Date:
Nov. 7, 2004

Contact: 
(727) 893-3140/3142

ST. PETERSBURG CUTTER RETURNS HOME
AFTER MULTI-FACETED DEPLOYMENT
**media availability**

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Coast Guard Cutter Venturous returns to her St. Petersburg homeport today following a highly successful eleven-week deployment that included two-and-a-half weeks of dedicated seamanship, navigation, damage control, combat systems and engineering casualty training at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. 

The remaining two months were spent conducting alien migrant interdiction operations in the Florida Straits, where Ventruous participated in the interdiction of approximately 300 illegal migrants and more than a dozen suspected migrant smugglers. 

The smugglers employ the use of high-speed “go-fast” vessels to move their human cargo illegally across the Florida Straits, often with little regard for the well being of those on board.  The flow of Cuban migrants attempting to cross the Florida Straits has been relatively steady over the last couple years, with the Coast Guard averaging 1,300 interdictions annually.  

The training that Venturous underwent at Naval Station Mayport tested the crew’s knowledge, teamwork, and technical skills in all mission areas.  All crewmembers took advantage of this challenging training assessment period to enhance their professional knowledge and advance in many different shipboard qualification processes.  As a result of the crew’s outstanding performance across all readiness areas, Venturous is positioned to receive the Coast Guard Atlantic Area Commander’s prestigious Operational Readiness Award  “Battle E.” 

While patrolling the Florida Straits, Venturous also conducted extensive helicopter training operations, assisting Coast Guard pilots from the service’s air station in Miami to maintain their day, night, and night vision goggle certifications to conduct cutter based helicopter operations.  This training also afforded Venturous crewmembers the opportunity to qualify and/or enhance their proficiency in a variety of positions aboard the cutter pivotal to the safe execution of shipboard helicopter operations. 

“This two-and-a-half month deployment highlights the talents, professionalism, and teamwork of the entire crew.  I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of my shipmates and the performance of the VENTUROUS team!” said the cutter’s commanding officer, Captain Karl Schultz.

Schultz went on to state that the crew showed great flexibility and resilience as the cutter was forced to evacuate from St. Petersburg shortly before the start of this patrol for Hurricane Charley, and again from Mayport during the cutter’s dedicated training period due to the approach and passing of Hurricane Frances.

In addition to the aforementioned operational accomplishments, a number of Venturous crewmembers were selected for advancement in rank this patrol. Joe Roller, a Machinery Technician, was advanced to First Class Petty Officer (E-6); Operations Specialist First Class Ryan Warnke was selected for assignment to the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) and will soon advance to Chief Petty Officer (E-7).  Amongst the commissioned officer corps aboard Venturous, Ensigns Evie Young and Kelly Tongol were both selected for promotion to lieutenant junior grade (Lt. j.g.), and Lt. j.g. Kenny Boyt was selected for promotion to lieutenant and participation in the Coast Guard’s Naval Engineering Technology program, where he’ll receive his Bachelor of Science degree.

Additionally, two Venturous shipmates and their wives welcomed new additions to their families.  Boatswains Mate Third Class Andy Clarke and his wife Rebecca, who serves as the cutter’s ombudsman, welcomed their

first child, Fallon Marie on Oct. 8.  Damage Controlman Second Class John Baxstrom and his wife Susan welcomed their fourth son, Mason Glen, on October 27.

Family and friends waiting on the pier at Coast Guard Group St. Petersburg's South Moorings will welcome their Venturous sailors home for some well deserved rest and relaxation.  The crew will get a chance to spend most of the holidays with friends and family before again setting sail in support of the many missions of the United States Coast Guard, protecting our nation’s maritime interests. 

Editor’s note – Media are invited to welcome the cutter home and attain crew interviews and case footage.  Media are asked to arrive at Coast Guard Group St. Petersburg’s South Moorings at 1:45 p.m. today.  The cutter is expected to arrive at 2 p.m.

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