Week 4 was full of training, generator repairs, and morale for cutter NORTHLAND! While in Mayport, FL, we have been lucky enough to have other Coast Guard cutters around for both combined training and morale! CGC DALLAS challenged our crew to a game of softball under the lights here in Mayport. Unfortunately for us, we did not realize that the crew of DALLAS were seasoned pros at the game. With their all-star team, well-practiced strategy and state of the art equipment, we were no match for them. Unfortunately, we lost the game, but we put up a good fight and had by far the largest and loudest cheering section. Despite the final score not being in our favor, everyone had a good time!

Throughout the week, we were able to conduct a lot on training in preparation for our upcoming Tailored Annual Cutter Training (TACT) and took every opportunity to teach the many new members of the crew as well as provide refresher training for those that have been onboard for a while. The DALLAS was gracious enough to take a few of our crewmembers underway on an overnight to learn and observe as they went through TACT. The CGC OAK also took a few of our crewmembers out on a day trip before mooring up alongside NORTHLAND for the rest of the week, which provided many members of the crew a chance to take a tour and see what a 225’ buoy tender is like.

The contractors tasked with replacing one of our generators started work this week by cutting a 4’x6’ hole in the side of the hull. Definitely not something you see every day. Then they began the laborious job of getting the old generator out and the new generator in through that hole. They should be wrapping things up and testing the generator around Wednesday of next week.

If the friendly softball game with DALLAS wasn’t enough fun for some, ENS Seniuk and ENS Hitzel planned an outing for the crew…they took advantage of the weekend in the Jacksonville area and procured tickets a Jacksonville Jaguars football game through the local USO. Many Coasties from the OAK, CGC TORNADO, and DALLAS took advantage of the trip which included a small tailgate party before the game. Unfortunately, the Jaguars lost to the Houston Texans, but that did not dampen the spirit of our crew nor the Jaguar fans that we came into contact with!

The week passed quickly and ended with the long Veteran’s Day weekend. Many crewmembers took the opportunity to take leave and visit family or friends in the area.

ENS Seniuk and CDR Austin onboard the OAK as it moors up alongside our ship

Standing a vigilant watch as OOD as the OAK moors up alongside NORTHLAND

ENS Hitzel and CDR Austin enjoying lunch before the football game

The crew of NORTHLAND tailgating before the Jacksonville Jaguars game

CDR Austin, ENS Alex and LT Hartlove hanging out pre-game

LT Skiles and her husband, LT Hartlove, and CDR Austin getting lunch before the football game

LCDR Lane, LT Hartlove, and CDR Austin at the Jaguars game

The Jaguars take the field before the game begins

USCGC Oak moored up alongside NORTHLAND in Mayport VA

ENS Seniuk in the dugout during our big game with the DALLAS.

Cutting the hole in the side of our ship for the replacement of our generator

The contractors removing our broken generator

Saying goodbye to our old generator…

Getting ready to install our new generator

putting the new generator into our engine room through the hull.

ET2 Hudson, ENS Alex, and ENS Hitzel in the dugout during the softball game

ENS Alex and SN Iulo out on the softball field

SN Musica, SN Gavisk, SN Lewis and SN Zitman came to cheer for the NORTHLAND team!

ET2 Edwards, MK2 Jennings, FN Neely and SN Iluo hanging out in our dugout

ENS Tillman and LT Hartlove look on as ENS Hitzel takes that first bite!