COASTIES

It's not everyday that the coast guard comes to visit students at school, but we had the opportunity to not only meet and spend time with members of the coast guard. Rank E5 BM Tyshell Jackson, BM Chris and Rank E5 Dillon gave us the rare opportunity to see what goes on in the coast guard.  They came on a 45 foot patrol boat and ran us through some of the work that they are able to do in the coast guard. I got to handle an 825 horsepower turbocharged twin engine that could come up close to 50 miles an hour. The engine was different from the boats that we handle in it being a water jet system, but with guidance from the crew we were able to handle the boat with ease cruising around New York Harbor. I got to learn some very valuable lessons about driving not only the patrol boat but lessons I can carry to any boat. When speaking to the crewmates I got to hear of all the great opportunities and careers that the Coast Guard has to offer, along with all the stories that come with being in service. I even got to run through man overboard drills, something that has become almost routine in the classroom. We run these drills all the time on our own vessels so when it came to running the drill on the patrol boat it was very familiar. I was able to do it in under 2 and half minutes, timing that is considered passing in a coast guard examination. All in all I left school that day with an experience that no other student in New York could relate to. It was really memorable being able to drive the boat and run drills with professionals.

-Elijah Marte