While serving at Beach Haven Coast Guard Station in 1966 and 67, among other duties, I was an offshore duty boat coxswain. We received the 44355 new from beginning built at the Coast Guards Curtis Bay Maryland ship yard. In its day, it was among the best built boats in the world. Almost 300 were constructed and distributed to life boat stations on both Atlantic and Pacific shores. Thru five decades of service the 44 foot, 20 ton, self righting motor lifeboats were credited with saving hundreds of lives and millions of dollars in vessels. Reply
While serving at Beach Haven in 1974 or 1975, 44355 rolled over one night in December 5 to 10 miles out. It came back up in about 2 minutes. No working engines but the radio works. Call for help. Out comes a 4 engine cutter from Atlantic City, lost 3 of 4 engines and returned without 44355. Bad storm. Afraid for broadsides to roll again. Out comes helo from Cape May. Too rough to get crew of 44355 so helicopter went back. My three friends on that boat were picked up in the morning and flown to hospital with frost bite. That was the 44355. Reply
Hello John, I’m creating a documentary about the 44355 and would love to interview you about your experience serving on the cutter. If you’re interested, please email me [email protected] Reply
The Tuckerton Sea Scouts are looking to clean up and paint the 44355 this spring as part of an Eagle Scout project. They are also looking to do some living history videos with former vets assigned to the 44355. Anyone interested in helping out with this project please send me an email at [email protected]. We can use some marine paint and some welding services too. If any one can donate paint or welding services, that would be appreciated.- Pat Geiger, Mate, Sea Scout Ship 117 Tuckerton. Reply
I was a coxswsin at Coast guard station Beach Haven with the 44355 in January of 1980. The oil barge Michelle f broke loose from its tug boat and went ashore in Little egg inlet. I was asked to go out and save the crew on that barge in a northeastern storm with 20 ft seas. Coast guard 44355 was there to rescue the crew in that snow storm. The barge was grounded in the inlet it was almost completely submerged. It took us two tries but we safely got the barge crew off. My crew and myself were awarded the Coast guard medal for extraordinary heroism Reply
Hello Matthew, I’m creating a documentary about the 44355 and would love to interview you about your experience serving on the cutter. If you’re interested, please email me [email protected]. Reply