"From fisheries enforcement to search and rescue; from boating safety to escorting oil tankers; from oil spill response to community service; Coast Guard personnel, Auxiliary members and their families contribute to Alaska whenever they can and wherever they see a need.  This new Auxiliary Station is a symbol of that spirit."        Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer, Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Whittier Commissioning June 16, 2001

With the nearest Coast Guard presence then being in Seward, Cordova, Homer and a MSO station in Valdez, the need for a Coast Guard presence in Western Prince William Sound had long been recognized. A Coast Guard task force in 1999 recommended a Whittier facility, anticipating that the opening of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to the public would make the sound more accessible to Anchorage residents and tourists. After much brainstorming a new program was scheduled to commence in conjunction with the opening of the tunnel to vehicle traffic.

 Unprecedented and a first for the nation and the Auxiliary, the U.S. Coast Guard would purchase, outfit and maintain a Coast Guard operational facility for the Auxiliary to man and operate on patrols in western Prince William Sound. The Whittier SAFEboat became a reality. To support the SAFEboat an operational shore side station was a must. It would provide communications, a command post, storage for gear and spare parts, and most importantly a visible Team Coast Guard presence for the public.

The Alaska Railroad just happened to be retiring a fleet of cabooses and the city of Whittier had acquired one of them in 1990. This fortunate set of circumstances allowed the Auxiliary the opportunity to use the caboose as the new Station Whittier! With the hurdle of a physical location out of the way the real work began! The caboose interior was stripped with the help of a Boy Scout troop and a complete remodel was done over the winter complete with chart tables, book shelves, built in desks and sleeping bunks in the cupola. The exterior was scrubbed from top to bottom of years worth of dirt and grime in preparation of its new colors. First an undercoat of battleship gray was applied to help cover its railroad heritage and protect it against the salt air environment. Next was several coats of white to make it stand out amongst the other buildings of the harbor. A 30 foot radio mast to support twin 20 foot antenna and a 30 foot flagpole were erected. Then the stripes were added to transform it into a Team Coast Guard entity. It worked as people still stop and look and children point whenever they go by.

On June 16, 2001 Station Whittier, known affectionately as "The Caboose" was commissioned along with the new SAFEboat during a large ceremony that included many distinguished guests. Present were Alaska's Lieutenant Governor Fran Ulmer; Vice Adm. Ernest R. Riutta, Commander, Pacific Area; and Rear Adm. Tom Barrett, Commander, 17th Coast Guard District. The national Auxiliary commodore, Commodore Viggo Bertelsen; and LCDR Chris Honse, Director of Auxiliary, 17th District and representatives of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary were present also along with representatives of the City of Whittier and many members of the Auxiliary from district 17. After many handshakes and offers of congratulations Station Whittier, dedicated to Auxiliarist Jack Jesse, had become a reality.

Caboose Facts

The Whittier Caboose is retired Alaska Railroad #1076. It was built in March 1949 by Pacific Car and Foundry in Renton Washington, and placed in service in April 1949. After many years of service it was completely rebuilt in the mid 1970’s.This removed the roof running boards, several windows, replaced existing windows with new Federal Railroad Administration approved glazing and other improvements. In the 1990’s electronic devices made the caboose outdated. Although still used by the Alaska Railroad, many were retired and replaced by EOTD’s (end of train device) and FRED (flashing rear end device).

Retired #1076 was acquired and saved from scrapping by the city of Whittier and is now leased for $1.00 a year to the Whittier flotilla of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. After a year of planning, dismantling, rebuilding and refinishing, It entered service to the boaters of Prince William Sound on June 16, 2001 as the first and only caboose to ever wear the Coast Guard colors.

Builder: Pacific Car & Foundry
Built: 1949  In Service April 1949
ARR # series 1065-1084
Weight: 50,200lbs before rebuilt  51,200lbs after rebuild
Capacity: 80,000lbs
Length 40’ 3.25” before rebuild  43” 1” after 70’s rebuild
Height: 15’ 10”
Width 9’ 10”
Interior length 29’ 6”
Interior width 8’ 8”
Interior Height 7’ 1”
Rail to top of floor 3’ 10”
Generator 2kw at 400rpm
Batteries 5 trays 5cells each
32 volt system
Heat -Diesel furnace
Total mileage ?
 

