A new group, Citizen’s Action Network, or CAN, will assist the U. S. Coast Guard in providing “more eyes” on area waterways to spot boaters in trouble, stolen boats, rising waters and other hazards.

Judy Darby, District 8 Coast Guard Auxiliary CAN coordinator, said that the first member of the group is the New Orleans Expressway Commission—the Causeway Commission.

The group has more than 100 employees, a great view of the lake and knowledge of the surrounding lake area. As CAN members, they will receive training in how to observe and determine the kinds of events that are reportable such as oil spills, aids to navigations, emergency flare sighting and boaters in distress.

CAN members in Puget Sound, Washington state, alert the Coast Guard to dangers in the waters. The program is being initiated in south Louisiana. (Courtesy photo)

In addition to businesses and non-profit organizations, CAN hopes to attract individuals who live or work on or near waterways or are within easy access of waterways for training in how to spot the same hazards.

All that is required is your name and address. The location will be mapped and in the event of an emergency, you may be called upon to report what you are seeing from your location.

This system would help in the event of a reported distress call to pinpoint the exact location, or spread of an oil slick or other emergency.

Darby said that nothing would be required of an individual except to report what they see. No one would be expected to jump in the water and attempt to perform a lifesaving maneuver or anything like this. This is an alert system for professionals who would then know where to go.

Individuals would not be required to use their boats or patrol an area. All they are required to do is report in an incident based on their knowledge of the area. In addition, this knowledge is considered vital in recognizing dangerous or suspicious activity.

This system has only been used in the Puget Sound area of Washington State and this area is the first expansion area for the project.

Recently, a boat was “borrowed” by a teenager for a joy ride. The owners reported the missing boat to the Coast Guard and the Sheriff’s Office who launched a search for the boat. If the CAN network had been active, members could have been alerted to watch for the boat to determine its location. In this case, much to the relief of the owners, their boat was returned unharmed about an hour later.

Darby unveiled plans for the project at the Madisonville town council meeting, because the entire town is on the Tchefuncte River. She said all that is needed is a phone, a view of a waterway and a willingness to help. For more information, call 800-524-8835 or Darby at 845-1633.