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| Press Release Number: EPX200303191 | 19-Mar-03 |
Webster Field Coast Guard unit keeps local waterways safe |
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| By JOSH PHILLIPS NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Department PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD- Boating enthusiasts have long known Southern Maryland's waters as some of the finest in the nation. The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are home to commercial and sport-fishing industries, as well as the annual Governor's Cup Yacht Race, which finishes in St. Mary's City. And ensuring the safety of those who spend their time on these local waters are the members of the Coast Guard Station at Webster Field. Located on the site of the old Piney Point Life Saving Station on St. Inigoes Creek, the station was built and dedicated in 1977. Despite its relatively small size - 24 Coast Guardsmen - the station is responsible for the waters from Solomons Island to the Harry D. Nice Bridge (Route 301 Bridge) over the Potomac. "Our primary missions here are search-and-rescue and law enforcement," said BM1 Austin Olmstead. "We also do some environmental protection duties such as oil spills and cleanups." Simply put, the Webster Field detachment acts as a jack-of-all-trades for these waters. While most of their work comes by way of stranded boaters and SAR cases, the Coast Guard also handles law enforcement situations such as life jacket violations, speeding in no-wake zones and boating while intoxicated. "We are federal law enforcement officers, so we'll enforce the federal standards," said Olmstead. "In cases where fishery officials are concerned, we would just alert the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police to the situation. We don't have jurisdiction in those matters and we can only detain the suspects until the proper authorities arrive." The Coast Guardsmen use a 41-foot boat and 23-foot boat. Although both craft are designed for the same routines, each one handles better in certain scenarios and weather conditions. For example, if the detachment was called out when there were high seas and strong winds, it would take the more stable 41-foot utility boat. However, if the water is calm and smooth, they opt for the faster 23-footer. Fast and reliable boats are necessary, as the detachment responds to over 150 SAR cases a year. "Our cases range anywhere from a lost boater all the way to a drowning victim," said Olmstead. "Mostly we get people who are lost out on the water and just want to know where they are and where they need to go. We'll also get a lot of overdue-boat cases. In those instances, someone will call in and say that the boater was supposed to be home at a specific time and they don't return." The detachment's largest rescue came in December 1993 when a charter fishing boat, the El Toro II, sank in 37 feet of water off the dangerous waters near Point Lookout. After receiving the call around 2 p.m. two Navy helicopters and the Coast Guard pulled all 23 passengers out of the frigid water. All but two of those boaters survived. Aside from the rare occurrences of sinking vessels, the majority of boating-related deaths occurs when the victim is without a life vest. "Most of the fatalities around here come from boaters that don't wear their life jacket," said Olmstead. "Many people carry them on board, but they never put them on." One advantage for the St. Inigoes Creek Coast Guard Station is its proximity to the SAR team here. Because the next nearest Coast Guard helicopter is in Atlantic City, N.J., they can rely on having Pax River's SAR close by in cases when airlifts are necessary. "It helps us out a lot by having them just up the street. It's quite a flight for any of the other Coast Guard helicopters if we need to call on them," said Olmstead. "It's nice to have a Department of Defense outfit right there." -USN- |
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