Saving Lives and Protecting the Environment

This is very brief blog entry about a very brief adventure, but one that I’ll never forget. This summer I have been working at an internship through the Coast Guard here in Portland. Saving lives and protecting the environment, all in a days work. It has been an adventure in itself trying to figure out all the different ranks, procedures, and formalities of the job but for the most part it has not been too exciting. 

The job has certain perks like ridiculously cheap meals in the galley, tax-free things sold in the exchange, “area familiarization rides” on boats a.k.a. “let’s see how fast we can go”, and most recently, the chance to take a ride over Portland in a Coast Guard helicopter.

Before I even got near the helicopter this adventure was pretty neat because I got to meet it at a heliport on the top of an old parking structure in downtown Portland. I typed in a super top secret code into the elevator and that took me up to a small glass lobby. I walked out on the helipad and was met with an incredible view of the Willamette River and downtown Portland. As soon as the helicopter landed I was put in a super stylish flight suit, helmet, headset, gloves, etc. and strapped in. Then I got in the helicopter and we were off! I got to sit right by the open door so that I could see everything. We landed on top of OHSU, then flew over downtown and over to the Willamette River. I got a great view of the many bridges that Portland is famous for and saw many, many boats. The adventure only lasted about 30 minutes but it is one I will never forget!

My actual job is dealing with derelict vessels on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers....here is the Sternwheeler Jean (with its sternwheel "modified") and gunboat-12 (which has been converted into a barge). Pretty exciting, right!?!

Not everyone can pull off that outfit, I must be pretty special!