Pentagon Channel Follows as Coast Guard Patrols Perilous Passage (This One's for You Tonk!)

American Forces Press Service ^ | David Mays

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2007 – The September edition of the Pentagon Channel’s monthly documentary “Recon” will focus on the Coast Guard’s efforts in the Caribbean Sea’s most perilous waterway.

Small-boat crews from the Coast Guard cutter Escanaba transfer Haitian migrants from an overloaded sail freighter to the Escanaba. The 101 Haitian migrants eventually were repatriated to Cap Haitien, Haiti. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Newland  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The show, titled “Perilous Passage,” will provide an inside look at the men and women of the Coast Guard who patrol Mona Passage, a treacherous 80-mile strait separating the islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. Refugees crammed into tiny boats, known as “yolas,” risk their lives to navigate this passage.

“We’ve seen 35-foot vessels with well over 100 people on board,” said Lt. Molly Waters, executive officer of the Coast Guard cutter Sapelo. “And when they’re loaded to that extent, they become very top-heavy and unstable, especially in rough seas.”

The danger of Mona Passage was tragically demonstrated in December 2004, when human smugglers packed 91 immigrants onto a tiny yola bound for Puerto Rico. Within sight of shore, the boat capsized, and eight passengers perished in the crashing surf. Five Dominican men were convicted of human smuggling and sent to prison. At the time, holding smugglers responsible for putting human lives at grave risk was rare.

Critically crowded conditions aboard the yolas are painfully evident on video shot by Coast Guard members during actual rescue operations and provided to the Pentagon Channel.

The show will debut Sept. 3 at noon eastern time on the Pentagon Channel and will encore throughout September.

	Coast Guard personnel transfer Haitian refugees to a U.S. Coast Guard small boat. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Sapp   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	The Coast Guard cutter Key Largo interdicted eight Cuban migrants 25 miles off Cuba. The migrants were drifting in a raft made of 55-gallon drums. The migrants were repatriated to Bahia de Cabanas, Cuba. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. j.g. Ryon Little   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

7-JUL-2003 Sunbird Photos by Don Boyd

USCG Cutter SAPELO (WPB 1314) Coast Guard stock photo #5165 USCG Base Key West, FL

Number in service throughout the Coast Guard: 41
Length: 110 feet
Beam: 21 feet
Displacement: 154 tons
Power plant: 2 diesel engines
Commissioned: 1986-1992

110-foot Island-class Patrol Boats are a Coast Guard modification of a highly successful British-designed patrol boat. With excellent range and seakeeping capabilities, the Island Class, all named after U.S. islands, replaced the older 95-foot Cape-class patrol boats. These cutters are equipped with advanced electronics and navigation equipment.

[CH3CN]

Wonderful sentiment. Thanks!!

[alpha-8-25-02]

WE MISS YOU TONK!

GODSPEED AND PLEASANT WINDS!

[Lady Jag]

[mylife]

The Coasties dont get enough credit

[Jet Jaguar]

Bump for Tonk!

[potlatch]

I miss Tonkin too. Thank you for pinging LJ!

[ladyjane]

Another bump for Tonk.

Has there ever been a freeper more missed than Tonk?

Quidam?

Nope.

We all miss Tonk.

[Lady Jag]

If they got more press they could get more credit.

Tonk’s voice alone showed how much the Coast Guard does.

[Lady Jag]

[mylife]

Yup. They do a lot of dangerous boarding missions

[Lady Jag]

Yep, and they keep all the ports open in winter.

The Coast Guard Cutter Tackle
Clears Bath harbor to the Kennebec River

[mylife]

Wish I had a boat like that.

Looks like a tug to me

[Lady Jag]

Yes, I thought I had better photos - they're probably on another computer.

This is the Coast Guard Cutter Sundew in Duluth, MN.

[Right Winged American]

Absodamnlutely. God, I miss Tonk, he never missed a trick.

[StarCMC]

BTTT

Tonk would have loved it.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Calpernia]

bump