My ride on USCGC Sapelo (WPB 1314)

In late 1989, I made a trip to Adak, Aleutian Islands, Alaska -- compliments of the U.S. Navy -- to participate in a large multi-service military exercise called PACEX-89.  A couple of U.S. Coast Guard 110-foot Island-Class Patrol Boats had sailed to Adak to participate in this exercise as Coast Guard representatives. Coast Guard crews affectionately call this class of patrol boat the "110'ers." One night after dinner at Naval Air Station Adak Officers Club, I was introduced to Commanding Officer USCGC Sapelo (WPB 1314). A conversation ensued, and the discussion eventually brought an invitation to join his crew at sea the next day aboard the 110-foot Patrol Boat Sapelo.  I've got to report on those hearty Coast Guard 110'er crews these many years later... riding windy Bering Sea waters north of Adak Island Finger Cove Piers is typically very rough in late fall days.  But this 100'er crew seemed to take the pounding in fine stride.  Most of the U.S. Navy ships remained at anchor or tied up to the pier this stormy day... but Sapelo departed on schedule from Finger Cove and proceeded to sea. What a ride it was indeed.  Been seaward on most things that float from a 1974 flank-speed ORI cruise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV-59) down to the several 1980 Norfork-based YTB tug boats, albeit most sea-duty underwater on submarines.

Sapelo's crew navigated her safely back to Finger Cove piers that evening, I'm not too ashamed to report being a bit green-about-the-gills. That firm footing offered by Adak Island piers are a welcome sight is too mild a statement. Departing Alaska following the PACEX-89 military exercise found me with a high degree of added respect for the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard, especially those who crew those small Island Class 110-foot patrol boats. I’ll call these 110'er crews new age "Rough Riders." A respectful tip-of-the-hat to the gallant crews of the Coast Guard's Island-Class Patrol Boats.