Fleet
Week - 2003
USCG & USCG Auxiliary helps make a safe and successful event
another
in the series of articles on Homeland Security and the Maritime Nation
By Wayne
Spivak
National Press Corps
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
Out of
the fog a gray image begins to emerge and take form, first the bow, then the
forecastle and slowly the bridge and foremast. Along the rail standing shoulder
to shoulder are men and women in dress whites. The US Ensign or ensigns of
foreign nations flap in the wind as these vessels sail under 
the
majestic Verazzano Narrows Suspension Bridge, which connects Brooklyn with
Staten Island.
Each time one of the eighteen naval ships from four different countries and five different naval services passes through the fog bank and comes into view, the crowd strains to see which country the vessel belongs too.
The men
o'war slowly steam up the Narrows, heading towards their berthing. Some of
the warships will berth in Staten Island, while others continue up the Hudson
River toward their berths near 88th street.
All the while, small smart boats zip up and down the Narrows, the Hudson and the East River. Some of these are small inflatable-type boats in international orange; others show the orange and blue racing stripe which signifies their affiliation, while still other boats are recreational boats, also flying a similar distinctive orange and blue burgee.
These
boats belong to the United States Coast Guard and the United States Coast
Guard Auxiliary. They are here to provide, as they have done the last fifteen
times this event has been held, security and safety patrols. They, the Coast
Guard and Auxiliary are there to keep the other vessels away from these men
of war.
This year's Fleet Week in New York is different than the prior events. The weather has not co-operated, it being unseasonably cold and quite wet, with heavy rains throughout the week. In addition, the nation is under an "Orange - High" alert, due to an increased level of apprehension, and likelihood of a terrorist action against US interests.
Alan Yuen, a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was part of the "large presence" during Fleet Week. "Security was high, but thankfully the fog and rain kept most boaters at home" said Yuen.
So the
normal security that surrounds the naval ships has been increased. This year,
according to Capt. Michael Moriarty, executive officer of the Coast Guard's
New York-based operations, "We are putting a large presence in the water,
and questioning a lot of vessels. We want to know who they are and where they
came from."
Part of the presence was Yuen and his fellow Auxiliarists, who were patrolling on board the Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Lady B, a former 82 foot Point Class Coast Guard Cutter. Yuen was tasked by Coast Guard Activities New York (ACTNY), the controlling Coast Guard unit in New York City, as the Sector Commander for the area south of the Verrazano Bridge.
With 6 Auxiliary boats, ranging from 22 feet to 34 feet, assigned to his sector, Yuen coordinated their activities while in constant contact with the Coast Guard Patrol Commander as well as other interagency assets tasked to protect the naval ships in the Parade of Ships.
"We'll
patrol in most weather conditions; however most of the Auxiliary boats are
16 to 40 feet and are unable to perform search and rescue and other missions
when the wind speed exceeds 25 to 30 knots and wave heights exceed 6 to 8
feet. Our small boats for the most part, are not designed for those types
of sea conditions" said Yuen. Yuen, who has been a member of the Coast
Guard Auxiliary for 13 years, has participated in Fleet Week 12 times.
Yuen commenting on the prior Fleet Weeks he and his fellow Auxiliarists were involved with said; "Compared to previous years, the weather was greatest factor this year. In prior years, both the active duty forces and Auxiliary units were busy keeping recreational boats out of the way of the naval ships. It was long and exhausting work, with so many extra vessels in the harbor, as well as the Narrows and the Hudson River.
This year, with the heightened security due to the 9/11 tragedy and the attack on the USS Cole, keeping recreational boats 500 yards away from any naval ship has become a priority task. The Rules of Engagement for Naval Force Protection has dramatically changed. Now, not only are we keeping the recreational boaters out of the Parade route for navigation safety, we also have to keep them apprised of the Naval Protection Zones. Our chief task is to keep them and ourselves away so that there are no accidental friendly fire incidents."
The
Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, along with units from a plethora of
city, state and federal agencies worked tirelessly to insure Fleet Week, New
York 2003 was a success. From their point of view, it was a complete success.
From the weather's point of view, well…..
For more
information about the Coast Guard (www.uscg.mil) or Coast Guard Auxiliary
(www.cgaux.org), either contact your local Coast Guard unit or look them up
on the web.
AuxGuidanceSkills.Info is geared to providing "Public Service Articles in the pursuit of Recreational Boating Safety" to that end, we will continue to add to our series on Help Wanted, Homeland Security, Public Education, Public Service, Vessel Safety and Environmental Issues, though the use of 'case studies', as our teaching tool of choice. In addition, our Leadership series offers those within the Coast Guard family, as well as outside, an insight into values that will improve their leadership skills.