The most important service we can provide is the saving of a life.
Two of our members, John Laurie and Rick Tamraz, along with Mike Koschnitzky, accomplished this feat in the late afternoon of 30 July 2006.  

While on a water patrol lunch break, their marine radio picked up a message of an overdue light plane from Texas headed for Gary Airport.  Hearing no further calls from federal or state agencies, they finished their meal and resumed patrolling.  Acting on instincts, long honed from years of search and rescue experiences, Crew member Rick Tamraz persuaded Coxswain John Laurie to begin searching off the 68^th street crib for any signs of aircraft debris and possible survivors.  After patrolling only a short time, Mike Koschnitzky spotted an individual floating in the water off the starboard side of the boat.  Following USCG and Auxiliary procedures, the man was rescued, quickly, from the waters of Lake Michigan.  The survivor told the Crew his pilot was still missing.  John radioed for assistance while continuing the search for the pilot.  Upon being relieved by other federal, state and local rescue boats, John raced to shore and delivered his survivor to medical authorities.  Thanks to his timely rescue by our Auxiliary facility, the passenger was able to return to Texas in a matter of days.  News of the rescue was a prominent feature on network television Sunday evening and was a major story in Chicago’s newspapers Monday morning. 

The men and women of Twelve Chicago salute John, Rick and Mike and offer a hearty Bravo Zulu to each of them for proving, once again, the value of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary to America!

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the volunteer, civilian arm of the U.S. Coast Guard.  It has over 30,000 members from all walks of life who receive special training so that they may be a functional part of Team Coast Guard.  Auxiliary members assist the Coast Guard in non-law enforcement programs such as public education, courtesy vessel safety checks, safety patrols, search and rescue, radio watch standing, and marine environmental protection.

Flotilla 35-12 serves the Chicagoland area and is one of the most active flotillas.  Flotilla 35-12 has over forty members. We welcome dedicated members who are seventeen years of age or older regardless of age, disability, race, gender, religion, economic or ethnic background who are interested in recreational boating safety and assisting the U.S. Coast Guard as members of the Auxiliary.

Flotilla 35-12 Chicago meets at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Sweeting Center of the Moody Bible Institute at 860 N. LaSalle St.  Visitors are welcome!