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Our Mission: Is
to help guard aginst Terrorism and to assist in safeguarding our National water ways for Homeland Security Also to
respond to and assist in Public Safety and Disasters 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 forThe 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.
Jan. 13th 2012 started planes to form a partnership with the American
Red Cross Disaster Services
Jan. 26th. Meeting with the American Red Cross Louisville Chapter forming a partnership
to use horses & boats to assist in disaster responce.
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.
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
95 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 2006
-Western Gulf Coast flood
2011 - Mississippi River Floods 2011-
Mid-Atlantic Flooding
STORMS, TORNATOS, OTHER
2001 Storm damage,Flooding Louisville, Kentucky 2011 Ice
storm, Power outage Louisville, Kentucky 2011- Missing Child Search Centralm, KY.
2012 -
Severe starms & tornados, Louisville,KY.Southern Ind.(Jan.12)
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) 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. WE are on duty 24/7-365.
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 Support everyone must go through 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.
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