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Our Mission: Is to help guard aginst terrorism and to assist in safeguarding our national water ways for Homeland Security
and aid in public safety on and around our waterways anywhere, anytime we are needed, Also to protect life and property whenever possible.
How we came up with the Name, Logo and Uniform.
The Name. United States
Water Patrol United States: was chosen because we could
possibly be a national organization that would patrol waterways anywhere in the United States Also we needed a name
that would not be limited to one area by name, also some states and city's have a water patrol unit.
Water Patrol: was chosen because at that time we would patrol just on the water
It took us over 2 months of research and almost a 100 phone calls and about
as many letters and emails to make sure the name was not in use or trade marked by anyone else.
Our Logo. The
Helm, and Anchor is to represent navigation & stability. The Shield is to represent strength, security and our
national colors.
Our Uniform. We
are a uniformed organization. We wear uniforms for several reasons. 1. Our uniform
distinguishes us apart from other organizations and the public we assist. 2. The uniform represents
professionalism and pride in its members 3. The uniform shows the members advancements
and position in the organization. And since we are a maritime organization we chose
to wear the Naval stile uniform with our own buttons and emblems added. We also adopted maritime ranks and insignia. We have a dress uniform and a duty uniform and the use of and wearing the uniform is controlled by set
rules and SOPs.
USWP Equipment:
USWP Boats: All U.S. Water Patrol boats
have permanent 2" to 10" markings logo & lettering located on both sides & front and back
of boat Also all USWP boats have a diagonaal 2" Green and followed by a 8" yellow line on each side and
all boats are numbered.
All USWP vehicles and other equipment: are marked with permanent logos & lettering and
are numbered. Note: USWP boats and other equipment that
are used by the Special Operations Team are unmarked.
Volunteer Member Boats and Equipment: All volunteer boats While
on duty: use removable signs on both sides of boat.and equipment (unless on special patrol)(No markings)
OUR HISTORY/ TIMELINE
The United States Water Patrol was conceived in the late summer of 1999 on the Ohio River in Louisville, KY.
to assist other boaters on the Ohio River and local Lakes near Louisville, KY. At that time we where
just assisting other boaters as good Samaritans.
On May 4, 2001: We were officially chartered as
a unarmed uniformed all volunteer Public Safety Organization.
On Sept. 11, 2001: The U.S.
Water Patrol changed from it's Primary mission of Public Assistance to Homeland Security Support
being our primary mission and Public Safety became our secondary mission. Assisting in the security of our nation is our main
concern and will always be.
Also On September 11, 2001 the
U.S. Water Patrol's Name and Logo was registered as a uniformed Homeland Security / Public Safety Organization with
the Commonwealth of Kentucky and granted a Certificate of Registration
Also in September 2001 We sent out over 230 letters and e-mails to Federal, State, and City Governments
Including members of the U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate as well as the U.S. Dept of Justice, FBI,CIA, USCG, and later to
the DHLS,FEMA,DEA,ATF, and State and city Police Depts across the country with information on our organization and notifying
them that we where here to assist if needed. 02/2002 We received our first Homeland Security Tip
on suspect terrorist and activities. We passed it on to the FBI and USCG In March 2002 we added an information
office in Portage MI. In June 2002 We started the USWPJOC a Youth Maritime program for boys & girls
10-17YO. On August of 2002 The United States Water Patrol was registered as a Uniformed Homeland
Security & Public Safety Organization with the Commonwealth of Kentucky On October 21
2002 the USWP made it's 1st sea patrol in the Atlantic ocean off the coast of Jacksonville FL.
In May
2003 we added a field office for patrol & information in West Point KY.
In
2004 we partnered with the Dept. of Homeland security's Highway Watch program ID # 887361
In November
2004 we added a information office in Hawaii On June 11, 2005 We received our 501c3
status as a non profit Volunteer Homeland Security & Public Safety Organization from the IRS. In Augest
2006 we added a field office for HLS/PS patrol / information in Prospect KY In May 2007 we added
a field office for HLS/PS patrol / information in New York On Augest 24 2008 We started and sponsor
our 1st B.S.A. Sea Scout Ship 65 in Louisville, KY. On May 27 2009 the USWP became a
A Certifying Organization for The President's Volunteer Service Award.
In June
of 2010 we started our first Mounted patrol unit in Louisville KY to assist in Homeland Security and Public Safety patrols
as well as doing other dutys. In Augest 2010 we added a field office for HLS/PS patrol / information
in Bloomington IN On June 5th 2011 we changed our Domain from .us to .org In July 2011 we added
a information office for HLS information in Manila Philippines.
Homeland
Security: We are the eyes and ears and a part of the front line of defense for our nation's Homeland
Security by providing support, manpower and equipment as needed. We patrol on land as well as water monitoring activities
on and around the water ways. This includes Dams & Locks, Power Stations, bridges, Shipping, Airports, Military insulations and
public water supplies. We are also able to assist in any type of National, State or Local Disaster.
Safety Patrols: We
aid and assist the public on and along the waterways and respond to and/or assist in water related distress calls such as Disabled boats,
Accidents, Medical Transpirations. Escorts, Search and Rescue marking
reporting and removing water hazards, monitoring unsafe Water conditions Diver Support, Security patrols to
Marinas and Business along waterways.
Security: Patrolling and monitoring activities on and
around, Marinas, Docks and Slips, Launching Ramps, Water front parks, vehicles parked around these
sites, Boats & Ships at anchor, Tow boats & Barges, Factories and business, Rail Road Tracks and
Bridges, Power lines, Power Plants, Dams & Locks, Bridges along the highways over water, dock
areas, Ports, Water Intakes, and Reservoirs. We monitor and report unsafe boating, vandalism, theft, pollution, illegal
dumping.
