HONOLULU -- Marines from the 3rd Marine Regiment went to the United States Coast Guard station at Sand Island, Sept. 1, to receive a water-safety brief and various water-survival tips.
Marines traveled a half hour by bus to Sand Island where they were taught a few more things about how to be safer on and in the water.
When the Marines arrived, Capt. Michael Inman, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, gave them a welcome speech followed by an informational briefing about the Coast Guard’s role in the War on Terrorism. At the conclusion of his speech, Inman thanked the Marines for serving their country.
After the welcome aboard speech, the Marines were separated into nine different groups, which then went around to nine different safety stations. At each station, the presenter offered a different focus on safety with topics such as sailing cautions, carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia, how to properly throw a life ring, visual distress signals, how to call in an emergency on radio, water safety with swimmers, proper use of life jackets, and boating under the influence. There was even a briefing on some of the Coast Guard boats, ships and weapons. The stop at each station lasted approximately 13 minutes before visitors had to move on to the next station.
“We wanted to do something different with this Safety Stand Down,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Erwing, safety officer, 3rd Marine Division. “We wanted to do something that was more hands-on.”
Active duty Coast Guard Sailors and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a group of retired volunteers, provided the personnel and information at the various safety stations. Many of the instructors gave out safety pamphlets and whistles to Marines for them to use and encouraged them to use precaution while in and on the water. One thing the instructors want to express was to be really careful if on a boat.
“One thing I encourage is, if the boat captain doesn’t give a safety briefing, ask for one,” said Kent Richards, 60, the recreational boating safety specialist at Sand Island. “And people with their own boats should call Channel 16, the emergency channel on their radio, for a safety briefing. Three minutes can save lives. It makes a difference.”
At the end of the Safety Stand Down, Marines were treated to a life-rescue simulation from the Coast Guard’s short-range helicopter, the HH-65 Dolphin, and a Safety Boat. The HH-65 dropped a dummy into the water to simulate a swimmer in distress, and a Sailor, rigged with a hoist, jumped from the helicopter into the water to rescue the victim. The helicopter then hoisted the victim up to the safety of the helicopter, using a basket. The helicopter let down a rope a second time to hoist the diver back into the helicopter.
After the helicopter flew off, a safety boat cruised around the bay at speeds up to 40 knots to show Marines the speed and agility of the craft.
“This craft is next to unsinkable,” said Richards. “It has the ability to upright itself if it were to capsize due to the ridged inflatable haul.”
For more information on water safety, call the Base Safety Office at 257-1830.