|
History of Flotilla 84 Our flotilla was founded in 1956 as Flotilla 77 of Division VII, covering the area from Tampa Bay to Naples. In 1962 the Division was split, and we became Flotilla 94, Division IX. Division VIII, which ran from Anna Maria Island to Boca Grande Pass, was created in 1970. That year we became Flotilla 84. The newly established Division VIII included Flotilla 81 on Anna Maria Island, Flotilla 83 in Manatee, Flotilla 84 in Sarasota, Flotilla 86 in Venice, and Flotilla 87 in Englewood. Flotilla 82 on Longboat Key (1975), Flotilla 85 in Palmetto (1992), and Flotilla 89 in Rotunda West (1973) were subsequently added to Division VIII (now called Division 8). In the early years, Flotilla 84 met in many places, Courtroom “C” in the Sarasota County Courthouse being a favorite. Gary J. Creighton, Jr., Flotilla Commander, proposed the original idea for a building in 1966; but not until 1969, under then Flotilla Commander Henry A. Wiegrefe, did the project get rolling. In 1970 the United States Coast Guard had entered into a lease with the City of Sarasota to establish a homeport at Payne Terminal for its 82-foot cutter Point Thatcher. The cutter was based at the foot of 10th Street, the site where the Flotilla 84 Building stands today. In early 1972 Flotilla 84 leased our building site through the Coast Guard from the city. A room was allocated for use by Coast Guard personnel from the Point Thatcher. As New Pass and Big Pass shoaled in, however, the Point Thatcher was moved to Nokomis. When the original lease expired, Sarasota Flotilla, Inc., leased the land from the City of Sarasota. Construction of our new facility began in February 1973; and on April 13, 1974, the new deluxe facility for Flotilla 84 was formally dedicated. The biggest changes around the Flotilla Building involved the boat launching ramps. In 1989 the ramps were located next to our building on the south side of the canal. Because of parking and traffic problems, however, the ramps were moved to the north side of the canal. On March 5, 1992, Centennial Park was opened with six boat ramps and plenty of parking for boats and trailers. This new location for the busiest of Sarasota County’s boat ramps has put Flotilla 84 in the center of weekend boating activity. Many, many assists have been affected because our building and Auxiliarists have been in the right place at the right time. The Flotilla 84 building has continued to be the center of the ever-changing, ever-expanding missions of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Our membership has grown along with our responsibilities. Thousands of members of the Boating Public have passed through our doors to attend our many Safe Boating classes. Because the State Legislature has decreed that all boaters born after September 30, 1980, MUST attend a Safe Boating class, we are able to reach boaters at an earlier age. New boaters and ancient mariners alike continue to enjoy and profit from our efforts in Public Education. Even in the early days the boating fraternity knew the value of Flotilla 84. Virtually every day the flotilla handled at least one Search and Rescue Operation. Today, extensive training in both the classroom and on the water is required of every Crew Person and Coxswain. Many of our training manuals are the same as those used by members of the Coast Guard. Our skilled Communications Watchstanders are on the air for every mission. Our Vessel Examiners provide boating education at the Boat Ramps, and have added Personal Watercraft, Commercial Fishing Vessels, and other programs in their efforts to assist the boating public. An Air Operations arm has been added, and trained Air Observers and Pilots conduct operations from the skies. We have also become involved with environmental issues. Each year, we are proud to report the number of lives saved, persons assisted, and millions of dollars worth of property saved. With every passing year we work more closely with the United States Coast Guard, and like them, are now a part of the Department of Homeland Security. Auxiliarists man several positions at the Local Coast Guard Station, and work closely with local law enforcement by providing them with a platform to reach the boating public before trouble occurs as well as with the use of our building when needed. Our building is at the center of Division 8 activities. Both location and physical suitability of our building have allowed us to host Division, District, Coast Guard, U.S. Customs, and local law enforcement functions.
Home |
Take a Class | Check your Boat |
Local Boating Info | This page last
updated |
