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Welcome Aboard The CGC Escanaba

On Patrol Week 7

We join the crew of the Cutter Escanaba underway in the Caribbean Sea on a Counter-Narcotics Patrol!

This week we hear from The Captain and three crew members on life aboard a cutter on Counter-Narcotics Patrol.

All photos are official Coast Guard photos by LTJG David Shuck, IT2 Wesley Fisher and Steven Kaurich.

The Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, homeported in Boston, Ma.

Now hear this ... this is the Cap'n speaking ...

Cmdr. Michael S. Sabellico, Commanding Officer, CGC Escanaba

We are currently in Curacao for a short patrol break. This is our third stop. Our first stop was Cartagena, Colombia, our second was Grand Cayman, and now we find ourselves in Curacao. While visiting, we are going to help out an orphanage on the island that is specifically for children with AIDS and other terminal diseases. Before leaving Boston, we partnered with Wampatuck Elementary School in Scituate to collect donated used clothing, toys, and over $1000 in cash. The clothes and the toys will go directly to the sick children and the cash will be used to offset the high cost of their food due to their special dietary needs. I really believe that helping out others less fortunate than ourselves is important and gives the crew an opportunity to give something back for all the good things we take for granted as American citizens.

I know that many of my crew had never been outside the United States prior to our departure, and over the course of this patrol have gained a greater appreciation for what it means to live in the U.S. We take many things for granted as Americans and seeing other countries and how other people live really tends to open our eyes.

We've had a tremendously successful patrol, highlighted by law enforcement success and a Search and Rescue case on a U.S. sailboat that had run aground. The crew of the sailing vessel was lucky as we were only about 50 miles from her position in the western Caribbean when she began taking on water. We made best possible speed to her and sent over a Rescue and Assistance team who were able to locate the damage, do some plugging and patching, and install another electric bilge pump to keep the vessel afloat until we could safely escort her to the closest island. The end result was that the crew and vessel were safe and should be on their way back to the U.S. by the time you read this blog.

My crew never fails to amaze me with the effort they put forth every day and the things we accomplish together as a team. They are truly the finest crew in the Atlantic Fleet and definitely the Pride of Boston. We are excited to be returning home soon and will be cheering on our beloved Red Sox in person, soon enough.

Until next week, fair winds and following seas.

/s/ Cmdr. Michael S. Sabellico, Commanding Officer

Blogs

MK3 Stephen Morris
My name is Stephen Morris, and I'm a Third Class Machinery Technician (MK) working in the Main Propulsion Division. I work in the engine room, a place commonly referred to as the "hole", where the temperature usually averages about 115 degrees Fahrenheit and the noise level typically is about 100 decibels. You'll never see me on a recruiting poster, or in any of the glossy brochures. At the end of nearly every work day, I'm covered in various petroleum products, drenched in sweat, and dog tired.

I am also the ship's fuel, oil, and water king (FOWK). Every day I transfer fuel from the storage tanks to the service tanks the diesel engines receive fuel from, typically once in the morning and once at night, depending on how much fuel we burn during the day. I also "sound" about 40 tanks every day. When I say sound, I mean I drop a metal tape with a weight on the end, down a little tube, into a tank, read how high the liquid is on the tape and then record my reading. Later on, I compare these readings to a chart that tells me how many gallons are in the tank for whatever the sounding is, and figure out how much of each liquid we have on board. I am a human gas gauge. Also, at every port call, I stay into the evening, after liberty is granted, to fuel the ship.

I spend plenty of time fixing things as well. All sorts of things break underway, and out in the middle of the ocean, there's no service station to pull into, and no AAA we can call. Things also tend to break in the middle of the night or when it's rough out and you're turning green. When nothing is broken, and I'm not doing FOWK things, there are always plenty of new personnel that need to be trained in damage control, firefighting, or engineering watch standing. I also have administrative tasks to keep on top of, firemen to supervise, and officers and chiefs I have to answer too.

My job is far from easy. If you want an easy job, don't become a Coast Guard MK. There are plenty of other ratings that feature a nice air-conditioned working environment, faster advancement, and are less critical to the USCG mission. Why do I do it, you may ask? Because I am the difference between ESCANABA being a multi-mission USCG asset or ESCANABA being a sea-tow contract. I don't do it for awards, or fancy ribbons, or even because I like it. I do it because if I don't who will?

