USCG Cutter “Narwhal” to Visit Dana Point

The 87-foot Coast Guard cutter Narwhal will make its next visit to Dana Point Harbor on Sunday January 4th. The United States Coast Guard, USCG Auxiliary Division 6 and the Ocean Institute will welcome public tours from 11 AM to 4 PM. Members of the public will have the opportunity to tour the warship, meet the crew, ask questions about life and service aboard a Coast Guard vessel, and learn about the mission support roles fulfilled by the CG Auxiliary. Narwhal’s last visit to Dana Point was in April of 2024 when over 400 people toured the ship.

USCG Auxiliary Unit Coordinator Garry Nelson is thrilled to coordinate Narwhal’s fourth visit to Dana Point Harbor in recent years. The Auxiliary’s Division 6, led by Rick Latronico, Division Commander of six flotillas and 208 members, is responsible for an area that spans the Orange County coast and parts inland from San Mateo Point to Seal Beach. Flotillas are located in Dana Point, Newport Harbor, Orange Coast, Huntington Harbor, Seal Beach, and North Orange County.

“This is a great time to explore opportunities for service in both the Coast Guard itself as well as the Auxiliary” Nelson said. "We are the uniformed volunteer branch of the US Coast Guard and provide support for its Missions. Auxiliarists in Orange County’s Division 6 served over 35,000 mission hours last year. This is an excellent opportunity for the public to meet the crew and talk with Auxiliary members about rewarding volunteer service.”

Safety and Security Patrols, Search and Rescue

Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers receive extensive training, both dockside and on the water, so they can function as an effective force multiplier for the Coast Guard. They conduct on the water Safety and Security patrols, offer assistance and handle safety issues including search and rescue, boating safety, vessel inspections, and public Education.

On January 4th , the Auxiliary will be coordinating tours, engaging kids with “Coastie”, their fun, moving, “talking” ship, and educating the public on recreational boating safety, proper use of life jackets, clean boating habits, fuel-oil spill prevention, paddle craft requirements, safe fire extinguisher use, marine radio operations, and distress flare simulations.

Volunteers will also provide information on how to obtain the California Boaters’ Card, now required for every person operating a vessel in state waters. The public will have an opportunity to sign up for boater education classes and free vessel exams at the event.