Mission to Africa – This is a Drill!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Written by: Victoria Bonk
MK1 Walt Callenius, a machinery technician, demonstrates how to fight a fire in the engine room. Photo by PA3 Victoria Bonk
This week we took time out for the engineers to do some training. The engineers spent a whole day focused on doing basic engineering casualty control exercises (BECCEs) to help crewmembers become trained to respond to machinery casualties in the engine room.
BECCEs are drills in the engine room used to train the watch sections to respond to a casualty on the main diesel engines, generators, reduction gears and the electrical switchboards. The engineering training team (ETT) simulates different types of problems that may happen during an underway watch. The engineers are taught to identify the problem, take initial action and maintain the rest of the engineering plant. They learn when to shut down the machinery or keep it going to maintain propulsion and electrical power. The casualties that they are trained to respond to include loss of lube oil pressure, major fuel leaks, fires and several other possible issues that may come up on a routine underway watch.
DC1 Richard Moore, a damage controlman, stands as the engineer officer of the watch during the drill. Photo by PA3 Victoria Bonk
“This was my first BECCE experience as an engineer. I feel a lot more confident and prepared as a qualified machinery watch stander because of the experience,” said EM3 Francisco Fano, an electrician aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk. “The engineering training team is very knowledgeable in casualty control procedures so they were great shipmates to learn from. They made it seem a lot more like a training environment than a chaotic one, so that really helped make the learning experience go very smoothly.”
“The training was the final step in five of our shipmates’ quest to earn their machinery watch qualifications. This proved that they have the knowledge to post their watch on their own and can be trusted to respond to any type of engineering problem that may arise,” said Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Green, the main propulsion assistant aboard the Mohawk. “Both the training team and the watchstanders stepped up to achieve this milestone in our shipmates’ careers.”
Ensign Ariana Pourmonir, engineering officer in training, speaks with main engineering control. Photo by PA3 Victoria Bonk
Even in the heat of the engine room and stress of the drills everyone qualified Wednesday. They completed every drill successfully and will be ready just in case something goes wrong in the engine room while we are underway.
Keeping checking the Coast Guard Compass for more Mohawk updates and photos. Mohawk photos can also be found in this Flickr set.
PA3 Victoria Bonk, CGC Mohawk
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As usual, another great post!! I love getting the chance to hear stories and see photos my husband, even if it’s only a little bit of his eyes under his fire gear!! Thanks!! I can’t wait for the whole Mohawk crew to return to our port safely!!
I like the way you explain what you guys are doing in plain language. Keep up the good work.
Very nice posts. Interesting stories.
Do you know by any chance how in my shipmate from Golf-183, SN Hall, is doing?
Thanks for the weekly updates! These posts help bridge the distance between the Mohicans and their families.
Thank you Miss Bonk for the doing such a wonderful job!
We cannot wait to see you guys come in!
Please send our love to BMC and the rest of crew!
This new USCG website is top notch. Posts like this are a huge improvement. Keep it up!
SN hall is doing just fine. I am great
I’m glad to hear that, shipmate. Shoot me couple e-mails after you get back, tell me how are you doing.
Great pictures, keep up the good work. It’s great to see what our men and women are doing on the USS Mohawk. Shout out to my son Gregory Lugo, I love you and miss you so much. MOM
Thanks for another great update. Ensign Fogarty, HAPPY BIRTHDAY today. Hope you have a fun day. Your family loves and misses you.
Mom
Big thanks to Victoria Bonk for all the updates and pictures sent. While sending, send in person a special “26th” birthday wish for FS2 Thomas Floyd from his family. Praying for a safe trip/return home of all the crew aboard the Mohawk. Enjoy all the adventures of this once in a lifetime excursion. Send my love to Thomas. Miss you, Momma
Thanks for the update posts. We are praying for all the crew members to have a safe trip & we cannot wait to see you guys come back home. Thanks again to the Mohawk crew for all that hard work, commitment, and dedication also congratulations to all for your achievements . My son MK3 Ruben D. Cabrera Matos Keep up the great work, continue striving for your goals and keep up your efforts. We are proud of you and we miss you!
Much Love, Mami
Don’t know where you are today , USCGC MOHAWK, just wanted to wish all aboard “Happy Coast Guard” day. You make us all proud! Blue skies, and smooth sailing.
Paul and Paula Taylor