THE REAL COAST GUARD || Life on an 87’ Patrol Boat

The most under appreciated branch of the US Military thanks what you do.

Like many terrified college grads in 1966 I tried to dodge into the "coastbound" CG to avoid Vietnam. Escaped into the Navy but wound up in the brownwater anyway. In Subic, ran into a CG LT I knew. He was recovering from wounds received during Market Time, where his job, on an 82 footer, was to confront and inspect sampans running weapons down from the north. Good Lord, so much for the safety of being in the CG lifeguarding the home coast!

I'm glad the US Coast Guard permits these activities from you sailors. Growing up in Michigan, I wanted to join the Coast Guard, but things didn't work out for me sadly, and ended up in Army Reserves. Thank you for your service!

We boat in the Puget Sound. We know if the you-know-what hits the fan and we call for help, you and your fellow USCG personnel will respond. Thank you for your service.

Nice video :-) I spent over three years on an 82 footer, patrolling the graveyard of the Atlantic, and then a year on a 110 footer out of San Juan. I worked with groups developing the preliminary plans for building the 87s. The 87 provides much better habitability and much better ergonomics than its' predecessor, the 82. The 82 was a wild ride. I often said that It would roll 5 degrees at the pier if a duck swam by 😉 You did not need to worry about water consumption underway, taking a shower when underway was practically impossible. You often slept in your uniform, as, due to the normal seas around Hatteras, you could not keep your legs together long enough to take of your pants off. You performed your duties underway while moving from handhold to handhold. The would literally throw you if you were not holding on to something. In heavy seas the boat would beat you down and the majority of the crew were seasick. However, the boat itself could take the beating and she always brought us home 😊 I learned early to trust the boat, as one night, coming east of 1000 just north of Cape Fear, I dropped her off the back of a building 16ft wave and laid her on her side, the next wave washing over us, and then she popped up surfing on the backside of the next wave as if nothing had happened. After that experience, I knew no fear with her. I maintained a lot of respect for the power of the ocean, the wind and wave, but I knew that I had sound vessel that, when properly handled, would bring us all home 😎

She is an outstanding example of the USCG. God bless our Heroes. Keep them safe as they make the impossible look possible.

Hi Erin, great video! Retired Coastie CWO2 here. You are a really impressive person with a lot of accumulated knowledge, especially for a cadet. IMHO you are exactly the type of future officer that the Coast Guard needs. I predict that enlisted folks will enjoy working for you. Some unsolicited advice: Find a Mustang or CWO (prior enlisted, current officer) or a senior enlisted who is respected among the crew, and study their leadership style. God bless you in your career.

I've poked around YouTube quite a bit looking for a tour of a Coast Guard cutter. This is the best one I've seen. Thanks!

🔴🦅🇺🇲🦅 I proudly served in the United States Coast Guard on a 84 foot cutter patrolling the intercoastal , Good job sailors 😀♦️♦️♦️‼️

Bring back great memories, I spent 3 years assigned to an 87' PB at MSO San Juan Station (La Puntilla).

Erin is a terrific USCG spokes person; she'll go a long way. As a USN vet and previous Catalina 27' I will attest that the USCG are excellent seamen and mariners. They are first responder THEY do SAVE LIVES. They sail every ocean environment from Alaska to the Solomon's and the Great Lakes. Thanks to the USCG for many assists

Erin and Nolan I am retired USCG MKC David L Marshall CG Viet Nam Veteran and was on the CGC Point Garnet 82310 in 67&68. I founde your Channel and wanted to see the the diference of living conditions between an 82 and your 87 footer, al I can say is WOW what a diffrence!! Your vessel is so nice and well designed. But I loved it I have to say and the Coast Guard did a great j0b at what we had to do it was an experience and the SERE Training before whe left for Nam was something else,but we made it and got home safe. Smooth sailing to both of you and take care. Chief David l. Marshall Knoxville Tenn.

My first thought was "They still have active 87 footers?" Then I realize I was thinking of the old 82' point class cutters. Life in the CG was pretty damn good for me. Civilian life was a pure let down afterwards.

Marine Corps active duty. Did 20 years as a CGAuxiliarist. Got comm qualified at STA Duluth. Also crew qualified on 44 MLB. Later in SC, I was in the program as In Port OOD until it was cancelled. I was learning the qualifications on the CG Yellow Fin. Really enjoyed that part of the Auxiliary. Finished up all my time on the Chattahoochee River .

Great job Erin. Thank you for your service to our country!!

Navy shower while underway: Turn on the water, get wet & turn it off. Soap up, turn the water on long enough to rinse off and you’re done. HM3, 1964-1968.

I’m glad to see what an 87 looks like after spending all my time on the Active up there

Having served 3 - USCG 180’ buoy tenders and MLB Station Bodega Bay (44’ & 30’) back in 1980 - 1988. Got out as MK2. Thanks for the memories of doing ship drawings of were every pipe that ran though the boat (ship) to get qualified as a EOW person for watches on buoy tenders! Thank for the tour of the 87’ boat! Again thank.

Erin, I know that if I need rescue at sea that I can depend on you and your crew. Best of luck in your USCG career.

My dad is 93. He was in the Coast Guard for about 4 years. I love hearing his stories. You have no idea what he did back in those days. Still trying him to make a book about his experience. Much respect to the. Coast Guard