COAST GUARD TRAINING CENTER YORKTOWN, Va. –
Roughly one month ago, a crew of approximately 20 Soldiers was tasked to the Gulf of Mexico just south of the Florida panhandle. Their job was to tow a former Army vessel (dating back to the Vietnam War) down and around the coast up to Georgia.
A storm was in the vicinity, but it wasn't enough to steer the crew away from Kings Bay. The storm hit while underway smacking the tugboat with wave after wave, tossing the vessel like a chew toy in the mouth of a canine; such is the life of a tug.
A massive, yet sleek, Large Tug 805 assigned to the 7th Sustainment Brigade is one of the Army's few active-duty tugs. The vessel is one of the only tugboats in the U.S. military, making it a hot commodity around the East Coast, and the civilian towing world. Dubbed one of the most dangerous jobs in the watercraft field, working on the tug isn't for the weak of heart.
A trip to the USCG Training Center in Yorktown, a 20 minute drive from Fort Eustis, will give you a taste of what a boat that size can do, and what kind of Soldiers it takes to handle the heavy-duty beast known as the Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, LT 805.
During a training session at the training center, Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Helmsderfer, LT 805 skipper, decided to try a rarely used towing procedure.
"The day before consisted of catch-and-release moves, but today they will be challenged using the hip tow - towing another vessel from port or starboard side (left or right side of boat)," said Helmsderfer.
The tow lines used to hold vessels are massive. There are two lines used to support inland or sea operations. The heavy-duty cables can hold close to 400,000 lbs., and are used to pull large vessels. For maneuverability, and towing smaller boats, synthetic tow lines are used, which can hold almost 300,000 lbs. - stats that didn't seem to faze the crew on board.
"The blue synthetic lines are serious material. At any moment they can rip through steel. I have seen them blow right through panels, steel siding and bitts that hold lines," said Helmsderfer.
What separate these deck hands from other boat crews is their operational knowledge and the huge machinery they use for towing. It is a dangerous and tedious job, but it is imperative they are proficient.
"We have to know all vessel-handling procedures dealing with tow line handling, docking and undocking procedures for ocean tow or inland tow, whether or not to use synthetics, or chain bridles," said Spc. Alexander Meese, a watercraft operator assigned to the tug. "When I am not outside, I am on the bridge pulling watch for four hours at a time; watching for other vessels, maintaining our position and charting maps."
The 'deckies' know that tying and untying lines is a day-to-day task done before (and while) the boat is underway. There are few things this crew hasn't seen, especially when it comes to training exercises. Whether is a training environment or not, they demonstrated how serious this business is.
"Line handling can be dangerous, because you can get caught between lines or the boat you are tugging. If you're not paying attention, the lines can grab you and take you where you don't want to go," said Spc. Adam Kagnhieser, another deck hand for the tug. "Lines are also strong enough to take your finger off, which is why we don't wear gloves; our fingers could get caught in the gloves as the lines take everything with them."
What I saw during training happens every day for these men and women. It is not unusual to see Soldiers conducting real-world training, while simultaneously training marine deck officer students. The tugboat brings toughness to a new level for everyone aboard.
"It is hard work, but I go home happy that I have this job. Physically it's demanding, but it is something I take pride in," said Spc. Amanda Kirkland, a watercraft engineer on board. "You have to be positive and motivated in this field,"
It is certainly physically demanding - nothing is small or light on this boat. There is plenty of moving steel and synthetic parts on board that could hit you in the head, or take a limb at any given moment. However, the Soldiers on board the LT 805 are required to be highly proficient in the area of safety operations before they are allowed to step aboard the "beast."
"I can remember one time in Iraq, 2003, a line from a vessel snapped apart, and really scared the 'you know what' out of the crew," said Staff Sgt. John Plake, senior boatswain aboard the large tug. "I have to keep them motivated daily because we all work in one of the most dangerous jobs in watercraft. I ensure they do their job safely and correctly."
Certainly a scary moment, however, I know everyone aboard felt like they were in safe hands. There are certainly more stories that haven't been shared, and there will be more in the future. The ocean can get rough, but the LT 805 and its reputation as the "beast" can take on any mission given to them, anywhere in the world. It's all in a tug's life.