Story and photo by: Ens. Matthew Cunningham, CGC Mohawk

KEY WEST, FL. – Crew dexterity, meticulous engineering and a blending of complexity all came together as the United States Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, tested the mettle of its crew while deployed to the Caribbean Sea in late spring.

In a highly sophisticated and sometimes tricky maneuver the crew of the 270-foot medium endurance cutter Mohawk, performed a Fueling At Sea (FAS) operation. The landmark refueling assisted the crew of the RFA Wave Ruler, a 596-foot refueling ship from the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary. An FAS is ordinarily reserved for deployments with Naval Battle Groups. However, the CGC Mohawk crew successfully performed this complex all-hands evolution in a real-world environment.  The unique and sophisticated training was invaluable for the 100-person crew. 

A fueling-at-sea allows ships to remain out of port and ready to deploy.  It is not an easy task, according to naval engineers. To accomplish the challenging task, ships move in the same direction, matching one another’s speed while remaining no more than 90 to 120 feet apart.  Tending lines and a fuel hose are expertly passed from the refueling ship to the receiving ship using a line-throwing gun. 

While maintaining communications over radios, the two ships were able to transfer approximately 9,000 gallons of fuel.  The FAS requires excellent seamanship skills, knowledge of environmental hazards and meteorological skills to be performed with textbook precision .

SN Christopher Gohl (29) of Fountain Hills, Az., served as Master Helmsman on the Mohawk, meticulously maintaining control of critical steering functions during this exciting alongside event. The uncommon evolution provided Mohawk with important training as well as a chance to work in tandem with a British crew.

“Working with Wave Ruler provided us with tremendous training, allowed us to demonstrate our seamanship skills, and continued our fine relationship with the British here in the Caribbean,” said Cmdr. Ely. CGC Mohawk will perform a similar evolution at the Tailored Annual Cutter Training (TACT) held in Little Creek, Va. this fall.      

The current ship is the third named for the Algonquin tribe of Iroquoian Indians who lived in the Mohawk Valley of New York state.   It is the 13th and last of the 270-foot “Famous” class cutters.  Built by the former Robert E. Derecktor Shipyards of Rhode Island, the CGC Mohawk was christened on Sept. 9 1989.  Since her commissioning in Mar. 1991, she has undertaken a wide variety of missions including Search and Rescue, Maritime Law Enforcement, and Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations.  Mohawk has been responsible for the rescue of more than 5,000 Haitian, Cuban, and Dominican Republic migrants and has supported 756 migrants on deck at one time.  The ship’s crew has also seized more than 20,700 pounds of illegal drugs.  These activities have earned numerous decorations including Unit Commendations, the Joint Meritorious Service Award and two Humanitarian Service Awards. 

-uscg-