The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members were joined on Saturday by first responders from Wilmette fire and police departments for an open house at the U.S. Coast Guard Station at Wilmette Harbor.
Visitors had an opportunity to meet Coast Guard personnel, learn about boating safety, tour a rapid response boat, learn how to choose a good fitting life vest, hear about adventures for youth in the Sea Scouts program and information about recruiting opportunities for active duty, reserve and auxiliary Coast Guard service.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs Officer Jason Pfeffer says each year the open house provides an opportunity for the community to tour Wilmette’s historic Coast Guard Station.
“Members of the public get to experience being on a Coast Guard boat and a chance to directly interact with the Active Duty, Reserve and Auxiliary members of the Coast Guard that operate out of the Station,” Pfeffer said. “The most important part of the day is the opportunity for the Coast Guard to promote recreational boating safety.”
This event also introduced the United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 9th Coast Guard District, Western Region, Division 39, mobile education recruiting and communication center to the public.
Greg and Charlie Ramenofsky of Wilmette attended Saturday’s event with the father and son asking Coast Guard officers about their favorite rescue stories.
“My son is very interested in learning about how the brave officers of the Coast Guard keep our waters safe,” Ramenofsky said.
Maggie and David Majewski of Evanston stepped aboard a rapid response vessel to learn more about Coast Guard rescue operations.
Majewski said he has always wanted to see inside the Wilmette Coast Guard Station.
“I came today because I wanted to see the Wilmette Station house and solve some of the mystery of what takes place beyond the official chain link fence,” Majewski said.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Ben Carter said the day is all about education.
“We want the public to learn more about what we do, to give them piece of mind and let them know they are not alone out in the water,” Carter said.
The Coast Guard Station at Wilmette Harbor, also referred to as Station (Small) Wilmette, is responsible for missions that include search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, boating safety and security for special marine events, including presidential security zones.
The unit covers Lake Michigan from Great Lakes, Illinois, to downtown Chicago, and half way across Lake Michigan. Station Wilmette Harbor conducts an average of 90 to 100 search and rescue cases each year, according to the United States Coast Guard Atlantic Area website.
Coast Guard Watch Commander Bill Ziehm receives distress signals in the radio room at the Wilmette Station.
“In the Wilmette area during the summer, we often get a lot of paddle boaters that run into trouble — getting out too far without really knowing their capabilities or going out without telling anybody,” Ziehm said.
Gregory Bart of Wilmette attended on Saturday with his daughters.
“As a new boating season gets underway, we are so lucky to have the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary right here in Wilmette,” Bart said.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
