The USCG 40-foot Utility Boat

[EX-CG-GM]

Hans, there's gotta be an old 40 boat somewhere around the delta.  Find it, restore it and you'd have a helluva OPFAC for your Auxiliary work!   

[BuoyJumper]

The number for "CG-Mystery" has been revealed.  It is Station Montauk's CG-40581.  The 40581 was involved in rescuing the crew of a grounded tug on the night of 30 October 1966 in which a crewman received the following award.



SZYDLOWSKI, Frank Frederick, Seaman, CG-40581

Date of Action: 30 October 1966
Date of Award: 14 April 1967

For heroism on the evening of October 30, 1966 while serving as a crew member of the CG-40581, engaged in the perilous rescue of three persons from the tug VINDEX, which was grounded in the heavy seas off Three Mile Harbor, East Hampton, Long Island, New York. The CG-40581 was enroute to Montauk Coast Guard Station when a signal light was sighted on the tug. All attempts to maneuver alongside the VINDEX were thwarted by the heavy eight to ten foot seas, shallow water, and gale-force winds gusting to 58 miles per hour. The CG-40581 then proceeded into Three Mile Harbor to attempt a rescue from the beach.

Seaman SZYDLOWSKI immediately donned a wet suit and entered the pounding surf to swim to the stranded boat. Despite darkness, turbulent seas, and being adjacent to dangerous breakwater conditions, he reached the VINDEX and located the three frightened men, cold and suffering from exposure. He quickly insured that they were properly fitted into life preservers and then guided them in swimming through the violent breakers and seas to the safety of the shore. Seaman SZYDLOWSKI demonstrated initiative, fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger. His unselfish actions, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.

SOURCE

[BuoyJumper]

Here's some additional history on CG-40581 from 40-boat historian Ken Sutherland from his book "United States Coast Guard Harbor Patrol Fleet 1924 - 1980".



Barnes and Noble

HISTORY:  Built 3-59 in service 6-3-59 Montauk Point LBS.  Out of service 10-14-81.  In 83 the boat was in storage for 26 years. The port engine is good and Tony and myself are rebuilding starboard engine. She was at Montauk, Shinne****, Montauk, Group NY, Station NY, Townsend inlet NJ, Cape May back to OSR Governors Island, N.Y. 10-14-81.

[pachesma]

Nothing like starting up an old 6-71 ona cool day after she's maybe been sitting a bit. Guaranteed to eradicate any bug, gnat, ant, pet, or human being within 50 yards downwind.

Old 40 boat still sitting down Hull beside STA Point Allerton at local gin mill. Owner also has EX-USCGC TOWLINE on market. 40 Don't look like its in very good shape, been sitting there forever.

Guy standing in front of 40 is SNBM(probably BM3 by now)Pat Hogan, stationed up the Soo in town for some small arms training @ STA "PA". I was in with his father Tom back at STA St Joe and we ran 40's together. A fine young coastie in the best traditions of being a "coastie"-JRC

[BuoyJumper]

John .... Thanks for putting us on this 40-footer.  With the help of USCG Harbor Patrol historian Ken Sutherland it has been identified as the CG-40534 built 4-28-54 and transferred to U.S. ARMY after being removed from USCG service.  The 40 Boat Sailors group at the Coast Guard Channel Community is trying to find a buyer for her to get her back on the water to join the 40581 and the 40450.

[pachesma]

John .... Thanks for putting us on this 40-footer.  With the help of USCG Harbor Patrol historian Ken Sutherland it has been identified as the CG-40534 built 4-28-54 and transferred to U.S. ARMY after being removed from USCG service.  The 40 Boat Sailors group at the Coast Guard Channel Community is trying to find a buyer for her to get her back on the water to join the 40581 and the 40450.

Ah, that would explain why McDevitt don't have her listed "For Sale" anywhere anymore. I inquired Geez, 7-8 years ago about what she could be had for, and found out "thru the grapevine" he was looking for someplace around $12K for her. At that time I wouldn't have been willing to pay even half that for her.And that number ain't gone up in them 7-8 years.

I also heard, thru that same grapevine(I live in Hull) somebody "that owns another 40" came and looked at her, I figure that was 40450's owner.

That bottoms in tough shape, she got more than one hack job "stick and glob weld" plate repair. One right on the stbd chine midships that weeps when it rains out.



On cgpics.com I also found 534 as Base Woods Hole spare boat witha couple pics of her, if anybody hasn't seen that yet-JRC

[pachesma]

ps- anybody interested in this hull wants more pics of her she's just down the other end of town from me, bout 10 minutes away-JRC

[BuoyJumper]

CG-40555 at Coast Guard station Grand Marais, Minnesota in the early 1960's.
 

[MastersMate]

Was watching the Discovery Channel the other night. They have a program concerning some fisherman looking to catch ' killer fish' from the worlds exotic riverss. The guy was fishing on a river in Laos/Thailand/Cambodia area, didn't cathch it exactly. He was out in a canoe type boat and the scene entailed him being warned by the border patrol boat to head for shore. As you look through the dark gray paint and a canvas awning, Sue as hell a 40' UTB. From the quick look it appeared to be a MK 1 with the short fwd cuddy.

[BuoyJumper]

CG-40448 out of New London, CT.                                                     CG-40437 out of Ocean City, N.J.

[EX-CG-GM]

I wonder what WHEC that was in the background.  Nor enough pic for me to even see whether it was a 255 or what.

[BuoyJumper]

I wonder what WHEC that was in the background.  Nor enough pic for me to even see whether it was a 255 or what.

Stan ..... Most are of the opinion that the white cutter is the 255' "BIG O" USCGC OWASCO, WHEC-39 who was homeported in New London from 1955 to her decommissioning in 1973.  The photo is thought to have been taken around 1970 after her return from Vietnam in 69 but before she earned her second "E" in 1972.  Maybe seeing the photo a little larger will help.

[EX-CG-GM]

Ron, I was thinking it was a 255 but wasn't sure.  Ask the guys on that 40'......

[BuoyJumper]

Ron, I was thinking it was a 255 but wasn't sure.  Ask the guys on that 40'......

ACTUALLY WE DID ... The 40-boat crewman on the starboard side bow is Doug Brown before he made BMC. 
He's pretty sure he recalls the "O" as the 255 that was there at that time.

[EX-CG-GM]

Well, I guarantee you he has a better idea of what was there than I do.  I spent my career on the West Coast, Hawaii and the Phillipines. I used to know all the cutters stationed in those places though......"used to" being the operative phrase.  I only cared because I wanted to know who to cuss out when they were late relieving us on Ocean Stations......and it was ALWAYS a 255 that was late!