CWO3 Ray Bryant, MKCS John Burkee, MK1 Mike Hardy, MK1 Alan Cage, MK2 Shane Witko, MK2 Peter Hans, MK3 Caleb Haggler, FN Michael Tew, FN Zachary Siekiera, FA James Hartsell, LCDR Mark Harris (EO) and MK1 Eduardo Vitorino (TAD)

Despite being down five shipmates this patrol Main Prop has answered the call. For the first time in a long time we made it beyond the Cooper River Bridge without an engine failure, not only that but we cruised for over 15 days without an engine casualty. We also left the pier with Both Main Gas Turbines (BMGT’s) running and no casualty reports in the engines room. Of course the first stop required some small items to be repaired but nothing major. When the Captain called down for a full bell on the mains a couple of weeks ago we were doubtful, with the cutters’ past, that we could make it happen. But it just goes to show what a good crew and lots of Maintenance Logistics Command Atlantic’s (MLCA’s) money can do. We not only made the full bell, we completed our full-power trails on the mains and ran this bell for over three hours. But since then we have had to cross a couple of big hurdles. One is bad fuel, we have been eating filters like there was no tomorrow, Thanks for the extra filter’s Polar Star!! Then there was the last stop, after departing Praia, Cape Verde, we had an exhaust leak that cause a very small fire. This repair was the first all-nighter for most of main prop, everyone chipped in to help. I even had electricians and A-gang helping out.

Main prop is back on track cruising at 15 knots, going to our next operational area. The biggest achievement for main prop is the uninterrupted production of 181,000 gallons of water thus far. This is a great achievement seeing that last trip we could not go more than three days from land. Remember this, if it’s broke give us a call we might just be able to fix it.

OSC Joel Wifler

Davy Jones has arrived…all hail King Neptune and his royal court. Let the festivities begin!

Morale is high. Really high. Higher than I’ve seen in two years. Initiations of this magnitude bring out a certain kind of exuberance in everyone. It’s good to be on the other side of things for a change. The “No Talent” show starts tonight at 1800. I can’t wait.

Reveille 0600. All pollywogs to the flight deck for “Wogercise”. Green eggs and Orange goo (oatmeal) was a fitting breakfast for the wogs. I had my usual breakfast. King Neptune and his Royal Court revealed the “Mysteries of the Deep” to 149 wogs (I lost count). Afterwards, at quarters, Barry was presented with his Permanent Cutterman insignia, congratulations Barry! A “middle earth” swim call occurred for all those who felt like swimming, however I believe it was cut short due to the arrival of one of those “predator” sea creatures that many fear. I heard it was a hammerhead shark, but I wasn’t in the water, nor did I see it. I’m told there are photos, so I’m on the prowl for evidence.

Now that holiday routine and ceremonies are complete, we’re back to normal work. Day to day operations are continuing to run smoothly with minor interruptions. All and all a decent day for me. Not so decent for the select few that had to clean “Big Fun” this afternoon.

Well, it took 33days, but we finally had one of the “infamous” wake up calls this morning. I won’t bore anyone with the details, but I’ll say that due to non-availability, the snooze alarm is NOT an option to consider. Now we’re waiting to see what our options are. All I know is that I expected to be on watch by now. Took the watch at 1730…got relieved at 0130. I now know what my endurance for standing that duty is.

Woke up to my name being announced over the PA system to contact my LT. Apparently, I’ve been slated for a boat ride to provide international support to our APS partners. I’ll make it over to the beach after all. The brief was informative, and they have a few bells and whistles that I didn’t expect to see and I was surprised to hear a familiar name that provided them support.

Clean up day. Work e-mail’s to draft, along with surveys to fill out. My savings plan is building quite nicely, due mostly to my lack of time on the beach to spend any of my hard earned electronic cash. Weekly spades night is on.

SN Jason Evans

Different shades of the sea The shades flow past Alone silent night A bright shell emerald Flows ahead right in sight The left goes away So forward with might Over past failures Regrets constant fight King Neptune awaits And beside him, his queen At the end of the gauntlet Clouds open, a beam Descends from the heavens   Unto the sea gentle love Be calm harsh mistress As Christmas tree doves And then... A rock is crushed Perhaps nothing is left Uncertain as the sea Of its weight and or depth But a diamond is there I mean who could have thought? That at the end of a journey Lies another forged plot

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SA Jessica Eve McMurray

I never dreamed that my life would bring me to this moment. I always thought that I would be in college back home as a full time student, doing the things that I have always done, and loved. But since college wasn't working out for me I decided that I wasn't just going to sit around and wait for my life to change, I decided to make that change. It's strange to say, but I have come to love the Dallas. It's like my home away from home. Everyone has their bad days and female berthing always keeps things interesting. But I have learned so much about myself in this short time that I have been here and I have grown so much too.

When I found out that the Dallas was going to make this patrol to Africa and Europe, I can honestly say that I was not looking forward to it. I hate being away from my family, they have always been a big part of my life. But now that we have been underway for a month, I am having a lot of fun! I never thought that I would like it but I do. Africa is really cool! I mean, it's something that many people do not get the chance to experience in their lives and I get to do it. It does make me sad to see the living conditions that they have to live in. But it makes me very greatful for the roof that I have over my head and the food that I am able to put in my belly. It has really made me think that even though I may think that my life is so hard at times, it really isn't I have it really good.

It's a shame that I will have to leave this deployment early to go to "A" School. But I will never forget all the cool things that I have done on the Dallas and I will never forget the people who have made them happen. ~SA Jessica Eve McMurray

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Photos

Ens. Adelaide Perr and Seaman Moira Casey work on the bridge.

An African sunrise on the Atlantic Ocean.

CGC Dallas crewmembers take photos of a buoy that marks the position where the Equator and Prime Meridian intersect. Most of the crew became first-time Emerald Shellbacks June 24th as Dallas crossed the 00.00.000 W mark!

Ens. Kate Miller, Cdr. Robert Hendrickson and Capt. Robert Wagner discuss crossing the Equator and Prime Meridian on the bridge.

MK1 Michael Hardy helps repair the starboard lube oil filter pod seal after the seal was ruptured June 26.

DC2 Andrew Islas grinds the lid of the starboard lube oil filter pod in preparation of making repairs to the retaining dogs.

Dallas crewmembers take advantage of a “swim call” in the South Atlantic Ocean off the West Coast of Africa.

YN3 Reanna Wack hard at work in the ship’s log office.

BM3 Daniel Surles updates navigational charts on the messdeck.

SN David Delamorena takes a break from his mess-cooking duties to have some fun cutting out cardboard flying monkeys.

FS3 Megan Sweeney gives us a high-five with a handful of gooey dough.

SK2 Subree Keller eats a plate of tangerines for her daily vitamin C intake!