Hernando Beach Auxiliary Installs 2026 Leadership at Change of Watch

On December 15, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 15-8 in Hernando Beach held its annual Change of Watch ceremony, formally installing the flotilla’s leadership and staff officers for 2026. Twenty-one members and guests attended the event, which marked a rotation in command and reaffirmed the volunteer unit’s role in local maritime safety.

Jacob Austin was sworn in as 2026 Vice Commander, and Audie Bowman was sworn in as 2026 Vice Flotilla Commander. The ceremony recognized the continued service and dedication of Auxiliary volunteers who support the Coast Guard’s missions through boating safety education, public outreach, and community service throughout Hernando County.

The Flotilla 15-8 transition comes as the Auxiliary prepares its calendar of activities for the year, including education and outreach efforts that directly affect recreational boaters, shoreline residents, and local emergency readiness. Volunteers in the Auxiliary provide classroom and on-water safety instruction, promote safe practices for vessel operation, and assist with community programs aimed at reducing accidents on the water. Those functions help local officials and professional responders by expanding public awareness and adding volunteer capacity during peak boating seasons.

The first flotilla meeting of 2026 is scheduled for January 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary facility, 4340 Calienta St., Hernando Beach, FL 34607. Residents seeking information about boating safety classes, volunteer opportunities, or community events can attend that meeting to learn more about the flotilla’s plans for the year.

As a volunteer organization, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary augments federal maritime resources with community-based programs that emphasize prevention, education, and local engagement. For Hernando County, that means a steady local presence promoting safer waterways and helping to reduce strain on professional responders during incidents.

The Change of Watch is both ceremonial and practical: it signals a new leadership team responsible for coordinating volunteers, scheduling training, and setting outreach priorities for the coming year. The flotilla’s work remains an important part of the county’s broader public safety and civic engagement landscape as residents and boaters head into another season on coastal and inland waters.

Semper Paratus.