  High Res Photo Commander Anthony Popiel, Group Grand Haven, reads an award citation as BMC Jeff Mallory, Officer In Charge, Station Manistee pins a ribbon on Manistee flotilla member William Baumgartner for his outstanding contributions to Coast Guard missions. The ‘High Res Photo” shows Manistee flotilla member, Freda Herman assisting a Coast Guard boat crew while they moor her boat, which Coast Guard crews often use to train boat crews. Her husband, Norm Herman, is the Manistee flotilla Commander. Photo Tom Rau/Boat Smart Manistee flotilla top five in nation Station Manistee’s Coast Guard citizen patriots conducted over 300 recreational boating vessel safety checks last year, placing them in the top five amongst Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas nationwide. Those are impressive figures for a small flotilla that, between January 2000 and July 2004, contributed over 4,000 hours in support of local Coast Guard missions. This isn’t tea and crumpets time either. These citizen patriots mean business. William Baumgartner, alone, between January 1999 and 2003, conducted over 50 safety patrols between Frankfort and Grand Haven, Michigan, logging over 250 underway hours enforcing safety zones for fireworks displays and other marine events and homeland security. In addition, Baumgartner and fellow citizen patriots provide their boats as training platforms so Coast Guard crews can hone their skills, especially at the beginning of the season in preparation for ready for operations boat drills, conducted by Coast Guard Group Grand Haven officals. This year, Group Grand Haven inspectors scored Station Manistee as one of the top stations in Group Grand Haven, an achievement our citizen patriots can take pride in. Perhaps though, no greater contribution do our citizen patriots make than preventive search and rescue. William Baumgartner along with flotilla members have conducted numerous boating and safety classes, recreational boating vessel safety checks, and boating and safety promotions at local marinas and marine supply stories. Undoubtedly, their efforts reduce the need for search and rescue on the water. A win-win situation for all. Although Baumgartner and his flotilla members strive hard to enlightened boaters, they fully understand their contributions would be impossible without support of station personnel. Spearheading that support is boatswain mate First Class Chris Bouchard, who over the last four years has prepared over 200 Auxiliary Patrol Orders, while assuring flotilla crews maintain boat qualifications, receive updated Coast Guard directives, and are outfitted with the latest safety gear. In addition he has assured flotilla members are reimbursed for fuel, food cost and other reimbursable items. Because Bouchard has diligently pursued his assigned duties, it is one of the reasons our local flotilla has received national recognition. The Coast Guard certainly appreciates his contributions. Commander Anthony Popiel, Commander Group Grand Haven, recently awarded Bouchard a Letter of Commendation; in it he stated: “You bring great credit upon yourself, Station Manistee and Group Grand Haven.” All these guys do, and that is why Team Coast Guard works so well at Station Manistee and why I’m honored to be one of their citizen patriots. You can join the cause simply by boating smart. Group
Grand Haven | USCG
Office of Boating Safety
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