OUTREACH . . . WITH STYLE
(ALASKAN STYLE, THAT IS)
Admiralty Island is the seventh largest island in the United States and is known to the Tlingit as Xootsnoowu or “Fortress of the Bears.” Two-thirds of the way down the west side of the island is Kootznahoo Inlet and the Tlingit Village of Angoon, the only permanent settlement on Admiralty Island. Across Frederick Sound at the southern end of Admiralty, on Kupreanof Island, is the Tlingit Village of Kake, known for the world’s tallest totem pole, commissioned for Alaska’s centennial celebration in 1967.
The Southeast Alaska Boating Safety Outreach Team decided it was time to step outside the box in these two villages by taking their fleet of Auxiliary Operational Personal Watercraft (PWCs) to share their boating safety message with the residents. What better way to draw the attention of young and old alike than to arrive on vessels that are seldom, or maybe have never been seen in the villages. After visiting Angoon and Kake, the shortest way back to Juneau would be to run up Stephens Passage to complete the circum-navigation of the island.
Planning for the trip started months in advance. Routes for the trip, mileage and fuel economy of the small vessels was checked and rechecked. The plan was to prove the self-sufficiency of the PWCs on an extended patrol, but it would be a good idea to have a support boat. Operational Facility (OPFAC) Noreen Kay could easily make the trip, and house the entire crew if necessary. But with the normal Coxswain and Crew riding their PWCs, alternate Crew would be needed. Word was put out to all the PWCs in the Flotilla and the planning continued.
The idea of having a Coast Guard Helicopter from Air Station Sitka do a rescue demonstration in the villages was posed to the Coast Guard Response Division . . . what better way to promote positive public relations with the residents? CDR Trimpert came through; there would be a demonstration scheduled for both villages on the days the team planned to be there.
A milestone outreach trip such as this needed coverage. Through several different acquaintances, Mike Folkerts was put in touch with Randy Vance of Boating Life Magazine. Randy, from Florida, was anxious to visit the last frontier for the first time and took the assignment. Understanding the importance of the mission, he convinced the Coleman Corporation to donate 65 various sized life jackets to the cause; life jackets that could be given to the kids in the villages.
Leaving Auke Bay June 15
Photo by Randy Vance Boating Life Magazine
DAY ONE: The team was stopped for lunch in Funter Bay. The outreach was about to begin with the distribution of several McDonald’s ice cream certificates for kids wearing their life jackets. Of course, they knew the drill, since this same vessel had been visited by the PWCs last fall in North Pass. The next stop was Killisnoo Harbor just south of Angoon, where the team would drop anchor for the night.
DAY TWO: The Command Center in Juneau was contacted and it looked like everything was lining up for the visit to the village. The helicopter from Air Station Sitka would be airborne at 0900 en-route for Angoon for their demonstration. The only unknown was how many of the residents would actually come out to talk with us. Leaving the Noreen Kay tied up at Whaler’s Cove Lodge, the five PWCs made their way around the corner into Angoon. Much to our surprise, the reception was incredible. The helo arrived on schedule and did two different rescue demonstrations, much to the delight of both young and old alike. Life jackets were fitted and given away . . . so many that Dan had to run back to the Noreen Kay for more! The team visited with the residents while Mike and Lisa sat down with the kids and talked about boating safety and then did a practical demonstration by putting Dan in the water letting them throw type IV flotation devices to him and pull him to safety. With the last of the coloring books, whistles’, signaling mirrors and life jackets given away, the Outreach Team was invited to return as they headed back to Whaler’s Cove to continue their journey to Kake. You can see Angoon’s version of the visit by logging in to myangoon.org.
Making sure the life jacket fits is important.
As the group entered Kake, they were again expecting to anchor, this time at the Kake Culture Camp. A quick stop at the float plane dock in front of the village changed their plans. Wilbur, the harbormaster would meet them in the harbor about 1900 to make sure everyone was settled for the evening. The time in between was well-spent as the group gathered on the dock to debrief the day’s activities. Bound and determined to use the camping gear they had carried, Dan, Ardis and Lisa inquired where they could set up their tents. The reply from the harbormaster, “Just pitch them on the float plane dock right here in the harbor.” Once again the hospitality was humbling.
Introducing the kake life jacket fashion show and whistling band.
DAY THREE: The weather continued to smile on the troops as they began their day in Kake much as they had done in Angoon. Following a pleasant evening, the Noreen Kay and 5 PWCs moved back to the float plane dock in front of the village. As the residents arrived is was apparent that there wouldn’t be enough free life jackets for the kids . . . but they were fitted and given away until they were gone, along with whistles, coloring books, signaling mirrors and Coast Guard water bottles.
On schedule, the Coast Guard helo from Air Station Sitka arrived guided in by the kids’ new whistles. Much to the delight of those same kids, the helo rescue demonstration ended up close enough for the rotor spray to give those on the dock a light shower of salt water. Following the success of the previous day in Angoon, Dan again entered the water to be rescued by the group efforts of those on the dock.
The Helo demonstration was also a hit in Kake
Communication in the village is done primarily by CB radio. Marvin Kadake, head of Kake’s own Search and Rescue group was broadcasting from his truck as the boating safety activities continued on the dock. He even insisted the boating safety team share some of their tips with the entire village.
The run ahead of the team was the shortest of the entire trip; Kake to Pybus Bay where the Forest Service Cabin had been rented for the night. After only two hours on the water, the fleet pulled into Pybus Point Lodge to say “hi” to Alan Veys, the owner, before heading on to the cabin. Alan couldn’t believe seeing five Personal Watercraft pulling up to his dock and insisted that entire group spend the night at the lodge. Again the Noreen Kay was tied to a dock and rooms were offered to the riders. Anchor the boats and stay in a cold Forest Service cabin . . . Tie up to the dock and stay in heated cabins with showers . . . it was a tough decision, but the showers swayed the vote. With a long ride the next day, a good night’s sleep would be important. The group was again treated to a gourmet dinner and hospitality fit for royalty.
DAY FOUR: The PWCs, the fleet headed back out into Frederick Sound to start the journey up Stephens Passage back into Juneau. The rain showers eased as the fleet pulled into Holkham Bay for the first rest break of the day. The extra fuel on the back of each PWC was emptied into the tanks, proving that the machines could be refueled “on the run”, and also proving that the entire run around Admiralty Island could be made by carrying an extra 10 gallons of fuel on each PWC. Following lunch, the journey continued back out into Stephens Passage to Taku Harbor where the last break of the journey would be taken.
MISSION COMPLETE IN DOUGLAS HARBOR JUNE 18
By 1600 the last 26 miles were clicking off to finish the 325 mile journey around Admiralty Island. As the weather began to close in, the six OPFACs entered Douglas Harbor to complete one of the most memorable outreach trips to date for the Juneau Flotilla. New friends had been made at every stop along the route; the Tlingit Villages had opened their communities to the Coast Guard Auxiliary and asked them to return. More importantly, the boating safety message had left an impression in the form of new life jackets for their kids and refreshed attitudes toward safety.
OUTREACH AROUND ADMIRALTY
Reprinted by permission of Noreen Folkerts