By Karen Robes Meeks
This week, the US Coast Guard 17th District in Alaska hosted the annual Buoy Tender Roundup, a five-day event featuring training and friendly competition.
Crew members from Coast Guard cutters Kukui and Henry Blake, Coast Guard Regional Dive Locker West and Canadian coast guard ship Bartlett took part in the event, which provides members the opportunity to receive specialized training in areas such as engine repair, buoy maintenance, first aid, navigation, weather observation and fisheries.
"The roundup is an extremely cost effective and efficient means to ensure our buoy tender crews have access to the training they need to be successful in their chosen professions," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Newell, chief of the district Waterways Branch. "Subject matter experts from across the Coast Guard are being brought in to inspect and service vital shipboard equipment to ensure the safety of our crews while they are deployed.”
Coast Guard buoy tenders in Alaska maintain 1,350 navigational aids along 33,000 miles of coastline. They also take part in search and rescue, environmental protection and law enforcement missions.
