Station Islamorada - History

GUARDIANS OF THE  KEYS

Beginning with the men of the United States Lighthouse Service and now days with the men and women of United States Coast Guard Station Islamorada, the community of Islamorada has been served by these dedicated crews since 1873.  The service has established deep roots in the missions of Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, Maritime Law Enforcement, Environmental Protection, Recreational Boating Safety and Education.  These missions are all performed on a daily basis by the proud men and women that make up the crew of Coast Guard Station Islamorada.

Early 1980’s Station Islamorada boat crew conducting helicopter hoist training.	Station Islamorada helicopter hoist training 30 years later.

Since before the United States was a country, mariners have sailed the waters of the Florida Keys.  These waters are steeped with great history including tales of pirates and their lost treasures.  Many centuries old ship wrecks can still be found today littering the near shore reefs.  One such reef is Alligator Reef which is now marked by Alligator Reef Lighthouse.  Constructed in 1873, this lighthouse was established as a navigational beacon to aid in the safe passage of mariners along the trade route around the Florida Keys.  The original design of the lighthouse required that a crew of four men live on the structure in living quarters maintained on the lowest level.  These men lived without luxuries only going ashore occasionally for short shore leave and supply runs.  This was all changed with the automation of the light in 1963. 

Alligator Reef Lighthouse Keeper, SN Dick Goorivan 1950.	Automated Alligator Reef Lighthouse today.

Starting in the 1960’s, the area began to see an increased population growth.  This growth lead to the  United States Coast Guard’s establishment of a permanent facility on the south tip of Plantation Key.  This island bordered by Tavernier Creek to the north and Snake Creek to the south is one of several Islands that make up the Village of Islamorada.  The first facility was a house boat moored in a manmade canal spurred off of Snake Creek.  This floating station supported a crew of 15 enlisted men and three response vessels.  The unit was led by a Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate.  In those days the mission was strictly search and rescue.  All radio communications were monitored locally by a radio watch stander 24 hours a day utilizing the Citizens Band (CB) radio and marine VHF.  In 1974 construction of a permanent building was completed on the same piece of property.  Unlike the building which has remained the same, the missions have changed significantly from the early days of local search and rescue in a quiet island town.

1960’s Station Islamorada house boat with 20’ and 30’ response boats.

Station Islamorada building nearing completion in 1974	Station Islamorada today.

The ship’s bells of the CGC DUANE (WPG-33) and the CGC BIBB (WPG-31) on display.

These two WWII era ships were intentionally sunk off shore of Key Largo as artifical reefs.  Many  recreational divers dive these popular wrecks each year.

CGC DUANE (WPG-33)

Search and Rescue:

Located in a year round boater’s paradise, Coast Guard Station Islamorada responds to an average of 250 Search and Rescue cases per year.  These incidents range from a boater requesting assistance with a dead battery to major incidents resulting in the unfortunate loss of life.  With the assistance of two highly dedicated Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas, 13-4 and 13-8, Station Islamorada is committed to educating all mariners in boating safety.  This is accomplished through scheduled boating safety classes open to the public and through on the water recreational boating safety boarding's.

Station boat crews routinely train with Coast Guard aircraft to ensure a high state of SAR readiness.	Large pleasure yacht burns off aircraft to ensure a shore of Islamorada

Station Islamorada has three 33’ SPC-LE response vessel capable of reaching speeds of more than 35 kts.	On busy boating days, Station boarding teams conduct recreational boating safety boarding's to ensure mariners are in compliance with al l Federal laws and regulations.

Immigration Enforcement:

Due to the Florida Keys’ close proximity to the neighboring island nation of Cuba, Coast Guard Station Islamorada is at the fore front of the Alien Migrant Interdiction mission.  With the changing political climate beginning in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, many people of Cuba sought a less oppressive life in the United States.  This desire to immigrate both legally and by illegal means caused a great surge in vessels trying to enter the United States.  One of the most notable surge migrations was the Mariel Boatlift April-October 1980.  During this period of time it is estimated that 125,000 Cuban and 25,000 Haitian nationals made the voyage by sea across the “Straights of Florida”.  Many of them landing in Station Islamorada’s area of responsibility.  Future smaller spikes in migration numbers continued until a period in 1994 when the average number of refugees arriving to the United States by water rose from a few thousand a year to more than 40,000.  Due to this increase of unsafe voyage attempts to the United States from Cuba, then President Bill Clinton took action and amended the law to no longer allow Cuban National’s that are located at sea free entry into the United States.  This is the current policy in place today.  Coast Guard Station Islamorada routinely interdicts overloaded un-seaworthy homemade rafts and vessels.  In addition a spike in the smuggling of immigrants on high speed vessels commonly referred to as “GO FASTS” has led to a further evolution to the mission to combat this threat to our National Security.

/ Overloaded vessel of illegal immigrants.  Typical “GO-FAST” style vessel.

Homemade Cuban  raft constructed from scrap wood and foam materials.

Drug Enforcement:

With many isolated channels and hidden coves, the area surrounding Coast Guard Station Islamorada became a main destination point for illegal drug smuggling activity from Mexico and the Caribbean.  The drug smuggling hit its peak in the 1980’s.  It was not uncommon for Station Islamorada crews to recover more than a thousand pounds of narcotics on a daily basis.  The smuggling organizations routinely utilized tactics ranging from off shore and back county air drops, slow moving sailing vessels to high speed crafts making the short run in the night from the nearby Bahamas.  The large daily drug busts are no longer common place however Station Islamorada continues to maintain a high level of awareness and continues to work with partner agencies to fight the war on drugs.

Crew of CG41493 off loading marijuana bails onto Station Islamorada dock.  This type of activity was a common occurrence throughout the 1980’s.

1980’s Crash of plane overloaded with drugs into the shallow waters near Station Islamorada.

Living Marine Resources:

 The area of responsibility for Coast Guard Station Islamorada is made up of numerous State and Federally protected water ways.  These areas include the waters of Everglades and Biscayne Bay National Parks; the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; John Pennekamp, Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key, and Long Key State Parks; and the Key Largo National Crocodile Refuge.  These areas not only serve as the habitat for many threatened and endangered species but also provide local residents and visitors the unique opportunities to interact and enjoy these creatures in the wild.  Station Islamorada has always been dedicated to protection, preservation and enforcement of regulations that allow public and commercial use of these resource areas without adversely impacting the unique and diverse sensitive ecosystems. 

Seized commercial catch of grouper filets and wrong spiny lobster tails	Seized recreational catch of over the bag limit of  yellowtail snapper and other reef fish
This 7 ½’ endangered American Crocodile found its way into a residential canal.  Though not a threat to humans it was relocated for its protection	This endangered sea turtle was rescued when it became weak and could not fend for its self due to unseasonably cool water temperatures

USCG STATION ISLAMORADA
183 PALERMO DR.
ISLAMORADA, FL. 33036
(305) 664-8077