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Coast Guard Aux, showing off results in deaths

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by dennismc, Jun 5, 2012.

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  1. dennismc, Jun 5, 2012
    #1
    dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    Vancouver BC
    On a supposed training mission in the worst conditions of fast water, 12 kt current, a local aux trainer had the rib flip, the auto inflator to right the boat failed, 2 female volunteers on board died, The operator admitted to authorities that he was showing off to the crew. apparently they had borrowed a set of vice grips prior to the trip in an attempt to free the safety mechanism without success. There are many spins of the facts going on at present, I have interdependent source who verifies all the facts and many untruths are being circulated by the "brass" there is also some suspicion as the removal of evidence illegally. The event happened in the Skookumchuck rapids for those who may be familiar with the area.Hot dogging has no place on the water. a very sad event for two local families who lost their loved ones through outright carelessness. Lets hope the truth gets out to the public. If it doesn't I will do my ****est to refute any lies that are published in the final report.
  2. Laurence, Jun 6, 2012
    #2
    Laurence

    Laurence Senior Member

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    Training

    "Training in the Skookumchuck rapids" ... You have got to be kidding !!!
  3. C4ENG, Jun 6, 2012
    #3
    C4ENG

    C4ENG Senior Member

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    The Coast Guard Aux does a lot of good deeds through out the communities of the United States in the ways of educating the public and teaching novice boaters safety techniques and so much more that benefits people greatly and anyone else traveling on the waters with them.
    No organization is ever perfect and you will always find that one ***hole in every group that can ruin a good thing, but I would rather point out what I do appreciate and that is the help that organization has given me in the past when I needed it.
  4. Laurence, Jun 6, 2012
    #4
    Laurence

    Laurence Senior Member

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    correction

    Let me correct that: training "volunteers" in the Skookumchuck rapids. No place for non-professionals!
  5. dennismc, Jun 6, 2012
    #5
    dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    Apparently the "operator" has been through regular CG training, all spokesmen from the regular CG force have not publicly questioned the operators competency or questioned why he was even there, also, word is that a diver requested more help and gear from the hovering chopper and the relay radio operator was told, "he has enough stuff there. I have no more"..( words to that effect).

    The Fed here is closing some of the regular basis and doing a consolidation of assets , this event will I'm sure galvanize support to keep the bases open, many boat operators here believe that our local regular CG are a bunch of hot doggers with a macho attitude, unless life is at risk, commercial assist is the route that is followed and our CG is non military.
  6. luckylg, Jun 6, 2012
    #6
    luckylg

    luckylg New Member

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    In my experience, in this area, the Aux has more bad apples than good. In ten years I submitted numerous complaints about unsafe operations, careless operations, participation in salvage operations (forbidden to Aux by USCG) and rudeness. One complaint rose to the highest levels of the CG in DC and included two meetings with DC brass. While I agree that there are good people in the group, this is a dangerous organization that needs to be overhauled.

    Last year during a transit of the secure zone during fleet week I had an Aux vessel escort (no problem with that) who hovered about 50' off my port beam (no problem with that) and then, during the scheduled turn to starboard came to within 5-feet of the stern of my vessel. The armed CG Lt. who was on board my vessel had a HUGE problem with that and called the Aux himself (I had already made one call on the designated working channel). Instead of backing off, the Aux closed to within 3-feet and at one point nearly lost control as I applied power to complete the turn. Despite numerous complaints by dozens of people this Aux nut job still has his credentials and is aggressively patrolling the local waters. Shameful.