Everything “On Track” for the Arrival of the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s SAFEBOAT in Alaska

By LCDR Christopher Honse, D-17 DIRAUX (November 2000)

In June 2000, the Anton Anderson Memorial (Whittier) Tunnel, North America’s longest highway tunnel, opened permitting the 300,000 Alaskans in the Anchorage Bowl plus an equal number of tourists area to gain easy access to Whittier located in Western Prince William Sound.  Since there are no Coast Guard units located in Whittier, the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s activity has been steadily increasing with the rise in boating activity.  In anticipation of the tunnel’s opening, the District’s Regional Strategic Assessment (RSA) identified the threat of inexperienced boaters gaining access to the pristine yet dangerous waters of Prince William Sound.  In September 1999, Admiral Thomas Barrett, Seventeenth District Commander, chartered the Whittier Task Force to examine the potential effects of the tunnel opening.  One of the recommendations of the Task Force comprised of several agencies stated that a Coast Guard unit should be established in Whittier to respond to the higher volume of search and rescue (SAR) cases expected with the easier access.  However, it was acknowledged that it would take multiple years to build and establish a Coast Guard Station.

An innovative initiative to address the shortfall will become a reality next as early as next Spring when the Seventeenth Coast Guard Auxiliary receives a new 25-foot SAFEBOAT to operate in Western Prince William Sound.  Recently, the Seventeenth Coast Guard District procured a new $102K SAFEBOAT to be operated solely by Auxiliary coxswains & crew.  The “Coast Guard owned and Auxiliary operated” SAFEBOAT is the same non-standard vessel operated by Stations Juneau and Ketchikan (see photo).  This “standardization” of non-standard boats provides many advantages.  They include maintaining a single inventory of spare parts, developing a strong corporate knowledge base of the SAFEBOAT’s operation and providing the ability to conduct coxswain academies at the Coast Guard Stations utilizing the same platform the coxswains and crew will be operating.

The methodology of using volunteers such as Auxiliarists to operate vessels is proven throughout the world.  The Royal Naval Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) in Great Britain has employed volunteers for 176 years to man their fleet of motor lifeboats.  In addition, the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) operates standardized fast response Rigid Hull Inflatables powered with twin outboards to respond to search and rescue cases.  All coxswains and crew undergo a rigorous training program to increase their proficiency.  Their volunteers are on call 24 hours a day and serve as the primary maritime SAR response agency. In both countries, these vessels are purchased through fund raising activities minimizing the cost to the taxpayer.

Establishing a solid infrastructure is essential for the successful operation of an Auxiliary operated SAFEBOAT.  Therefore, “Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Whittier” will soon be commissioned to support the SAFEBOAT.  An Operation Facility (OPFAC) number will be assigned to the Auxiliary Station providing an avenue for recurring funding and maintenance support.  Auxiliarists and Coast Guard engineers will conduct maintenance on the SAFEBOAT.  The new Coast Guard Station Operations Manual will serve as the primary guidance for the operation of the Whittier Auxiliary Station Small. 

A caboose was obtained from the Alaska Railroad and City of Whittier to serve as the Auxiliary Station in Whittier.  Under a Memorandum of Agreement, the Auxiliary will lease the caboose for one dollar a year. Currently, Auxiliarists with carpenter skills are renovating the caboose along with other community service organizations converting it into a practical “station” with a radio, computer, chart table, observation deck, berthing and public information displays.  A Coast Guard Auxiliary stripe will be painted on the side.  Whittier Flotilla Commander Elect, Mike Folkerts, stated, “The caboose project is definitely on track.”  Community involvement in these types of initiatives is essential for success and the City of Whittier is backing the project 100%.

A rigorous training program is paramount to ensure the safe and professional operation of the SAFEBOAT.  Commodore Barbara Sands identified a “best practice” in the Thirteenth District and worked closely with Commodore Bill Houger to adopt incorporate their Auxiliary Coxswain Academy’s curriculum in Alaska. The Seventeenth’s Auxiliary Coxswain Academy was recently hosted by Station Juneau using the SAFEBOAT as the primary training platform.  Prerequisites for the academy included the successful completion of the rules of the road, minimum of 14 hours underway and must be at least Auxiliary boat-crew qualified.  BMC Dave Rowlett, ONIC of Station Juneau, stated, “The level of training these Auxiliarists bring to the training is well above the average recruit I get.”  Six Auxiliarists completed the school receiving “hands-on” training alongside the active duty personnel.  Concentrating on boat handling, navigation, towing, personnel recovery, search techniques, and damage control, the Auxiliarists acquired many new skills raising their proficiency. One of the attendees, stated, “The training has been excellent.”  Another said, “Learning from active duty Coast Guard is really exciting.”  Completion of the Auxiliary Coxswain Academy is mandatory for all coxswains operating the new SAFEBOAT.  The new SAFEBOAT will be delivered to Juneau in early March where Station Juneau personnel will outfit the boat and conduct an additional Spring Auxiliary Coxswain Academy using both the Station’s SAFEBOAT and the Auxiliary’s to increase the pool of qualified coxswains.  Additionally, Auxiliarist Dave Henderson, DSO-CC will be conducting a Watch Stander and communications workshop for those Auxiliarists standing the shore watches in support of the afloat assets.

