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Station Islamorada - History
GUARDIANS OF THE UPPER KEYS
HISTORY OF STATION ISLAMORADA
Beginning with the men of the United States Lighthouse Service, the United
States Coast Guard has served the citizens of the upper keys continuously
since 1873. The station
routinely performs the Coast Guard Missions of
Drug interdiction,
Aids to navigation,
Search and rescue,
Living marine resources,
Migrant interdiction,
Marine environmental protection,
and
Other law enforcement.
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Early 1980’s Station Islamorada boat crew conducting helicopter
hoist training. |
Station Islamorada helicopter hoist training 30 years later. |
Constructed
in 1873, the Alligator Reef Lighthouse served as a navigational beacon to
aid mariners in safe passage along the shallow waters of the Florida Keys.
The original design of the
lighthouse required a crew of four to live on the structure.
On the lighthouse these members were
without luxuries, only going ashore occasionally for short shore leave and
supply runs. This changed with the
automation of the lighthouse in 1963.
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Alligator Reef Lighthouse Keeper,
SN Dick Goorivan 1950. |
Automated Alligator Reef Lighthouse
Present Day |
Throughout the 1960’s, the upper keys population grew steadily and 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 off Snake Creek. This
floating station supported a crew of 15 enlisted crew members and three
response vessels. Radio
communications were monitored locally by a radio watch stander 24 hours a
day utilizing the Citizens Band (CB) radio and marine VHF radio.
In 1974, the Coast Guard completed
the construction of the current shore based facility.
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1960’s Station Islamorada house boat with 20’ and 30’ response
boats. |
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Station Islamorada building nearing
completion in 1974 |
Station Islamorada
Present Day. |
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Ship’s bells of the USCGC DUANE (WPG-33) and USCGC BIBB (WPG-31) on
permanent display at the station entrance. |
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Two World War II era cutters, the USCGC DUANE (WPG-33) and USCGC
BIBB (WPG-31), were intentionally sunk off the south shore of
Key Largo and today serve as artificial reefs.
Station Islamorada is
home to both cutters bells and houses a small memorial dedicated
to these historic cutters and those who sailed them. |
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Today, Station Islamorada responds annually to approximately 200 Search and
Rescue cases, conducts 600 recreational boating safety/living marine
resource inspections, and interdicts 100 migrants attempting to illegally
enter the United States.
USCG STATION ISLAMORADA
183 PALERMO DR.
ISLAMORADA, FL. 33036
(305) 664-8077
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