The Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless floats under the stars in the Caribbean Sea Feb. 16, 2014. The cutter, homeported in Galveston, Texas, was underway to conduct patrols in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Young demonstrates the use of a P100 pump aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless Feb. 18, 2014. The pump is utilized during emergencies at sea involving vessels taking on water. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.
A Coast Guard MH-65 helicopter lands aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless during a training evolution in the Caribbean Sea Feb. 19, 2014. The training is performed to ensure proficiency into safely landing aboard a cutter at sea. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.
Seaman James Chandler instructs first-aid response to the crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless Feb. 14, 2014. The crew practices first-aid response to remain proficient in times of emergencies. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.
Petty Officer 2nd Class John Kubik prepares dinner for the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless Feb. 14, 2014. Food specialists aboard the Dauntless prepare three full meals a day to feed the crew. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.
The Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Galveston, Texas. The Dauntless was commissioned in 1967, and since that time has proven to be a valuable asset in executing the Coast Guard’s valuable missions.
The crew of the Dauntless maintains their operational readiness by constantly training to be the best they can be to achieve success. With a portion of the crew having come directly from basic training, the experienced sailors are expected to show the incoming members how to do their jobs safely and effectively aboard the cutter.
Facing challenges at sea helps Coast Guard crews learn and become adept in overcoming obstacles at sea.
“We train and maintain,” said Petty Officer Third Class Ian Ceely, a Machinery Technician aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless. “There is always something to improve on.”
The crew of the Dauntless has acclimated to the constant evolutions designed to keep them sharp. The cycles of training ensure they can meet stringent demands during a response; regardless if the are responding to illegal migrant activity, drug trafficking or search-and-rescue.
Although certain cases can make an experienced Guardsman nervous, facing daunting scenarios is part of the job in ensuring the Coast Guard’s objectives to strengthen and maintain maritime safety and security.
“You got to have a little fear in you when you’re out there, “ said Petty Officer 3rd Class Charles Richter, a Boatswains Mate aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless. “A little bit of fear keeps you focused.”
Focus is essential in the crewmembers performing their jobs during a response. At any given moment, the two 16-cylinder engines could throttle up and challenge the crew to react in a timely manner.
“It doesn’t matter what your rate is, when we have a case, everyone has a billet to help out,” said Richter.
The expectations are high for the crew aboard the Dauntless; however, through constant preparation, the crew learns and adapts to the many challenges and faces adversity by uniting their efforts and trusting each other to do their jobs.
I expect everyone to conduct themselves professionally at all times and to keep an ever-vigilant eye on safety, said Cmdr. Christopher A. Strong, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless.
Through overcoming obstacles during training and real life scenarios, the crew maintains course and continues to pursue the Dauntless experience.