Page 17: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (July 2006)

July, 2006 • MarineNews 17

Navy

By Edward Lundquist

The flotilla of Yard Patrol craft (YPs) is a familiar sight on the waters near the

United States Naval Academy at Annapo- lis, Md. The craft provide hands-on under- way training for Midshipmen in naviga- tion, shiphandling and seamanship. YPs also provide interesting duty for 99 Sur- face Warriors assigned as crew to the 21 boats.

Each boat has a crew of four. Enlisted

Surface Warfare qualified senior

Boatswain's Mates and Quartermasters serve as craftmasters, and ESWS qualified

Enginemen serve as the chief engineers on each boat. There are also two undesignat- ed seamen on each crew.

YP 689 "After being on two destroyers, I basi- cally have my own command," says QMC

Randi Dreis of Cleveland, Ohio. "I've done everything I can do in my rate. Hav- ing my own boat is amazing. I've got a great crew. You couldn't ask for a better deal."

While Dreis says there are challenges to maintaining craft with wooden hulls, "These are good boats. They may be a lit- tle top heavy, and a bit on the wet side, but they'll plow through the seas."

Dreis likes the opportunity he has to get his Coast Guard certification. "Through

Navy Knowledge On-Line, I get credit for my training and experience."

Being underway is demanding, says

EN2 Jason Walter, from Buffalo, N.Y., because he's the sole qualified engineer on board. He maintains and operates the craft's two GM 12V71 diesel engines and two GM 3L71 diesel generators. "If the boat has engineering problems out on the water, you're the only person qualified to do anything about it. It's all up to you."

Thankfully, Walter says, the plant is simple and the engines are reliable. The job is demanding, however, because the engineer is responsible for all systems, such as potable water, the electrical distri- bution system, the steering gear, and keeping up with the logs and admin. If there is a fire in the main spaces, the engi- neer is the only individual allowed to deal with it. "My job is to make sure he (pointing to

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Yard Patrol Craft - A Different Kind of Sea Duty

Naval Station Annapolis operates 21 YPs to help train Midshipmen at the Naval Academy. (Photo by E. H. Lundquist)

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