Coast
Guard Club Newsletter
July 2ØØ3
SPECIAL NOTICE: If anyone is interested in taking
over the Coast Guard Club, please notify me
& I will provide needed details, plus all the files.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: This
month’s newsletter was EXTREMELY difficult to prepare for mailing due
to the many differences in our member’s addresses¾several
members have 3 different addresses listed in various places. I rely on my
ham CD to verify mailing addresses, but when there are differences, I have no
way of knowing what the current mailing address is. When this situation arises,
I attempt to obtain this information by email, but many members do not have this
service. If I am informed of an address change, I immediately post it in our
call book & also in the file containing your mailing label. USPS returned
mail not only costs a stamp but creates work to determine a correct address. Please let me know if you have moved within the last
year.
WHO RECEIVES THIS NEWSLETTER? Members who
have an upcoming birthday, each potential Coast
Guard Club recruit, & any Coastie I write to. This Newsletter is
posted on the Web at HTTP://HOME1.GTE.NET/KE7A/INDEX.HTM, WWW.JACKSJOINT.COM
& at WWW.FREDSPLACE.ORG. If you can receive e-mail files & would like a
copy of this Newsletter each month, please contact me.
CGC MEMBERS, LET US SEE YOU. You may add your picture(s) to the club’s call book by sending it
(them) as an email attachment (JPEG format, please) or by mail to me. The book
has become more interesting with these added pictures.
STATISTICS (29 May): DRUGS SEIZED: Cocaine, 73,323 lbs, Marijuana Products, 11,577 lbs;
LIVES SAVED: 1,934; MIGRANTS INTERDICTED: 3,589.)
Search and Rescue SitReps
BOSTON - The Canadian CG contacted the
USCG to report that a crewmember from the Atlantic
Leader, a Canadian
vessel, fell overboard while the crew was engaged in fishing 15Ø NM E of Cape
Cod. The crewmember was not wearing a life jacket. The CG launched an HH-6Ø
& a Falcon jet from CGAS Cape Cod, the Canadian CG diverted a C-13Ø, the
CGC DEPENDABLE was diverted from a routine patrol, & a C-13Ø from CGAS Elizabeth
City s on scene as well. Two Canadian Good Samaritan boats, the FV Atlantic
Guardian &
the FV Ernest Pierce, also assisted in the search. The name of the man is being held pending
next of kin notification.
JUNEAU - When a SE Alaska man failed to
arrive at his brother's wedding in Edna Bay on Prince of Wales Island, a friend
reported him overdue. Search efforts began after the caller reported that 51-yo
Daryl Wilks aboard his 18-ft aluminum skiff never arrived. The boater departed
the village of Hyder & stopped in Ketchikan for fuel before continuing his
165-mile trek. A CG helicopter crew from Sitka & a Station Ketchikan rescue
boat crew began searching & continued searching late into the evening.
According to the caller, Wilks is a known survivalist whose boat is equipped
with food, a space blanket, a gun & fishing equipment. A Good Samaritan
reported spotting Wilks asking for directions to Point Baker while in Behm
Canal, about 25 miles off course. Extensive CG-led search includes 2 Sitka
helicopter crews, Station Ketchikan rescuers & assistance from the Ketchikan
Volunteer Rescue Squad & Alaska State Troopers.
JUNEAU - Following a search that lasted
more than 27 hours & covered an area 3 times greater than the size of Rhode
Island, the CG suspended the search for 5 people & an unnamed vessel that
reportedly sank about 13 miles W of Montague Island. The search was suspended
pending further developments. The search began after the CG in Kodiak &
Valdez received a relayed radio distress call from fishers aboard the vessel Estimate claiming they heard a boater say
his vessel began sinking & the 5 people aboard began entering the water. The
CG immediately diverted a rescue helicopter crew from its training mission to
the scene near Cape Cleare. A 2d helo was despatched, a C-13Ø, CGC ROANOKE
ISLAND, &
assistance was sought from 2 nearby Good Samaritan fishing crews. The search
area encompassed more than 3,25Ø square miles; no debris or any signs of people
or pollution were found. Also, the CG didn't receive any electronic beacon
distress signals to help pinpoint a possible location & provide information
about the vessel. SAR coordinators also confirmed with area harbourmasters there
have been no reports of overdue vessels or missing people.
HOUSTON – The CG concluded its search for a
missing man after he was found deceased on an inland barge drilling rig in
Galveston Bay, TX. The man, identified as Ronald Fontenot Sr., from Louisiana,
was reported missing after an explosion on Transocean Rig 62 near San Leon.
After the explosion, 21 people from the rig crew were evacuated with 1 person
unaccounted for. The CG was notified by the Texas City Police Dept &
launched an HH-65 from CGAS Houston, & a small boat crew from Station
Galveston, to search. Searches continued throughout the night & into the
morning until he was found by oil well firefighters from the Boots & Coots
Group, a well control company from Houston. Marine Safety Unit Galveston is
investigating the cause of the accident.
JUNEAU - A cruise ship with 72 passengers
& 21 crewmembers headed to Whittier hit bottom in Prince William Sound. The
master of the cruise ship Spirit of Columbia reported to Prince William Sound
vessel traffic service (VTS) that his vessel had went “touch & go” (hit
bottom) & possibly bent the port shaft & propeller in Jackpot Bay,
approx 75 miles S of Whittier. The master reported there was no apparent hull
damage, pollution, or water entering the vessel. The master felt it safe to
continue to transit to Whittier with the starboard propeller. The vessel was
placed on a 1-hour comm schedule with the VTS until they reached Whittier
safely. All passengers were safely off-loaded in Whittier. Company officials,
divers & a marine inspector from Marine Safety Office Anchorage are
currently inspecting the vessel for damage.
