Doug Snyder, Chief of Police, Boothbay Harbor

Chief Snyder was inspired to join the U.S. Coast Guard by his father who was also a member Coast Guard. As he moved throughout his childhood with new assignments for his dad, he met numerous “Coasties” who told adventurous stories of their travels and responsibilities. He particularly remembers a pivotal incident in Maryland in 1993. At that time, he was home with his father who was the ocer in charge at Coast Guard Station St. Ingos. His father received a call about a sinking shing boat called the El Toro II and took young Doug along with him to investigate. First they went to the station, where Doug quietly sat in the corner and listened to the chaos on the radio. Afterward he accompanied his father to the site where all the ambulances were staged and he watched his father provide medical attention to those in need. Chief Snyder recalls this as an amazing experience to see how the Coast Guard operated in such tragic circumstances.

After joining the Coast Guard following high school and completing boot camp, Chief Snyder’s primary goal was to to get on a ship and travel. His rst assignment was on a 270 foot Cutter, the Escanba which was based out of Boston. The ship would go on patrols for a month or two and then return to home port. There he worked in the deck department and became a Boatswain Mate, following in his father’s footsteps. As a Boatswain Mate he served as a boat driver, boarding ocer, and Ocer of the Day, among many other additional duties. After about two years on the boat, Chief Snyder realized that this lifestyle wasn’t for him and requested a transfer to a small boat station. He received orders to go to Boothbay Harbor and while there he became a Coxswain and a Law Enforcement ocer. Also around this time the Coast Guard was starting its Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT). Wanting to shift his focus from search and rescue to law enforcement duties, he left Boothbay Harbor and went to Chesapeake, VA to serve as a Canine Handler for the MSRT. Chief Snyder found being a canine handler to be incredibly fullling. Working with dogs taught him far more than he ever anticipated. Just the thought of watching a dog locate a bomb or track a person still gives him goosebumps!

One of Chief Snyder’s most memorable experiences was meeting President George H.W. Bush. While he was stationed in Boothbay Harbor he remembers the Chief calling him into his oce to inform him that President Bush was going to Friendship Harbor that weekend and needed an escort. It was also the same weekend as the Friendship Lobster Boat Races, so the races were paused to escort President Bush to the dock. President Bush graciously agreed to photos and gave the Coast Guard a tour of his boat. The President also posed for pictures with individuals and the whole crew. Before President Bush left, Chief Snyder asked if he would like to give the crowd a show by racing the Coast Guard ship against President Bush’s boat. The president agreed and they paused the Lobster Boat races one more time for their match. President Bush’s boat easily outran the Coast Guard boat and put on a fantastic display for the crowd. Another memorable experience was President Obama’s rst inauguration where a week prior to the inauguration the Coast Guard had the responsibility to search for bombs along the river and other assigned places. He was assisted by his Dutch Shepard, K9 Cuba. The day of the inauguration, they were tasked with crossing the river to search for a suspicious person at a marina. They relied on their GPS for directions, but due to many road closures, the GPS led them down a route lled with vendors, tents and pedestrians which turned out to be the parade route. They were just ve minutes ahead of the President’s arrival and could see the Marine Corps band playing in the rearview mirror. Other exciting times included being deployed to Jamestown, Virginia when the Queen of England was visiting and the prospect of going to Boston for the World Series, the latter of which unfortunately resulted in searching the airport rather than Fenway Park.

Chief Snyder credits the Coast Guard in giving him a huge amount of responsibility at a young age. Before he could legally have an alcoholic beverage, he was in charge of many signicant operations, such as refueling at sea. This maneuver involved bringing two large ships close enough to transfer fuel and goods between them. He learned essential lessons about leadership and ownership that stay with him until this day and he also learned to take ownership for his mistakes. He believes that the Coast Guard’s culture is unique, being one of the smaller branches of the military, but also having a broad range of jobs. He hopes that his legacy in Coast Guard will be that he left everything better than he found it. As to those considering a career in the Coast Guard, Chief Snyder says it was an honor to serve and that joining the military can be one of the most fulfilling jobs that you will ever have with the benefits of serving your country lasting a lifetime.

Now, I would like to say that my Coast Guard hitch of five years was nothing but day after day of exciting heroics. Wow, what a story. Jumping out of helicopters in the dark, driving surfboats through hurricanes, patrolling the North Atlantic for icebergs.

