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Andrew Assimos Continued
Andy said there were established procedures the Auxiliary patrol vessel were to follow on patrol and obviously one was to establish radio communications with the assigned cutter advising they were on patrol in the area and if needed were available to assist . He also mentioned that the cutters rarely if ever answered their radio calls .
The patrol takes place with the Senator aboard and Andy and his crew make a radio call to the Cutter Apalachee as required however they received no reply . The vessel then gets underway to patrol the AOR looking for any vessel having need of assistance . He and his crew use the opportunity to explain and show Senator Boggs what the Coast Guard Auxiliary Operations Program is all about and the services it is providing the boating public . As time goes on , they were a bit disappointed as no case of distress found . A short time later they see the USCGC Apalachee anchored in the distance . Senator Boggs then mentioned he would be interested in going aboard the cutter for a tour and meet with the crew . Andy radios the cutter to request permission , but the call goes unanswered . Three additional radio calls are made and still no response . Andy slows down his vessel as he is getting close and puts forth one more call . “ Cutter Apalachee , this is the Auxiliary Vessel approaching your stern on the starboard side . I have a U . S . Senator onboard my vessel that would like to come aboard for a tour . Please advise .”
With a chuckle , Andy said he saw a crew member jump out of the wheelhouse , another comes running from the other side of the vessel . Andy then notices another crew member pop out from a deck hatchway as he comes alongside to tie up . Shortly thereafter , the Commanding officer appears and greets Senator Boggs and the crew of the Auxiliary Vessel Spartan . The tour went very well all things being considered . Following the tour , the crew cast off and returned to the dock and secured from patrol .
We were able to find this photo in the Topside Magazine Archive ( right ).
Now for the rest of the story . As soon as the Apalachee returns to Group Baltimore on Monday morning , the CO immediately reports in and states what had taken place . No doubt , he was upset when he found out that folks at Group were aware that Senator Boggs was listed on the Auxiliary Patrol Order request . Again , everyone at the Group involved with approving the orders request , were convinced the Senator would come up with some sort of excuse not to go out on an Auxiliary patrol . Thus , they just did not see a need to mention this to the CO of the Apalachee . Andy again chuckled when he said ” the Auxiliary boats never again had their radio calls go unanswered .”
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