DAGSBORO — United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-09 (5NR) Sector Delaware Bay, located at United States Coast Guard Station Indian River, completed its annual Change of Watch ceremony Dec. 6 at Cripple Creek Golf and Country Club.

The Change of Watch occurs annually to install newly elected and appointed officers into the Flotilla. The master of ceremony was outgoing Flotilla Commander Michael Maguire, who passed the torch to incoming Commander Michael Moran and Vice Commander George Heesh.

Leadership present at the Change of Watch were United States Coast Guard Commander Laura Moose, director of the auxiliary, United States Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mickey T. Price, operations training officer, and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary District Captain Central, Timothy D. Precht.

Incoming Commander Moran said the Flotilla meets at Indian River Coast Guard Station and is open to anyone wishing to volunteer their time.

“We are looking to a productive 2024 season promoting boating safety and assisting the Indian River Coast Guard staff,” he said.

Vice Commander George Heesh said, "Auxiliarist can volunteer and when requested be deployed all over the world, such as the southern border as a fingerprint specialist, or on the cuter, Polar Star with port calls to locations such as Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, and Antarctic, as well as your our local area of responsibility here in Sussex County Delaware.”

Public Affairs Staff Officer Bill Petigrew said, "The US Coast Guard Auxiliary offers the reward of knowing you are helping the Coast Guard and your country, there are many benefits of being an active auxiliarist. The Auxiliary offers excellent training in many competencies like vessel examiner, public affairs, culinary, boat crew, communications, information systems, and more.”

Interested volunteers can join the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary at the age of 17.

For more information, contact Flotilla Staff Officer, Bill Petigrew at uscga.william.petigrew@gmail.com.