A Week In The Life of the U.S. Coast Guard

[Balu]

But your guess is wrong, Elessar.
The Ocean is a Grave for the perish seamen. And gulls are their Souls.

[Elessar]

But your guess is wrong, Elessar.
The Ocean is a Grave for the perish seamen. And gulls are their Souls.

Yeah.....my jobs were to try to reach them before Neptune, Osse`, or Ulmo claimed them.

[Bilgerat]

After casting off and securing sea detail, too many guys would cuddle in their racks and cover up with a wool blanket.
Sure way to get seasick. As a BMOW (Boatswain's Mate of the Watch) and MAA, I stayed on the weather decks and bridge.

I'm sure Bilge had it worse being in the hole with the engine temps and humidity.

I used to get pissed if someone on the bridge barfed over the side and splattered on the small boats. Made them go clean it up,
even the Junior Officers.

The air supply blowers gave a good account for themselves, Heat wasn't too bad unless the Cap'n wanted to go at "ludicris speed".

And if the birds (gas turbine engines) were lit off, well it stayed even better

Of course, latitude made a difference. Ocean Station Bravo was a living bitch in the winter, while a Haitian Migration Interdiction in the dead of summer made things a living hell too.

As for sea state, working below near the keel-son made for less roll, but hearing the mains scream when the stern lifted out of the drink would put the fear of God into anyone.

As for the JO's puking, I heard that the Ensigns on the Bittersweet had a contest one day. It was called "who can cover the running light on their side of the bridge first!

[Gunny]

The air supply blowers gave a good account for themselves, Heat wasn't too bad unless the Cap'n wanted to go at "ludicris speed".

And if the birds (gas turbine engines) were lit off, well it stayed even better

Of course, latitude made a difference. Ocean Station Bravo was a living bitch in the winter, while a Haitian Migration Interdiction in the dead of summer made things a living hell too.

As for sea state, working below near the keel-son made for less roll, but hearing the mains scream when the stern lifted out of the drink would put the fear of God into anyone.

As for the JO's puking, I heard that the Ensigns on the Bittersweet had a contest one day. It was called "who can cover the running light on their side of the bridge first!

I always "loved" it when we would be on our way home and drop a boiler. You just went from 30 knots to 10, and no AC. And there's no Autozone around the corner for replacement parts. I lived on the fantail of the Peleilu with the MMs. I couldn't stand being around the Marine SNCOs/Chiefs. Arrogant bastards always trying to devise new ways to screw over the troops.

Christmas Eve this one Gunny was tearing up berthing. I get a call. "He's making us field day on Christmas Eve". Wanna see how fast a Gunny can slide rails 3 decks down and across the ship? F*ck with my Marines. I told my little jarheads "Get your shit. We're going topside for PME". The other Gunny tried to start in on me and I reamed him a new one. In front of the troops. Improper protocol my ass. You started this shit. I'm finishing it. I told him exactly what I thought about his leadership ability. I was going to kick his a$$ and the SgtMaj got between us.

So me and my little contingent went and hung out on the fantail with the MMs. Next day COl H -- with a total smirk on his face (he could be my twin) "admonished" me. I was like what the f-ever.

BTW ... Abs loves these sea stories. I don't know why. Was life to me. But if it makes her happy ... at least I know for the moment I ain't in trouble.

[Balu]

The air supply blowers gave a good account for themselves, Heat wasn't too bad unless the Cap'n wanted to go at "ludicris speed".

And if the birds (gas turbine engines) were lit off, well it stayed even better

Of course, latitude made a difference. Ocean Station Bravo was a living bitch in the winter, while a Haitian Migration Interdiction in the dead of summer made things a living hell too.

As for sea state, working below near the keel-son made for less roll, but hearing the mains scream when the stern lifted out of the drink would put the fear of God into anyone.

As for the JO's puking, I heard that the Ensigns on the Bittersweet had a contest one day. It was called "who can cover the running light on their side of the bridge first!

A small illustration... May be interesting for those who are far from the subject. For the rest it is a nightmare. But men are still in service.



P.S.
A question to 'women rights supporters' - Does anybody of you wish your beloved to find herself in their shoes?

[Gunny]

A small illustration... May be interesting for those who are far from the subject. For the rest it is a nightmare. But men are still in service.



P.S.
A question to 'women rights supporters' - Does anybody of you wish your beloved to find herself in their shoes?

Do you just have to turn everything weird? My ex wife is a Marine. I'd put her on your pansy chair polishing ass any damned day. All 5'2" 125 pounds. She'd beat your ass.

[Bilgerat]

[Elessar]

I never did an Ocean Station. 210 was too small for that!
My friend Glenn did on the Duane. He said it was boring and miserable.

https://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutt...anstations.asp

[Bilgerat]

I never did an Ocean Station. 210 was too small for that!
My friend Glenn did on the Duane. He said it was boring and miserable.

https://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutt...anstations.asp

We had ONE "Bravo" that was so calm & peaceful that the Main Propulsion Asst and the E.O. gave permission to preform maintenance on the generators.

Which allowed Main Prop to have extra libo upon return to Boston

[Elessar]

We had ONE "Bravo" that was so calm & peaceful that the Main Propulsion Asst and the E.O. gave permission to preform maintenance on the generators.

Which allowed Main Prop to have extra libo upon return to Boston

Those Ocean Stations were before the days of GPS and Satellite Coverage. Loran 'A'
was the thing then. Loran "C" was still Top Secret....Trying to remember the other one used....
Ahhh...Sat Hi Com! "1, 2, 3, 3, 2,1...calling cutter or Nato Vessel xxxxxx".

[Gunny]

I never did an Ocean Station. 210 was too small for that!
My friend Glenn did on the Duane. He said it was boring and miserable.

https://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutt...anstations.asp

That sounds a lot like being out at sea.

[Elessar]

That sounds a lot like being out at sea.

Bilge has to confirm this, but I think it was 60-90 days.

Sounds like being on one of the old lightships!

[Bilgerat]

Bilge has to confirm this, but I think it was 60-90 days.

Sounds like being on one of the old lightships!

Depending on the class of the WHEC, you had between 30 to 50 days on station. Basically, you stayed out long enough to strain your fuel capacity, then hauled for St John's. Provided your relief was able to get underway.

We got stuck on an extended patrol once, the relief wasn't able to make it out. So we made a quick to St. John's to refuel and re-provision with a few days for I & I

Then back out to rocking & rolling

Here's a link to see

http://www.jacksjoint.com/ocean_stations-forum.htm

[Elessar]

Depending on the class of the WHEC, you had between 30 to 50 days on station. Basically, you stayed out long enough to strain your fuel capacity, then hauled for St John's. Provided your relief was able to get underway.

We got stuck on an extended patrol once, the relief wasn't able to make it out. So we made a quick to St. John's to refuel and re-provision with a few days for I & I

Then back out to rocking & rolling

Here's a link to see

http://www.jacksjoint.com/ocean_stations-forum.htm

Thanks for that link! I forgot about Jack's Joint. Very informative,
and amusing the way this link is written.