The Passing of John Farrell

Today, June 18, 2013, Sector NY South, 1SR and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary has lost a great comrade and shipmate. John Farrell, Division Commander of Division 2, Sandy Hook, NJ lost his battle with his ailment crossing the bar. His fight was a long and arduous one that he met head on with the doggedness and tenacity that was John Farrell himself. John, where you are now, there is no pain, there is no illness and there is no suffering. There are only safe harbors and calm seas. You sail with the angels my friend and deservedly so. Rest In Peace... 

 

 

 

DCAPT David G. Porter, Sector NY/S
1st Southern Region

America's First Lighthouse

And last manned lighthouse by the Coast Guard

Originally featured and released in our Coast Guard Channel Collection Volume I DVD, the feature on Boston Light, is now being aired on the Coast Guard Channel. This special feature highlights the first lighthouse in America and the last lighthouse to be manned by active duty Coast Guard in the United States. Located nine miles outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Boston Light has guided ships to safe harbor since 1716. It was "aptly dubbed the "ideal American lighthouse" by the historian Edward Rowe Snow, and holds a place of honor among our nation's beacons. This was the first light station established on the North American continent, and the last in the United States to be automated. It's also the only light station that still retains an official keeper.¹"

You can now watch this feature about the history and Coast Guard personnel that once served at Boston Light.

From the Coast Guard Compass Blog via...

 

DCAPT David G. Porter, Sector NY/S
1st Southern Region

Coast Guard Heroes: William Ray Flores

Posted by LT Connie Braesch, Thursday, October 28, 2010 from the Compass Blog

This Compass series chronicles the first 14 heroes the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters have been named for. These men and women, who stood the watch before us, lived extraordinary lives as they lit the way for sailors in times past, braved gunfire in times of war and rescued those in peril at sea. As Coast Guard heroes, their stories are a constant reminder of our service's legacy. As the namesake of the Coast Guard's newest patrol boats, they will inspire the next generation of Coast Guard heroes.

With contributions from LTJG Ryan White

 

Seaman Apprentice William Ray "Billy" Flores was honored posthumously with the Coast Guard Medal after he sacrificed his life to help his shipmates after a collision between his cutter and an oil tanker on January 28, 1980. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Seaman Apprentice William Ray "Billy" Flores gave his life to save his shipmates in the frenzied moments after the collision between Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and the 605-foot oil tanker Capricorn on January 28, 1980.

Flores, 19, was less than a year out of boot camp and was newly reported to Blackthorn when the 180-foot buoy tender capsized near the entrance to Tampa Bay, Fla.

As the boat became submerged, inexperience gave way to bravery as Flores and another crewmember stayed aboard to throw life jackets to some of his shipmates who had jumped into the water.

Flores remained behind and used his own belt to strap open the lifejacket locker door, which allowed additional lifejackets to float to the surface.

"I was on the bridge and when the ship rolled onto beams end I knew we were past the point of no return and would surely capsize," said retired Lcdr. John Ryan, a member of Blackthorn's crew. "I went into the water from the bridge wing and by the time I surfaced the ship had capsized over me. I was injured with a sprained back and injured shoulder. As I struggled, suddenly a life jacket from the locker that was on the main deck came floating up to me."

Due in no small part to Flores' fearless actions and sacrifice, 27 of Flores' shipmates escaped the submerged Blackthorn, but tragically 22 other Coast Guardsmen perished aboard Blackthorn.

A special place in the Coast Guard's history

A Coast Guardsmen salutes the Blackthorn Memorial after placing a wreath at the base during the annual memorial held on Jan. 28 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Coast Guard photo by PA3 Robert Suddarth.

Flores was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal, the service's highest award for heroism not involving combat, on September 16, 2000. Flores' family accepted the award and selected the date because it is a day of honor for many Hispanics that celebrates Mexico's fight for independence from Spain.

The Coast Guard's recognition of Flores' heroism came after many of his surviving shipmates reviewed the records of the collision and realized that Flores' actions had not been formally honored. His shipmates poured through transcripts from the surviving crew, administrative records and newspaper clippings to ensure Flores would receive the honor he so profoundly deserved.