Well, no. That was what my still-adolescent mind envisioned in 1970 when I enlisted, having spent boyhood summers on the New Jersey barrier islands. Local Coast Guardsmen there were regarded as demigods, super heroes. Indeed, my big brother became one of those guys, coxswain of a surfboat out of Atlantic City.

My own experience was different. It is said that no Coast Guard career is the same as any other. It’s true. After doing the pushups and drills at Cape May, it was off to diesel mechanic school at Yorktown, where I was about to graduate at the top of my class, when I was summoned from class and told that I was late in reporting to Officer Candidate School, also at Yorktown. So, said I, maybe I’ll be going to sea after all, with better pay and creature comforts! Cool!

Well, no again. After six months of studying navigation, seamanship, vessel handling, gunnery, and more drilling, I was ordered to a base on the Delaware River. There I was on the staff of the Captain of the Port, primarily a law-enforcement job supervising the stowage of dangerous cargoes on merchant ships. This included ammunition headed for Vietnam. Initially I was disappointed in this assignment, but came to realize, that as seemingly invisible as the task was, it probably saved numerous lives of merchant seamen.

In addition, as Officer-of-the-day, a periodic duty shared with four other junior officers, I controlled search and rescue efforts on the river. For me, the capstone of my brief career was directing a multi-unit effort following the explosion of the tankship “Elias”, with multiple fatalities and crewmen overboard at night. There were several medals, well-deserved, awarded to the young Coast Guardsmen who fought that fire and spent many hours searching.

So, I will summarize by saying that my Coast Guard experience was a good one. I’m proud of it. I encourage any young person who wants to engage in service to the country to consider the Coast Guard. There will be long periods of perhaps dull watch-standing, and training, but it’s all part of the “Semper Paratus” (always ready) mission.

I currently live in Alna with my wife, Mary. My local maritime experience includes serving as Captain of a University of Maine research vessel, Captain of a "Boat US" towboat for many summers, and work in the mechanic departments of several local marinas. I briefly had a brush with the corporate banking world here in Boothbay Harbor years ago. For many years now my "day job" has been as a self-employed farrier. I am the owner of the small steel schooner Sycamore built in my Alna backyard. I feel privileged to be invited again to participate in Windjammer Days.

Growing up in Boothbay Harbor, surrounded by boats, I felt a deep desire to help save people in trouble. Also, my uncle Bill Parmenter USCG (ret) took me to his units when I was a kid. This passion led me to a 22-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard, during which I was transferred to various units and stations.

I was stationed in Boothbay Harbor for about five years and even served as Officer in Charge on a few occasions while waiting for a Chief to assume the role. When I first arrived, the Coast Guard Station was located across the street from where the station is now.

My initial assignment was aboard the CGC Acushnet, a 213-foot ocean-going tugboat. After that, I was stationed at Boothbay Harbor Station before transferring to other units, including Kennebec River Station, CGC Shackle, and then back to Boothbay Harbor. I made Chief at Boothbay Harbor Station and was transferred to the CGC Yankton, Portland Lightship, and French Frigate Shoals, where George Crocker from Boothbay told me he built that island while he was in the Navy Seabees. Then to Base Charleston in South Carolina where I made Senior Chief and transferred to District One Search and Rescue in Boston. In my role at District One, I was responsible for all boats 65 feet and under, from Eastport to Newport, RI. It was during this time that the 41-foot boats were being assigned and I was asked where the next one was going. I said, Boothbay Harbor Station. I made Master Chief in the District and transferred to the CGC Point Batan in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.

My final assignment was on the CGC Point Batan, an 82-foot cutter, where I served as Officer in Charge. While doing patrol in Key West, I had the honor of taking out the Coast Guard Commandant Hayes. When he came aboard, I handed him a copy of the Boothbay Register. Surprised, he asked how I knew. I told him I lived right near him in Boothbay Harbor. I had six family members in the Coast Guard and three retired including my daughter Sharon Machon Ames. My journey through the Coast Guard was filled with varied assignments, each contributing to my growth and dedication to saving lives at sea.

