5/23/2023 While leaving Mill Creek in Southold NY I spotted the US Coast Guard Cutter Ida Lewis WLM-551.
The 175 foot Keeper Class Coastal Bouy Tender was underway heading westbound in the Shelter Island North Channel just north of Jennings Point.
I mistook her to be 130 foot, when in fact she was 45 foot longer.
I hailed her on channel 16 and we switched our conversation to channel 22.
I headed east to fish off Long Beach Bar Lighthouse when she returned and worked Bouy 7.
That was a treat for me.
As a young man of nineteen I had the privilege to sail aboard the USCGC Clover WLB-292 and USCGC Woodrush WLB-407 Ocean Going Bouy Tenders stationed in Sitka Alaska 43 years prior.
I learned a lot working the decks of the ships, things I still use today.
If you have time, Shannon Quinn wrote a great article titled “Ida Lewis and the Keepers of the Light”dated September 30, 2018.
An incredible lady, and a American hero