Hi, Just wanted to say great sight for an old crusty MLB Surf coxswain. Started on the CG MLB 44402 and CG MLB 44403 out of Chatham, Massachusetts in 1975 - 1979. Youngest coxswain in the fleet back then, SN Coxswain at 19 YO, loved the adrenilin rush so went to Humboldt Bay 79-82, rolled the 378 on training (went over on an exhale, when I always thought I would be ready with an inhale) made it though none the worse for wear, made a rescue in 30 foot seas on the MLB 44396 and 44378 of the P/C Koala II inverted and destroyed while being escorted by both MLB's, we found 'em all and made it home that night, I aged 20 years in three hours, dont think I was ever the same again,young, fearless and a big set of balls, slapped into reality after that (took alot of green water that night) lucky to make it home......Anyone know where the 44378 is??

By the By was also Surf qualified on the MLB 36542 at Station Humboldt Bay in early 80's. The Koala II capsizing was I think May of 1982 (for you bar crossing disastor buffs.

MIss those MLB's, could walk on board in the morning and put her into a postage stamp if I had to. Great boat miss them alot.

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Replying to:

Hi, Just wanted to say great sight for an old crusty MLB Surf coxswain. Started on the CG MLB 44402 and CG MLB 44403 out of Chatham, Massachusetts in 1975 - 1979. Youngest coxswain in the fleet back then, SN Coxswain at 19 YO, loved the adrenilin rush so went to Humboldt Bay 79-82, rolled the 378 on training (went over on an exhale, when I always thought I would be ready with an inhale) made it though none the worse for wear, made a rescue in 30 foot seas on the MLB 44396 and 44378 of the P/C Koala II inverted and destroyed while being escorted by both MLB's, we found 'em all and made it home that night, I aged 20 years in three hours, dont think I was ever the same again,young, fearless and a big set of balls, slapped into reality after that (took alot of green water that night) lucky to make it home......Anyone know where the 44378 is??

I was at Cape D playing with the big boys at MLB School learning not to roll 44's when I heard my shipmates at Humboldt Bay rolled the 78 on a training mission. Man was I ****** that I missed out. Glad my pals were all O.K. Served with BM2 later BM1 O'Malley back in the day 11-79 to 11-81 until I separated out of the C.G. for Tugs in the civilian world. Learned a lot back then and much of it still plays into what I do now. O'Malley and I were and are best friends and I'll never forget the night I sat at home a civilian while my old shipmates went out at O-dark thirty after the Koala II. They made it back through big ass breaks by sheer will and lots of experience. The picture we all painted when we signed up at the recruiting office way back when. Will never forget those days and always think of those that never came back doing the same duty. Semper Paratus.

Paul Sweeney
Boatswain's Mate USCG
1976 to 1981

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Replying to:

By the By was also Surf qualified on the MLB 36542 at Station Humboldt Bay in early 80's. The Koala II capsizing was I think May of 1982 (for you bar crossing disastor buffs.

MIss those MLB's, could walk on board in the morning and put her into a postage stamp if I had to. Great boat miss them alot.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Replying to:

Hi, Just wanted to say great sight for an old crusty MLB Surf coxswain. Started on the CG MLB 44402 and CG MLB 44403 out of Chatham, Massachusetts in 1975 - 1979. Youngest coxswain in the fleet back then, SN Coxswain at 19 YO, loved the adrenilin rush so went to Humboldt Bay 79-82, rolled the 378 on training (went over on an exhale, when I always thought I would be ready with an inhale) made it though none the worse for wear, made a rescue in 30 foot seas on the MLB 44396 and 44378 of the P/C Koala II inverted and destroyed while being escorted by both MLB's, we found 'em all and made it home that night, I aged 20 years in three hours, dont think I was ever the same again,young, fearless and a big set of balls, slapped into reality after that (took alot of green water that night) lucky to make it home......Anyone know where the 44378 is??