This exciting new initiative will raise the readiness of the Coast Guard providing a desperately needed surface resource in Western Prince William Sound.   The concept of procuring new standardized vessels to be operated by Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel could easily become the trend in the future freeing up other Coast Guard assets for other roles and missions and saving the taxpayer millions of dollars.  Already, the Whittier Flotilla is being inundated with young new volunteers wanting to get “on the train” and join the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Don’t get run over by the train and get onboard.

(7 August 2001 Memorandum For The Commandant)

Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Whittier Commissioning / SAFE Boat (CG 256611) Commissioning

     On June 16, 2001, Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Whittier was commissioned in Whittier, Alaska. The Station, second Auxiliary station in Alaska, is a culmination of the efforts of the Coast Guard, Auxiliarists, the City of Whittier, Boy Scouts, commercial fishermen, and the public. Physically, the building is unique—a retired Alaska Railroad caboose, placed on land leased by the City of Whittier, and completely renovated and operated by Auxiliarists from several Flotillas. The facility
will be used as a combination radio station, public education booth, and small equipment storage area as well as base for Auxiliary boat crews.
     The “SAFE Boat”, CG256611, is a 25’ UTM purchased by the Coast Guard and manned by Auxiliarists from Auxiliary Station Whittier and other parts of District 17. It is the first of a pilot program that will likely someday lead to an option for future manning of Coast Guard owned vessel facilities by Auxiliarists in other areas.
     RADM Thomas Barrett, District Commander, 17th Coast Guard District read the Commissioning Directive of Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Whittier and Coast Guard 256611 (the “SAFE Boat”). Ms. Fran Ulmer, Lieutenant Governor of Alaska, was Keynote Speaker, followed by remarks from VADM Ernest Riutta, Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area and Admiral Barrett. Presentations by RADM Barrett then followed. COMO Craig Forrest, DCO-17 dedicated the Caboose, and signed an Memorandum of Understanding with Whittier Mayor, Ben Butler for the lease of the
station site. Approximately 50 people attended the ceremonies in Whittier.

(taken from D17 website News archives)

Whittier Task Force wins national DOT award
By Lt. Cmdr. Chris Honse  Oct. 31, 2001

Group comprised of volunteer, local, state and federal agencies

JUNEAU, Alaska – The Secretary of Transportation, the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, will personally recognize the efforts of the Whittier Task Force for improving maritime safety on Prince William Sound.

The task force will receive this year’s Department of Transportation (DOT) Partnering For Excellence Award during the annual DOT ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. tomorrow.

Integrating the expertise of volunteer, local, state and federal organizations, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Tom J. Barrett chartered the Whittier Task Force to raise the level of maritime safety.

In anticipation of the opening of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the diverse task force worked together and implemented multiple safety initiatives to prevent loss of life.  Through extensive cooperation and joint funding, a weather reporter site was constructed in Whittier giving mariners valuable and timely weather information.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary established Auxiliary Station Whittier, renovating an Alaska Railroad caboose and acquiring a new 25-foot Secure Around Flotation Equipped (SAFE) boat, raising the response capability in Western Prince William sound.

Additionally, the Whittier harbormaster upgraded their “float plan” program, built personal floatation device loaner boards, and distributed safety information.  In total, more than 100 action items upgrading safety were perused by the influx of more boaters into Whittier.  As a result of the Whittier Task Force collaborative efforts, it’s been determined several lives were saved, boaters became more educated on the inherent dangers of Alaska’s waters, and the level of safety was dramatically improved.  The teamwork exhibited serves a model for the nation.

The Whittier Task Force was chaired by Coast Guard personnel and included members from Coast Guard marine safety offices in Valdez and Anchorage, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the cutter Mustang, State of Alaska Office of Boating Safety, Federal Highways Administration, Alaska Department of Transportation, National Weather Service, U.S. Forest Service, Whittier Harbormaster, City of Whittier, Alaska Boating Safety Advisory Council, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska State Parks, University of Alaska Marine Advisory Program, Alaska Wilderness and Recreation Tourism Association, and Whittier Clearwater Environmental Inc, (a private marina developer).

Coast Guard officials Sue Hargis and Lt. Cmdr. Chris Honse, Coast Guard Auxiliary Commodore Barbara Sands, Charlene Arneson (Whittier), Roxanne Bash of the Alaska DOT and Freddy Peters of the National Weather Service will accept the award on the behalf of the task force