Greetings From...

USCGC Manatee

Photographs and story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mario Romero

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Coast Guard Cutter Manatee rests in port here after a security patrol in the waters of south Texas. Only a year old, the 87-foot ship and its crew protect the American coast alongside its sister ships, such as the Brandt which also moors here.

The Coast Guard Cutter Manatee is one of the Coast Guard's 87-foot patrol boats home-ported along the north end of Corpus Christi on the Industrial Canal. It was built in the Bollinger Ship Yards in Lockport, Louisiana, and celebrated the end of its first year in service in August, 2006. The cutter's main missions are search and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security within the south Texas region. A 10 person crew mans the Manatee, lead by Officer in Charge Senior Chief John N. Brady.

The Manatee shares its dock facilities with the Cutter Brandt and the Aids to Navigation Team Corpus Chriti, each having a small office where incoming faxes and phone calls can be recieved. Also in the docking area is a large mechanical shop and extra parts storage for the ships.

Though the Manatee is only a year in service, its crew has already helped to spread its name. Most recently, the Manatee assisted a fishing boat that had ruptured its fuel tank. The Manatee arrived on scene after the fishing boat had secured the fuel leak, and then towed the 59 foot fishing boat more than 20 miles to a safe harbor where it could be safely drained of the fuel and repaired.

Corpus Christi rests right alongside the water. The proximity helps to keep the area temperature at a moderate change. The hottest months are June through August, soemtimes lasting into September, where the temperature can average over 90 degrees. December through February are the coldest months, averaging as low as 66 degrees.

According to data from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, among 631 homes sold in June, 2006, the average price was $159,200, and the median price was $136,700. Answers.com reports that in 2005 a one bedroom apartment in Corpus Christi rented at an average of $599, and a two bedroom apartment averaged $769.

Corpus Christi is home to Del Mar College and Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. The city is located about 130 miles from San Antonio and 200 miles from Austin. Houston is approximately a 3.5 hour drive and Mexico is about 160 miles away. Corpus Christi International Airport provides air transportation from the major airlines.

The Port of Corpus Christi is the fourth largest port in the U.S., and the seventh largest city in Texas. According to the 2006 NOAA Coast Pilot 5, Corpus Christi is the most important commercial city on the coast south west of Galveston. Principle industries include petroleum products, petrochemical and industrial chemicals, natural gas, oil field equipment, and the shi-pment of general cargo.