USCG Training Visit

USCG Training Visit

By: Juliana Sarich

November 29, 2022

On November 10th of 2022, the US Coast Guard visited the Intrepid located at Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036. The USCG is a branch of the military that is responsible for the safety of our coastlines and maritime duties. Our class traveled down the Hudson River to arrive at the Intrepid, as we entered we were able to hear the helicopter’s propellers turbulence hit against the water making a sound that caused our ears to vibrate. We approached the edge of the railings and leaned against them watching as the Coast Guard prepared to drop their scuba receiver into the water. He was in his orange suit hanging outside the helicopter as his fellow workers lowered the helicopter down so they were as close to the water as possible for him to drop down. You could feel the suspense of the crowd as his legs were moving out of the helicopter waiting to drop in. Then just at the right time he drops, for a couple of seconds, you could not see him then you watch as his head bobbles out of the water. Minutes later the helicopter crew sends out a line for the diver to clip onto his belt as they slowly rise him out of the water. I then went onto one of the USCG boats to get a better view of the second drop. This drop was different, first went in this small pale figure. It was a practice rescue. They drop in a dummy to recover with a limited amount of time just like we do with Oscar(our dummy). Within seconds there is a second drop and it is the same diver. He swims to the dummy, holds his head out of the water, and then swims to the basket that was slowly being let down for retrieval. The pedestrian comes first and is placed into the basket and once secured the dummy is brought up slowly into the helicopter. The line then goes out again and is connected to the diver to bring him out of the water. Once everyone is safely back in the helicopter they wave goodbye and fly away. This was definitely a show. We had a little bit more time before we had to leave so I and my group went over to the communications table. The officers that were there were in control of the telephones and radio situations. They go around to all the different stations and spend time on the boats for extended periods of time fixing any malfunctions or broken equipment. They also help the other officers to talk with family and provide computers that have unlimited WI-FI, so these officers can even communicate with family in no-signal areas. Overall it was an incredible learning experience.