Posted on July 29, 2021USCGC Blackthorn (WLB 391): On 28 January 1980 the USCGC Blackthorn and the M/V Capricorn collided in Tampa Bay FL, causing the Coast Gaurd Cutter to quickly sink, drowning 23 of her crew. I participated in the subsequent diving and salvage operation, at the time being the Officer-In-Charge of the CG National Strike Force Dive Team. After Blackthorn was salvaged she was later sunk as reef 20 miles west of Clearwater FL. On July 25th, 2021, 41 years since that day in January when she perished, I again dove on her. Here is a video of our descent on the Blackthorn, now lying at 80 FT in the Gulf of Mexico. When we reach her inverted hull you will see one of the bilge keels, which reduced her roll in beam seas.
Posted on June 8, 2021US Army LSV 3 entering Gatun Locks Panama Canal: A compressed video sailing east to west through Panama Canal, entering first set of locks from the Caribbean Sea. Military vessels transit at night, so we entered just prior to sunset and exited the canal and into the Pacific Ocean the following morning. As LSV 3 Master, I was on the bridge for the full 8+ hour transit. Lots of coffee and ongoing conversation with the two Panama Canal Pilots.
Posted on May 11, 2021May 11, 2021Haze Gray and Underway: A view from the bridge of US Army LCU 2020 (USAV Matamoros) underway in the Old Bahama Channel en route to Ponce PR from Port Canaveral FL. Morning 0400-0800 watch. I was enjoying a cup of coffee as we steamed along.
Posted on May 11, 2021Pacing & Running Alongside: Coast Guard Response Boat 33101 comes alongside a dive boat entering Lake Worth Inlet in FL. Note how the CG boat approaches the dive boat from astern, taking station off the dive boat’s port quarter, adjusts speed to match dive boat speed, and then expeditiously makes contact, pushing the CG boat’s starboard bow into the dive boat to make hard physical contact. Well executed maneuver.
Posted on May 11, 2021Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) transfers: keep the boat’s bow UP when transferring personnel. In this video, the CRRC was too far aft on the transfer point, and the added weight forward caused the CRRC bow to submerge. Keep the bow up and ensure your transfer point is aft on the CRRC.
Posted on May 11, 2021May 11, 2021Donning an Immersion Suit: There is more to donning an immersion suit than just getting the suit out of the bag. Here we show how ziplock bags help to insert your legs, and how you can use the suit’s storage bag to bring along extra lifesaving gear. Don’t miss the scene running down the beach! Mario Vittone (Lifesaving Systems Corporation) arranged to shoot this video at Little Creek VA, a few miles from where the SS Marine Electric sank in February 1983…the tragic event which led to Coast Guard requiring immersion suits on all commercial vessels. I was a Coast Guard diver at the time assigned to the Atlantic Strike Force Dive Team and dove on the Marine Electric a day after she sank. Make sure to view to the end to see Rescue Swimmer Mario Vittone swim out and tow me to safety.
Posted on May 10, 2021Wreck Penetration Dive: M/V Ana Celcia in 95 FSW off West Palm Beach FL. Used this wreck to teach Air Force Pararescue Divers how to locate and recover people and objects.
Posted on May 10, 2021May 10, 2021DIVE: Nitrox (28%) SCUBA dive on US Coast Guard Cutter DUANE (WHEC 33) off Key Largo FL on 05 May 2018. Max depth 130 FSW. I sailed on the Duane in 1975 as a cadet on a summer cruise across the Atlantic and into the Mediterrean Sea.
Posted on May 4, 2021Conducting a gear check prior to diving operations. You can use this process and checks for any maritime operation: launching Fast Rescue Boats, Helicopter Operations, Amphibious Operations, and all shipboard evolutions. Task-Purpose-End State.
