Coast Guard Journal
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Arctic Journal Series - CGC Hamilton Part 5
9/4/2008 8:08:00 AM
AUGUST 29, 2008
Position: Beaufort Ocean, 71-22.8N, 156-45.5W; 3 NM North of Point Barrow
Weather: Winds: NE 10kts. Temp: 40 F. Sea Temp: 40 F. Seas/Swells: 1 foot.
Crew Journal:
Written by: DC2 John Eister, R&A Team OSL
Today we did a SAREX in the Artic Ocean with USCGC SPAR. All of the following was simulated for the SAREX; The SPAR was acting as the Cruise Ship, Spirit of the Spar. The cruise ship struck an iceberg which injured two people, sent one overboard, and started to flood out a compartment. Hamilton launched the Helo to Medivac injured people off the SPAR, one small boat to retrieve the person that fell over board, and the second small boat to send over the Rescue and Assist Team (R&A Team) to dewater a compartment that was flooding. I am the On Scene Leader (OSL) of the R&A Team. When we set the R&A Billets I gathered up my team which consisted of MK3 Ward, MK3 Dale, MK3 Ybanez, and DC3 Walden. We quickly dressed out in our cold weather gear and collected our equipment to fight flooding. I went to the bridge to get briefed on the situation. After the brief, the R&A Team and I went to the Starboard main deck to board the small boat (HAM I) and proceed to the SPAR. Once we got on scene, I was the first one to embark onto the SPAR, so I could assess the situation. While I was talking to the crew of the Spar to get a better handle on what was going on, my team was also boarding the vessel to bring our gear onboard. After my short brief with the crew of the SPAR we decided to use their pumps to dewater the space because it was an internal compartment with no way to get the exhaust gases from our pump outside. We used a P-100, rigged with extensions for the exhaust, and a peri-jet eductor to dewater the space. Once the water was low enough in the space, my team entered the space and plugged the hole that made from the collision with the iceberg. Once the hole was plugged and the space was de-watered, we secured form the drill. The crew of the SPAR was all dressed out in civilian clothes which added to the realness of the situation. They were really pleased with how well we responded to the circumstances. They also gave us a quick tour of their ship and then we boarded HAM I and rode back to the Hamilton. Overall, it was a really neat experience and great training. Hopefully now that the Coast Guard is going to be patrolling the Artic Ocean that we won’t need to respond to a real case like this, but if we do, I know that the R&A Team and the rest of the Hamilton crew will be able to respond quickly and save the lives on the other ship and the ship itself.
AUGUST 28, 2008
Position: Beaufort Ocean, 71-33.8N, 156-54.1W; 20 NM North of Point Barrow
Weather: Winds: NW 6kts. Temp: 45 F. Sea Temp: 40 F. Seas/Swells: 2 feet.
Crew Journal:
Written by: Captain Victor Gronmyr
Canadian Coast Guard
Pacific Region
On the 27th of August the Hamilton slowly worked its way around a 3/10 to 5/10 finger of ice roughly 10nm offshore from Wainwright in the fog. Just before lunch, the visibility improved and the ice was unveiled for the first time for the Captain and Crew of the Hamilton. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of being with 175 people experiencing ice for the first time.
Thursday, 28th of August, 2008. I spent time with some of the bridge watches comparing notes on radar use for detecting ice in reduced visibility. I was impressed with the vigilance and competence that the watchkeepers displayed in keeping a safe watch.
Rear Admiral Gene Brooks, MCPO Vanderwerf and Joel Casto departed the ship today. I enjoyed having the opportunity to swap sea stories and exchange ideas about the differences as well as the common interests that both the American and the Canadian Coast Guards share. The Admiral seemed to have the better sea stories, though as it seems to be his nature, always said mine were better. I was very impressed with the admiral and his staff. I truly believe that District 17 is in good hands.
At quarters prior to his departure, the Admiral spoke of his time aboard and to the officers and crew about maintaining the ship in a state of readiness to answer the call of duty. How even though the ship may be de-commissioned some day in the future, the ship had to be ready and that all could count on him to back them up to ensure that the ship would get everything it needed in order to be ready to answer the call.
I continue to enjoy my tour aboard the Hamilton as a Supernumerary. Interacting with the Officers and Crew who are genuinely interested with everything to do with the arctic is both refreshing and inspiring.