D.J. Holcomb's path to the U.S. Coast Guard was one that evolved with time, shaped by family influence and personal reflection. Born into a family with a rich Coast Guard legacy, Holcomb had always admired the work his father did in the service. His father served for 22 years, and young DJ often found himself visiting Coast Guard stations and experiencing the excitement of life on the water. But it wasn’t until after high school, when his plans to play football at college fell through, that Holcomb decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. He figured the Coast Guard could be a solid stepping stone while he figured out his next move. What started as a temporary decision has turned into a remarkable 20-year career, with no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

When Holcomb first joined the Coast Guard, his initial goals were clear: earn the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E-7) and become certified as Officer in Charge (OIC). His father, who had served as both a Chief and OIC at CG STA Boothbay Harbor, served as a role model for Holcomb. He admired his father's leadership and aspired to follow a similar path. Over time, Holcomb’s goals evolved as he became more invested in his career. Today, he holds the prestigious position of Commanding Officer at USCGC Warren Deyampert, stationed in Boston, MA.

Holcomb’s first assignment came after basic training when he was assigned to CGC Thunder Bay, homeported in Rockland, ME. As is common with most first assignments, this was a time of adjustment, where the DJ had to adapt to the military lifestyle, learn new skills, and earn qualifications. Despite the initial challenges, Holcomb felt at home in the service. The tight-knit crew and the work they did together helped him realize that he had made the right decision. He began honing his skills as a Boatswain’s Mate, eventually earning certifications as a coxswain and Deck Watch Officer on various boats and ships.

Throughout his career, Holcomb has had the opportunity to serve in multiple operational roles, including Search & Rescue, Maritime Law Enforcement, and Ports, Waterways & Coastal Security. One of the most memorable assignments in his career came when he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and sent to CGC Stratton in Alameda, CA. This was his first experience aboard a ship that would take him across the globe, visiting countries like Fiji, Australia, India, and Singapore. It was an eye-opening experience, as it reinforced the idea that, like the Navy, the Coast Guard operates globally, conducting vital missions including drug interdiction and freedom of navigation.

The Coast Guard has shaped Holcomb both professionally and personally. Professionally, it has given him leadership roles early in his career and allowed him to develop skills in accountability and discipline. Personally, the experience has helped him become more compassionate, understanding, and task-oriented. The leadership opportunities in the Coast Guard are unique, often empowering junior members with responsibilities that other branches might reserve for higher ranks. These early leadership experiences have translated into Holcomb’s personal life, helping him navigate the responsibilities of being a father.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Holcomb's career is the opportunity to lead. He finds great satisfaction in watching his crew members evolve both personally and professionally. The opportunity to mold future leaders and mariners is something Holcomb takes great pride in.

While he doesn’t focus on leaving a personal legacy, he hopes to leave the Coast Guard in a better place by training the next generation of leaders and ensuring they care about the job as much as he does.

As for advice to those considering joining the Coast Guard, Holcomb encourages exploration of the many different paths that you can take in the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard offers a variety of specializations, and finding one that aligns with personal interests is key, whether you're in for a few years or a career spanning decades. He encourages talking to a recruiter and also reaching out to the local stations and asking for a tour.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Holcomb credits the Coast Guard for more than just his career. It was through his service that he met his wife, Janelle. The connection formed with her brother, a fellow Coast Guard member, eventually led to Holcomb meeting Janelle. The two have now been happily married for 12 years and have two beautiful daughters.

How I got started: It was the third or fourth weekend in August 1957 when our family wandered down route 27, turned left on route 96 (Eastern Ave.), and found the Ocean Point Inn. We spent the weekend there, liked it so much that a reservation was made for the next summer. I haven’t missed a summer here since. My parents dream house was built here, and they enjoyed the home for nearly 30 years. Now, it’s the next generation’s turn.

Boating for me was entirely recreational during high school and college summers, learning by experience as well as noticing the routes taken by tour boats such as the Linekin I & II, Novelty, and Argo. Much of it was trial and error as only teenagers can enjoy. With retirement, kids and grandkids, there was need to become a more responsible boater. So, I took a boating safety course offered by the Auxiliary, liked the instructors, and ended up joining. It was great to go out with and learn from very experienced boaters.

What is the Auxiliary? Federal military units have active duty and reserve personnel. Two units also have volunteer components. The Air Force has the Civil Air Patrol, and the Coast Guard has the Auxiliary. An easy way to describe the Auxiliary is we do most everything the Coast Guard does except law enforcement. The Auxiliary even has the AUXAIR which is similar to the CAP with the focus on our coastline. Auxiliarists do not hold ranks. Rather we hold offices. Neither a military background nor boat ownership are required. Because the Auxiliary is a volunteer organization, a member can follow personal interests and be as busy as that individual wants.

