New Leadership at Eastern Long Island Coast Guard Auxiliary

At Coast Guard Station Shinnecock in Hampton Bays, New York, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Eastern Long Island Division completed its annual election: Andrew Tarantino was unanimously elected Division Commander for the 2026 term, with Paul Meszik named Vice Division Commander. The vote formalizes command responsibilities for operational coordination, public education campaigns, and on-water patrol scheduling after a year that included three recent fatalities involving boaters and paddlecraft users who were not wearing life jackets.

Leadership profiles and operational roles

Andrew Tarantino moves into the Division Commander role after serving as Flotilla Commander for 2025 and Vice Flotilla Commander in 2024 for Flotilla 18‑06, East Moriches. Tarantino continues active service as a Boat Crew Member and Watchstander at Station Shinnecock and is the recipient of two Commandant’s Auxiliarist Letters of Commendation for life‑saving actions in local waters. His stated division‑wide priorities include expanding public education and public affairs outreach to reduce drownings and improve compliance with life jacket use.

Paul Meszik returns to a senior post after prior service as Division Commander. A 13‑year Auxiliary member, Meszik currently serves as Staff Officer for Operations and Rescue & Survival Systems and is a Qualified Coxswain and Aids to Navigation Verifier. Meszik’s technical experience will support training schedules, verification of aids to navigation, and tactical guidance for on‑water missions.

Immediate policy and outreach measures

The Eastern Long Island Division has prioritized several concrete measures for 2026:

• Life jacket promotion: targeted campaigns at marinas, launch sites, and paddlecraft rental points.
• Expanded boater education: classroom and on‑water workshops focused on collision avoidance, cold‑water survival, and emergency communications.
• Public affairs coordination: press engagement and social media outreach timed to summer peaks in recreational traffic.
• Operational readiness: refined watchstander rosters and joint patrols with local agencies during high‑traffic weekends.

Table: New leadership and core qualifications

How this affects local boating, charters, and rentals

For marina operators, charter companies, and recreational renters, the Division’s renewed emphasis on education and life jackets will translate into more visible outreach and potentially stricter checks on required safety gear. Rental platforms and charter operators should anticipate coordinated public messaging from the Auxiliary and possibly more frequent joint inspections during peak season. Small operators that rely on walk-up customers will be expected to reinforce life jacket policies and display clear safety briefings prior to departure.

Practical steps for boaters and renters

Recreational sailors and those booking short‑term rentals or charters can respond to these changes with straightforward actions:

• Verify that the vessel carries U.S. Coast Guard‑approved life jackets in the correct sizes.
• Ask for a brief safety orientation and navigation briefing before casting off.
• File a float plan and share estimated return times with a responsible person ashore.
• Consider hiring a qualified captain for unfamiliar local waters or for larger groups.
• Check ratings and equipment lists when choosing a rental—transparency reduces risk.

Context: the Auxiliary’s role and historical perspective

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has long filled a unique niche in the maritime safety ecosystem, providing volunteer expertise in boating safety education, vessel safety checks, and augmenting Coast Guard missions with trained watchstanders and boat crews. Historically, Auxiliarists serve as force multipliers, improving response times and public awareness—functions that directly support the business of yachting, charter operations, and day‑boat rentals by reducing incidents that can disrupt local tourism and harbor operations.

Data‑driven outreach and on‑water presence

Increasingly, the Auxiliary uses incident data to target high‑risk times and locations. Eastern Long Island’s emphasis on life jacket campaigns follows a pattern in which small investments in signage, outreach, and rental‑operator engagement measurably reduce preventable drownings. For a region that depends on seasonal visitors—charter clients, sailing schools, and transient yachts—such interventions preserve reputation and protect revenue streams tied to marinas, restaurants, and local attractions.

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Key highlights: the election reinforces experienced command capable of scaling safety outreach across the Eastern Long Island boating community; the Division will push life jacket use, targeted education, and stronger public affairs efforts; and charter and rental operators should expect increased collaboration with Auxiliary units. Experiencing a new coastal destination is always multifaceted — you learn about the culture, nature, the indescribable palette of local colors, its rhythm of life and also the unique aspects of the service. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language GetBoat.com

Forecast and recommendation: the election and safety push are locally significant for Eastern Long Island and for the coastal tourism map of nearby marinas and charter routes, though this specific development is unlikely to shift global travel patterns. Still, it remains directly relevant to customers who rent boats or book charters in the region. GetBoat aims to stay abreast of developments like these and keep pace with changing safety expectations. If you are planning your next trip to the seaside, consider the convenience and reliability of GetBoat.

Summary: the Eastern Long Island Division’s new leadership—Commander Andrew Tarantino and Vice Commander Paul Meszik—will prioritize life jacket promotion, public education, and operational readiness to reduce preventable boating injuries and fatalities. These measures will influence marinas, charter operators, and recreational renters by raising expectations around safety briefings, equipment checks, and on‑water conduct. Whether you’re planning a yacht charter, a day sail, or a boat rental to explore bays, lagoons, or a clearwater gulf, prioritize certified vessels, experienced captains, and proper safety equipment. GetBoat.com offers a transparent, user‑friendly way to search yachts, charters, and rentals with detailed make, model, and ratings information—helping you book unforgettable ocean and lake experiences safely and confidently. Closer to the end of this paragraph, add a phrase.