Milestone: Local U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary members participate in 2019 Seattle Seafair

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members from the Port Angeles Flotilla recently returned from a week-long mission aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active, during the annual Seattle Seafair event.

Alan Smith of Sequim and Jim McLaughlin of Port Angeles were assigned temporary orders to embark on the journey from July 29-Aug. 3, traveling from Port Angeles to Seattle and back, living aboard the Coast Guard vessel. During the assignment they assisted with tours, trained and assisted with food preparation and provided photo documentation of crew activities.

The USCG Cutter Active participated in Seafair starting off with the Parade of Ships, which also included a Seattle Firefighting vessel with a fountain display, the USS Spruance, the USS Mobile Bay and a Canadian Navy ship. All hands stood on deck and saluted as ships passed the delegation of dignitaries on Bell Street in Seattle.

The USCG Cutter Active then docked at Pier 66 and gave group tours to the public for three days during the event. The auxiliarists welcomed more than 1,130 visitors aboard the ship. Visitors were interested in the history of missions and stories of crew members. Many expressed their appreciation for the tour and for the U.S. Coast Guard helping local mariners.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, visit www.cgaux.org.