Flotilla 4's boats and PWC line up to pass by the Birdland Marina as they get underway for a safety patrol on the Des Moines River. Auxilarist Norma Newton is on the PWC, John Halbrook and Ron Longnecker are on the Jon Boat, and Travis Daniels and Wendy Faganel are on the Lady Grace.
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo By Doug Jansen)
Flotilla 4 was asked to help with the 8th Annual River Run Garbage Grab event on the Des Moines River by providing a safety patrol of the river. This event allows volunteers the opportunity to remove trash from the river or along its adjacent trails. Paddlers, rowers, power boaters, walkers and hikers participate in the clean up effort.
Removing a large amount of garbage by boat can create safety issues on the river. Additionally, a few weeks earlier there was a boating accident in downtown Des Moines that resulted in a drowning. The Coast Guard Auxiliary patrolled the river to help boats in distress and help to prevent further accidents.
This year Flotilla 4 was able to provide four boats and 16 Auxilarists to support the patrol mission on the Des Moines River that day. The patrol area was from the Sycamore Ramp to downtown Des Moines. Two personal watercraft (PWC), a jon boat and the Lady Grace patrolled that day in order to aid boaters in distress. A few boaters were found that had problems and one of them required a tow to the nearest ramp.
At that same time a temporary radio base was setup at the Sycamore Ramp and also at the Birdland Marina to coordinate the patrol boats on the river. At Birdland Marina, Flotilla 4 conducted free courtesy vessel safety checks for boats going out for the day on the river.
Coast Guard Auxilarist Roland Newton runs the radios at the temporary AUX Base at Birdland Marina. He was standing radio watch for the Coast Guard Auxiliary boats on the Des Moines River.
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo By Doug Jansen)
Posts