/s/ MK3 Stephen Morris

FN Kyle Decker
I'm Fireman Kyle Decker. I am formerly known as Seaman Decker. I was born and raised in Manitowoc Wisconsin, but I like to call it ManitoROCK WisROCKON. I grew up right on Lake Michigan so I got to see the Coast Guard do their work pretty much every day. It was hard for me at first going from a rock and roll drum god to a proud member of the United States Coast Guard. I have been in the Coast Guard for almost a year and a half and I love every day of it. I was a "deckie" working for the Deck Department onboard for almost a year when I decided I wanted to be an electricians mate (EM) and switched to the Engineering Department. I am currently working with the EM's waiting on school orders. It was hard going from a senior fully-qualified member of Deck Department to the bottom of the food chain in the Engineering Department. I am currently "breaking-in" security watch (checking all of the ships Aux equipment). If I get security qualified I will be the most qualified non-rate on the boat. I love my new department and the people in it, from the bottom all the way to the top. I can only say good things about the people I work with since they have all taken me all under their wing to help me be a better engineer. I am learning so much that when the work day ends I often find myself sitting outside staring at the ocean wondering how I just crammed all of that information in my head. After the 16 hour work and watch schedule I am always tired but I love being underway and then being able to hang out and work in the best city ever in Boston. There is so much for me to do there! In my free time I like to ride my long board (skate board), play video games, go to some of the best venues I have ever seen in my life to check out some sweet rock n' roll, punk and hardcore bands, and take walks to record stores to pick up the latest releases. All in all, I am just glad I got the chance to join the Coast Guard and work with the best crew in the Coast Guard, the crew of ESCANABA!!!

/s/ FN Kyle Decker

SA Nathan C. Leger
My name is Nathan C. Leger. I'm 18 years old, originally from Bristol, Ct, and am currently a Seaman Apprentice aboard CGC ESCANABA. I can't really say much about the Guard seeing as how I've only been in for a little less than 4 months but what I can say though is that joining the Coast Guard, thus far, has proven to be a great decision.

The past four months has been an exciting time. I've traveled to a few cool places, met some awesome people, and have learned more than I ever thought possible. Although I don't have the most important jobs on the boat, I enjoy sitting back and taking in all the information my superiors have to offer. Through out my day I take part in boat evolutions, helo operations, and various exercises such as 50. Cal (gun) shoots, or damage control drills. I also am tied up with the normal work routine and 8 hours of watch each day. When I have some free time I find myself studying new material, trying to get qualified in the most positions I can. The days are long and they all seem to blend in together but every once in a while I take time to enjoy what I have. The Coast Guard has been a great learning opportunity thus far and has given me a chance of a lifetime. I hope to stay positive and make the best out of my four year enlistment.

/s/ SA Nathan C. Leger

Photos

LTJG Jeff Janaro and Seaman Edward Powell practice making balloon animals in their spare time

LTJG Janaro with two of his balloon creations

ESCANABA's HITRON helicopter stands by on deck, ready and waiting for the call to intercept drug traffickers.

The man behind the machine - ESCANABA's civilian helicopter repair technician Steve Kaurich stands in front of a beautiful sunset, and more importantly, a working helicopter!

ESCANABA's flight deck personnel work alongside the aviation detachment as they prepare the helicopter for night operations. The blue lights shown aid both the pilots and deck personnel while using night vision goggles.

Seaman Anthony Ramos stands the helm watch beside the ESCANABA ship's bell.

ESCANABA's messdeck bustles with activity during a Helicopter evolution.

Boatswain's Mate Third Class Michael Goszka initiates communications from the bridge with the boat deck during a small boat evolution.

Food Service Specialist Second Class Travis Hickman stands basked in the blue lights outside the ship's office.

ENS Robert Rue (right) and Damage Controlman Third Class Clifford Morgan (center) discuss qualifications while Machinery Technician Second Class Michael Fonseca studies in the foreground. Behind them, The Engineer Officer Terrance Williams is busy on the phone while Damage Controlman First Class Mitchell Pulatie stands the Engineer Officer of the Watch.

Navigation Division members from left to right Boatswain's Mate First Class William Ferretti, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Karl Hasche, and Boatswain's Mate Third Class Jeremy Higgins await the beginning of a Navigation Brief for Curacao.

Various members of ESCANABA's Navigation Team await the beginning of the Navigation Brief for Curacao in the wardroom.

The Operations Officer, LT Michael Hennessy gets a laugh from Ensigns Cathy Gabinelle (center) and Christine Kurczewski (left) prior to the Nav Brief.

Seaman Brad Rode and Seaman Sean Crocker prepare morale Pizza on Saturday night in the galley.

The Assistant Navigator, LTJG David Shuck takes pride in keeping the ship's bell well shined.

Chief Machinery Technician Theodore Tarini uses his lunch time to burn off calories on one of ESCANABA's elliptical trainers.

Seaman Nathan Leger stands the helm watch

Seaman Brad Rode, Seaman Michael Kuhn, Seaman Anthony Ramos, and Store Keeper Third Class Tyson Beaird play a game of "bones" on the messdeck during some free time.