My interest was on improving boating skills and I got involved with the Boat Crew program. The area we cover is from Small Point at the Eastern end of Casco Bay to just East of Monhegan. Typical activities during patrols are area familiarization, safety, regattas, search and rescue, verifying aids to navigation, and assisting boaters. Training is an important component with an emphasis on towing, boat handling, and navigation. We also provide the opportunity for the active duty to practice towing recreational boats. These activities have been a great way to learn how to operate a boat in a variety of situations.

The best way to learn something is to teach it, so I became an instructor for our public education courses. We offer several courses throughout the year. They are Suddenly in Command, Boat America, Navigating Mid Coast Maine either in-person or via distance learning. Other Auxiliary programs include Food Service, Environmental Safety, Courtesy Vessel Inspections, Commercial Vessel Inspections, Environmental Safety and Watchstanding.

I am honored to be asked to talk about my time serving in the United States Coast Guard. The Windjammers Days have always been a wonderful time for me going back to my childhood; seeing the old Victory Chimes and all the other old schooners was really a wonderful sight for me. Frankly those days on the water in and around the Boothbay Harbor area were some of the best days of my life.

I joined the Guard right out of high school. I loved the ocean and really wanted to learn navigation and more seamanship skills. My initiation into service was a tough one as boot camp in Cape May, NJ was not a walk in the park! I will never forget one incident there; someone (it wasn’t me) stole a long sword off the wall in the admin office. The overly loud drill instructors had us out on the beach in full dress whites with our rifles at 5am. We stood in a line at the water’s edge and were ordered to throw our weapons into the surf. We then had to wade in, find our personal weapons (known by our memorized weapon serial number) or throw what we’d found back in the water!! It was miserable and took hours!! Soaked, filthy, and cold we ran back to base and then had to clean up our dress whites and weapons!! Great times!!

After Boot Camp we were given 10 days of home leave. The very last night of leave sealed my fate as a North Sea Guardsman!! I was involved in a car accident that night and broke my ankle! My orders were canceled, and I spent 40 days at Base Boston. Ironically, my canceled orders were to go to Hawaii!!! So much for that!! Once healed I was billeted onboard WHEC 33 – US Coast Guard Cutter Duane – a 327 foot weather cutter. That’s where it all began!!

My first patrol was a BRAVO Patrol…..in February no less!! This patrol area was a 210 square mile area of the Labrador Sea aka the North Atlantic Ocean just southwest of the southern tip of Greenland. With the sinking of the Titanic, Canada and the US set up weather patrols to track Icefield and Iceberg movement, along with sea state and weather data. All to be reported back to Washington and then disseminated out to all ships transiting the North Atlantic. Also, the ship would act as a beacon for transatlantic flights. Sometimes when transiting to the patrol area, we would heave to right over the wreck of the Titanic for a moment of silence for all the loss of life. It was a very strange feeling knowing that 1500 people and all the wreckage was over 2.5 miles beneath me in that cold dark water!

The winter weather on Bravo’s was always glorious! Winds of 80 knots and higher with balmy temperatures of 40 to 60 below zero LESS the windchill! Seas of between 30 and 50 feet in the winter were considered fairly normal with the highest wave I’ve seen recorded at 74 feet. The ship would get so covered in ice that it would become unstable meaning I and other boatswains went onto the weather decks to rig lifelines. The deck crews would then go on deck, tie onto lifelines and clear the ice with baseball bats and shovels. Sea water temps were in the low to mid 20s so when it froze solid it was very brittle and some time the ice would shatter like fine crystal! We went through cases of Louisville Slugger bats on every winter patrol!

I made many, many winter Bravo Patrols on that ship and luckily I was one of about 6 crewmen who never got seasick! As a boatswain mate I was on deck at all hours and would go up to the bridge at night and light a cigar; mean, I know, but pretty funny…….guys heaving over the side was a common occurrence on the Bravo! Of course just after I got off the ship, they got rid of the Bravo Patrol as it was determined to be too dangerous and, with the advent of GPS and better radar systems, less dangerous for shipping in that area in winter.

