THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601230265
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHARLENE CASON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Mike Davis says there's not a better feeling in the world than knowing someone has been rescued, or that he's played an important part in the mission.
Saving lives each year helps make up for the one drawback to his job: losing a life.
Davis coordinates search and rescue missions in the Coast Guard's regional command center.
``It's sad to say, but sometimes we lose people,'' said Davis. ``And it's not because of lack of effort on our part; it's usually because of lack of education and experience on their part.''
Davis normally stands his watch in the headquarters' busy, computer-filled command center with one other person. They coordinate search and rescue, law enforcement, marine safety and environmental missions all along the East Coast.
They also broadcast storm notices to mariners, and they do their share of paperwork.
Coast Guard ``hierarchy'' starts with small boat stations, which are overseen by groups, which report to the district headquarters. Portsmouth's 5th District coordinates the missions of seven groups and two air stations, including Elizabeth City, N.C., and Cape May, N.J.
``We have the big picture on our computers here,'' Davis said. ``We can tell if we need aircraft or a larger cutter, or if we need to coordinate our efforts with other commands in the area.''
Davis remembers the busiest day in his 3 1/2 years at the command center: Dec. 5, 1993, a cold day with heavy winds. Davis and two other sailors coordinated five major rescue missions within a two-hour period. Forty lives were saved. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
Photo
ON THE JOB
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
by CNB