12/25/2018
Santa to the Rescue!
Did you ever hear the story how Santa Claus helped the Coast Guard rescue a boat a few years ago? Well, did you??? In fact, it was the BLOCK ISLAND that he helped out. Some say it’s a legend…others say it’s a sea story. But one things is certain…Santa Claus has always had a special gift for Coast Guard kids after that night.
It was a few years back…BLOCK ISLAND was underway on patrol on Christmas Eve, heading home so the crew could spend Christmas Day with their families. It was nighttime and everyone was getting ready to go to bed. It was foggy…thick as pea soup…and the Captain has ordered the fog horn to be turned on.
The Boatswain Mate was on watch…keeping the ship on track and watching out for other boats. When all of a sudden, a frantic voice came over the radio. “Mayday…Mayday. Coast Guard we need help! We are the F/V YULETIDE and we are broke down and need help! We can’t see anything because the fog is so thick! Will you come help Coast Guard?”
The Boatswain Mate knew they should do something. He called the Captain up to the bridge and told him that a fishing boat needed help. Now, the Captain was an old time sailor man…sailed the Seven Seas capturing pirates, stopping smugglers, and rescuing people since he was a young fellow. The Old Man looked out the windows and knew that finding this fishing boat would be very hard in this foggy weather. But he was going to try because the Coast Guard is Always Ready to help!
He posted extra lookouts and ordered them to report if they hear anything at all. The radar was turned on to see if they could find the YULETIDE that way. The smallboat was made ready. The engineers turned on all the engines and were ready to go fast. And the cook made lots of hot coffee because he knew this was going to be a late night. It was a flurry of activity but the crew knew exactly what to do. They were Guardians and had responded to many rescue cases before. But never when it was so foggy and couldn’t see anything.
“F/V YULETIDE…this is the CG CUTTER BLOCK ISLAND. We are looking for you and will help you out. Can you see anything? Can you light a flare to help us find you?”
“BLOCK ISLAND thank you so much! We can’t see anything it is so foggy out here. We have a load of fish and need to get to the dock. We miss our families a lot and want to spend Christmas with them. What can we do?”
“YULETIDE just stay where you are at. We will find you. Keep your radio on and we will call you back soon.”
The crew of BLOCK ISALND was looking. They searched and searched. The Captain sat in his chair and prayed the fog would lift. He wanted to find the YULETIDE and help them get back home.
The Ensign was looking at the radar when he saw a contact. He called out, “Contact bearing due North, 10 miles. It is moving really, really fast! And it looks like there are 9 more little blips. It almost looks like a sleigh being pulled by 9 reindeers!!!”
The Old Man couldn’t believe it! In all of his years at sea, he had seen mermaids and sea monsters, but never did he think he would come across…..
“BLOCK ISLAND this is SANTA’s SLEIGH! I heard you talking to the YULETIDE on the radio. I think I saw them when I flew over Cape Lookout. Can I help out? Its really foggy out there but Rudolph’s nose can guide you.”
The XO grabbed the radio and was so excited to talk to Santa! “Santa that would be great if you could help us out. But we can’t see anything. Can you fly by and point us in the right direction?”
Everyone looked over to the starboard side and were in disbelieve when they saw a huge sleigh being pulled by nine reindeers…the lead had to be Rudolph with his red nose a glowing! Santa’s Sleigh flew by so close that you could see the twinkle in his eye and his rosy red cheeks. He cried out, “ Follow me BLOCK ISLAND and I will guide you to the YULETIDE. They need our help and it is almost Christmas Day!”
The Old Man called down to the Engine Room and told the Chief he wanted to go fast. Pushing the throttles all the way down, BLOCK ISLAND purred like a lion and leapt almost out of the water following Santa’s Sleigh!
They were going so fast, it took 2 seamen on the helm to hold the ship steady. And the whole time, Santa’s Sleigh flew along in front, and the crew could hear Old St. Nick cry out, “Follow me…Ho!Ho!Ho!” as the bells jingled in the wind.
The Gunner’s Mate, ready with a flare, called out, “I see a boat. Just ahead. I think it is the YULETIDE!” And lighting the flare, they could see it was the boat they had been looking for!
Arriving on scene and taking the YULETIDE in tow, BLOCK ISLAND started heading home. “I think we’re going to make it. I think we will be home for Christmas!” said the Old Man.
The XO once again talked on the radio. “Thank you Santa for guiding us tonight! We would have missed Christmas with our families if you had not helped us out. How could we ever repay you?”
“BLOCK ISLAND this is SANTA’s SLEIGH. I’m glad I could help. I wish I was younger and skinnier so I could be in the Coast Guard! The men and women in the Coast Guard do a fantastic job helping people out and keeping them safe. I am so thankful there are people like you out there. I know you’re families are so proud of you. I will always give a little extra treat to all the Coast Guard kids from now on.”
“Thanks again so much Santa! We have some milk and cookies for you. Hover over and send a rope down. We know you are busy tonight and need to get on your way.”
And just as quick as that, he had lifted up his favorite treats. Doing one more fly-by, Santa Claus waved and cried out, “Merry Christmas BLOCK ISLAND and to all a good night!” And before they knew it, Santa’s Sleigh disappeared in to the night heading towards Carteret County to deliver toys to all the good little boys and girls.
Now that might sound like a tale, or even a good yarn to spin. But I tell you, I believe its true. I’ve seen the ship’s log. And it’s not true unless it’s been logged! And ever since then…on Christmas Eve night…the men on duty on BLOCK ISLAND have reported a strange sight flying over the ship. It moves so fast so they cant be sure. But everyone agrees they hear the faint sounds of jingle bells and “Ho!Ho!Ho!”
