Helping to Clear the Way: Distirct Seven units join to help with Katrina efforts
By PA3 Gretchen Eddy, District Seven Public Affairs
It was a hot, sunny day when the District Seven Mobile Aids to Navigation Team, made up of 21 Coast Guardsmen from
After driving for three days in a caravan comprised of six recreational vehicles, trucks loaded down with supplies and pulling small boats on trailers, the ANT unit arrived at what would become the team’s new home for the next two weeks. Their new home was a parking lot near where the popular Copa Casino in
“Put the batteries over there on that pallet,” shouted a petty officer from the team.
“Move the day-boards over there,” yelled another. “Careful don’t drop that!”
“Come on lets ‘git-r-done,’” joked someone in the group during the hustle and bustle.
The shouts and orders filled the quiet air as the navigational team began unloading and organizing the equipment they had brought to help get the task at hand done-- repairing or replacing the buoys and day boards that comprise the navigational aids network.
“We didn’t know what to expect, so we prepared for the worst,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Barry Pierce, officer-in-charge of ANT
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| GULFPORT, MISS -- Members of Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team Jacksonville rest for a moment before returning to work in front of devastated Coast Guard Station Gulfport for hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts. Coast Guard photograph by PA3 Gretchen Eddy. |
Next the crew surveyed the damaged area along the Gulf Coast. Out of 450 aids surveyed, 395 of them needed to be replaced or fixed.
“At first, it was difficult to comprehend the extent of the damage, let alone identify a place to start repairs,” said Chief Warrant Officer Steve Craddock, Sector Miami Aids to Navigation officer. “After the initial shock of the situation wore off our training and knowledge of ATON kicked in and slowly but surely we started to make progress,” said Craddock.
“The days were long,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher W. Batton, from ANT
“We would break for dinner and wash up, but often at night we would have truck loads of equipment dropped off that needed to be unloaded and organized. There were times we didn’t finish until midnight, explained Batton.
“Although the load was extremely taxing on our bodies, it was cushioned a bit because we knew we were making a difference,” continued Batton. “We had an overwhelming amount of support from the people not only affected by the hurricane, but also people who saw us headed toward the Gulf
After the destruction of hurricane Katrina, the ANT units poured all their strength into replacing day boards and repairing buoys in order to get the ports of Gulfport and Biloxi, main shipping channels, the Intracoastal waterway and the Pearl River back in working condition.
GULFPORT, Miss. -- (Above and below) Buoys are set out for the responding ATON units in the area. Coast Guard photographs by PA3 Gretchen Eddy. 
“By the time we were done in Gulfport, we had either replaced or fixed more than 390 aids, had a combined time of more than 300 hours underway and almost 1,000 hours of total work time,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan A. Lyons, from ANT Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Over a two week period the team was able to open the
“We came to get a job done and help where we were needed. It was an experience that none of us will forget, said
“We came in as separate units and left as one team. We learned new ways to do our job and saw and did things most people will never experience. It was rewarding, he continued.
“We know that we were not only helping out our fellow Coasties who lost everything but also opened up shipping channels and ports that will be used to bring in the much-needed supplies to help rebuild Gulfport,” Stated Lyons.
With sore muscles and tired bodies, the crewmen packed up their equipment and supplies and left as quietly as when they came. Although they were glad to get back to their units, they would have been just as glad to stay and continue working on relief efforts.
Take care of yourself and each other- Many Coast Guard men and women and their families were in some way affected by the aftermath of the 2005 hurricane season. Some lost homes, some lost their work places or jobs, and some even lost loved ones. The Coast Guard with the help of the Coast Guard Foundation and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is working to minimize the financial impact these disasters had on many Coast Guard service members’ way of life. Also, an unprecedented number of Coast Guardsmen volunteered to assist with rescue, security, recovery and restoration efforts in those areas affected by the hurricanes. Many of these men and women saw and experienced things that maybe difficult for some to deal with. Below are some excerpts from an ALCOAST for “Taking Care of Self and Others After the Hurricanes,” which was issued by Rear Adm. Paul J. Higgins, the Coast Guard director of health and safety. 1. This is information for individuals impacted by the recent hurricanes either as a responder, as a victim, or both. It describes possible reactions to such disasters, offers practical suggestions, and encourages the use of available services to help lower stress levels and maximize effective coping. 2. Victims of natural disasters frequently report they experience more stress after the event than during the event itself. Changes in living conditions can cause changes in day-to-day activities, leading to changes in expectations, and shifts in responsibilities, such as when a family goes from having tow-incomes to one. Separation from loved ones, disruptions in relationships, roles, and routines can make life seem even more unpredictable. Personal uncertainties can leave people feeling emotionally drained and physically exhausted. The loss of a home, business, or income may result in a significant loss of self-esteem even though there clearly was no fault involved. 3. Relationships may become strained when emotions are closer to the surface and conflicts with spouses and other family members may increase. Distracted parents may have less time to focus on or interact with their children or may become extremely overprotective. Family members may not have access to supportive friends, relatives, and neighbors once available to them. Fatigue and resulting irritability can take their toll on work performance and lead to problems on the job. Financial pressures add to stress levels as do the hassles of dealing with recovery-related bureaucracy. 4. Coast Guard first responders involved with post hurricane operations who witnessed the devastation may experience thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to express let alone understand. Symptoms of stress in these individuals may include uncharacteristic avoidance of friends and work mates, uncharacteristic irritability, “second-guessing” their actions, increased use of alcohol, and a general feeling of disillusionment. Sometimes this might show up as a vague feeling that something is not right, or the person may feel they just are not getting back in the groove of their normal day-to-day life. Good leadership and listening skills within the unit are often enough to help individuals resolve these issues but if symptoms persist the wise thing to do is to seek help. 5. Some proven methods for helping ourselves and loved ones recover from any emotional upheaval: take things one small step at a time. Stay in contact with others. Friends and family members may offer different views of the situation or share their own concerns that mirror the feelings you are experiencing. Thy may also offer support and validation, as well as encouragement. After an event like the hurricanes, it is often self healing to find ways to help others. Offering aid to others can help us get a sense of control over our own circumstances and improve our emotional well-being. Set up new routines or return to old ones that bring you comfort. Try to eat regular well balanced meals, exercise and rest on a regular schedule. Make an effort to sped time together with your friends and family. Limit the number of challenging jobs you attempt each day, and try not to do too much at one time. Give yourself time each day to think about something that makes you feel cheerful or happy. Give yourself time to recover. Be patient with you emotions. Avoid alcohol. 6. Over time most people will access their normal resilience and recover from the emotional upheaval in their lives. However, there is nothing wrong with getting some help to speed up the process. Keep in mind that unattended personal problems can show up on the job and have a negative impact on your career. Do not let things reach that point. If you, your loved ones, or your work mates have been affected by the hurricanes and are having any difficulties as mentioned above mentioned above, thin it may be time to ask for help, or to encourage others to seek help. Your employee assistance program is only a phone call away. Call 800-222-0364 at any time to speak with a counselor via phone. You may also use this number to schedule a meeting in person with a counselor where you live. Coast Guard chaplains are also an excellent resource for confidential counseling and guidance. For additional resources and programs designed to help relieve stress contact the work-life staff at the integrated support command responsible for your unit. |
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