Return to Flotilla 8-4's Home Page.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Coast Guard, and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department Marine Division worked in partnership during the Labor Day Weekend keeping recreational boaters safe on Lake Coeur d'Alene.  While the active duty and sheriff's department were conducting crucial law enforcement vessel boardings, vessel terminations, boating education, etc., Auxiliarists Kathy Goodwin and Doug Harris, from Flotilla 84, accomplished the following:  Awarded 11 children "I Got Caught Wearing My Life Jacket" T-shirts, responded to a medical emergency where a man had a fish hook embedded in his thigh, advised a boater of the correct placement of an anchor and line since his was tied to a side cleat, cautioned a recreational boater that had a woman sitting on the swim platform with her feet in the water while the boat was in motion, escorted a $150,000 boat with 2 POBs to their dock due to engine vibrations, advised a boater that was tied to a "no wake" piling in the city beach swim area to untie and move out of the area, and found an abandoned jet ski hull and reported it to the sheriff's department.  As Auxiliary vessel 201261 was traversing under the I-95 bridge above the Spokane River the crew noticed four young boys walking on the construction scaffolding next to the bridge.  The scaffolding was approximately 60 feet above the water level.  The boys were a third of the way across the thousand foot bridge when the Auxiliarists honked the horn and told them to move off the scaffolding and back to safety.  They complied. Our concern was that they would fall into the water and get hurt or even drown. Thank you to everyone involved in keeping the boating public safe throughout the season and for making the final summer holiday weekend both successful and memorable.

The weather was perfect and the water sparkled like diamonds on Lake Coeur d'Alene during the annual Coeur d'Alene Crossing Swim event held on August 13, 2023.  Featuring a 2.4/1.2 mile open water swim from Arrow Point to the Resort Floating Golf Course, this is a very picturesque and popular event for those that love the water.  A total of 157 swimmers, with participants ranging from the ages of 8 to 82, were brought to the 0730 start of the 2.4 mile race by one of the local tour boats.  When the race began, the swimmers proceeded out of the marina to the vast course that contained a channel of more than 20 buoys stretching across the lake.  A second tour boat held 84 participants and traversed to the halfway point on the course in time for the 0800 race start.  Only one athlete was unable to finish the race due to heart palpitations.  The water safety support team consisted of kayakers, jet ski operators, and rescue boat volunteers, along with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Marine Division, the USCG Auxiliary, and the Coeur d'Alene and East Side Fire Departments. The team ensured that the swimmers were protected from oncoming boat traffic trying to cross the course, watched over them to make sure they were physically able to continue the race, and encouraged them to make it to the finish line.  Loud cheers were expressed at the end of the course where the athletes celebrated a well-deserved victory, as well as all of the volunteers and agencies working together to make this a safe and memorable event.  

/Uploads_wowII/130-08-04/Nickel__Worth_8_11_23.pdf

The Coast Guard MSST Boat from Seattle, the Coast Guard Law Enforcement Team from Sector Puget Sound, the local Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Marine Division teamed up on Lake Coeur d'Alene for Operation Dry Water and the 4th of July Fireworks Celebrations.  Great partnership, camaraderie, professionalism, and dedication kept recreational boaters safe over the long holiday weekend.   

The below "Thank You!" message was sent by the National Safe Boating Council to Flotilla 84 in appreciation of the numerous public affairs missions conducted during this year's "Wear your Life Jacket to Work Day" and National Safe Boating Week.

Flotilla 84, in conjunction with the activities of the 4th of July weekend, the below article was published on June 30, 2023 in the Nickel's Worth newspaper, which serves 27,330 customers in North Idaho, Western Montana and Spokane Valley.  We hope it saves lives!!!

Ironman Coeur d'Alene took place on 25 JUN 23.  After an early morning
briefing at Blackwell Island, members of the Boat Team traversed the
river to the swim course at Independence Point.  Our Team consisted of
7 recreational boats, 5 personal jet skis, 4 sheriff's jet skis, 2 sheriff's
marine patrol boats, 1 Coast Guard Auxiliary boat, the Coeur d'Alene Fire
boat, and the Eastside Fire boat.  Kayaks and SUPs were in the first
perimeter closest to the swimmers.  Even though over 1300 racers were
originally registered, 1,063 entered the 63 degree water.  A total
of 23 athletes were extricated from the water as they were unable to finish
the swim.  The Boat Team was outstanding! They got up early to ensure
the safety of the Ironman swimmers, and their professionalism, dedication,
and expertise on the water was truly amazing!
Auxiliarists participating were: Kathy Goodwin, IM Boat Team Captain and
coxswain; Doug Harris, crew (both from Flotilla 84); and John Harrison,
trainee (Flotilla 82). 

Proclamation for National Safe Boating Week, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho:

Employees in every department of Super 1 in CDA supported the "Wear It !" campaign.  We thank all of the employees and managers for their participation:

"Wear It!" Celebration at Cabela's in Post Falls on May 20, 2023

Flotilla 84's Auxiliarists Kathy Goodwin, Steve Bilte, and Cabela's Assistant Manager Chris Fletcher, at our Public Affairs Booth

In support of National Safe Boating Week, the staff at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho are wearing life jackets.  Rev. Len MacMillan's message is:  "Jesus can walk on water; if you can't, wear a life jacket!".

 

The information on the electronic reader board shown below was posted by Subaru in early May and will run until fall.  It is in a prime spot on the corner of Government Way and Clayton Avenue, across the street from the Sheriff's office, and visible to hundreds of motorists traversing this road each and every day.  We are very grateful for this outstanding partnership!!!

 

Another Flotilla 84 NSBW outreach includes 1,000 of the flyers shown below printed and hand delivered to DMV Offices in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls to include with vessel registrations.  Also, several businesses that are interested in promoting life jacket awareness are distributing the flyers, as well as Super 1 in Coeur d'Alene where they are being placed in customer's grocery bags during National Safe Boating Week.