The station was honored to host the Commandant May 22, so he could witness our hurricane Gustav and Ike reconstruction progress and impart some wisdom on current service initiatives.
I was invited to make a "guest post" and wanted to take this opportunity to raise unit visibility. Station Grand Isle is one of the three priority "4" small boat stations in the country. It is a true multi-mission station with considerable workload directed towards Search and Rescue, Ports and Waterways Coastal Security, and Law Enforcement missions. The station has recently partnered with U.S. Customs and Border protection for several successful surge operations, yielding multiple arrests and over $10K in illegal narcotic seizures. It is also one of busiest fisheries law enforcement units in the Eighth District. We are co-located with CGC STURGEON and work together during multi-agency pulse operations and law enforcement missions. High performing Boatswain Mates have the opportunity to earn their Deck Watch Officer qualification on the cutter, which makes them excellent candidates for high visibility afloat positions.
Grand Isle is the only inhabited barrier island in the state of Louisiana. The town has been consistently ranked as one of the top fishing destinations in the country. The seafood is incredible; the waters teem with fresh oysters, shrimp, crabs, and crawfish. My crew spends liberty time catching fish, surfing, and playing paintball. The island remains a major Louisiana vacation spot, where the population swells from 1800 to 10,000 during the summer. The unit sits on 26 acres of prime gulf coast real estate with 24 housing units, a heated pool that is open year round, volleyball court, playground, and lighted basketball court. We have a fire pit for BBQ's and camp outs as well as paintball field. Grand Isle is quintessential small town America, a last hold out to the fast moving world of today.
It was an honor to host the 23rd Commandant of the Coast Guard -- the crew at Grand Isle remains:
SEMPER PARATUS
