Fred's Place - The Place To Meet Old Coast Guard Shipmates

Welcome Aboard The CGC Escanaba

On Fisheries Patrol 2006

Greetings from USCGC ESCANABA! We join the crew of the Cutter Escanaba underway on their six week Fisheries Patrol.

ENS Jacob Paarlberg will be keeping us up-to-date during this voyage with weekly updates. So check back each week to see what it is like to be aboard a Coast Guard Cutter underway on a Fisheries Patrol.

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

Catchin' Up

Hello, and welcome back to the 2nd week of our online journal. This week was a busy week for the crew of the ESCANABA as we anchored twice, pulled into two different ports, participated in huge public affairs event, spent a day loading new ammunition onto the ship, and escorted a potentially dangerous vessel into New York while still managing to carry out our primary mission on our Living marine Resources Patrol.

On Tuesday the ESCANABA participated in a press conference in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, held by the head of Homeland Security, Secretary Chertoff. While not the most scenic location for the crew, the back drop of a major industrial port and international airport provided the perfect environment for a talk on homeland security. Also present at this event was the Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Allen, and the District One Commander, Rear Admiral Sullivan. While at this press conference ESCANABA received numerous complements on how good the ship looked, which is a direct reflection of the many hours of hard work put in by the crew over the last inport. Several members of the crew attended the speech and afterwards were able to shake hands with Secretary Chertoff, ADM Allen and RADM Sullivan. The conference highlighted the interagency cooperation and multi mission flexibility that is demanded of the Coast Guard to increase our homeland security. The ESCANABA is a perfect example of the multi mission platform that is so vital in today’s Coast Guard. On a daily basis the ESCANABA is prepared and able to respond to search and rescue cases, conduct boardings on fishing vessels to enforce federal fishery regulations, carry out safety inspections on recreation vessels to ensure that all required safety equipment is on board, as well as perform homeland security boardings.

Following the press conference we departed Port Elizabeth and headed to Earle, NJ to onload ammunition and supplies. Instead of leaving Earle that evening and heading to Newport as originally planned, the ESCANABA was called upon to involve herself in a multi agency operation escorting a vessel with potentially dangerous cargo into New York City. This operation delayed the Newport port call and once again called on the crew to be flexible with their schedules. The command recognizes and regrets the strain placed upon families and loved ones when port calls are changed or adjusted. It is a well known fact onboard a ship that continued support from home is critical to the morale of the crew and hence the success of the ship itself. We thank you for your support and your continued understanding as the ESCANABA adjusts her schedule in order to meet the demands placed upon her.

From the Captain's Cabin ....

CDR Mike Sabellico, Commanding Officer

Our patrol has gotten off to a great start as we've been extremely busy. Since we departed homeport on the 21st of September we've been going non-stop and set the Special Sea Detail (SSD)for mooring and departing Boston, New York, Earle Weapons Station in New Jersey, New London, and the Cape Cod Canal for a grand total of 18 times - which is more then we had in our entire last 60 day patrol! For those of you who haven't sailed aboard a ship what setting the SSD means is that everyone on the ship is in an assigned place doing an assigned task. It really takes practically all 100 crewmembers to moor the ship up or get underway. The entire evolutions range from about 2 hours in Boston to almost 4 hours for Port Elizabeth NJ and the Cape Cod Canal transit. We've also been very busy conducting boardings of Fishing Vessels off the Coast of New England and found 2 vessels fishing with small nets and instructed them to stop using those nets so they would not deplete the fishing stocks by killing juvenile fish. Unfortunately we had to terminate the voyage of 2 other Fishing Vessels due to safety violations. That is never an easy decision but immensely important as the weather turns nasty and water temperature gets cooler. Fishermen have a very dangerous job and it's our job to make sure they are as safe as possible…the guys who cut corners to save money may end up as our next Search and Rescue case or worse as our next "lost" vessel.

As you can see, your loved ones aboard the mighty ESCANABA have been extremely busy and we are all looking forward to our next port call. We'll keep you posted as our schedule has changed several times. My apologies about the changes but it's been out of our control as we've been tasked to support some last minute operations. This week we hosted the Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, the Commandant, Admiral Thad Allen, and the First District Commander, Rear Admiral Tim Sullivan, at a press conference in Port Elizabeth New Jersey which was covered by Fox News and a bevy of other local NY/NJ media folks. The event took lots of work and preparation but was extremely successful as the Secretary made remarks about the safety of our ports and some of the recent progress we've made in that venue. Yesterday, we escorted in a high interest vessel which may have had some illegal cargo aboard into New York Harbor. The sea conditions were quite challenging as we were in 10-12 foot seas in the approaches to NY for several hours as the boarding took place far offshore. The ship was cleared and allowed into our waters…we began the day at 0600 from Earle New Jersey and didn't finish up until 0500 this morning - nearly 24 hours straight! The crew performed marvelously despite the arduous weather and long hours.

