For The Boating Public
Division 8, which serves Central Virginia, is made up of 6 local Flotillas. These flotillas provide services to the recreational boaters. For more information on boating classes, meetings and other boating activities in your area, contact your local Flotilla (see the list of Flotillas and contacts on our homepage).
The Flotillas of Division 8 offer boating classes throughout the year. These classes include a 13-week Boating Skills and Seamanship Course, an 8-hour Boating Safely Course, a one-hour PWC class, classes for young children and specialty courses such as navigation. These classes meet the Virginia requirements for education for children under 16 who want to operate a PWC. Many insurance companies offer discounts to boat owners who complete these classes. The only cost for these classes is for the books and other materials.
Boat with confidence, knowing that your boat/PWC and its equipment meet safety standards.
The Flotillas of Division 8 offer free Vessel Safety Checks to recreational boaters in Central Virginia, especially Lake Anna, Smith Mountain Lake, Claytor Lake and Lake Monticello. These checks help boaters to know if their boats or PWCs meet all federal and state requirements. The Vessel Examiner inspects your boat/PWC to ensure that it has or exceeds these requirements. If the boat/PWC passes the check, you will be given a decal to put on your vessel. If the boat/PWC fails, you will be the only one who knows and upon fixing the problem, a decal will be issued. We make no reports to law enforcement authorities.
During the boating seasons, Vessel Safety Checks are offered on most weekends at various marinas in Central Virginia.
To find out about Vessel Safety Checks in your area or to schedule one, contact the Flotilla in your area. Notices are also posted in local newspapers and at the local marinas.
Uninspected Passenger Vessels, contact Jerome Ix at 434-975-3887 or e-mail at Jeromeix@aol.com
The Flotillas of Division 8 provide water safety patrols, during the boating season, primarily on weekends and holidays. Patrols render assistance to boaters in any emergency. Auxiliarists are available at other times for any emergency response. Air safety patrols are conducted when necessary. Auxiliarists also maintain a radio watch during these times, monitoring Channel 16 on the VFH radio.
In case of an emergency while you are boating, use Channel 16 on your VFH radio to call the Auxiliary for assistance. If you do not have a radio or the Flotillas are not providing a radio watch, use your cell phone to call the local law enforcement authorities. These people will then contact us to provide assistance.
For Emergency Assistance:
| Location | Radio Station Phone Number | Local Emergency Phone Number | Other |
| Lake Anna | 540-872-3741 | 540-967-1234 | |
| Smith Mountain Lake | 540-721-3237 | 540-721-3237 |
For more information on the safety patrols, contact Bob Thompson, Operations Coordinator for Smith Mountain Lake at RNilesT@msn.com or Jim Griffes, Coordinator for Lake Anna at JMGriffes_4@msn.com . For information on acitivits on Lake Monticello, contact Robert Deming at rdeming@cstome.net.
AIM (Academy Introduction Mission)
The AIM Program is for High School Juniors who want to learn more about the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Academy. Students, who are accepted into the program, spend a week at the Coast Guard Academy, living the life of a Coast Guard cadet.
If you are interested in applying for the program, contact James Griffes at 540-894-0490 JMGriffes@aol.com or your local Flotilla for information and an application package. Selections are based on individual merit and interest in the Coast Guard Academy.
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