P a ge 33 t opside V olume 79 , I s s u e 2
The Coast Guard Says Goodbye to Shearwater By Justin Abate , SO-PA , Division 8 , Flotilla 08-05
CAPE MAY , NJ - The United States Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater was decommissioned in a ceremony after nineteen years of service on Thursday , April 15th , 2021 . The sky was cloudy but the atmosphere was celebratory . It spent the last few years homeported in Cape May , New Jersey . The 87-foot Marine Predator-class patrol boat was one of three of this class assigned to Cape May . In addition to its crew , thirteen Auxiliarists assist with inport watchstanding duties , relieving the active duty members for periods of time .
The USCGC Shearwater , dressed overall , just after the national ensign and jack were removed and presented to members of its crew . Members of the crew can be seen giving a tour to their families .
Photo Credit : AUX Justin Abate
Shearwater most recently gained national recognition in August 2020 during its successful rescue of a leatherback turtle . Sharks had begun to circle the turtle , and Shearwater successfully deployed its small boat to disperse the sharks before proceeding to free the turtle from the fishing line it was ensnared in , according to The Maritime Executive article published on August 14th , 2020 .
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Coast Guardsmen return to the ceremony after hoisting down the Ensign and Jack off of Shearwater for the final time . They were later presented to two the members of the crew who were in the Coast Guard the longest and served on Shearwater the longest .
Photo Credit : AUX Michael Hamilton