Florida Keys Coast Guard Auxiliarists Earn Top Honors for Their Marine Safety Work

One is the “M” Departments Own Joe Welty, BC-MVS

Our hats are off to Cathie and Joe. Bravo Zulu!

FLORIDA KEYS - Members of the U. S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, Miami, presented Coast Guard Auxiliarists Joe and Cathie Welty of Flotilla 13-8 (Upper Keys) with the Coast Guard Marine Safety Device in recognition of their sustained support of the Marine Safety missions of the Coast Guard. The Weltys become only the second and third Auxiliarists in the US to receive this designation. The ceremony was performed on 3 Nov 02 at CG Station Marathon during Auxiliary Division 13’s year-end meeting by Commander Nancy Goodridge, Executive Officer, and Rafael Arizmendi, both of the Marine Safety Office, Miami. On behalf of Captain James A. Watson, Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Office, Miami, Commander Goodridge formally designated Joe and Cathie Welty as "Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Professionals".

"Today I want to recognize once again the importance of our own Coast Guard Auxiliary. This is a time when probably not since World War Two, we call upon and depend on the Auxiliary to step up, manage, and in some cases, take over control of traditional Coast Guard active duty roles", said CDR Goodridge. 

"(Joe and Cathie Welty) are dedicated to and are experts in the Marine Safety missions of the Coast Guard and have performed hundreds of hours of Commercial Fishing Vessel and Uninspected Passenger Vessel exams, pollution investigation, and have been key members of the Clean Marina Program in Monroe County. In recognition of their efforts, and for completion of all requirements, I would like to present on behalf of the Captain of the Port, the Officer-in-Charge of Marine Inspections, Miami, and with the assistance of Rafael Arizmendi, the  Marine Safety pin and certificate to Joe and Cathie Welty," said CDR Goodridge.

Joe Welty, in addition to being a member of our own “M” Department as BC-MVS, also serves as SO-MS and is a former DCP. Cathie also serves as DVC-MV and DSO-MV and is currently FC of her Flotilla.

In order to qualify for this designation, the Weltys completed, in addition to the service requirements, the following PQSs (Personal Qualification Summaries):

·       Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiner;

·       Uninspected Passenger Vessel Examiner;

·       Clean Marina Survey Committee member;

·       Initial Pollution Investigator;

·        Auditor for Captain’s License examinations and courses for the Regional Examination Center;

·        Pollution Watchstander.