UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY UNOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
23 SEP 07
DISTRESS FLARES SPARK LAUNCH 5 HUDSON RIVER SEARCH
OSSINING, N.Y.
On Sunday evening, September 23, 2007, Jim Fleming was relaxing on
his boat with sons Matt and Brian, a recent graduate of SUNY
Maritime College, just enjoying the view from their boat in it's
slip at Ossining's Shattemuc Yacht Club, when at 8:41pm, they saw an
emergency flare light up the night sky. Two minutes later a second
flare was seen. They could see the red sidelight denoting a small
vessel heading southbound on the
Hudson River off Rockland Light at Lat N 41 09' 86" Long W 73
54' 46".
Mr. Fleming immediately called in the distress signal sighting to Petty Officer Alayola at Coast Guard Sector N.Y. Jim then called Greg Porteus, Coxswain of Launch 5, a 52ft, steel hulled, former NYPD Harbor Unit patrol boat, now Coast Guard Auxiliary Operational Facility 523356.
By 8:55pm Launch 5 had checked in with Sector NY, having discussed weather conditions, crew experience, fatigue level, and evaluated risk vs. gain using the U.S. Coast Guard GAR model, went underway to investigate the situation with Greg, Jim, Brian, and Matt, along with Bob Daraio, a Boat Crew certified member of USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 67.
Arriving at Rockland Light, the Launch 5 Crew executed an expanding square search pattern, then a shoreline search, hoping to find and render assistance to the boat in distress. Members of the Ossining Fire Department launched their boat to assist in the search efforts as well.
Periodically, the Coast Guard could be heard on the VHF radio, calling for boaters to be on the lookout for a boat in distress on the Hudson River north of Scarborough Light.
During the search they spoke to a southbound Tug and an anchored yacht, neither Captain had seen the flares nor the vessel that fired them. At 11:05pm, having searched from Croton Point to the Tappan Zee Bridge on both sides of the river without result, Launch 5 headed back to Shattemuc and signed off with PO Alayola at Sector NY at 11:30pm.
USCG Auxiliary Vessel Safety Checks, RBSPV visits, Public Education classes, Safety Patrols, and Public Affairs articles, booths, etc, serve to remind the public to contact the Coast Guard when an emergency situation occurs, as happened in this case.
Although this turned out
to be a false alarm, the fast response and comprehensive search was
a good test of the preparedness and professionalism of this crew.
Having the boat properly equipped, personal protective equipment
readily available, and being well versed in assessing mission risk
made the quick response possible.
Besides, spending an evening underway on the moon lit Hudson River with a clear sky displaying the stars as a feast for the eyes is never a wasted trip.
Enjoy recreational boating, but keep your radios and PFDs on and your eyes peeled, you never know when you will be needed to step up and reaffirm our motto: Semper Paratus.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed volunteers who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for direct military and law enforcement. These men and women can be found performing a variety of missions - on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms, and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection patrols, Free Vessel Safety Checks, and boating safety public education.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary also urges citizens to demonstrate their patriotism in the following ways:
* Those who live, work or play around our nation's waterways are urged to participate in America's Waterway Watch (AWW) program. AWW is essentially a "neighborhood watch program on the water," and has a toll free number (1-877-24-WATCH) to report suspicious activities. For more information on America's Waterway Watch program, visit
www.americaswaterwaywatch.org
.
For those wanting to volunteer their services to their country, take a look at the opportunities offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Members can take advantage of numerous training opportunities, and can participate in virtually all missions authorized for the Coast Guard, expect direct law enforcement and military actions. For more information on joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary, visit www.join.cgaux.org or call 1-877-875-6296.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the Auxiliary in 1941. Over 27,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions. Membership is open to US Citizens 17 years of age or older who must also pass a Personal Security Investigation.
Lastly, the Coast Guard Auxiliary urges all Americas to be
SEMPER PARATUS - always ready
for all threats, all hazards (natural or man-made).
www.ratlines.com Revised: 12/29/07
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