Thanks for keeping everything going on the home front…that really enables us to do our jobs afloat. Until next time, Fair winds and following seas.

All my best
/s/ Commander Mike Sabellico

Blogs

My name is SN Goodleigh and I am stationed on the CGC Escanaba. I left Boot Camp on 19th of May 2006 and was introduced to a new world that I never knew existed. When I first arrived at the ESCANABA it was similar to boot camp in that I didn’t know what to expect, but that feeling soon went away within a week of being underway. Being on a ship for the first time in my life was a little rough for me since I wasn’t used to the small p-ways and ladders. Becoming accustomed to my new world while trying to become a working part of the crew by getting fully qualified in damage control as well as a helm and lookout and messenger surely kept me busy. Needless to say being a "deckie" on a 270’ isn't a walk in the park as we are responsible for a myriad of spaces and the overall cleanliness and appearance of the ship (all the while still expected to stand your watch). The Bos’ns hole, lower bos’ns hole, avionics, hangar, and aft hawser along with both small boats (the RHI and OTH) are routine busy work. Sanding, prepping , and painting, while underway is a constant fight against the natural elements that deteriorate a ship. The good part about the ship is the crew is definitely spirited and the morale is always high. On my first patrol some of our port of calls were Key West, Guantanamo Bay Cuba, and Mayport Naval Station.

BM3 Powell

We are pulling into our anchorage point just south of the Verazzano Bridge, New York City. This is the third time in as many days that I got to see my hometown sky line from this vantage point. I’m close enough to my Mom’s house I think I can smell what she’s cooking for dinner. I can see the famous red “Parachute Drop” and “Wonder Wheel” of Brooklyn’s Coney Island from the foc’sle, a fact my shipmates get tired of hearing every time we pass, but I can’t help it. Landmarks mean the most not to the tourist or sightseers from out of state, but to the home sick travelers and sailors returning home. These landmarks aren’t just road posts marking a geographical location, but sign posts in time. I can remember being on the Brooklyn shore at six years of age and sticking my hand in the ocean, trying to see I could feel a heart beat underneath all that surf, as if the Ocean where a living breathing entity. At age twelve I road the Brooklyn cyclone after my father told me not to because the old wooden roller coaster would make me sick. It did, but five minutes later I was fine and rode it four more times. At fifteen, on one of my first dates, I took a girl to the Wonder Wheel, a type of Ferris wheel on steroids that can be seen from miles away. I remember the quietness of the compartment closing in when the wheel froze for ten minutes with the both of us stuck at the top. And again I look towards the Verazzano Bridge with the Manhattan skyline in the distance. I remember crossing that bridge at four in the morning almost two years ago on my way to MEPS, about to be processed into the military and shipped out to boot camp. Two years later I crossed the bridge again, this time going in the opposite direction, on my way to my then girlfriend’s house with an engagement ring in my front pocket and fingers sweaty and nervous against the steering wheel.

Sometimes I have watch at midnight, sometimes I have it with my chief. And sometimes at three in the morning when the seas are calm and clear, we’ll slip into a philosophical, political, moral and ethical debate with the rest of the bridge crew, partly out of the deeper need for the healthy human communications, but more often out of the desperate need to stay awake for our watch. A few weeks ago, amongst various other topics, we touched on fate, pre-determination versus free will, a stoic topic that can be risky at three in the morning, it’ll either stoke a conversation or cause the bridge team to slip into a kind of walking REM sleep. For what ever reason, the topic took hold and soon our personal beliefs were rolling back and forth in time with the swells.

I openly challenge fate, aloud, and state there is none. We end up where we end up, the process is random and meaning is only found is hindsight. It’s less a wheel of fate and more a random throw of the dice. Chief hears this and challenges with his belief “You are where you are mate because you were meant to be here. Everything happens for a reason and you’ll discover its truth soon enough.”

I tell him, truthfully, that more than anything I would like to believe that, but being too much of a New Yorker that I am, I can’t believe in anything that can’t be proven to be true.

