This is the 3rd week of the patrol for the ESCANABA, and for the first time things have begun to settle down into a normal routine. There were no last minute press conferences, nor were we tasked with escorting any vessel’s into New York City. This week the ESCANABA was able to get into the down and dirty of our patrol. The ESCANABA spent the week patrolling Cape Cod Bay after leaving New York City on Sunday afternoon and then passing through Cape Cod Canal on Monday. During this time ESCANABA conducted boardings on fishing vessels to make sure that they were in compliance with federal fishery regulations, conducted helicopter training on two different days, conducted training using the small boat and practiced man overboard drills and damage control drills.

Training with the Cape Cod Air station was conducted twice this week and went very successfully both times. On Tuesday we practiced tying down the helicopter, refueling it, and what to do in case of a crash on the flight deck. This was done during the day and again at night using night vision goggles (NVG’s). Thursday’s training was primarily for the crew onboard the helicopter. They were practicing, “vertical insertion”, using a fast rope to slide down to the deck of a ship. This technique allows a lot of people to board a ship in a relatively short time period without forcing the helicopter to land.

On Wednesday, the Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) ran a fire drill involving an oil leak in one of the engines that eventually led to a large fire. Between running the drill and the debrief afterwards a large part of the afternoon was taken up. When an emergency, such as a fire, occurs every member of the crew has a specific job to do and must know exactly how to do that job. The list of jobs ranges everywhere from actually putting on the fire fighting gear and fighting the fire to using sound powered phones to pass information around the ship. The safety of the ship and crew depends on every member of the crew being able to effectively respond to emergencies when they happen. Thus, making drills like this vital to the ships safety.

On Friday we transited back through the Cape Cod Canal enroute to Newport RI, where the crew had their first mid-patrol break. After changing plans and delaying port calls countless time the ESCANABA finally had 3 days off. This provided a much needed break for the crew and was close enough to our homeport of Boston to allow the crew to get back to see families, friends, and loved ones. As always the ESCANABA would like to recognize the families and loved ones whose continued support of the ship, our mission and our crew make the ESCANABA one of the most successful ships in the fleet and the Pride of Boston.

Blogs

This week’s blogs were provided by EM1 Saldivar and FN Forbes. Despite having very different jobs both EM1 Saldivar and FN Forbes are members of the Engineering Department. EM1 is one of the senior engineers on board and maintains the ships electrical systems while FN Forbes is still new to the Coast Guard and is learning the basics of shipboard engineering.

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FN Michael Forbes

Hello, my name is FN Michael Forbes. I am from a small town called San Marcos, Texas. It’s a beautiful place out in the hill country where life don’t go too fast and people know you by your first name. I love playing baseball, riding horses and bulls, playing guitar, driving my truck, and just being an all around country boy. To be honest I didn’t know the Coast Guard existed until Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

Katrina hit about a year after I had graduated high school. I was working at a nursing home at the time and I said to myself, “now they are doing something that means something.” So about a week or two later after talking it over with my Dad I went down the recruiter’s office and signed up.

Now I am a Fireman aboard USCGC ESCANABA stationed out of Boston Massachusetts. I work in the Main Propulsion division of the engineering section. Our responsibility is primarily the engines and generators. The work can be tedious, but the people I work with make it enjoyable. Since I have arrived I had to get security qualified and DCPQS qualified which I have finally completed. Now my next task is to teach the boys how to cowboy up.

Yee Haw - Go Longhorns

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EM1 Saldivar

“I’ve been part of team Escanaba for a little under two years and since then I’ve learned a great deal. My job consists of training personnel, troubleshooting just about every electrical system, standing watches and uplifting people’s sprits. While onboard, I have done such exiting things as replacing light bulbs, and batteries in battle lanterns. Also, when the sensors in our sewage Collection Holding Tank malfunctioned I got to clean and replace them. Besides my normal work schedule and watch standing duties I assist my fellow 1st class petty officers in making pizza on morale nights, sharing jokes with the crew and teaching Spanish to a few. However, one of my least favorite tasks is assisting in clean-ups, but a clean berthing area is a happy berthing area. I really enjoy being an Electrician because it allows me to work with just about everyone onboard."

