USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ U.S. Coast Guard National Motor Lifeboat School ~ April 3 2003

U.S. Coast Guard National Motor Lifeboat School ^ | 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

U.S. COAST GUARD NATIONAL MOTOR LIFEBOAT SCHOOL

  Purpose:  The motor lifeboat is a standard resource platform used by the U.S. Coast Guard small boat fleet.  The central purpose of the USCG National Motor Lifeboat School is to teach coxswains standard practices and procedures to use in executing their missions.  The emphasis is on the ability to use the motor lifeboat (MLB) in the elements for which it was designed, extreme weather and surf conditions.  The goal of the USCG National Motor Lifeboat School is to promote the highest degree of professionalism in seamanship skills. 

History:  The National Motor Lifeboat School (NMLBS) is located at the mouth of the Columbia River on the United States’ northwestern coast at a Point of land called “Cape Disappointment”.  The river’s strong current runs headlong into the strength of the Pacific Ocean tides at this river mouth and coupled with the frequent storms create some of the roughest waters in the world.  Since 1878 this area, also known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific”, has long been home for the Coast Guard rescue facilities and its predecessor the U.S. Lifesaving Service.  During the 1960’s and early 70’s local Coast Guard units pooled their resources in order to conduct coxswain and crew training on the then new 44-foot Motor Lifeboats.  It was acknowledged that these steel-hulled boats were more capable than the wooden 36-foot lifeboats they were replacing.  The crews manning them were typically very experienced with the leadership of seasoned veterans whose seamanship skills were passed on directly to each new crewmember.  The localized training allowed small groups of Coast Guard crews to share experiences and techniques.  A slow trend of decreasing experience base among Coast Guard crews could also be seen through this period.  The Coast Guard’s Thirteenth District (Oregon and Washington coastal area) sought out a method of sharing the lessons learned through hard practical experience with these junior members.  They established a training curriculum and routinely gathered their resources to put on classes focused at operating the 44-foot lifeboat in the surf environment.  The success of these gatherings in passing on skills was soon recognized as potentially valuable for all lifeboat coxswains nationwide.  The training concept was to use experienced Surfmen from the United States northwest coast to show other coxswains from around the nation how best to use the lifeboat in its designed element.  Resources and budget were identified to give dedicated lifeboats to the newborn school along with personnel to provide maintenance and instruction.  With the establishment of a formalized curriculum the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Motor Lifeboat School was established in 1980 in Ilwaco, Washington co-located with the existing rescue station at Cape Disappointment.   With surf conditions often causing 10 to 20 foot breaking waves and wind/sea state extremes such as Beaufort Force 10 across the wide river mouth (also known as a bar), the location was ideal for the lifeboat school.  Increased training needs and a focus on standardization have caused the lifeboat school to expand through the years.  This included new shore maintenance facilities, offices and classrooms that were dedicated in April 1993.  

Lifeboats:  The USCG National Motor Lifeboat School originally had five 44-foot (13.6-meter) Motor Lifeboats (MLB’s) in its inventory.  The coxswains attending the school from around the nation learned operating skills and maintenance techniques for this boat.  When the fiberglass 30-foot (9.2-meter) Surf Rescue Boat (SRB) was introduced to the Coast Guard inventory in the mid-1980’s, several were assigned to the school and similar skills sets were taught on this fast response supplement to the lifeboat fleet.  This changing inventory of boat types continues today.  The 30-foot SRB has been largely removed from Coast Guard use as well as from the school boat inventory.  The National Motor Lifeboat School was an integral part of the testing and development of the U.S. Coast Guard’s new 47-foot (14.7-meter) lifeboat from the beginning.  A team assigned to the school conducted extensive operational tests of the prototype lifeboat.  Their input was invaluable in improving the design and details before final production was begun in 1996.  The National Motor Lifeboat School now operates a fleet of two venerable 44-foot lifeboats and four of the 47-foot lifeboats.  This mix of old and new boat resources allows the school to provide training on both lifeboat types through the years it will take to fully transition the U.S. Coast Guard to the newest 47-foot Motor Lifeboats.   

The National Motor Lifeboat School is a unique U.S. Coast Guard training center that operates under the Office of Boat Forces (Commandant G-OCS). With a staff of about 40 personnel, it serves the Coast Guard as an operations Center of Excellence for the MLB platform providing "C" school resident training, MLB readiness and Standardization assessments, and 47 foot MLB transition training. The NMLB School is located near the mouth of the Columbia River at Cape Disappointment just outside of Ilwaco, Washington. The area known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific" provides the training grounds for Coast Guard personnel learning to care for and operate the 47 foot MLB.

The origin of the National Motor Lifeboat School comes from seasoned surfmen and crews getting together to share common practices and techniques for survival in these treacherous waters. The NMLB School continues this tradition through its hands-on classes for boat coxswains as well as the engineering and operational managers of the MLB fleet. The class for Heavy Weather Coxswain is one of the only ones in the world that teaches the art of boat operations in extreme weather and surf. The self-righting 47 foot Motor Lifeboat is the backbone of the USCG boat fleet and designed for up to 20 foot surf and 30 foot seas. Students turn classroom preparation into practical experience as they work these boats on the Columbia River Bar.

[Kathy in Alaska]

You are on a roll, grant. I don't know where all these stories are coming from, but keep em coming. Thanks.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[fatima]

Thank you tomkow6.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you Linda.

[DoughtyOne]

P.S. I like your graphic.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Did you type your fingers down to the bone? Did you finish?"

Yes and Yes
If I didn't have some things to do around the house tomorrow I'd go back.
I will be there again Tuesday night for a new required Coast Guard Auxiliary training class from 7-9PM so I'll have some time before class to do some Ops Office work.

Found out 4 of my Brothers are being transfered over next 2 months.
One is going to a cutter in the Persian Gulf.
The other 3 remaining in States.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for the Coast Guard graphics!!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, aomagrat, for today's history of the airship USS Los Angeles. Quite the mode of transportation.

[grantswank]

well, they're just comin' from dealing with the war, etc. can't get it out o' my head.

thanks for noting.

g

[grantswank]

thank YOU

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi Diva! Wasn't that video awesome? I don't ever want to be doing that, but thank goodness those in the Coast Guard are willing to do so to rescue people.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Another awesome picture to add to the Victory series. Thanks, D1. And thanks for posting the story about Jessica Lynch. I must admit to be anxiously awaiting her story.

[DoughtyOne]

I heard that this print story may have had inaccuracies. We shall see. Thank you for your comments.

[cherry_bomb88]

Great pictures today, Kathy!!! I finally caught up (wow, I'm taking lessons from you!!!)....actually, I did some projects around the house like I took off for vacation to do! :o)

[cherry_bomb88]

'Bay!!! You made your lil sis cry!!!! 'S ok though...it was a joyful cry. Thanks for the story. *hugs* See, I knew Marines were the best!!! :o)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for introducing KBay to the Canteen!

[cherry_bomb88]

You're most welcome...he is my "brother" and I love him! I knew you guys would too....and I knew he'd love you guys. It's a natural fit. :o)

[HairOfTheDog]

You guys see this issue of the Canteen?

[Kathy in Alaska]

"You know grandma, it's like on TV...The best part of waking up is soldiers in your cup."

Now this is a keeper! WTG, HJ.