Photo Release: Coast Guard holds patrol boat roundup at Naval Station Everett, Wash.

Crewmembers from various Coast Guard patrol boats homeported throughout the 13th Coast Guard District participate in physical warm-ups before conducting cutter service swimmer training at Naval Station Everett, Wash., Nov. 14, 2012.

Coast Guard members train on a daily basis to ensure they are physically and mentally able to save lives.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Amy Nuckolls.

Crewmembers from various Coast Guard patrol boats homeported throughout the 13th Coast Guard District swim 500 meters for a training exercise at Naval Station Everett, Wash., Nov. 14, 2012.

Coast Guard members actively participate in Cutter Surface Swimmer Training to maintain their readiness.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Amy Nuckolls.

A Coast Guardsman participating in cutter surface swimmer training at Naval Station Everett, Wash., jumps into the water from a diving platform during training attended by crewmembers of various Coast Guard patrol boats from throughout the 13th Coast Guard District, Nov. 15, 2012.

Coast Guardsmen and women train regularly to maintain their readiness.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Amy Nuckolls.

Coast Guard members from various Coast Guard patrol boats homeported throughout the 13th Coast Guard District practice securing eachother into a stokes loader as apart of cutter service swimmer training at Naval Station Everett, Wash., Nov. 15, 2012.

Coast Guard members train on a daily basis to ensure their readiness for any situation they may encounter.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Amy Nuckolls.

Coast Guard cutter surface swimmers practice their craft at the swimming pool aboard Naval Station Everett, Wash., during an exercise involving patrol boats from throughout the 13th Coast Guard District, Nov. 14, 2012.

During the three-day exercise, crewmembers and command staff were able to train on topics such as communications, crew-served weapons, surface swimmer training and tactics, and the culinary arts.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zac Crawford.

Command Master Chief Jason M. Vanderhaden and Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor, 13th Coast Guard District, address an audience during an exercise involving patrol boats from throughout the 13th Coast Guard District, Nov. 14, 2012.

During the three-day exercise, crewmembers and command staff were able to train on topics such as communications, crew-served weapons, surface swimmer training and tactics, and the culinary arts.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zac Crawford.

Food Service specialists from the 13th Coast Guard District's patrol boat community gathered for a group photo after a cooking competition aboard Naval Station Everett, Wash., during an exercise involving patrol boats from throughout the district, Nov. 14, 2012.
During the three-day exercise, crewmembers and command staff were able to train on topics such as communications, crew-served weapons, surface swimmer training and tactics, and the culinary arts.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zac Crawford.

SEATTLE — During a recent exercise aboard Naval Station Everett, Wash., Nov. 14, 2012, patrol boat crews from throughout the 13^th Coast Guard District joined together for a three-day training event in which crewmembers and command staff were able to train on topics such as communications, crew-served weapons, surface swimmer training and tactics, and the culinary arts.

Some of the events included Coast Guard cutter surface swimmers practicing their craft in survival and the rescue of simulated victims. Other crewmembers practiced everything from operating and maintaining radio equipment and crew-served weapons while some discussed certain cooking techniques and how to best serve the patrol boat community.

“It builds camaraderie and provides valuable training for our most versatile platforms,” said Lt. Matthew Richards, patrol boat manager, Coast Guard District 13. “The crewmembers get valuable training that they can’t normally get in their remote locations and, while they’re here, they can share best practices to better improve operations.”

This is the first year since 2001 the 13th District has held a patrol boat roundup like this and the plan is to hold another event like this in August 2013.