Flotilla 11-9, the Vineyard’s U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary unit, held a Change of Watch ceremony on Saturday at Station Menemsha. The Station Menemsha Officer in Charge, Senior Chief Justin Longval, swore in Joe Berini as the new auxiliary commander, and swore in Derek Teel as vice commander.
“I’m very excited about working with all of our flotilla members in the coming year,” Berini said. “We have a very committed and active group, and I am proud to be able to provide assistance in all their endeavors.”
In an email, Berini wrote the primary mission of the auxiliary is to “promote recreational boating safety, maintain our current skills and develop additional skills to ensure we are ‘always ready’ to support the U.S. Coast Guard.”
Some of the Coast Guard support Flotilla 11-9 provides is watchstander service at Station Menemsha. Watch standers monitor station telephones and radio, and communicate with Coast Guard vessels from time to time. Berini is a regular watchstander. In the coming year, Berini wrote, he hopes to “increase number of boating safety classes on Island” and “expand recruiting activities.” He also hopes to “encourage and develop more radio watchstanders, supplementary crew, and food service personnel for active duty [Coast Guard],” among other goals.