� � ����� � � ����� � � ����������� � � � ���
Andrew Assimos Continued
Andrew Assimos was raised in Wilmington , Delaware . Following his Navy service , he owned and operated a restaurant along with other family members in Wilmington . In 1958 , he and a brother , also a Navy veteran , decided to buy a boat . His first exposure with the Auxiliary occurred while he had a “ Courtesy Marine Exam ” done on the boat . He later attended a Public Education course . Through these contacts with the Auxiliary and his military background he became interested in joining and told me about the process at the time . I had previously read that a new individual had to be voted on by the Flotilla members to join the Auxiliary . Andy confirmed that process and told me that after he spoke to the members at a meeting , they voted privately . A single no vote was all that was needed to prevent an individual from joining . Newly accepted “ provisional members ” were required to demonstrate proficiency in piloting , seamanship , and Coast Guard organization functions . Additionally , members needed to qualify in the rudiments of internal combustion engines , communications and first aid . The training was overseen by the Flotilla Training officer . The Flotilla leadership consisted of a Flotilla Commander , Vice-Commander and Training Officer . Lucky for the Auxiliary , he enrolled 17 May 1960 an became a highly qualified respected , and valued member .
Although Andy was active in VE and PE , his true passion was operations . Over the years he held appointed staff positions at the Flotilla , Division , District and National level in operations . He relayed to me how he performed the first patrol for the 3SR in the Upper Chesapeake area and described the qualification process at the time as well as the initial operational parameters . As an Auxiliary Facility owner , members could be utilized for the following activities :
1 . Safety patrols of marine parades and regattas 2 . Search and rescue 3 . Special safety patrols 4 . Checking and reporting on ATONs and Bridge lights 5 . Flood and hurricane warnings and relief
The upper Chesapeake Bay then as was under the jurisdiction of USCG District 5 Group Baltimore .
The first sea story Andy relayed to me provided some insight to the working relationship with the active duty in the mid 1960 ’ s . Prior to the early 1970 ’ s when the Coast Guard established a permanent Station Still Pond , the Coast Guard would assign one of their cutters to cover the Northern Chesapeake AOR on weekends . The cutter ’ s mission was to show a presence , patrol the area and respond to emergencies , and perform their other assigned duties . This duty was normally assigned to either USCGC Apalachee or USCGC Chinook both were 110-foot tugs homeported in Baltimore at the time .
Andy ’ s Flotilla ( Fl-15 ) invited the former two term Governor and Delaware U . S . Senator , J . Caleb Boggs , to ride along on one of their Safety Patrols . Following existing procedure , Andy requested patrol orders as required and informed Group Baltimore that a U . S . Senator would be onboard the facility . Orders were approved , however apparently no one at Group really believed Senator Boggs would actually show up and participate in a Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol . Andy based that statement on the fact he later found out the Commanding Officer of the USCGC Apalachee had never been advised of the possibility of a Senator being aboard the Auxiliary Facility patrolling that weekend .
Continued on the next page ...