Qualifications Met!

Received an email from Nate - he has passed his boards and met his qualifications on board the cutter. Yeah Nate!!!

Cuba

Nate called from Cuba - he is going to take his boards this trip to get qualified! He may be in Key West next weekend and we hope to hear more then.

Underway

Nate's crew went on patrol today, borrowing the Diligence from Wilmington, NC. The weather was 18 degrees, a bit cooler than they were used to in Miami, and that they will come across while patrolling! Most of the guys had brought light sweatshirts and the like... oops! Nate enjoyed Wilmington (as much as any little city in winter). They stayed on the cutter and had some time off to get pizza in town (yeah "Slice of Life"!) and had time to get some more ink (Nate is on his third tattoo, now). It will take several days to leave the cold and return to the balmy lower coast. They are traveling to move migrants. He should have a few days in ports such as Key West (where he has grown fond of a little coffee shop) and the Bahamas (he hasn't been yet).

Will keep you posted with pics when he sends/posts them while underway.

Stuck in Miami

Apparently Nate will be in Miami for a considerable amount of time prior to "A" School. But 19 year olds measure time differently from others, so maybe it is not as bad as he makes it sound? Here is a shot of him and crew from the Valiant, who are about to go on a 30 day Caribbean patrol on the cutter, Diligence, from Wilmington, NC. Randy and I saw the cutter when we visited there this summer - watching as they were dually recruiting for the Coast Guard, and painting and arc welding. I hope they enjoy Wilmington, it is a cool little city!

Nate's Crew Leaves Wednesday 1/14

They travel to North Carolina to borrow a cutter Wednesday and then they prep to leave for the Caribbean!

Nate

Nate Pics

Some pics to share from the fall patrol and subsequent visit home

Patrol Again

Nate has spent his time on watch at the boat dry docked in Glen Burnie, since November. He will return to Miami in order to go on patrol in the Caribbean on Wednesday 1/7. They are borrowing the cutter from Wilmington, NC to do a 33 day patrol. February in the Bahamas - tough gig... He is shown here with his brother, Ian.