auxiliary does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. Editorial content on this site is for informational purposes only and not authority for
action. Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the
Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, or the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Confidentiality Notice Privacy Act of 1974
The disclosure of personal information contained on this page is subject to the
provisions contained in the Privacy Act of 1974. The subject Act with certain exceptions prohibits the disclosure, distribution, dissemination or copying of any material containing home addresses, home telephone numbers, spouses’ names, and social security numbers, except for official business. Violation may result in disciplinary action by the Coast Guard and/or civilian criminal sanction.

10/21/2026

OCTOBER IS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH!

Think a cyberattack couldn't happen to you? Think again!

Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, more expensive, and increasingly difficult to detect. Whether you're protecting your personal information, your business, or our nation's critical infrastructure, cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

THESE NUMBERS MAY SURPRISE YOU:

💰 $4.99 MILLION - That's the global average cost of a data breach in 2026, according to IBM — a 12% increase from $4.44 million in 2025.

💰 $11.5 MILLION - The average cost of a data breach in the United States in 2026.

⏳ 247 DAYS - That's how long it takes, on average, for organizations to identify and contain a data breach.

Here are 4 simple ways to protect yourself:

🛡️Use strong, unique passwords. Create a different password for every account and consider using a trusted password manager.

🛡️Enable multifactor authentication (MFA). Add another layer of security to your email, banking, and social media accounts.

🛡️Think before you click! Be suspicious of unexpected emails, text messages, QR codes, and links requesting personal information. When in doubt, contact the organization directly.

🛡️Keep your devices updated. Install security updates regularly and enable automatic updates whenever possible.

DYK: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has a cybersecurity directorate?
The Coast Guard Auxiliary's cybersecurity volunteers bring valuable technical expertise and professional experience to support Coast Guard missions. Working alongside Active Duty personnel and other Coast Guard professionals, qualified Auxiliarists help strengthen cybersecurity awareness, support cyber-related initiatives, and contribute to protecting the systems and maritime infrastructure essential to our nation's security.

We also just received word that our very own, Jim Cummings, will serve as the Deputy Director of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Cybersecurity Directorate! BZ shipmate!

Remember, Cybersecurity isn't just an IT responsibility — it's EVERYONE'S responsibility!

Stay alert. Stay informed. Stay cyber safe! 🔐

08/25/2026

The Chicago Air & Water Show may already be behind us, but it feels like it was just yesterday!

From the Gary Jet Center to North Avenue Beach, our members were hard at work throughout the weekend — even when the weather didn’t exactly cooperate. Our primary mission was helping maintain the safety perimeter while also engaging with the public and supporting personnel throughout the event.

And one of our own even had the incredible opportunity to take to the skies with the US Army Golden Knights! 🪂🇺🇸 Talk about having one of the best views of the weekend!

Bravo Zulu to our shipmates who volunteered their time and helped support another successful Chicago Air & Water Show!

Interested in learning more about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and how YOU can serve?

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has proudly served our nation, with members selflessly volunteering their time and skills to help protect our citizens, ports, waterways, and coastal regions.

We don’t just train. We train to serve — and we put that training into action.

Send us a message or visit cgauxchicago.com to learn more about becoming part of our flotilla.

🇺🇸 Semper Paratus!

07/21/2026

Training today. Mission ready tomorrow.

Here is David working toward his Personal Watercraft qualification with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, gaining the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to safely operate in dynamic maritime environments. Every new qualification strengthens our ability to support the Coast Guard's missions and serve the boating public. Together, we're proud to be a force multiplier.

06/23/2026

Happy 87th Birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 🥳 We're looking real good out there!

Today, we celebrate 87 years of "Proud Traditions, Worthy Missions" and the unparalleled legacy of our Nation's finest volunteers.

For nearly nine decades, our dedicated men and women have supported Coast Guard missions with unwavering honor, respect, and devotion to duty, selflessly sacrificing their time to keep everyone safe who ventures out on our lakes, rivers, coastal waters, and the high seas.

