WELAKA, Fla. – The Coast Guard Auxiliary established a new detachment in Welaka Monday located at the northern edge of Ocala National Forest along Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway.
Auxiliary Detachment Welaka has been established to provide the surrounding areas with necessary search and rescue services that previously required a two-hour drive from Coast Guard Station Mayport and Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon Inlet.
Detachment Welaka will operate during weekends and holidays from the first weekend in March through the second weekend in December to coincide with peak boating season. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed all-volunteer component of the Coast Guard with members in all 50 states. The Auxiliary performs a wide range of services to include: performing safety patrols, teaching boating safety classes and conducting free vessel safety checks for the public.
Attending the ribbon cutting service was Congressman John Mica, (R-FL) 7th District and the ranking member of the House of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Capt. Andy Blomme, commander Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville and Welaka Mayor Gordon Sands.