But now here I am, at anchor just south of the Verazzano Bridge, and I swear that at six years of age on the Brooklyn shore, at twelve on the Brooklyn Cyclone at the top of the first drop just before the car starts to fall, at fifteen in the Wonder Wheel alone with a girl, two years ago on my way to MEPS, and year and a half ago on my way to propose to my now fiancée, I swear I’ve looked out at this same random spot of ocean and said to myself, “I wonder if I’ll ever be there looking back at where I am now?”

Very Respectfully
/s/ Petty Officer Powell

Congratulations On Your Recent Advancement

29 Sep 06: FS3 Anthony Cabassa

30 Sep 06: ETC Rory S. Lucas

02 Oct 06: BM3 Dayron Lopez

02 Oct 06: DC2 Clifford J. Morgan

Sailor of the Quarter

FS3 Castor

FS3 Castor was named the for his dedication and excellence in the galley. FS3 Castor put in a tremendous amount of time and effort over the last inport and the beginning of this patrol to ensure that plenty of good food was had by all. Castor has become famous on board for his cinnamon rolls, cookies, and other baked goods. His success in the galley may not be good for the crew’s waste line, but is sure to put a smile on people’s face.

Shout Outs

Hey Mom & Dad,
I miss you, see you in December.
-Thomas MacNab

Sylvia, Mom & Dad
I love you. See you when I get home
-Johnathan Castor

Shout out to Stacy, all my friends holding down the city of “Brock” and my Family. I’ll be home soon, babe!
-BM1 “B-Ferr” Ferretti

Sharon, Sam and Erick,
Miss you guys, see ya soon. N.R.F.T.C ROCKS
-Steve (BFM) for life!

Kat,
I’m coming home soon, can’t wait to see you and take care of you. Love Always,
-Aaron

I would like to say "Hello" to my beautiful children, Skylar, Mason and Adrianna. I know it is hard for us to not see each other while I am out to sea, but not a minute goes by that you are not in my thoughts. I can't wait to get back, and take the three of you to the park, or someplace new. Maybe it will snow when I am home this time, and I can take you all sledding, and have a snowball fight. When I am able to talk to you, you all sound like you are doing well. I am very proud of each of you as you continue to be a big help to your mother, and learn new things every day. Once again I ask you the question I always ask, "what would you like to do when I come back from sea?" I hope you take some time to think about what it is you would like to do, as I know I will. I look forward to taking you to see the dinosaur museum, and of course the inevitable answer I always get "play with you!" Take care of yourselves, and your mother. Do well in school. And remember how much I miss you, and how very pleased I am to be your father. I love you guys.
-Dad

To the Murrs & Boldts out there,
34 Days Left and then I am back home with all of you. Love you guys, see ya soon.
-Nick

Hey Mom, Dad, Sarah, Jeremy, Nick, Aidan, and Connor,
I Miss you guys and I’ll see ya soon enough! Love ya,
-Aaron (PS Jackass 2 was hilarious!)

To Shawn and Kevin...
I've sold 57 items for you guys! Be good for Mom and I'll see you in about a week. Love,
-Dad.

To the MINOT Gang…
I hear that I missed quite the bash for Jon and Karen's 25th. I really miss the Sunday afternoon beach parties, just not the same as we sail by on the Nab. See you all around Turkey Day… All my Best,
The Commander.

Hey Mom, Dad, Niahsi, Hashiem, Labrisa, Deambri,
Love ya, hope to see you soon.
-Phillips

Hey Mom, Dad,
How are you guys? See you soon.
-Dan

Hey Mom, Dad, and my La Famila in D-Town! Love ya
Whats up to Valerie in Chi-Town! And all my peeps in Bean Town!
-Loiselle

Photos

MK1 Coe takes a time out from the busy work day to workout in the ship’s gym.

SK3 Ficara uses the sound powered phone to communicate with the bridge during special sea detail.

ENS Gagnon gives a big thumbs up and displays his enthusiasm while acting as the Shipping Officer.

A deck hand is caught in action as he makes a picture perfect toss of the heaving line.

Member of the crew lining up for Secretary Chertoff’s speech.

SN Loiselle during special sea detail.

The ESCANABA’s Operations Officer, LT Hennessy, uses the binoculars to look ahead while standing next to the XO, LCDR Gale.

ENS Tesler and BM3 Higgins man the helm and lee helm.

A shot of the beautiful scenery surrounding Port Elizabeth, NJ.