I transferred off the ship and finally got my choice of the Boothbay Harbor Lifeboat Station!! I knew the entire area of water from Sequin Island to Monhegan like the back of my hand so I felt like I was adding value to that Station. I ran the 40 and 44 foot rescue boats now and again and also serviced all the lighthouses in that area. When needed, we would help the lobstermen stuck with warp in their props and of course help any other vessels that needed assistance. I had a good time at the Station with lots of memories – both good and bad! Late one Sunday afternoon, in solid fog and drizzle, we got a call from a sailboat that was floundering “ in Muscongus Bay”……..they had no idea exactly where they were and couldn’t see anything! After 17 hours of searching, we finally found them two miles southwest of Monhegan, a long ways from the Bay! Too rough to take them onboard the 44, we towed them back to Boothbay Station…….seasick, scared, wet and cold. we finally got them onto the boathouse dock………older parents with son and new wife, we all got hugs and kisses of thanks…….along with lots of apologies for not listening to weather reports!!

As I write I realize I could write a book about all the exploits I had while in The Guard. Trips to Cuba, Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, at least 20 trips to Saint Johns Newfoundland as well as Halifax; a truly adventurous time of my life. I am still in love with the Coast of Maine and find myself feeling truly “centered” when on the water. I totally recommend a stint, or career in the Coast Guard for anyone who loves the water and wants to help anyone who might need assistance on the ocean.

Thanks for this opportunity to share. Fair winds and following seas!

Born and raised in Acton, Maine, Smith decided to join the Coast Guard after spending his time skiing and then losing his job. He was originally planning to join the Marines, but his friend told him about the Coast Guard. At that time he didn’t know the Coast Guard existed and his friend told him that all he would be doing was driving boats. Since he grew up on a lake, he thought that was a good fit. Ryan found out that simple description was “a little wrong”. After enlisting in 2005, Smith’s first assignment was aboard the 210-foot offshore patrol boat, the CGC Vigilance, where he quickly learned that the job was far more challenging than he anticipated. He learned to navigate by the stars, plot his position using radar and land objects and become a Pursuit Coxswain. It was a huge challenge for him, especially being away from home for the first time, but the leadership and guidance he received gave him motivation and helped him to adjust.

Smith’s commitment and leadership abilities didn’t go unnoticed. Over the years, he continued to grow in his role and took on more responsibilities. Initially planning to serve just four years before pursuing college, Smith found himself extending his service after realizing the Coast Guard had become his true calling. Now, over 18 years later, he is the Officer in Charge at Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor, overseeing a crew of 23 active-duty members. As the leader of his station, Smith’s main focus is on search and rescue operations, recreational boating safety, and the protection of marine resources along the coast of Maine, from Cape Small to Port Clyde.

Despite the tough conditions that come with these responsibilities, Smith says the most rewarding part of his job is seeing junior members grow and succeed. While Smith’s professional journey has been rewarding, one of his most memorable moments came during a routine mission in Portsmouth Harbor, when his quick thinking and the teamwork of his crew saved a life. He was the Officer of the Day, and he got a call from a fisherman who said he saw a man in a small dory who was out in 8-foot seas with one oar half a mile off Perkins Cove in Ogunquit. The fisherman said that he couldn’t understand anything the man was saying and believed him to be drunk. Smith wasn’t convinced, but they decided to launch the boat.

They found the man about two miles out to sea in 8-10 ft seas and 25 knots of wind. One of the crew members was perceptive and tried communicating with American Sign Language. It turned out that the man was deaf and had a suicide note. He’d stolen a car, gotten into a chase, and then stolen the dory with no intention of surviving. They were able to get him on the Coast Guard Boat and bring him to York Harbor where EMS was waiting. Smith asserts if they hadn’t gone out, there’s no telling what would have happened. He says it felt like so many factors came together for a reason.

Looking ahead, Smith plans to continue leading his team and making a difference in the community, while also focusing on completing his education. He is currently three classes away from getting his degree at Southern New Hampshire University. He says that the Coast Guard’s close knit culture is unique due to its tight knit community that is always looking out for one another.

