The U.S. Coast Guard has officially launched the National Recreational Boating Safety Survey (NRBSS). This is the first comprehensive survey of its kind since 2018 and is a critical tool for understanding boating habits across all 50 states to help reduce accidents and identify high-risk behaviors.
How You Can Help: From now until February 2027, the Coast Guard is seeking volunteers to complete a brief sign-up page about their boating habits. This information allows a wider range of boaters to be invited to participate in the larger study later this year.
Coast Guard Warns the Public About Illegal Charter Operations
The Coast Guard is warning the boating public about the life-threatening risks and legal consequences of illegal charter operations throughout the Northeast District.
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary -
Casco Bay Flotilla
Serving Casco Bay as a force multiplier for the Coast Guard.
Maine Open Lighthouse Day is September 12, 2026
This popular annual event, which is sponsored by the American Lighthouse Foundation, the United States Coast Guard, and the Maine Office of Tourism, attracts between 15,000 to 18,000 visitors each year and offers the general public the rare opportunity to climb and learn about more than a dozen historic Maine lights.
The Casco Bay Auxiliary Flotilla will be assisting at Portland Head Light and Spring Point Light.
**SPECIAL NOTE FOR PORTLAND HEAD LIGHTHOUSE: Approximately 280 tickets will be made available for visitors on a first-come-first serve basis the day of the event, which are necessary for climbing the tower. You must be at least 48 inches tall and able to handle 85+ steps unassisted to climb the tower.
The USCG Cutter Eagle, the Coast Guard's training ship, was recently in Portland.
Over 4,700 people toured her while in town.
Join a cleanup or work day with the Maine Island Trail Association. More information is at www.mita.org
Friends of Casco Bay has regular Coastal Cleanups throughout the Summer. Learn more and signup.
News...
The Casco Bay Flotilla was on scene with the Active Duty, Sunday August 16, to help patrol this year's Portland Lobster Boat Races. One of the highlights is the Tug Boat Race.
The Casco Bay Flotilla was on scene, Sunday August 9, to help patrol this year's Casco Bay "World Series" Swim Run.
We assisted in retrieving 16 swimmers who needed to be pulled from the water and diverted numerous boats from the course.
We were on station talking Kayak safety at Thornton Academy for the Saco Night Out.
The Casco Bay Flotilla was on scene, Sunday July 26, to help patrol this year's Harpswell Lobster Boat Races.
The Casco Bay Flotilla was on scene, Saturday July 18, to help patrol this year's Peaks to Portland Swim For Kids
(photo courtesy of YMCA of Southern Maine)
Atticus Whitten (left) is a High School student looking to enlist with Coast Guard. Micah Steudle (right) is going into his Senior year at the Coast Guard Academy. On the far right is Billy Thornton, Auxiliary Flotilla Commander for Casco Bay. He is completing a pre-underway briefing for an AOR (area of responsibility) familiarization patrol. Atticus and Michah had time at the helm driving the boat, doing radio ops/position reports, and heaving line/towline set ups.
Active Duty LT Barnett on board with the Auxiliary to provide an area orientation to aquaculture sites (kelp, mussels, oysters) in Casco Bay. While out, we were able to provide the crew on a 47-ft motor life boat from Station South Portland with opportunity to do multiple 2-boat towing evolutions for their new trainees on board. LT Barnett enthusiastically volunteered to go forward with the Auxiliarist crew member to deal with heaving line/towline setup.
Our thanks to the Maine Ports and Harbors Facebook group for the shout out post when we cleared the large floating log a few weeks ago.
The Auxilliary had a busy 2 days assisting the South Portland Guard Guard station with training as the Coast Guard practiced boarding drills from “drugs” to “weapons” violations onto the auxiliary boats.
© 2026 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Casco Bay Flotilla