An inside look at the USCG

Being able to operate and work with the coast guard is one of the special things about harbor school. Through the school, I have been able to work alongside and get an inside look into what it takes to be a coast guard seamen. My most recent experience with the coast guard was an outing on one of their 45-foot RB-M Utility boats, meeting the captain and his crew consisting of the chief engineer and his deckhand. After being warmly welcomed aboard we were told to “hold on to something” as we accelerated letting the 2 × MTU Detroit Diesel turbocharged Series 60 engines go to work. We were allowed to explore the ship asking questions to the crew to get a better understanding of what it took to upkeep a boat like this and what it took for them to get to where they are today, we got to form a personal connection with the crew by listening to stories of experiences that came from being a part of the Coast Guard. After exploring the boat itself we had the opportunity to control the ship, operating the engines and steering through the videogame joysticks throttling up, down, and turning side to side. Using the skills I had learned through Vessel Operations on navigating and directional terms onboard a ship. Then we performed some man overboard drills, recovering a buoy that had “fallen overboard” and resuscitated using CPR which we had just learned. Sadly that was the end of our time aboard, so we bid our goodbyes and returned to the mast center. Through this experience I was able to think about my future after college, whether or not that would be enlisting in the USCG and working to protect the New York Harbor or using the skills I have learned through the outings with the Coast Guard. Building these connections are crucial to our future as Vessel Ops students. Future students will be able to follow in our footsteps using skills like CPR, Knot tying, navigation and forming interpersonal skills and building bonds with people in the industry. This experience allows for future students to explore the potential of becoming coast guard personnel. A big thank you to the US Coast Guard, hope to join your crew again in the future. 

-Harry Harwood-Matthews