Tom Mckinstry (4-10) and Bob Hazey (4-10) in the Blue Runner.

In February of this year, Division 4 (D8-CR) Auxiliary members were called upon to assist in a multi-force detection and recovery mission in the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) at Lafitte, Louisiana.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Office New Orleans (MSO-NO) had requested the assistance of Auxiliarist Mike Howell and the Auxiliary Vessel “Mañana” in a joint project with MSO-NO, Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries, the Jefferson Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Office, the US Navy and a commercial survey boat, “Pac Brian,” from Baton Rouge.

The MSO/New Orleans was attempting to recover a small powerboat that was struck on 6 December by a tug hauling barges. Two men were on board the small craft and one was killed in the accident. The location where the boat was struck was known; however, due to the strong currents and tides the wrecked boat was thought to be anywhere, as far as seven miles in any of three directions.

The crew of the Auxiliary vessel was tasked with maintaining traffic control of vessels transiting the search area ensuring that all vessels, especially tugs with tows, stay clear of the wreck site while recovery efforts were underway.

Auxiliary members, Mike Howell (43), Jay Cohen (49), Dan Hall (49), Monty Moncrief (4-11) and George Innerarity (4-10), set up a system that tracked vessel traffic from all directions with a description of their tows. Jay Cohen’s experience and knowledge as a Mississippi River Vessel Traffic Controller was invaluable in this project.

A combination of heavy commercial marine traffic and inclement weather underscored the importance of the Auxiliary’s watchstanding duties. The Auxiliary vessel was also tasked with maintaining a safety zone perimeter for the Navy vessel and the survey boat.

The survey boat is equipped with side-scan sonar that is designed to see objects on the sea floor. The sonar worked by sending narrow pulses of sound energy through the water and measuring the amount of that energy reflected back by the sea floor. To confirm sonar sightings of debris on the bottom of the waterway, the Navy deployed two divers throughout the recovery mission.

During the course of the search, the Auxiliary vessel recovered a boat and a tugboat rudder and brought them to the river bank.

The following day Bob Hazey (4-10) and Cheryl and Tom McKinstry (4-10) conducted a safety patrol in the Auxiliary vessel “Blue Runner,” keeping all high speed boats away from the Navy divers.

Division 4, D8-CR, really came together to crew the Auxiliary vessel “Mañana” for this important mission. During the ten-day mission, Jay Cohen (49), Dan Hall (49), Monty Moncrief (4-11), and George Innerarity (4-10),Karen Reisch (49), Erston Reisch (49), Ira Delasdernier (42), Johnathan Camnetar (43), Joe Stephens (43), Paul Lumpkin (47) and Whitney Wagner (49) all crewed with the highest skill, discipline and fellowship to make this a very successful mission.

The Auxiliary vessel “Mañana” directed an average of 30 tugboats with barges per day with 43 directed on the busiest day. This required radio traffic on at least two channels because the boats and divers were on private operating frequency separate from the bridge-to-bridge river traffic channels. Murphy's Law dictated that everyone would try and talk at one time. This was a great training opportunity in radio watchstanding and disaster traffic control.

As fate would have it, the mission turned out to be a reunion of sorts. In February 2003, the survey boat and Navy unit were involved in the Space Shuttle recovery efforts with Division 4 Auxiliary members.

Even though the wreck was not located, the opportunity to take part in this multi-force project was an honor and privilege. Knowing that their safety zone perimeter was secured allowed the on-scene commanders the freedom to work without worry. The mission also gave Division 4 Auxiliary members an opportunity to show that their skills and training allowed them to participate as qualified members of Team Coast Guard.