Public Service: we provided a variety of information
to the boating public on safe boating & River & Water information, Safety and life saving equipment.
Boating and safety class. Charts, Maps.
Assistance: Search and Rescue, Body search Boat fires, First Aid, Emergency message delivery, Towing, Gas,
Boat recovery, Navigation, Launching and Docking assistance, Extracting boats. Diver Support, Escort, Security
checks.
When needed we can also deliver medical supplies and staples
to Towboats and other vessels while underway to their destinations including transporting sick and injured crewmen
from the vessel to land,
We also brake ice and clear channels to aid local fishermen and boaters Also when
able we also provide boats to stand by and assist with the following: Fishing Tournaments, Scout Outings, regattas, Sport/Recovery
Diving, & other water events.
NOTE: On September 11, 2001 less
than 1 hour after the 2nd attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, At 0959 EST. The U.S. Water Patrol had
1 boat on patrol guarding against possible terrorist attacks on and along our waterways in Louisville, KY. & Jeffersonville,
IN.
Why Do we do what we do,
When the U.S. Water Patrol started out and during a meeting with the following: USCG, USCG Aux,
Kentucky State Police, Indiana State Police, Metro Louisville Police, among others in the meeting.
We were asked by the
USCG " Why reinvent the wheel when you can join us and/or the Auxiliary " Our answer to that was " We
are not reinventing the wheel we are adding a spoke to the wheel thus making it stronger and better"
By
adding more people and boats and with training we can make it safer and better on the water for everyone. We feel that
everyone working together can make it better.
ANWSERS:
Homeland Security Homeland
Security is every American's duty to help guard and protect the United States from harm. We also feel that
there is a need for organized and trained people who know what and where to look for possible problems and how to respond
to them. Also, we do this because we want to give something of ourselves to our country and other people; and also make
it a little safer and better for us all.
Public Safety
If you are a boater this will not be a surprise to you. There is a great need for assistance
on the water. There are a lot of things that can go wrong while out on or around the water; And there are limited resources
for you to call upon. We help by providing assistance to the public. Have you ever ran out of gas or needed a tow. Most boaters
will come to another boater’s aid, but by not knowing what to do can sometimes cause more problems. Also most boaters
do not always know what to look for in spotting others in need. If you call for help you could be charged a large amount for
assistance or a tow. I
don't think you will find very many people out on the water whose only purpose is to assist the public in Safety and Security
just for the joy of doing it.
.
Since 1999, The U.S. Water Patrol has responded to and / or assisted in:
17
Sinking boats
202
Disabled boats
91 Grounded
boats
8 Stolen
boats
93 Boats out of gas
36 Medical emergencies
9 Land rescues
23 Search & rescues
88 Body searches
86 Homeland Security issues
501 Security issues
2,300 Safety issues
3,900 Water Hazards
159 Illegal
dumpings 3
cars found & 1 retrieved from river 4
Boat fires
11 Transports to shore
122 Responses to
weather related emergencies on land
223 Other Public Assist requests
93 Mounted Patrol Assists 91 Emergency
Relays to other Agencies ie DHLS, USCG, FBI, Police, Etc.
Disasters responded too.
Below are the Disasters that the USWP sent personal and /or equipment too and
assisted in. HURRICANES:
1999- Hurricane Irene 2005- Hurricane
Katrina 2008 Hurricane Ike 2011 Hurricane Irene
FLOODS 2006- Susquehanna River Western Gulf
Coast flood - October 2006 2011 Mississippi River Floods September
2011 Mid-Atlantic Flooding
OTHER 2101 Storm damage,Flooding Louisville, Kentucky 2011 Ice
storm, Power outage Louisville, Kentucky In
addiction to the above the USWP volunteers have logged over 99,326.95
hours of service with the P.V.S.A. And has patrolled over 72,000 miles on the water and 106,500 miles on
land. And over 106,900 total man hours. We have handed out PFD's- 460 gallons gas - over 2,200 safe boating
booklets, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits and Nav Charts, Light bulbs, Fuses, Rope, whistles, flares and pumps.
We have done over 29,395 Homeland Security patrols as well as Security patrols for the public and Business's
on and along the waterways. We have received over 1800 phone calls for information on safety and other issues.
( Last
updated 01-05-2012)
NOTE: At this time the U.S.
Water Patrol is only taking a limited number of applications.
If you would like to be
a part of the United States Water Patrol, or just want some information on the organization, we would like to hear from
you. Please fill out the online form at the bottom of the page
Minimum Requirements: Minimum Age USWPO: 18
Must be a United States Citizen. - Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's
License required if transporting boat.
- Submission to and clearance of a thorough background
check.
- Willing to certify or Current CPR / AED certification issued through the American
Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
- Must be available for all interviews and training
required.
- Ability to work alone if need be, with the public, in all conditions, on weekends,
and including holidays, nights, and evenings.
One component of the USWPO is
the completion of required administrative duties (such as activity reports, writing case information, filling out time sheets, and
boat usage records). This type of activity is usually done at the water patrol station; in some areas such as states with
a single office, that station may be on the water's edge; in others such as the border rivers, it may be where the patrol
boats are stored.
Notice: Due to the nature of our mission in Homeland Security everyone must
go thru a security check. We will need a Background check ) You can obtain this from your local police department. This
along with other information will determine your security rating. We will also need a photo for your ID. Having a record
will not exclude you from membership. It may however restrict you from some missions.
Member of the: International Water Patrol Association (IWPA)
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