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Good Conduct Awards - Congratulations



Congratulations to MK3 Perkins and EMC Kiehl for receiving good conduct awards this week.

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Ray O’Malley Award - Congratulations

SN Brian Heaton

This week SN Brian Heaton was recognized as the recipient of this quarter’s Ray O’Malley Award. Ray O’Malley was one of only two survivors when the ESCANABA (WPG-77) sank in 1942. In honor of Mr. O’Malley’s service on the ESCANABA and in keeping with our strong tradition of remembering the past, each quarter the ESCANABA awards the “Ray O’Malley award to an E2/E3 from deck department. When determining the recipient of this award peers from the deck department look for the member who exhibits the highest level of honor, devotion to duty, and dedication to CGC ESCANABA. Helm/lookout abilities, knowledge level, conduct, military bearing, uniform appearance, professionalism, work ethic, and leadership amongst his peers are some of the factors taken into consideration for this award. Congratulations are in order to SN Brain Heaton.

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Shout Outs



Dawn,
I love you and miss you very much. Please hug the kids for me and tell them I love them too. Pet the dog for me - I miss having him bark like crazy in the middle of the night. Love,
Chris

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Hey Nicki-6,
Miss me yet?....of course you do, I rock. Anyways, just thought I'd send some love from the deep blue sea. Only 138 days til the "Big Day", I can't wait, it's gonna be off the chain, son. That’s it, oh, and tell Jax I said hi. PBJ
Robbie2

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To my lovely wife…
You will always be my favorite part of me. Respectfully,
Chief Leboeuf

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I would like to say Congratulations to Dave & Christi and your families on the newest member of the family, Grady Scott! Won't be long before he can smoke the Old Man in a game of hoops. A hello & I miss you to my family, friends and Yoopers in the Great U.P. and a big "I miss you" someone else. See all of you soon!
Kevin Koski

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Zach & Dad,
I miss you guys. Hope all is well at home.
Brian Heaton

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Mom,
Love and miss you, hope to see you at Thanksgiving.
Brian Heaton

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To my wife, Iraiset,
with a love of love, no matter where I am I will always be with you.
Alex P.

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Rosie, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, & Brothers
I love you guys and am always thinking of you. This is the last one… see you in November. I love you.
Simon

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Mom and Dad, Chad and Sherry, Robin and Gary, Barry & V and the best nieces Erica, Emily, and Alissa. I love you. See you soon. Armes

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Mom, Dad, Lauren, Ross, Kak, and Friends,
Thank you for all the support you've given me during the difficult underway times. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. Miss you all dearly.
Trav

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Photos

ENS Tesler gives training on the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) to the crew.

Members of the crew listen to ENS Tesler’s presentation.

ET3 Battle takes a break to talk on the phone.

ET3 Boldt and SN Crocker pose before a boarding.

ENS Kurczweski, MK1 Rue, ET3 Boldt and SN Crocker discuss a boarding prior to depart the ship.

FSC Kijowski, FS2 Hudgins and FS3 Tornabene posing in their “office”.

Members of the Crew participate in a man overboard drill.

OS3 Guralnick acts as the rescue swimmer during a man overboard drill.

OS3 Guralnick rescues “Oscar” the dummy used during man overboard drills.

OS3 Guralnick takes off his suit after the man overboard drill.

The helicopter arrives as the ESCANABA prepares for one of its many helo operations this week.

SN Rabbit standing watch as a lookout.

Members of the boat crew prepare the OTH to lower.

The OTH as it is lowered.

ESCANABA lowers the Rigged Hull Inflatable during boat crew training.

IT2 Russillo tracks down some wiring in O-Country.

BM2 Hasche, MK3 Cylkowski and BM3 Sohn making the Coast Guard look so good.

DC3 McDowell and DC3 Soto hard at work.

MK3 Perkins and FN Eilert taking soundings.

DC3 McDowell and DC3 Soto smile and take a break from their work to pose for a picture.