SANDPOINT — U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Lake Pend Oreille is looking for serious candidates who want to join the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and make a difference.

The group’s mission is to promote safe boating through direct contact with boaters on the water, voluntary boat inspections, and public education and events. As a member of the USCG Auxiliary, free classroom training is provided along with on-the-water training. Uniforms are provided free of charge.

Every year Flotilla Lake Pend Oreille puts on an in-depth Boating Skills and Seamanship course available to the public. This year, beginning on February 24, the eight-night course will be provided at the U.S. Forest Service Ranger District Office located at 1602 Ontario St., Sandpoint.

Topics include boat selection, equipment, trailering, boat handling, signage, “rules of the road,” inland boating, boating safety, navigation, lines and knots, weather and radios.

The course will be taught on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7-9 p.m. Class dates are February 24, 26, March 2, 4, 9, 11, 16 and 18. To sign up for the class, please contact Brian Willcox (208-946-3994) or Tom Barnes (208-290-1286). The cost of the class is $35 and can be paid at the door.

Flotilla Lake Pend Oreille is a public service organization supporting the U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington. As a unit we serve Lake Pend Oreille, the Pend Oreille River, and Priest Lake.

In addition to supporting the Coast Guard, the Flotilla also provides on-water support to the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Marine Division, through marine patrols.

Together with Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River, there are over 60 miles of recreational boating water within the Flotilla’s service area.

Priest Lake, also included in our geographical area, includes another 19 miles of recreational boating area bringing the total serviceable waters to nearly 80 miles of waterway.

On occasion, the flotilla supports boating events on Lake Coeur d’Alene and portions of the Columbia River.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining Flotilla Lake Pend Oreille or finding out more about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary please contact Bev Hannibal at (208) 683-1863, or (509) 951-9191.

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.