HILE IT IS TRUE that all of our
activities ultimately contribute
to the Auxiliary’s life saving mission, there is perhaps none other that captures our glory and heritage quite like direct assists within our Operations Program.
To be called upon when others are in dire need is the insistent and compelling force that drives our members within the Operations community. It compels us to fulfill our duties through heat, rain, wind, and cold; through fair and four weather. Often through long hours of inactivity, punctuated with dramatic moments of crisis. That spirit also mandates seemingly endless and repeated periods of training, qualification, and preparation. Yet, as we know, that spirit and those who share it, are the stuff of legend!
On 20 August of last year, while conducting Coxswain signoff activities in Raritan Bay, the crews of two Flotilla 14-04 operational facilities came to the aid of a distressed vessel with eleven persons on board.
There could be no better reporting source for what occurred that day than a crewmember in one of the responding facilities. Here, in the words of Sherry Kisver, District Directorate Chief – Logistics, is what took place on that 20th of August 2016:
I remember as I think back:
Mike Garone, Donna Formato, and I came upon a boat in the channel distressed, no forward and then lost reverse, 11 POB, in the Raritan Channel, just south of the Outerbridge Crossing.
We (Coxswain Mike Garone, vessel 201505), contacted Sector New York Coast Guard by radio. Standing by the disabled vessel for instructions, we used a landline to Last Dollar 353578, to assist with the tow of the vessel to safety. Last Dollar, owned and operated by Ray Soper, was on the scene within minutes.
Through the guidance of two expert QEs Mike Rebeck and Chief of Staff (now Commodore) Gus Formato, our outstanding Coxswain for the signoff patrol, Frank Ferraiuolo guided Last Dollar to take the vessel in a safe side tow.
The crew, Jack Lund, Greg Kisver, Steve Kisver, Victor Magliocca, Dan Mastroguilio, Sal Musmeci, and Ray Soper, expertly towed the disabled vessel out of harm’s way, brought it to the Tottenville Marina dock, and gently placed it there. I later found out that the vessel didn't have enough life jackets for the 11 on board the 25 foot boat and had borrowed some from the USCGAUX 'Kids Don't Float' display. A very proud day.
I reflect how the outcome could have been different.
I am honored to be a part of the team.
BZ.
RESCUE!
Submitted by
Ben Pride ADSO-PB
With Contribution From
Sherry Kisver FC 14-04
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