USS CARR Families and Friends –
A reminder that on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 there will be a FRG meeting at the Little Creek Clubhouse, 2156 Wellings Court, Virginia Beach 23455 at 6 pm. This meeting will include information regarding what to expect on homecoming day and a guest speaker to cover the reintegration process within our families. Please RSVP to usscarrfrg@gmail.com with your number of attendees and if you would like childcare. The FRG will provide childcare at the location. Tickets for first kiss and first hug will be available for purchase, 1 ticket for $1.00 or 6 tickets for $5.00. The FRG looks forward to seeing you all there.
As a result of some schedule items still being in flux we will not be conducting a Tiger Cruise from Mayport to Norfolk. I am concerned about having families spend money on air fare and hotel rooms only to have our dates move. The next opportunity to conduct a Tiger Cruise will be from Mayport to Norfolk in the Spring. Right now we are working plans to return to Norfolk one day earlier than previously planned…nothing solid yet, but we are trying to make events line up to make this possible.
Day 125 – Sunday, October 16th
=========================================
We spent yet another day in the vicinity of the motor vessel suspected of carrying drugs. Just as we were preparing to board her, the vessel’s engines stopped working and she went dead in the water – after drifting for a bit, the anchor was deployed and the ship is now anchored in close proximity to land. Although she is anchored, her anchor is not holding well (her second anchor is rusted together and her anchor gear is broken) and she is starting to drag anchor and move slowly closer to shore. In addition to the safety of personnel on board the vessel, a major concern is the environmental hazard if the vessel goes aground and spills her fuel.
In response to the equipment casualties on board the vessel and in order to prevent her from going aground, we sent some of our best engineers over to attempt repairs. CWO2 Dilson Ramirez, ENC Shawn Etheridge, and EN2 Chris Collier grabbed their tool rolls and applied their vast expertise and technical skill in troubleshooting, repairing, and bringing back to life an out of commission main propulsion diesel engine, bilge pump, and air compressor. Their efforts were critical in allowing the vessel to start her engine and maneuver away from land to allow the Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) personnel to continue their detailed assessment of the vessel safely and allow time for a commercial tug to arrive to tow the vessel.
Day 126 – Monday, October 17th
==========================================
This morning we escorted the tug with vessel in tow into port. We remained out to sea while the vessel went pierside.
Day 127 – Tuesday, October 18th
==========================================
Since our LEDET team was busy ashore, we took the opportunity to conduct shipboard training and conduct maintenance as we wait for our LEDET to complete their efforts. Since arriving down south, our days have been filled with high speed transits, small boat operations, and helicopter operations – this is a good opportunity to focus on our day to day requirements.
Day 128– Wednesday, October 19th
==========================================
More crisis on the vessel – she is taking on water and in danger of sinking pierside. We immediately dispatched our Rescue and Assistance Team consisting of DC1Raul Beltran, HT1 Joshua Linton, HT3 Tony Oliveri, EM3 Jereme Fuller, and EN2 Chris Collier to conduct emergency repairs to the sinking vessel. The team acted quickly to assist in dewatering the vessel while making temporary repairs to the shaft seal; preventing additional water from entering the vessel. This is the 3rd time since I arrived on board that the Rescue and Assistance Team have responded and performed flawlessly (the other two times were providing assistance to a charter boat on fire in January and pleasure boat without power and propulsion last month)…well done yet again!
BZ to our entire Deck Department – they continue to tirelessly work to maintain our topside spaces and fight corrosion. Deck division, despite having to support small boat operation and helicopter operations, has continued to keep the press on.
Last week one of our two water producing plants was broken (reverse osmosis unit); today we received the part and HT1 Joshua Linton, EN2 Chris Collier, EN3 Blake Petenbrink, EN3 Joseph Lawhorn, EN3 Elvin Lugo, and EN3 Joshua Young worked tirelessly throughout the day to install a replacement high pressure pump. Thanks to their efforts we are back to 100% water production. I would also like to thank the crew for conserving water during the casualty; as a result we did not have to go to water hours or secure the use of showers.
Day 129 – Thursday, October 20th
==========================================
Finally, after several months of our satellite television receiver being down, TV Direct to Sailors (DTS) has been restored. TV DTS supports crew morale by providing news and sports. Several of the crew are looking forward to the opportunity to watch College Football, NFL, World Series, and NASCAR.
Day 130 – Friday, October 21st
==========================================
Great job to LTJG Marc Hardzinski and QM1 Byron Patterson who have been standing back to back watches around the clock to ensure the safe navigation of Carr while we are operating close to land. Since the departure of our Chief Quartermaster a few weeks ago, QM1 Patterson has taken charge of Navigation Division and has done a great job keeping Carr safe.
Day 131 – Saturday, October 22nd
==========================================
Congratulations to Carr’s newest Sailors of the Quarter:
– Sailor of the Quarter: EM1 Antwone McWhirter
– Junior Sailor of the Quarter: CS2 Timothy Faulkner
– Blue Jacket of the Quarter: BMSN Michael Dimick
EM1 McWhirter. If there is an electrical casualty, EM1 McWhirter is on the scene to support repairs. He has also been essential in preparing Carr for the upcoming spring INSURV inspection. In addition, he has continued to work to further his education and volunteered to participate in community relations projects.
CS2 Faulkner. Upon the loss of our CS1 just prior to our St. Petersburg port visit, CS2 Faulkner stepped up to take a leadership role in S-2 division. His efforts directly supported Carr being nominated for 2011 Ney Award.
BMSN Dimick. A tremendous asset to Deck Division, BMSN Dimick has been critical to the safe execution of flight operations, boat operations, and sea and anchor evolutions. He is always engaged and supporting Carr’s mission.
In addition to being named Carr’s Sailors of the Quarter, congratulations to EM1 McWhirter and CS2 Faulkner for being selected as Commander Destroyer Squadron Twenty Two’s Sailor of the Quarter and Junior Sailor of the Quarter. This is testimony to their outstanding performance – they competed against the best from the entire squadron and came out on top….great job!! I don’t think it is a coincidence that all three have been mentioned multiple times in the weekly email.
Bravo Zulu to IC2 John Taylor for yet another superb troubleshooting and repair effort. After receiving indications, he quickly isolated the fault to a failed ship’s roll signal amplifier. This small piece of equipment (no bigger than four sticks of butter) provides data to our stabilized flight deck equipment and radars. His efforts allowed quick restoration and return to normal operations.
==========================================
Please join us on Facebook:
CARR Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/FFG52
Jessica Meissner OMBUDSMAN
http://www.facebook.com/pages/USS-CARR-Ombudsman/219688138070847?sk=wall
Melissa Lemons CARR FAMILY READINESS GROUP
http://www.facebook.com/USSCARRFRG
==========================================
Until next week, stay safe Carr Family and Friends!
CDR Patrick Kulakowski
Commanding Officer
USS CARR (FFG 52)
“Courage, Will, Determination”
Discover more from Austin-Carr.org
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.