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PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light crew members hosted a free open house with partner agencies in Barnegat Light, New Jersey, Wednesday.
Seven partner agencies attended the event, during which over 100 members of the local community visited the station.
“It’s an opportunity for people from the local community to come out and see Station Barnegat Light,” said U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Matthew Whitlow, executive petty officer of Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light. “People can see what we actually do. The people that work here put their lives on the line to save others. It goes to show you that there’s a lot of other government agencies here that help us and it’s one team when it comes to working together to complete the mission and keep people safe in the water.”
The open house was available to all ages and included free tours of the station and its three 47-foot Motor Life Boats. Crew members also provided safe boating tips and career information to locals interested in joining the service.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary, Coast Guard recruiting, and four state agencies also attended the open house.
“Between the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife and the Coast Guard, we have a long history,” said New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Lt. Chris Moscatiello, an attendee at the open house. “We go out on resource patrols with the Coast Guard and that’s a great partnership, especially when we can’t make it out as far in our vessels or when sea conditions aren’t conducive for our vessels. We can hop on with the Coast Guard and enforce regulations and we have a nice partnership while educating folks.”
The following organizations attended Wednesday’s open house:
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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary crew members
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U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Association
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U.S. Coast Guard recruiting members
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Barnegat Light Beach Patrol
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Marine Resources Administration
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New Jersey Fish and Wildlife
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Stafford County Police
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