Patrol action on Wednesday often
means joint training with Station Fort Meyers Beach and other nearby flotillas.
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| RB-S33 preparing for stern tow. |
The
rendezvous on January 25 was Doctor’s Pass at 1300 hours, with our guys aboard
the facility Angel, Phill Smith’s 30-foot trawler.
The Coasties did not want to tow Angel
but sent a couple of their crewmen aboard to observe and assist when Angel
towed them. Their initial skepticism
melted away after our facility executed three stern tows without assistance.
 |
| John Gaston and Ned Herrmann ready heaving line as BM Alvin observes. |
After the two Coast Guard crewmen
were returned to the RB-S33, another boarded Angel to offer guidance and
practice in carrying out search patterns.
Finally, both facilities returned to their home ports with the useful
experience of working together.
That same night, our flotilla heard Ned Herrmann’s report on
the joint exercise at one of the first of the scheduled monthly meetings for
operations personnel this year. Judging
from the interest stirred up by his report, we will not lack for volunteers for
Wednesday patrols. Photos by Michael Dobrovic