I grew up as a Coast Guard “brat” moving up and down the east coast from Maine to South Carolina. My father, BMCM (Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate) Ira Machon’s final duty station was an 82-foot Patrol Boat out of Point Pleasant Beach, NJ where he was officer-in-charge. We got to know many of the small 9-man crew, one of which became my recruiter and another that I worked with later in my career. We had several dependent cruises where families could join the crew on a day trip. I had a feeling of fitting in, belonging when I was onboard, but never really considered that this was a job that I would or could do. After graduating from High School in Charleston, South Carolina, I drifted around doing different jobs in several different states including back home in Maine.

I was living in Fort Myers, Florida working two full time jobs when one day as I was driving over the bridge, I saw a Coast Guard Patrol Boat. I thought to myself, why couldn’t I join the Coast Guard? I called my dad and told him that I was thinking about joining. He went right to the recruiter’s office, got a bunch of brochures and mailed them to me. A couple of months later, I was raising my right hand and committing to the delayed entry program for entrance to Boot Camp in October 1986.

My biggest goal when I first entered the Coast Guard was to advance to Master Chief and be Officer-in-Charge of a patrol boat like my dad. Several life decisions, such as having a family and going to college, derailed that dream. I still had a very rewarding career with ten years of active duty and almost twenty years in the Reserves plus five years as a civilian Search and Rescue Controller in the Portland, Maine Operations Center. For my final seven years in the Coast Guard Reserves, I was lucky enough to serve at my home-town Coast Guard Station, Boothbay Harbor.

After boot camp in Cape May, NJ, I was stationed at the small boat station in South Portland, Maine. They said “don’t go home after boot camp, go see the country or someplace else,” but the jobs were extremely limited for females at the time and most were office jobs. So, I chose to come back to Maine. I was at the station for about three weeks when they told me I would be assigned to the 95-foot patrol boat there. I felt so lucky to be able to get this job because at the time, there were only four patrol boats in the whole Coast Guard that had females. It was a great learning experience and solidified my decision to become a Quartermaster (QM).

I spent fifteen months onboard while waiting for QM school. My roles included working with the deck force, helmsman, small boat coxswain, in port watch stander, boarding team member, and line handler. I also learned navigation, weapons handling, and the proper techniques for scraping and painting as well as many other cleaning and maintenance tasks.

I attended the twelve-week QM school in Yorktown, VA in the spring of 1988. A QM in the Coast Guard has several responsibilities first and foremost as a navigator, bridge watch, and master helmsman. Other responsibilities included being a signalman, search and rescue controller, pollution response, aids to navigation, or whatever each duty station required.

Toward the end of QM school, we got to pick our next assignment from a list of available jobs. As one of only two females in the class there were only two jobs available for us. I picked the job that I thought would help me most in my career, but one of the least desirable jobs. I was assigned to a 378’ High Endurance Cutter named Midgett homeported in Alameda, CA. Our schedule was usually about three months underway and two months in port, most of our time was spent in The Bering Sea and The Gulf of Alaska.

When I arrived in Alameda, the ship was underway on patrol. I stayed in Alameda for about three weeks until they made a port call in Homer, Alaska, where I joined them. In addition to my duties as Quartermaster and Signalman, I also got involved with law enforcement and became a member of a boarding team. Most of the boardings I was involved in were in the Bering Sea and were on larger foreign fishing vessels or fish processing ships except one beautiful sunny day when we were in the Gulf of Alaska. I was on a smaller fishing vessel in the pilot house and noticed a placard that identified the vessel as being built at Goudy and Stevens in East Boothbay, Maine. I asked the crew if any of them had ever been there and they all said “no.” During this same boarding, two killer whales were entertaining us by circling the bow of the boat.

My next unit was Group Detroit, MI, now called Sector Detroit. My initial assignment was to process Marine Event Permits for an area that covered half of Lake Huron including Saginaw Bay; Lake St. Clair; and half of Lake Erie plus the St Clair and Detroit Rivers. After about a year, I was moved into the Operations Center to be a Search and Rescue Controller. This job entailed search planning plus dispatching boats and helicopters to search for missing mariners; ice rescues; and coordination of US and Canadian vessels for ice breaking and keeping waterways open for shipping traffic. We had eleven small boat stations in our area from Tawas, MI to Fairport, OH and worked closely with these stations during emergency calls. The states of Michigan and Ohio are in the top five states of having the highest number of registered boats in the United States, so we had many opportunities to help mariners in distress.

