The Operations Program is fundamental to the Auxiliary's support to the U.S. Coast Guard. Members who become qualified as either coxswain or crew serve on boats owned by auxiliary members. These specially equipped boats perform safety patrols under U.S. Coast Guard orders to support "search and rescue" (SAR), patrol safety zones, regatta patrols, pollution cleanup, aids to navigation (ATON) discrepancy reporting, and other missions as directed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