"I am convinced that William Flores saved my life by his selfless act that night," said Ryan. "That quiet young man that I was impressed with from the first time I met him will forever be a hero in my eyes. I have never forgotten him and never will. It is a fitting tribute to his heroism that a cutter will bear his name."

 

DCAPT David G. Porter, Sector NY/S
1st Southern Region

COMMANDER'S INTENT - CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE SEXUAL ASSAULT FROM OUR COAST GUARD -

1.  Recently released ALCOAST 244/13 addresses the Coast Guard's campaign to

eliminate sexual assault.  Please read it at
http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/.

2.  This ALCOAST provides the clear expectation of our Commandant that
sexual assault will not be tolerated within our Coast Guard.  Simply put,
sexual assault is contrary to our fundamental core values. All of us are
responsible for providing the culture of intolerance ADM Papp describes.

3.  Unfortunately, our Auxiliary is not immune to the types of behavior that
is making headlines within the military. Just as unfortunate, other members
often observe inappropriate behavior and fail to take action. If you witness
or become aware of behavior that is not acceptable or appropriate, you have
a responsibility to do something about it. Section 7.C. of the Auxiliary
Manual, COMDTINST M16790.1 (series) provides the policy and responsibilities
of members when dealing with rape and sexual assault.  When in doubt, seek
the guidance of your chain of leadership and management.

4.  This Commander's Intent directs each command to read and discuss this
message with all hands. While there is no reporting requirement, I encourage
DCOs and DIRAUXs to ensure this Commander's Intent message is read,
discussed, and understood at flotilla and division levels.

5. The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists as well as all other
interested parties abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.
All information contained herein and linked is OFFICIAL policy and
information.

6. Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

7. CG-BSX-1 sends via...

 

DCAPT David G. Porter, Sector NY/S
1st Southern Region

Bill Toughening Penalty for Leaving the Scene of Boating Accidents Advances

Outcome of court case involving fatal Brick boating accident helped spur action on legislation

• By Daniel Nee of the Point Pleasant Patch

A bill that would increase the penalties for leaving the scene of a boating accident that results in a serious or fatal injury passed a state Senate panel Monday.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. James Holzapfel (R-Ocean) would plug what many say is a hole in the law that subjects those who leave the scene of such accidents to a fine of just $25, compared with potential jail time if the accident had occurred in an automobile rather than a boat. The bill was approved Monday by the Senate's Law and Public Safety Committee.

Holzapfel's bill changes the law to make the penalties for leaving the scene of a serious or fatal boat accident the same as doing so in an automobile accident. If the accident results in serious bodily injury, a person who leaves the scene could face a third degree criminal charge, punishable by three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.

If the accident results in a person's death, the charge would be upgraded to the second degree, bringing with it a potential five to 10 year prison term and a fine of up to $250,000.

"Jail time is a necessary punishment for offenders who knowingly leave the scene of the accident," Holzapfel said in a statement Monday afternoon. "We want our residents to put safety first when heading out onto the water and understand that they are responsible for their craft and searching for other injured parties."

The legislation was introduced, he said, in response to a 2008 fatal boating accident on the Metedeconk River in Brick.

In that accident, a 27-foot Imperial performance boat collided with a 17-foot Boston Whaler, killing Essex Fells resident Robert Post, who was at the helm of the Whaler. The Imperial, being operated by Anthony DiGilio of Brick, did not stop or render assistance.

DiGilio would later tell authorities he did not know he hit another boat. He was eventually charged with vehicular homicide but was acquitted following a trial that concluded April 23.

DiGilio did not face a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, however the maximum penalty if he was convicted would have been the $25 fine.

Holzapfel's legislation had languished for several years before the conclusion of the DiGilio case, at which point it picked up steam. The chairman of the Senate's Law and Public Safety Committee, Sen. Donald Norcross (D-Camden, Gloucester) eventually co-sponsored the bill.

Robert Post's widow, Bonnie Post, testified at Monday's Senate hearing, Holzapfel's office said.

A companion bill is pending in the state General Assembly.

Submitted by:

DCAPT David G. Porter, Sector NY/S
1st Southern Region