ABOUT THE U.S. WATER PATROL
The United States Water Patrol is a Registered 501c3 uniformed All Volunteer Homeland Security Support & Public Safety Organization
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The United States Water Patrol (U.S.W.P.) is a maritime, multi-mission Organization dedicated to assist in protecting the safety and security of America. Founded in 1999
The U.S. Water Patrol is a uniformed all volunteer organization that uses Naval ranks in its management methods. The U.S. Water Patrol is composed of Homeland Security Officers, as well as Active, Former, and / or Retired members of the United States Armed Forces and Law Enforcement / Security officers and citizens from all types of backgrounds.
All dedicated to the assurance of a safe and secure America for all. The United States Water Patrol is also dedicated in assisting the boaters and the public on and off the water by responding to distress calls and / or safety & education. The U.S. Water Patrol operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year.
The United States Water Patrol was founded on May 4.1999 in Louisville KY. to assist boaters on the Ohio River and local Lakes. near Louisville, KY and Southern Indiana. Our duties at that time we limited to towing short distance only and providing gas and limited assistance. Also at that time the primary mission of the U.S.W.P. was assisting boaters.
The US Water Patrol was officially chartered and registered with the IRS, and the state of Kentucky in 2001, as a uniformed all volunteer Homeland Security Support and Public Safety organization.
The United States Water Patrol's primary mission was changed from it's original concept of Public Safety to Homeland Security Support being our first priority and Public Safety became our secondary mission and extending our service on all waterways within the U.S. as well as assisting in natural disasters.when and as needed.
We are ready to assist Federal, State and Local authorities in any emergency situation as needed, such as Flooding, Rescue and support. And will continue to do so as long as necessary and the ability to do so. Among Homeland Security duties, the U.S. Water Patrol also provides the following duties & services:
Homeland Security Support: 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 installations and public water supplies. We are also able to assist in any type of National, State or Local Disaster.
The United States Water Patrol's Members do this solely for the satisfaction of making our Country and waterways safer and more enjoyable for all who use the nation’s Waterways.
NOTE:
On September 11, 2001 within less then 1 hour after the 2nd attack on the World Trade Center in New York City the U.S. Water Patrol was on patrol guarding against possible terrorist attacks on targets that were on and along our waterways.
When the US Water Patrol first started out we were asked in a meeting by the USCG "Why reinvent the wheel when you can join us and the Auxiliary and be part of it" 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 traning we can make it easer for you and make safer and better on the water. It is not and never has been our intention to try to replace or take away from others I feel that everyone working together can make it better.
I have also heard some misunderstandings about us. I hope this will answer any questions you may have about us.
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. 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.
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Some facts and information about the U.S. Water Patrol
1. The USWP is not a Militia Organization.
2. The USWP is not a Government or DOD Agency
3. The USWP is a 100% Volunteer Organization Who's mission is to assist and support in Homeland Security / Public Safety issues
4. The USWP works with, not for any Governmen, State, County, City Agency.
5 The USWP is a 501c3 Non Profit Organization.
6. About 91% of the USWP members work for the DHS or law Enforcement agencies.
7. The USWP operates it own equipment as well as members.
8. We never have a fee or charge for assistance.
9. The USWP does not receive any Government funds or Grants at this time.
10. Our members pay NO dues or a Joining fees
11. Why do we wear uniforms? We wear uniforms for several reasons.
A. They identify us and set us apart from other Organizations.
B. The uniform shows pride and commitment as well as professionalism.
C. The uniform also shows members position in the group.
12. The US Water Patrol operates 24/7 365 days a year.
13. You do not have to own a boat to join the USWP.
14. The US Water Patrol Sponsors and supports The BSA Sea Scouts for young people ages 14-21 (this is only in the Louisville, KY. area at this time.
15. How are we funded: We are funded 97% out of pocket . The other funding is from donations of services and used items. We receive very little cash donations.
16. The USWP operates in 10 states at this time.
I hope this answers any questions or misunderstandings you have about us. If there is something you want to know that is not covered here please let us know. We want everyone to understand what we are about and why.
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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: 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.
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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.
When needed 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
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.
OUR RECORD
Since 2001, The U.S. Water Patrol has responded to and / or assisted in:
13 Sinking boats
973 Disabled boats
85 Grounded boats
8 Stolen boats
244 Medical emergencies
8 Land rescues
79 Search & rescues
127 Mission Children / Person Search Assist
106 Body searches
224 Homeland Security issues
1,400 Security issues
2,990 Safety issues
1,800 Water Hazards
146 Illegal dumping's
2 cars found & retrieved from river
In addiction to the above the USWP has patrolled over 94,525 miles on the water and 188,575 miles on land. And over 296,558 man hours.
We have handed out 250 PFD's- 380 gallons gas - over 2,180 safe boating booklets, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits and Nav Charts, Light bulbs, Fuses, Rope, whistles, flares and pumps. We have towed 218 boats to docks and escorted 235 to safety.
We have done over 17,650 Homeland Security patrols as well as Security patrols for the public and Business's on and along the waterways. We have received over 3,090 phone calls for information on safety and other issues.
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( Last updated 02-02-19)
Membership Information
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Please Note: At this time we are only accepting members for our American Red Cross Partnership Team. All other Teams are full at this time.
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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
Or Please see our Contact page. And we will get back with you as soon as possible.
Notice Due to the nature of our mission in Homeland Security Support everyone must go through a security check. We will need a criminal check performed by a local police department.) 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.
To request application send request to:E-mail support@uswpmountedpatrol.org
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Member of the: International Water Patrol Association (IWPA)