Coast Guard Auxiliary Profile

Bud Gothann Holds Honored Insignia

By Tom Nunes

(Carl) Bud Gothann of Apache Junction is the only Arizona member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary who has earned the Boat Force Operations Insignia.  To qualify for this award, a Coast Guard Auxiliary coxswain or crew member must serve a minimum of one day per week in an operations support role, on patrol, or standing watched over a period of five years. 

Gothann is the most active Coast Guard Auxiliary coxswain in Arizona and one of the most active in the nation.  A coxswain (pronounced cox-ən, often called Coxs'n) is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering.

Gothann is currently serving as the Vice Captain of Coast Guard Division 10 (Arizona) where he helps lead 160 auxiliarists from Page to Tucson. He has also served as a Flotilla Commander, spearheading East Valley Phoenix activities for the Auxiliary, a materials officer in charge of equipment and supplies, and as a Recreational Boating Safety Visitor Program Officer, steering others by providing essential information to the public through a network of marine dealers and allied retailers. 

Gothann hails from Wassau, Wis., where he owned a construction business.  He served in the Army and attended Elgin (IL) College.  He and his wife Judy Ninabuck-Gothann, are both extremely active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary activities throughout the California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah region.

Gothann led members of the East Valley Auxiliary Flotilla to a national championship for seamanship in 2005 in an international competition with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.  The “Desert Sailors” have become a legend with their “Salt River saltiness.”

He continues to teach boating classes and auxiliary specialty courses — including weather, seamanship, and navigation throughout the state.  He is also active is developing new members.

Gothann plans to continue actively patrolling Arizona’s waterways and helping others.  He urges everyone on the water to be considerate of others.  And, oh, yes, to wear your lifejacket!