U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11 - Bellingham, WA

Fair Winds: Steve Bell and Hoyt Hatfield

Alert 11, Summer 2026

This summer the flotilla said thank you and farewell to two long-serving shipmates who together gave nearly half a century to the Auxiliary.

Steve Bell served 24 years, beginning his Auxiliary journey in Florida and finishing it in Bellingham. He held every flotilla staff position over the years, most recently FSO-HR, and his recognitions include the Transportation 9-11 Ribbon and the Auxiliary Sustained Service Award.

Hoyt Hatfield served 25 years, holding every staff officer role at the flotilla level as well as many at the district level, and earning the Auxiliary VE/MDV Award fifteen times.

On July 16, members gathered for a casual BBQ to celebrate their service, swap favorite memories, and give them the sendoff they earned. Fair winds and following seas, gentlemen — and thank you.

Also in this issue

  • Member Training

    Training completed by members since the Spring edition, including Kat (Mary) Scanlon becoming Basically Qualified and a Vessel Examiner.

  • Navigation Systems

    Flotilla Aid Verifiers completed a dozen PATON assignments in north Whatcom County and reported several discrepant aids to navigation.

  • Rescue at Sucia Island

    All eleven people aboard a Kenmore Air floatplane survived its July 23 crash in Shallow Bay at Sucia Island, with Station Bellingham and Air Station Port Angeles among the responders.

  • Changes of Command

    Flotilla 11 members attended the changes of command at Coast Guard Station Bellingham on May 21 and aboard USCGC Sea Lion on July 9.

  • Summer on Patrol

    Flotilla 11's Boat Crew provided a safety presence for the Ski to Sea race and Bellingham's FIFA World Cup fan zone, and drilled man-overboard recovery.

  • Into the Water: The PPE Swim

    Five Flotilla 11 Boat Crew members completed the annual in-water PPE swim this spring to test their gear and practice self-rescue.

  • Personal Minimums: An Idea Worth Borrowing from Aviation

    A proposal that boat crews borrow aviation's practice of personal minimums, writing an objective abort checklist in advance to back up GAR and the coxswain's judgment.

  • The Coast Guard Steps Forward in the Western Pacific

    The Coast Guard has moved its six-cutter expeditionary squadron from Bahrain to Singapore and Subic Bay, taking on a larger presence and partner-building role in the Western Pacific.

  • The Coast Guard in the News

    Adm. Kevin E. Lunday sworn in as 28th Commandant, the Force Design 2028 modernization push, and an Air Station Cold Bay rescue of nine crab boat crew in the Bering Sea.

  • Parting Shot

    The national ensign flying from a Flotilla 11 patrol boat on Bellingham Bay.

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