![The Blackwater Pyrates present a check for $750 to Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1-7. The check is meant as a thank you for helping the Pyrates with safety boat inspections. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-16ac97b5-40ba-4bec-9a70-5d2e55c4acf6-aeb25d66-scaled.jpeg)
MILTON — The Blackwater Pyrates gave $750 to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 1-7 for helping the Pyrates complete one of their core mission; boater safety.
“The Blackwater Pyrates are happy to present a check to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1-7 for everything they do to help the Pyrates in one of our core missions, boater safety,” said Will Wilson, also known in the club as Boater Safety Captain Pyrate Leatherneck.
The Pyrates help the Coast Guard Auxiliary perform boat inspections during National Boater Safety Week in May of each year.
“This is a yearly thing the Pyrates do for the ’Coasties’ after we discovered the auxiliary pays for their own uniforms and equipment and (we) have been working with them for nine or 10 years,” Wilson said. “They can use the donation any way they choose for their organization.”
The Pyrates ensure boaters who do not have the required equipment on board are provided the items they need and they make sure boat numbers are displayed correctly among other things.
The Pyrates also organize a Coast Guard boater safety course required for anyone born after Jan. 1, 1988, operating a boat with a 10 hp or larger motor. The safety course is free and is open to the public. This course can cost $34.95 or more at other locations.
“The $750 gift is to say thank you ’Coasties’ for what you do. Helping boaters stay safe. Boater Safety is a 365-day a year job, so please be safe while boating,” Wilson said.
Go to Blackwaterpyrates.com to see all the things the Pyrates do for the community.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Blackwater Pyrates share treasure with Coast Guard