[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE COAST GUARD'S CLEVELAND-BASED TUG 
                              ``NEAH BAY''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, members of the U.S. Coast Guard perform 
extremely valuable services for the American people, keeping our 
shorelines secure and safe from environmental damage. My district is 
proud to be associated with the Ninth Coast Guard District, the 
guardians of the Great Lakes. I commend to your attention a recent 
incident that demonstrates the tremendous contribution made by the 
officers and crew of Coast Guard units in that region.
  On January 23, 1997, as windy and bitter cold weather swept across 
Lake Erie, the Coast Guard's Cleveland-based icebreaking tug Neah Bay 
was escorting a tanker vessel and a tug/barge combination, the Donald 
C. Hannah, from Toledo to Cleveland, OH. A cable connecting the Donald 
C. Hannah to the barge broke while the ships were passing through a 
heavy ice field. While the Donald C. Hannah stopped to make repairs, 
the tug and her barge became trapped. The tug and barge were at the 
mercy of high winds and powerful ice, in danger of running aground at a 
nearby island within 1 hour. The situation presented an extreme 
environmental threat because the barge contained more than 1 million 
gallons of heavy aromatic residual fuel oil.
  The officers and the crew of the Neah Bay took quick action, 
declaring a search and rescue [SAR] emergency and assuming the role of 
on-scene-commander. The Neah Bay contacted other organizations, 
including Coast Guard Group Detroit and Air Station Detroit, MI, which 
dispatched helicopters that provided key information to help the ships. 
Because of the potential for a major oilspill, the Marine Safety Office 
of Toledo, OH, was brought in to review contingency plans and prepare 
for an oil spill. Working in a cooperative effort with the joint United 
States/Canadian response planning team, action was taken to protect the 
area, a major spawning ground for aquatic life on Lake Erie.
  The Neah Bay broke an escape route in the ice and was able to keep 
the barge off the rocks long enough for the Donald C. Hannah to repair 
the broken cable. After 5 tense hours, the ship was broken free of the 
ice by the Neah Bay. The Donald C. Hannah and the oil-carrying barge 
were safely escorted to their destination by the Neah Bay and a sister 
ship, the Bristol Bay, who had been diverted from other escort duties.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a story of bravery, cooperation between 
Government agencies under extreme circumstances, and a job well done. 
My district is proud to be the home berth of the Neah Bay. I take this 
opportunity to honor the officers and crew of the USCGC Neah Bay: 
Commanding officer, LCDR Frederick J. Sommer; executive officer, LTJG 
Richard J. Wester; CWO2 Charles Philpot; BMC Jeffrey P. Mallory; EMC 
Daryl W. Covington; MK1 Timothy J. Clancey; QM1 Jon R. Frederick; FS2 
Michael S. Beaver; BM3 Dean M. Grass; EM3 Timothy P. Ostrander; EM3 
Ariel Vazquez; MK3 Jefferson D. Clark; SN Kristopher R. Demetros; SN 
Duke A. Walker; SA Anthony J. Clark; SA Jeremy L. Farmer; FN Jason E. 
Henderson; and FA Daniel S. Manor.

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