Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Southeast North Carolina Division Installs New Leaders For 2021…
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary division that serves southeastern North Carolina installed its leadership for 2021 at a virtual ceremony conducted on January 16th. This was the first time that the Change of Watch ceremony was conducted electronically. Division 054-10 serves as the coordinating unit for United States Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas and personnel working in southeastern North Carolina. Division personnel are active from Wrightsville Beach south to the South Carolina border and as far west as Fayetteville, North Carolina. Division elected and appointed leaders serve to coordinate the activities of Auxiliary personnel over a wide area with numerous bodies of water including major rivers, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Atlantic Ocean, and large lakes. Division leaders also serve as the primary liaison to the active-duty Coast Guard personnel at Sector North Carolina which has its headquarters in Wilmington. The Division 10 leaders were sworn into their positions by Captain Michael Baer, USCG, commander of Sector North Carolina and Mr. Wayne Early, USCG Auxiliary, District Captain. The ceremony was attended by many senior Coast Guard and Auxiliary personnel including Commander David Block, USCG, Director of Auxiliary and Commodore Allen Fredd, USCG Auxiliary, senior Auxiliary officer for Division 5 Southern Region (Maryland, D.C., Virginia, and North Carolina).
Joseph L. Nemeth, a resident of Wilmington was installed as the division commander. Mr. Nemeth has been a member of the Auxiliary since 2010. He has extensive experience in different leadership roles in the Auxiliary. Mr. Nemeth said “I am honored to serve as division commander and I am looking forward to working with our members to safely get our boating safety courses, vessel safety checks, marine safety programs and our patrols back to normal. Southeastern North Carolina is fortunate to be served by Auxiliarists from three flotillas based in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and Southport. Together with our active-duty partners from Sector North Carolina we are looking for innovative ways to accomplish our duties while protecting our members and the public.” Mr. William (Kim) Curry was sworn in as vice division commander. This is Mr. Curry’s second term as vice division commander. Mr. Curry is a resident of Southport and has been a member of the Auxiliary since 2013. Mr. Curry stated “Semper Paratus (Always Prepared) is the Coast Guard motto and it aptly describes the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In this time of health uncertainty, flexibility has been a strength for the Auxiliary. Keeping safety at the forefront, we look forward to re-starting our public outreach programs soon.” Mr. Nemeth and Mr. Curry also swore in division staff officers who provide leadership for the various programs and operations conducted by members of the Auxiliary. Despite the limitations placed on certain programs offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, it is important for boaters to take a boating safety class, always wear a life jacket that fits and is appropriate for the nature of the activities you are participating in, schedule a free vessel safety check and never operate a vessel while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org
