Coast Guard Auxiliary Eastern Long Island Division Elects New Commander, Sets Focus on Boater Safety

Hampton Bays, NY -The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Eastern Long Island Division recently held its annual election at Coast Guard Station Shinnecock in Hampton Bays, New York. At the meeting, Mr. Andrew Tarantino was unanimously elected to serve as Division Commander for the upcoming 2026 term. Paul Meszik was elected to serve as Vice Division Commander.

Mr. Tarantino previously served as Flotilla Commander in 2025 and Vice Flotilla Commander in 2024 for Flotilla 18-06, East Moriches. An active member of the Auxiliary, he serves as a Boat Crew Member and Watchstander at Station Shinnecock. He is the recipient of two separate Commandant’s Auxiliarist Letters of Commendation for his role in saving the lives of two people in our local waters.

“I am excited to be elected to this position,” said Tarantino. “Over the past few years, we’ve made progress with our educational programs. However, with the recent deaths of three people on boats and paddlecraft who were not wearing life jackets, it is evident there is still more work to do. I will make it a division-wide goal to increase public education and public affairs outreach to help prevent these types of tragedies and emphasize boater safety and the importance of wearing life jackets.”

Mr. Meszik previously served as Division Commander and currently serves as Staff Officer for Operations and Rescue & Survival Systems. A 13-year member of the Auxiliary, he is a Qualified Coxswain and an Aids to Navigation Verifier.

“Mr. Meszik’s years of experience will be invaluable to the Eastern Long Island Division and our goals for 2026,” Tarantino added.

Want to learn more about the Auxiliary or how you can join please email cgauxeasternsuffolk@gmail.com.