'Coastie' Teaches Water Safety

While visiting her grandparents, Donna and Gary Bassett of St. Ignace, Paige Giehtbrock, 3, of Waterford made a new friend, Coastie, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's interactive robotic boat. The talking educational tool teaches children how to be safe around water. "I like talking to him," said Miss Giehtbrock at the St. Ignace Marina Sunday, July 6, during a water safety awareness event. Miss Giehtbrock was introduced to Coastie by Coast Guard Auxiliary member Chuck Feldman (pictured) of Roscommon. Coast Guard Station St. Ignace also offered tours of its 47-foot vessel and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Police were available to answer questions. The event was coordinated by Michigan State Police Trooper Craig Dorenbecker, a dive master with the State Police Underwater Recovery Unit.