WILMETTE, IL - The CG rescued 2 men from Lake
Michigan after their Hobbie Cat pleasure craft capsized about ½-mile off of
Glencoe, IL. A crew from Station Wilmette Harbor responded & arrived on
scene within 15 minutes. With the help of Glencoe Lifeguards on shore, the CG
was able to locate the 2 men & pull them to safety.
MIAMI - After an extensive,
multi-agency search, all 5 victims killed in an in-air plane collision ½-mile E
of Deerfield Beach, FL, has been recovered. Broward Sheriff’s Office divers
found the body of the 5th victim. The search included 4 boat crews from Station
Ft. Lauderdale, 1 crew from Station Lake Worth Inlet, 2 rescue helicopters,
& CGC GANNET. Also involved were 6 boats from local police departments, BSO &
Broward Fire Rescue, a commercial salvage vessel from Sea Tow, & many Good
Samaritans in the area. ‘We are deeply saddened by the death of the victims in
this tragic event. Due to the extensive & coordinated search between the
numerous agencies & Good Samaritans, we were able to recover all of the
victims. The thoughts & prayers of the CG go out to the families &
friends of those who died,’ said CAPT Everett Rollins, chief of search and
rescue for the 7th CG District. The NTSB will continue to investigate the
accident.
HONOLULU – A C-13Ø from CGAS Barbers
Point medevaced a swimmer suffering from shark attack wounds at Johnston Atoll.
The CG received the call from the Air Mobility Operations Control Centre &
launched with an Air Force Medical Team onboard. The 51-YO male was bitten on
the left leg while swimming. The victim was transferred to Queens Medical Centre
where he was listed in stable condition.
GOODBYE RM SPARKS: On 1 July CAMSPAC will retire
the historic ‘sparks’ from the rating badge as the CG restructures its work
force, replacing that specialty with 2 others: Operations Specialist & the
Information Technology Specialist, neither of which will carry the symbolic
sparks in its insignia.
COAST
GUARD CLUB CALL BOOK (Sold to CGC members only.) is bound in a 1-1/2”
spiral binder & will include a Certificate of Membership in the Coast
Guard Club suitable for framing. If you want a copy, send a cheque
for $15.ØØ, which includes postage, payable
to Don Gardner.
CG NETS: The CG
Radio Amateur SSB Net is on the air each Saturday from 12-13ØØ ET on 143ØØ
(14313 alternate). At 13ØØ ET the Net shifts to 14327 & continues, usually
for about 3Ø minutes. Dick Anderson, KE7A, in the Dallas-Ft Worth area, is the
NCS. A CW Net with Fred Goodwin, K7LF, as NCS, is on 14Ø52/7Ø52 & runs
simultaneously.
CGC CASCO: Any
former crewmembers who would like to be placed on a mailing list of shipmates
& activities that includes a reunion every several years, contact: Gordon C
Kelly, P O BOX 141, Lyon, WI 53148.
CG CW
OPERATORS: 29 October-2 November 2ØØ3 at Honeysuckle Inn, Branson, MO. Contact
Paula Lee 1-8ØØ 942 3553 for reservations, email marlee@iland.net for details.
CGC DUANE:
12th annual reunion in Baltimore, MD 25-27 September 2ØØ3.
More details & free newsletter contact Paul Turner, 11Ø3 Wharton Hollow RD,
Summit, NY 12175 or paultrnr@midtel.net.
CGC KUKUI:
9-14 October 2ØØ3 at Alexandria, VA. Contact CAPT Jim Donahue,
retired, 3Ø8Ø N Oakland ST, Arlington, VA 222Ø7, Fone 7Ø3 522 217Ø.
LIGHTSHIP
SAILORS ASSN: Reunion 2-4 October 2ØØ3 at Lewes, DE. Any questions contact Lou
Toobert, 111 Sonant Drive, Newark, DE 19713, Fone 3Ø2 738 9Ø2Ø, e-mail:
jtruffles@aol.com
CGC
MACKINAW: The ‘Once In Every Five Years Mackinaw Reunion’ is planned for the
2nd week of August 2ØØ4 in Cheboygan, Michigan. The once ‘Great White Mother
of the Great Lakes’, now sporting a red coat of paint, will be 55 years old.
More info about the gathering will be posted as received.
CGC
ROCKAWAY: 2-5 October 2ØØ3 Cape May, NJ. Contact Rockaway311@earthlink.net
or tomwoloski@aol.com.
NORTH COAST NEW YORK COAST GUARD
ASSOC.: 12-14 September at Sackets Harbor,
NY. Further info contact Gordon Koscher / 4712 Glenwood Dr / Mantua, OH 44255,
fone 33Ø 274 2927.
83 FOOTERS: 16 August Port Townsend, WA; further info contact Dick Craig
email Richard_23623@msn.com, fax 2Ø6 546 7Ø28, mail 1255 NW Richmond Beach RD #1Ø2, Shoreline,
WA 98177-2784.
MEMBERSHIP: There are 53Ø members in our club as of 3Ø June. DE AD4PT 73 &
Semper Paratus.