Please join us in saluting all past and present Auxiliarists for their incredible commitment to excellence and service to our country!

View ALCOAST 181/26 announcing the anniversary here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/41cb8a1

06/03/2026

⚓️ Where in the World Are Auxiliary Members? ⚓️

After sharing a photo from USCG Station Sault and hearing stories from so many who served there, we thought we'd take a trip a little farther south today!

This beautiful view comes from the U.S. Coast Guard Station in St. Thomas, where Coast Guard members stand the watch in one of the most stunning locations in the world. While the scenery may be different from the Great Lakes, the mission remains the same: protecting lives, safeguarding our waterways, and serving those who depend on them.

One of the best parts of being a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is that no matter where you travel, you'll often find the Coast Guard nearby—and a connection to a mission much larger than yourself.

From the Caribbean to the Great Lakes, Auxiliary members support Coast Guard missions through public education, vessel safety checks, recreational boating safety, recruitment support, public affairs, and so much more.

We are proud to serve as a force multiplier for the U.S. Coast Guard, helping extend its reach and impact in communities across the nation.

Where has the Coast Guard/Coast Guard Auxiliary taken you? Share it in the comments 👇

05/27/2026

From flotilla meetings to the Vatican 🇻🇦

Auxiliarist Ed Barth had an unforgettable moment meeting Pope Leo! Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime photo op. We’re pretty sure Ed now has the most blessed sea stories in the flotilla 😂

Moments like these remind us how far service, dedication, and a little adventure can take you. BZ shipmate!

05/26/2026

🇺🇸 Weekend Recap 🇺🇸

This Memorial Day weekend, Active Duty from U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Ignace and members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary came together in Mackinaw City to participate in the Memorial Day parade — honoring the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

It was wonderful to see our Vice Flotilla Commander, Katie Paul, spending time in Mackinaw City and supporting such a meaningful event alongside fellow Coast Guard members.

Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend — it is a time to pause, reflect, and remember those who gave their lives defending our freedoms. We hope everyone had an opportunity to honor and remember our fallen heroes this weekend.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes

05/22/2026

⚓️ Happy National Maritime Day! ⚓️

Today, we celebrate National Maritime Day, a day to honor the importance of maritime industries in global trade and transportation. But more than that, we recognize the incredible work done by those who protect our waters every day—the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

From search and rescue missions to ensuring safe navigation and environmental protection, the U.S. Coast Guard plays a crucial role in keeping our waters safe. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the volunteer arm of the Coast Guard, is a true force multiplier, providing vital support to missions across our waterways.

Together, they safeguard our waterways and ensure the maritime industry continues to thrive.

Safe waters. Strong service. Proud tradition. Happy National Maritime Day. 🇺🇸

05/18/2026

⭐️ Weekend recap ⭐️

Our National Safe Boating Week Kick-Off event on Saturday was a huge success! Members of our flotilla had a great time connecting with the public, sharing boating safety information, demonstrating knot tying, and reminding everyone that safe boating starts before you even leave the dock.

A big thank you to the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum for hosting us and helping make the event such a fun day along the riverfront!
We even got a special visit from Batman himself......and yes — even Batman knows to wear a life jacket !

As boating season gets underway, remember:
✔️ Wear your life jacket
✔️ Take a boating safety course
✔️ Make safety part of every trip on the water

For more information, please visit www.cgauxchicago.com. See you on the water!

05/16/2026

Chief Minadeo, USCG (Ret.) from U.S. Coast Guard Station Chicago and his co-workers proudly wore their life jackets to work today in support of “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day!”

Whether you’re a seasoned mariner, recreational boater, or simply spending time on or near the water, wearing a life jacket is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay safe. A life jacket only works if you wear it! Accidents can happen quickly, and a properly worn life jacket can make all the difference.

We appreciate Chief Minadeo and his coworkers for helping spread boating safety awareness and supporting the mission of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary!

Safe Boating Campaign
National Safe Boating Council

Address

Chicago, IL

Telephone

+13126509040

Website

http://www.cgauxchicago.com/

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