To me, the most rewarding part of this job was when I received a report of an overdue vessel and was able to tell the family that the missing person had been located which sometimes took minutes, but other times hours, or even a day or longer. Cell phones were not as prevalent as they are today, so finding someone was like taking many pieces of a puzzle and putting them together, including calculating a search area or search patterns for small boats, local law enforcement, and helicopters. When I first started being a search and rescue controller, everything was done on a paper chart, but as the years went by, we transitioned to using computers and programs to help prepare the search areas. Unfortunately, the outcome of these searches was not always a positive experience.

A frustrating part of this job was when children or adults called in a Mayday call over VH-FM Channel 16 when they weren’t in distress or sometimes, not even on a body of water. This was a common occurrence during boat shows, but we still conducted searches for a vessel in distress. Equipment evolved over the years and now direction-finding equipment can help pinpoint a location of these hoax calls.

After about five years of sitting on shore as a Search and Rescue Controller, I was finally assigned a Patrol boat out of Mayport, Florida and underway again. I was in charge of the Operations Department as a First-Class Quartermaster. Our missions included Law Enforcement, search and rescue, and migrant interdiction. One of the most memorable experiences that I had while onboard was watching a space shuttle launch from Cape Canaveral, FL. The best part of being on a ship is the comradery and friendships that are created with shipmates.

I was given the opportunity to move back to Maine and work at the Group Portland, now called Sector Northern New England, Operations Center. I worked there as a Reservist, Active Duty, and Civilian Search and Rescue Controller. Our area of operation included the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire plus Lake Champlain with Station Burlington, VT. It was also during this time that the Coast Guard eliminated the rate of Quartermaster. We were given the option to do another rate (job), so I decided to become a Boatswains Mate, which gave me the eligibility to work at a small boat station. I jumped on the opportunity to transfer to Station Boothbay Harbor where I was put in charge of the Reserve unit.

The Coast Guard has always been a part of my life and I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to serve. I met my husband, Robert Ames while stationed in Portland and we have been able to raise our four children here in the Boothbay region. I was also able to complete a college degree using the Military Tuition Assistance Program which resulted in my current job with the Federal government, Social Security Administration.

The Coast Guard is a small service where the responsibilities of one person can be equal to five or more different jobs in other services or in the civilian world. One day in the Coast Guard can consist of excitement, boredom, learning, teaching, supervising, being supervised, high activity or low activity. There are so many opportunities and the more you put into it, the more you get out.

The U.S. Coast Guard has been an integral part of my life from the very beginning. I was born and raised in Boothbay, a community deeply rooted in maritime tradition. My father, Brian Blethen, served as an MK1 in the Coast Guard reserves for over 20 years, while my mother dedicated more than 30 years to federal service, first as an Army drill sergeant and later as a Postmaster. Service is in my blood.

Growing up, I was surrounded by a legacy of hard work and dedication. My grandfather, Douglas Carter, and uncle, Andy Carter, are both lobstermen, who have worked hard in the maritime industry their whole lives. I have vivid memories of the haunted houses at Small Boat Station Boothbay Harbor where my dad worked—those were the best haunted houses I've ever been to! The lobster boat races and Fisherman’s festival, where my grandfather, local lobstermen, and family friends competed, further underscored the deep connection between my family, the Coast Guard, and our community's safety.

As a freshman in high school, I worked with the crew to create an apprenticeship opportunity at the Small Boat Station, allowing me to spend more time learning about the service and exploring whether this was the path I wanted to pursue. By my sophomore year, I reached out to the head coach of the Coast Guard Academy’s Women’s Basketball team, Alex Ivansheck, and invited her to watch my AAU basketball games. She came, and I think I may have been the youngest recruit they had ever seen, but I was certain that the Coast Guard was where I wanted to be. I wanted to embrace the "Service above Self" mentality and be a part of these life-saving missions.

When I applied to the Coast Guard Academy, I was unsure if I would be accepted. So, receiving my appointment and being able to play for the Women’s Basketball team was a dream come true. My time at the Academy has been filled with incredible experiences, from Swab Summer and summer cruises to leadership roles and new responsibilities. While it may sound inevitable, graduating and commissioning is far from a given. The Academy is an incredibly demanding institution that challenges you every day—mentally, physically, and ethically.

