Coast Guard Cutter Storis returns home from crew training
USCG District 17 Public Affairs
Release Date: 5/08/2003
KODIAK, Alaska - The Coast Guard Cutter Storis and crew returned home Thursday afternoon after being gone for about two months for extensive crew training. The Coast Guard's "Queen of the Fleet" left Kodiak with an eager-to-learn, inexperienced crew and returns with seasoned sailors ready to serve.
The crew departed Kodiak March 20 and conducted a homeland security patrol en route Ketchikan. After a brief stop there, the cutter and crew continued the security patrol as they steamed toward Seattle. As the cutter passed through the Canadian Inside Passage, the Storis crew met up with the Canadian coast guard vessel Gordon Reid. The two vessels swapped crews for a couple of hours of professional exchange, including small boat towing operations followed by an at-sea barbeque. The Canadians brought the oysters and the Storis crew provided the grill, while anchored in Teakerene Arm, located in a scenic national marine park in British Columbia.
For the two weeks the cutter ported in Seattle, the crew took advantage of the numerous training opportunities there. Several crewmembers attended basic and advanced firefighting and flooding training at Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash. "Anyone on board could be called upon to fight a fire or assist in stopping flooding," said Lt. j.g. Liam C. Nesson. "So it is important that everyone know how to handle many kinds of emergencies. We all have to be ready to handle any situation."
Other crewmembers had the chance to attend Navy flag and signaling training and on board damage control training. A few also spent time at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research center, outside of Seattle, for fisheries training.
"Part of being a sailor is having the opportunity to see different parts of the country and the world," said Cmdr. Mike Cerne, the commanding officer of the 60-year-old cutter. "We'd been affecting repairs in Kodiak for so long before this trip, I thought it would be nice for the crew to visit Victoria, one of the best port calls in the Pacific." The crew then had a couple of days of well-deserved rest, when the "Queen" pulled into Victoria, British Columbia. "After spending two weeks in Seattle, it was nice to visit Victoria on the weekend and see the sights." Nesson said. "We enjoyed a weekend of good weather and were refreshed by the friendly people in Canada."
Then underway again to Everett, Wash., for even more ship's training. U.S. Navy shipriders joined the Storis crew for three weeks to give intensive training to the senior members of the crew on how to train junior members. Drill after drill was conducted to prepare the crew for at-sea emergencies such as their ship catching fire or flooding, to rescuing other persons from a sinking vessel and recovering a man overboard. "I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the crew and their enthusiasm for this training," said Lt. j.g. Burton B. Walkup. "I'm confident in our abilities to save ourselves and others while at sea."
The Pacific Afloat Training Group gave the Storis crew exceptional marks and rated them more than ready to handle their missions.
"We came, we saw, and we rocked!" said Petty Officer Carl S. Kingdon. "I am proud of my shipmates and feel more than ready to tackle Storis's job in the future."
The Storis crew returned home to a warm welcome from the community, our fellow Kodiak Coasties, and most importantly our very supportive and long-missed families, Cerne said. "I'm fully confident that we are now prepared to serve the Kodiak community and Alaska's fishing fleets with the highest degree of professionalism they have come to expect and deserve from the Coast Guard, whether it be Search & Rescue, fisheries law enforcement, or homeland security missions."
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