US Coast Guard Station Sheboygan Wisconsin Tour.

We arrive 20 July at the home of Mark and Donna Karolus. They live in the sleepy village of Cleveland nestled up against the west coast of Lake Michigan, half way between Manitowoc and Sheboygan. (Sheboygan is a Chippewa word for "Passage or Waterway between the Lakes" We, ironically enough arrive during Happy Hour. Since the Karolus' are retired, I am certain the hours of happiness are many here!


No kiddin'! Lake Michigan is right there! From our gangway perch, I can see why they choose this spot. The lake comes shallow for about 1,000 feet from the beach. There is a sandbar out there where the water is only knee-deep. Kayaks and paddle boards ply these shallows, but no bigger vessels come very close inshore. Sitting there, with wind and wave, put me in mind of the old days near saltier bodies. Serenity can be found here. Now I get it.
Two friends, sitting just quietly with a drink. Serene.

I had to! I put lots of miles on my feet this weekend. Smooth rocks and chilly water felt really good! "Grinning like a schoolboy just been kissed by a mermaid." was Mark's recent comment. He's right! I miss the water. The RH picture is Sunday morning.

The plaque on the door reads "Head". See the lightship "Relief" model and the explosion photo above the biff? Subtle humor is NOT lost on me. There was also a 1/400 German V-106 Torpedo Boat on the backsplash of the lavatory. Mark's space on the lower level is very nautical, indeed. We had a fine time and a good supper. We bombed a Clemson class DD, chatted and watched the lake until well after dark. The Karolus' are gracious hosts.

"And the Sea will grant each man new hope, as sleep brings dreams of home." Capt. Marko Ramius

I had called US Coast Guard Station Sheboygan along the way to Manitowoc, Saturday. I wanted permission to swing by to see their boats. I figured there were 2 possible answers. Yes or No. Either one was acceptable. Petty Officer Saunders explained that they didn't have any tours going on, but he would check with his commander and ask about our visit. Ok. 5 minutes later P/O Saunders called back to explain his C/O had given permission, but could we come by Sunday at 1400. I asked if we could come by in the morning, as we would be homeward bound Sunday.
"0900 Sunday work for you, Chris?"
"That would be OUTSTANDING, Sir! See you tomorrow morning!"

We departed Mark and Donna's place 0830 Sunday. It was not easy to leave our lake shore friends.
Sheboygan is only 11 miles from Cleveland. The drive was scenic and easy.

May I introduce BM2c Mike Saunders and BM3c Henry (his last name escapes me but it had a lot of consonants in it) of USCG Station Sheboygan WI. This facility was constructed on this site in 1890. My tour began with an urgent head call, then we continued on.

Coast Guard Station Sheboygan's missions include Search and Rescue, Maritime Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, Ice Rescue, Recreational Boating Safety, Military Readiness, and Environmental Response. Station Sheboygan's area of responsibility is in Lake Michigan from south of Manitowoc to south of Port Washington and the Lake Winnebago system, including the upper and lower Fox Rivers.
The photo is an older one. The 41 and 25-footers are still there.

It was obvious that this would be more than a visit, when Petty Officer Saunders began to walk us through the station. I won't bore anyone with comms details and other technical banter. There was a bunch. Mike is a Boatswain's (Bosun's) mate second class, in his 4th year of USCG service.
He loves Wisconsin and is studying to teach history when he retires in 16 more year. The Station's full compliment is 36 crew, 2 45 RB-M's and 2 29 RB-S boats . The c/o is a Master Chief Petty Officer. 12 Coastguardsmen currently rotate the duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Boats!
First the USCG 45-foot Response Boat Medium

44 feet 9 inches length over all (LOA) she weighs in at a hefty 38,000 pounds. She has twin helm stations with radios, GPS and multi-purpose displays. she is controlled by 2 control columns Left for directional (rudder) control and right for operating "the Buckets" forward and reverse movement. There is a seat belt (only for wienies) on each helm seat. Minimum crew of 3.

Twin turbocharged and aftercooled MTU Detroit Diesel Series 60 6-cylinder engines turn Rolls-Royce jet drives giving the 45 RB-M a cruising speed of 30 kts and max of 40 kts. She sneers at 5-foot seas and operates safely in 10 foot (trough to wave crest) seas and 30 kt winds.
The 45 RB-M is self righting. If she rolls over, she will right herself in 30 seconds if the water is deep enough for the mast to clear the bottom.
Her survivors compartment will accommodate 6 people in comfort, and 6 more if necessary. The firefighting gear on the stern takes it's water right off the jets to enthusiastically douse "unplanned maritime thermal events".

Mike offers to take our picture on the bow of the boat. I ask him if he could mount the M240 machine gun for the picture. He grins, " I don't have a 240 here." The 45 is a muscular, purposeful, weatherly replacement for the ol' workhorse 41-UTB. Mike taught us how to operate the 45 but he wouldn't let us take it home. Whaddyagonnado?

More great reporting Chris. Glad you kids had a great trip.
I really want one of those Royal Royce joy sticks!

There was a 29 RB-S (Response Boat, Small II) out of the water. She had been in the boat bay for clean-up and maintenance. My RB-S was tied up at the dock. Twin Honda 225's drive her at a brisk 45 kts. She'll operate safely in a 5-foot sea and tow 10 tons. She has heat but no air conditioning. all the side windows slide down to open them. (Cool! Stick your arm out the winder!) Minimum crew of 3. The forward mount accommodates the M240 when needed. Teresa deemed the lively motion of the 29 at dock too much for her to make it on board.
The rh picture is a file photo from Metal Shark.

Boats Saunders taught me how to operate the RB-S as well. He seemed a little more fond of the "Sports Car" 29 than of the heftier 45. The 29 RB-S replaces the Defender 250 Response Boat, Small of which I have been so fond. When a distress call comes in, the 29 fires up and races off. The 45 RB-M takes a little longer to get underway. Warming up the big diesel engine's oil is time consuming. 45735 has had both engines changed. Seconds count when lives are in jeopardy.

My friend Mark served in the Coast Guard before he became a paramedic. He said it was more like a firehouse than a US Navy Base. Like a family back then. He didn't come along with us to meet these men. He was a little surprised when P/O Saunders agreed to let a boat nut from out of town come to look over his boats.

We wore our WMEC-618 CGC Active shirts and told these men the story of "The Little Tough Guy" exchange. Mike Saunders first duty was aboard CGC Dauntless WMEC-624. He shared some of his knowledge and adventures about his first cutter patrol with us as well. Dauntless retired 3 weeks ago. The Terror of the Caribbean swims no more.

I am impressed with the Men we meet when we interact with the US Coast Guard. They are professional, courteous and friendly.
I am glad such men as these protect our shores, rescue hapless mariners and keep our nation's waterways safe.

Along our track, there may have been some mischief with Wisconsin state highway signage. I cannot confirm or deny such.
Thanks for looking in!

moon puppy said:

More great reporting Chris. Glad you kids had a great trip.
I really want one of those Royal Royce joy sticks!

Click to expand...

In 2009, you could get 4 of the Rolls Royce control sticks for just 2 million bucks. They came with the rest of the 38,000 pound USCG 45 RB-M!