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Operations
Please click on a picture to view the full image. Independence Day Patrol Photos courtesy of Vlad Tovbin
Helping a Boater in Distress Photo courtesy of Bayshots.com  Two Auxiliary Vessels Assist a Distressed Personal Watercraft (PWC) On Patrol Photos courtesy of Barbara Martin and Vlad Tovbin 
On Patrol... in New York Photos courtesy of Vlad Tovbin 
Our own Vlad Tovbin had a chance to visit and crew on this Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel in New York in April 2006
On Patrol in San Diego Bay Photos courtesy of Barbara Martin Bill Andersen, Carl Emerich, and Rudy Lopez (left to right) out on patrol in San Diego Bay.
Land Patrols During Festival of Sail Photos courtesy Barbara Martin and Gail Matthews
Back to the Anchorage Story and Photos courtesy of Bill Andersen On a routine Safety Patrol on Monday, January 24th, the crew of OPFAC Family Boat came upon a distressed 29' Ericson sail boat. While under power, the engine quit and wouldn't restart. The owner was drifting into the Navy SEAL Base and there was little breeze to sail with. He asked for a tow back into the anchorage. Coxswain Bill Andersen notified the Operations Center while crew members Bill Dabbs and Carl Emerich briefed the boater and noted information that would be needed to complete a report. Dabbs then instructed the boater to clear his cleats, passed the bridle to him and made sure he placed it under the bow rail and over the cleats. Emerich monitored the tow line, paying out only enough for the boater to handle, keeping the line clear of the water. Once in tow, Andersen first manuevered to turn the sail boat back to the harbor, then instructed the crew to pay out more line, make it fast, and then stay clear of the line as they towed the boat. The crew agreed on the best/safest place in the anchorage to place the distressed vessel, and kept the boater advised. As they approached the anchorage, they first slowed down, then had the boater prepare to anchor. At the designated spot, the boater dropped anchor and then released the tow bridle. 
Family Boat stood by until they were satisfied the anchor was holding, then resumed their Patrol. As usual, they then debriefed, discussing what worked best and things that could have been done better. They agreed that this was one of the smoothest towing evolutions they'd ever done, working together as a team, each watching the other, ready to assist if needed but not getting in the way. Oh, yeah... the boater was also pleased and thankful we were there and able to help. Home | Education | VSCs | Boating | Scuttlebutt News | About | Opportunities | Join Updates | Officers | Activities | Service | Operations | Training | eAuxiliary  U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 11S-1-4 San Diego, California |
