The Coast Guard Auxiliary: Volunteer Arm of America's Premier Maritime Service

Pleasure boating emerged as an American sport in the 1930s. By the end of the decade, more than 300,000 motorboats and 4,000 sailing yachts with auxiliary power were registered in the United States.

At that time, the Coast Guard’s missions included the enforcement of federal laws relating to recreational watercraft. But most of the service’s resources were siphoned off by other responsibilities.