Spring spells SAR training for Small Boat stations

Story and photos by PA1 Chuck Reinhart

Preparedness, preparedness and more preparedness. 

Those are the watchwords for Station Lorain and many other Coast Guard small boat stations across the Great Lakes this spring where even a minor miscue may spell the difference between life and death.

With a mild winter just history and boaters yearning for the docks within the next few months, Station Lorain boat crews are diligently preparing for their search and rescue missions (SAR) using the unit’s 23-foot and 41-foot utility boats.

“Our biggest emphasis is training.  With the boats out of the water between most of December through March, we have to get our boat crews refocused to search and rescue,” said Station Lorain Executive Petty Officer BM1 Ken Walberg.

Through early spring, the station’s personnel must transition from ice operations to open water SAR training with equipment that may need overhauling or repairs from the previous year.  This training includes an all-hands spring safety stand down covering such topics as law enforcement, helicopter operations, watch standing, firefighting and HAZMAT, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), SAR policies (including priorities and coordination with other agencies), equipment and facilities maintenance, servicing Aids to Navigation (AToN), boating safety programs and public outreach, and medical assistance and first aid.

“Our biggest challenge this time of the year is shaking out the crew – getting them refocused through safety and executing good SAR procedures,” added Walberg.  “Classroom training is fine, but practical experience is absolutely necessary.”

In addition to in-station training, Station Lorain values its relationship with the boating public and state and local agencies such as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the City of Lorain safety forces.

“This spring we’re planning a boating safety open house for the public and holding Courtesy Marine Safety Examinations (CMEs).”

 Recently, Walberg has received ice cream sundae coupons from a local fast-food chain.  His station’s boat crews intend on doing informational boardings and issue a coupon to each child wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).

That’s the bottom line of preparedness in the world of SAR – prevention through education and training.

“We need to get the message out to the public that we wish to make their boating experience as safe and pleasant as possible,” said Walberg.

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