A Great Day to be Commandant! -- Part Two -- Updated with Photos
Following today's award ceremony for the Good Samaritan mariners, I joined Secretary Napolitano on a waterside tour of the Port of New York/New Jersey on board one of our remarkable Response Boat-Mediums. The Secretary had a great opportunity to speak directly to the boat Coxswain and Crew Members who are our first line of defense in the maritime domain. As always, they superbly represented their fellow Guardians and continue to impress our new Service Secretary.
Once at Sector New York, we recognized the Sector and other units who coordinated the rescue and salvage operations for Flt 1549. From beginning to the end, this multi-unit response flawlessly ensured the safety and environmental health of the waterway, while actively supporting the critical efforts of the NTSB investigators. For their efforts, they were recognized with a Unit Commendation (/UnitComm.pdf). It was also my privilege to recognize one of our true Guardians with a Meritorious Service Medal (/MSMCitation.pdf). BM2 Ben Foster was a boat crewman on a 33' SPC that immediately diverted from a security patrol to assist in the rescue efforts. Upon arrival, he saw an elderly woman fall into the near freezing water. He immediately entered the water and was able to rescue her and get her onboard one of the several responding vessels, he then continued to assist with the removal of survivors from the sinking aircraft. It was not until the rescue efforts were completed that he realized he was injured.
One interesting side story discovered in this case is that of MK3 Brittany Catanzaro (USCGR). At just 20 years old, Petty Officer Catanzaro has already attained her 100-ton license and is a New York Ferry Captain. She was serving in this capacity on the afternoon of the FLT 1549 crash and was one of the first vessels on scene, ultimately rescuing 26 people. Today she was recognized in her civilian capacity with a Meritorious Public Service Award. PO Catanzaro drills at Station Barnegat Light. It was great to be able to recognize PO Catanzaro on this day, the 68th Anniversary of our critical Coast Guard Reserve.
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Once at Sector New York, we recognized the Sector and other units who coordinated the rescue and salvage operations for Flt 1549. From beginning to the end, this multi-unit response flawlessly ensured the safety and environmental health of the waterway, while actively supporting the critical efforts of the NTSB investigators. For their efforts, they were recognized with a Unit Commendation (/UnitComm.pdf). It was also my privilege to recognize one of our true Guardians with a Meritorious Service Medal (/MSMCitation.pdf). BM2 Ben Foster was a boat crewman on a 33' SPC that immediately diverted from a security patrol to assist in the rescue efforts. Upon arrival, he saw an elderly woman fall into the near freezing water. He immediately entered the water and was able to rescue her and get her onboard one of the several responding vessels, he then continued to assist with the removal of survivors from the sinking aircraft. It was not until the rescue efforts were completed that he realized he was injured.
One interesting side story discovered in this case is that of MK3 Brittany Catanzaro (USCGR). At just 20 years old, Petty Officer Catanzaro has already attained her 100-ton license and is a New York Ferry Captain. She was serving in this capacity on the afternoon of the FLT 1549 crash and was one of the first vessels on scene, ultimately rescuing 26 people. Today she was recognized in her civilian capacity with a Meritorious Public Service Award. PO Catanzaro drills at Station Barnegat Light. It was great to be able to recognize PO Catanzaro on this day, the 68th Anniversary of our critical Coast Guard Reserve.
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Posted at
9:25 AM
2 Comments:
Tremendous stories about our Coast Guard women and men, reserve and active, exemplifying the Guardian ethos. Makes me proud to be part of this great porganzation. It also underscores the immense importance of Modernization! These Guardians and all those who stand the watch deserve an organzation that is ready to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and help them succeed when duty calls!
While not directly and actively involved in the Rescue, the members of the Small Boat Course for Local Law Enforcement an Auxiliary; a program run out of the Director of Auxiliary First Coast Guard District, Southern Region; was directly responsible for the training of the Police Officers who responded from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Marine Unit(s).
This program is entering its sixth year with well over 100 Police Officers trained (most having zero boating experience prior to the two-week training program).
For more info:
http://diraux.cgaux1sr.org/small-boat/
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