The service and the Academy have had a profound impact on me in ways I can't fully express myself in just one article. This has been my goal for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I’ve had valuable experiences, such as spending my sophomore summer aboard a 270-foot cutter patrolling the Caribbean Sea and visiting DHS Headquarters, where I gained insight into the inner workings of government and service finance. These experiences have shaped my leadership style and given me a clearer sense of purpose. I know I wouldn’t have had these opportunities and experiences if it weren’t for my family, mentors, friends, teachers, coaches, and most of all this community.

This month, I received orders to Portsmouth, VA, where I’ll serve on a 270-foot cutter with primary missions in National Security, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, and Fisheries. I am beyond excited for this next chapter and to continue serving my country.

My good friend Andrew likes to tease when he asks, ‘Where in the Coast Guard manual does it tell you what to do when you report to your first duty station, and they tell you they have already filled your position and there’s no more room for you on the boat?’ That's what happened to me in June of 1994 when I reported from basic training in Cape May, New Jersey to the Coast Guard Cutter Shackle in South Portland, Maine. I proudly strode down the cement pier in my service dress blue (bravos) uniform towards the black 65-foot tugboat, respectfully called aboard, and identified myself as Seaman Recruit Blethen reporting as ordered. The Officer in Charge, a Chief Boatswain’s Mate, leaned out of the pilot house and informed me that my billet had already been filled. Andrew likes to envision me feverishly thumbing through my manual to quickly determine what my next course of action should be. Thankfully, the Chief gave me some good advice that included going up to the Yeomans’ office and checking in with them.

What the heck am I going to do now, I thought to myself. When I arrived at the administrative office I met up with a Senior Chief Yeoman. He and I hit it off and talked about sports for 10 or 15 minutes. I explained my situation to him. He then laid out a couple of options which included either washing dishes at the base in South Portland until another billet opened or going up to the small boat station in Boothbay Harbor and becoming a crew member there. I had spent my fair share of time in kitchens during my summer jobs growing up and so doing some search and rescue and some law enforcement on small boats in Boothbay Harbor sounded much more appealing to this new boot. Boot is what you would call new people reporting fresh out of basic training.

It was a fateful turn of events that led me to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. I became qualified as a boat crew member, an EMT, and a law enforcement boarding team member. I was also promoted to Machinery Technician 3rd Class. During my off time, I worked as a substitute teacher at the elementary school and the high school. I was also invited to volunteer as an assistant coach with the high school football team. This then led to an opportunity to volunteer with the boy’s high school basketball team.

Then one fateful January evening I attended a birthday party for one of the high school football coaches and the assistant volunteer coach for the girl’s high school basketball team was also at the party. She and I began to talk and get to know one another and the rest is history. The girls’ varsity volunteer assistant coach and the boys’ varsity volunteer assistant coach have now been married for 28 years and counting.

I served two years active duty in Boothbay Harbor and then another two years active duty in San Francisco, CA. After four years of active duty, I decided to join the reserve ranks and finish my undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Maine. Lesley and I returned to Boothbay Harbor and started coaching girls’ youth basketball at the YMCA. I went on to serve 17 years in the Coast Guard Reserves and retired as a Machinery Technician 1st Class. During my time in the Coast Guard, I made many lifelong friends and learned many valuable skills and lessons. Some of these skills included becoming an EMT, a boarding officer, a diesel mechanic, and the most rewarding of all as a coxswain. I enjoyed navigating and driving boats and I enjoyed training crew members even more. I especially enjoyed taking young people on our boats, sharing the mission of the Coast Guard with them, and then teaching them how to drive our boats. There was one time when we were taking family members out after a Change of Command ceremony, and I asked a 10-year-old girl if she wanted to put our 47-foot motor lifeboat in the boathouse. She looked at me with big eyes and her parents looked very concerned. It was a great moment when she was able to follow directions, work the boats throttles, port and starboard, and maneuvered the 47 into the boathouse without any trouble.

I think our daughters Faith and Glory saw how much I enjoyed serving our country and our community. I also believe it is one of the reasons our youngest daughter Glory decided to attend the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT and will graduate this May. My wife Lesley also served in the US Army, and I know that has also inspired both of our daughters. It's a unique opportunity to serve your country and one that should not be taken for granted. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve in the United States Coast Guard, and I am even more thankful for the day I reported to the base in South Portland and was invited to go to Boothbay Harbor.