Flotilla 81 - Roanoke, Virginia - Smith Mountain Lake

Serving Central Virginia since 1961

Welcome Aboard

The Coast Guard Auxiliary was established by Congress in 1939 to promote safe recreational boating. With 35,000 members, it is as large as the active duty Coast Guard.

The service accepts the Auxiliary as part of the team, offering the best training available, along with many other benefits. Auxiliarists range from experienced recreational boaters and radio operators to licensed aircraft pilots who promote safe boating through Vessel Safety Checks, public education courses and search and rescue operations.

Auxiliarists are Congressionally-authorized, unpaid volunteers who assist with many Coast Guard missions. In reducing the Coast Guard's size, opportunities for the Auxiliary have grown. It is estimated that the Auxiliary provides nearly free of charge, almost $1 billion in service to America.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary on an average day saves one life, saves $11,119 in property damage, educates 594 people, completes 68 safety patrols, performs 13 assists, participates in 185 operational support missions and performs 383 courtesy marine examinations.

Here in the Roanoke area, Flotilla 81 educates almost 1000 boaters a year, completes 70 patrols a year with 35 assists, 100 support missions and 150 courtesy marine exams.

Directions to the SML Search and Rescue Detachment are as follows:

Stop by on the 4th Sunday of each month at 3:00 and visit with us.

From Rt. 122, turn on Merriman Way Road (Rt. 666) at the Epworth Methodist Church. Turn left on Oldfield Road, then right on Oak Grove Lane. Follow Oak Grove Lane to the end, turn left – look for the AUXSARDET sign on the left.