"Rescues at Sea" with Cmdr. Mathew Sissen, USCG    

Assisted by Petty Officer Day, Petty Officer West, and Seaman Rolf

www.uscg.mil

Commander Sisson is the Operations Officer of Air Station Houston located at Ellington AFB.  He is one of the most experienced helicopter pilots in the Coast Guard flying Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.  He received his Naval Aviator wings at Pensacola in 1987 and has been stationed in Oregon, New Orleans, and Hawaii.  He has been here in Houston for the last three years. His presentation was laced with stories of his many rescues at sea, many times in stormy conditions at the extreme end of the 150-mile range of his helicopter, a real-life "Perfect Storm".  He related that the Gulf of Mexico is where the real action is for the Coast Guard, with thousands of tankers, oil industry boats, and pleasure vessels, and over 35,000 fishing boats.   He stressed the need for all vessels to have and use their marine VHF radios as well as having a cellphone, which are notoriously unreliable offshore. 

Cmdr. Sisson explained how the Coast Guard initiates and manages Search and Rescue missions from the time they get an overdue boat report or notification of an electronic distress signal from an ELT or EPIRB.  He gave the example of a boat that had left Galveston for Port Aransas but was reported overdue.  The first action is generally a track search by a Falcon jet which overflies the projected route to look for the missing boat.  If they locate anything, they will generally send out a helicopter, like the Dolphin shown to the right.  Assuming they know something about the nature of the problem, they will send paramedics, pumps, or fire-suppression equipment.  The Houston Air Group stands a 30 minute alert 24 hours a day.

Should you have to have someone air-evac'ed from your boat, Cmdr. Sisson advised to get the sails stowed and to power slowly into the wind and waves to make it easier for him to maneuver.  He sits in the right seat and  will normally approach on the boat's port side so he can see the boat, though he is guided in by the flight mechanic who is hanging out of the door.  It is important to make some room on deck for the rescue basket, ensuring that there is no rigging in the way to snare the cable. 

He stressed that his first priority was to save lives and not endanger his own crew, but from the stories he told, it was clear that the "Coasties" especially the rescue divers and helicopter crews, routinely go "in harms way" to save the unfortunate or unprepared. 

Coast Guard Group Galveston

  Petty Officers Day and West, 

and Seaman Rolf  

Much of the efforts run out of Coast Guard Group Galveston involve near shore rescues (out to 50 miles) and boater safety.  Any rescue involving injuries offshore will normally be handled by the helicopter group.  They reminded us that the MAYDAY call is only if you are in imminent danger of sinking, on fire, or have serious injuries aboard.  Use PAN PAN PAN for lesser emergencies or advisories.

The Group has a number of different types of vessels that they use to carry out their mission, from the 21 foot Rigid Inflatable Hull boat shown here to the new 47 foot MLB (motor life boat).  Galveston has one of two of these tough vessels operating in the Gulf. 

The Coast Guard WILL provide towing services if you are disabled due to power or steering problems.  If you are down in Galveston, they will take you into the Galveston Yacht Basin, but they ain't gonna tow you all the way back here.   Their policy is to take you to the closest safest mooring so you can resolve the problem.  Also, they cannot pull you off if you are AGROUND!  You must hire a marine salvage company like SEA/TOW or TOWBOATS.  They will set up a 15 minute radio net with you to monitor your status if you request it.  

The last point we discussed was drinking aboard.  Here are the rules.  Drinking is permitted while at anchor, but you cannot get underway while intoxicated.  You cannot be drinking and be in command of the boat, i.e., steering, though the crew can be having a good ole time while you are being a responsible skipper. 

If your boarded by the Coastguard

• They have the right to board you at any time without any "due cause".  They will routinely make a marine safety inspection.  Expect the boarding crew to clearly identify themselves and act in a professional manner.  They will be armed.

• When they come alongside, they may direct you to stop, but if you are under sail, they may board while you are underway.  Help them pick the best spot to come aboard and alert them to any hazards, but do not try to help them aboard.  They are likely in better shape than you are and they are carrying guns, so they would prefer that you keep your distance.  They may ask you if you have any firearms aboard. Tell them what you're packing and where they are located.

• They will first check your ID and registration/documentation, then expect them to inspect your PFD's.  They will check to see that your PFD's are in good shape and you have the right number in the right sizes for the people on board. 

• They will then check your fire extinguishers to see that you have the right number and they are fully charged.  

• They will then check for pollution placards and may check your marine head for compliance with pollution standards (holding tanks, etc.)  If you don't have a holding tank, you need to have a way of locking the head. 

• If you pass the check, then they will give you the gold copy of the inspection form.  They call this a "gold card" and should you be boarded again within 12 months, just show it to the boarding officer and you can go on your way.

• If you are cited for a safety violation, you will receive a letter from Coast Guard New Orleans telling you what you must do to become compliant, and what your fine is.  You can explain your side of the issue, and Petty Officer West assured us that they will be reasonable. 

 set up a 15 minute radio net with you to monitor your status if you request it.  

The last point we discussed was drinking aboard.  Here are the rules.  Drinking is permitted while at anchor, but you cannot get underway while intoxicated.  You cannot be drinking and be in command of the boat, i.e., steering, though the crew can be having a good ole time while you are being a responsible skipper. 

• They have the right to board you at any time without any "due cause".  They will routinely make a marine safety inspection.  Expect the boarding crew to clearly identify themselves and act in a professional manner.  They will be armed.
• When they come alongside, they may direct you to stop, but if you are under sail, they may board while you are underway.  Help them pick the best spot to come aboard and alert them to any hazards, but do not try to help them aboard.  They are likely in better shape than you are and they are carrying guns, so they would prefer that you keep your distance.  They may ask you if you have any firearms aboard. Tell them what you're packing and where they are located.
• They will first check your ID and registration/documentation, then expect them to inspect your PFD's.  They will check to see that your PFD's are in good shape and you have the right number in the right sizes for the people on board. 
• They will then check your fire extinguishers to see that you have the right number and they are fully charged.  
• They will then check for pollution placards and may check your marine head for compliance with pollution standards (holding tanks, etc.)  If you don't have a holding tank, you need to have a way of locking the head. 
• If you pass the check, then they will give you the gold copy of the inspection form.  They call this a "gold card" and should you be boarded again within 12 months, just show it to the boarding officer and you can go on your way.
• If you are cited for a safety violation, you will receive a letter from Coast Guard New Orleans telling you what you must do to become compliant, and what your fine is.  You can explain your side of the issue, and Petty Officer West assured us that they will be reasonable.