FReeper makes Coast Guard / Coast Guard Auxiliary History

68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I received this in my uscg.mil e-mail.
The CO and XO confirmed that this is a first ever!

They both had asked me recently to work in the Operations Office on Thursdays
instead of just standing the radio watch.

I now can do the work of several regular Coasties
instead of just replacing one person in the comm room.

"I have added Mr. M------ to your crew listing for Station Coos Bay
and have given him access to -----(edited for security reasons)

Mr. M------ is the first CG Auxiliary member to be added to a crew listing
with full -----(edited for security reasons) permissions.

Please be sure to keep his -----(edited for security reasons) qualifications and certifications
separate from his CG Auxiliary qualifications and certifications.
Although we are TEAM Coast Guard,
there are slight differences in the requirements for certifications."

I had a great Thanksgiving at the base. GREAT DINNER at 3PM.
Also went on 3 different trips on the 47' boat.
2 family day cruises AND a 25 mile trip offshore to meet a tow barge
and pickup one of the fathers of one of the Coos Bay firefighters who died this week.

He is a merchant seaman and the tow barge was averaging about 5 knots,
so CG was asked to pick him up and get him back to shore faster.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Looks like the NW is safe with you on the job. Now all we need are Freepers on the rest of the coasts. :^)

[Johnny Gage]

Congratulations!

YOU DA MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EverOnward]

Proud to know you, sir, if only through the internet. Congratulations and thank you very much for your service.

[JudyB1938]

Somehow I'd missed this thread. Thanks for sharing the link on a thread today.

I just love that picture of you. It's a really good one. You look so handsome in your uniform. :0) I saved it to my hard drive.

[oldironsides]

Thank you for your service. We purchased a new boat mid summer. We took the course offered on safety for a refreseher. We were
checked out by the CG within days after the course. It is
a comfort to know we have the CG out there checking for safety. They are also checking for boats moving on the Chesapeake around Baltimore and the bridges. We thanked them for their service. He said that people did not thank them too often.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I met with the MSO Portland (Marine Safety Officer)
yesterday and did 1 inspection in Port Orford
and then 1 in Charleston.

As a result he is qualifying me as a
Commercial Vessel Inspector.

(I passed the Coast Guard Auxiliary
Recreational Vessel Inspector test in Apr 2004)

According to the MSO there are a 4-6
Coast Guard Auxiliary members
in the Portland area,
that are currently certified
to do Commercial Vessel Inspections also.
The nearest is in Tillamook.

So I'm the only one south of Tillamook

I'll be working with the BM1 on base
and with the MSO when he's down here.

I'll be able to "solo" if neiter one is available
and it's a "must do" inspection for
a boat who is taking an observer out.

Limits on Commercial Vessel Inspections are
Up to 79'
Under 100 Gross Tons
Less than 10,000 gallons fuel.

Anything over these must be done by the MSO only.
Not even the crew at Station Coos Bay can do these.

[TheOtherOne]

Thanks for your continued service to our great nation...I am proud of you and most grateful.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You

[RushCrush]

Wow. Just wow.

I have just come across this, through various links....this is awesome. Thank you sir, for your service. I am truly awed.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Webmaster and Plank Owner
Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examiners Association



Commercial fishing is one of our nation’s most hazardous industries.
The Coast Guard is committed to increasing safety in the fishing industry.
The main objective is to increase compliance
with the minimum safety requirements found in
Title 46 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 28—
Requirements for Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels.

"...Between 1999 and 2003, for the US, a total of 528 uninspected commercial fishing vessel
were lost and 291 fishermen died.

“These figures clearly demonstrate that the death rate for the uninspected commercial fishing vessel industry is unacceptable in comparison to other segments of the maritime industry and the American workforce in general,” the analysis stated.

Furthermore, data compiled from voluntary dockside examinations “show conclusively” that increased survival rates of both fishermen and vessels are directly proportional to the proper equipping and maintenance of safety gear on vessels, “particularly when the crew has been properly trained to use these systems effectively in emergency response scenarios.”

Yet the Coast Guard estimates that only six percent of the approximately 90,000 uninspected commercial fishing vessels in the US today have had the voluntary dockside examination..."