USCGC BLACKTHORN

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USCGC BLACKTHORN

• Lessons learned from the Coast Guards
• worst peace-time
• accident
• By CWO VANDEN HEUVEL

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Blackthorn (WLB 391) 1of 39 180 buoy tenders.
Commissioned on Mar 27,1944. She served all over
the U.S., from Ice-breaking on the Great Lakes to
buoy tending in San Pedro, Calif. It spent most
of its life in the Gulf of Mexico at Mobile.
Ala., before being assigned to her final homeport
of Galveston, Texas in 1976.
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On January 28

• The BLACKTHORN had 50 men aboard. 44 of the crew
  had less than one year of shipboard experience
  7 crewmembers were sailing for the first time on
  the day of the accident. 5 of those 7 went down
  with BLACKTHORN.

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Many units immediately responded to perform
Search and Rescue efforts.
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A survivor cries after receiving treatment late
into the night.

• Of 14 bodies found after the Blackthorn was
  raised, 13 were in the Engine Room.

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Blackthorn tragedy forced Coast Guard to rethink
training
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Civilian Investigation National Transportation
Safety Board

• NTSB recited recommendations they had issued from
  the 13-month earlier Cuyahoga incident, arguing
  that recency of service had again been ignored in
  selecting the CO of Blackthorn.
• NTSB remained steadfast, that COs should not be
  selected for command without first having been
  assigned to a comprehensive refresher course.
• The course according to the NSTB, at the very
  least should include instruction from a CO of a
  CG cutter similar to the cutter which he/she was
  being assigned.

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NTSB Investigation Cont

• The board revealed during the COs five years
  ashore since last being assigned to a ship, that
  he underwent no such refresher training.
• Testimony indicated, the only professional
  training that he had completed was a Rules of the
  Road correspondence course, which he actually
  finished after assuming command of Blackthorn.
• The Coast Guard Marine Casualty report and
  Commandant's action findings, sighted both
  vessels at fault for failure to adhere to the
  Rules of the Road.

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NTSB Conclusion

• NTSB cited that the probable cause of this
  accident was the failure of the Blackthorn to
  keep to the proper side of the channel when
  meeting another vessel in a bend and because the
  CO failed to adequately supervise the actions of
  an inexperienced officer-of-the-deck.
• Contributing to the accident was the failure of
  the CO of Blackthorn and the pilot/master of
  Capricorn to establish passing arrangement with
  bridge to bridge radiotelephone or whistle
  signals and failure of the CO to remain aware of
  all traffic in the channel.
• The high loss of life was attributed to the
  Capricorns anchor getting caught in Blackthorns
  shell plating and rapidly dragging her astern
  before she quickly capsized.

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In 1982, the rusting Blackthorn was recommitted
to the deep to become part of Pinellas Countys
artificial reef program. The estimated cost of
her salvage was estimated at several million
dollars.
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A few of many safety changes implemented in Tampa
Bay since 1980

• As a result of this collision, additional
  range lights were added throughout Tampa. Buoy
  optics have been upgraded using LED technology on
  the aids located closest to the Skyway Bridge.
• CVTS (Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service) has
  been implemented as a joint partnership between
  the Coast Guard and the Tampa Port Authority.
  Their primary function is to coordinate safe and
  efficient vessel movement and prevent marine
  accidents and waterway incidents in Tampa Bay and
  also the associated loss of life and damage to
  property and the environment.
• The CVTS is in the process of becoming a
  regulated traffic service under the Code of
  Federal Regulations. 2009. (Coast Pilot 5, CH. 5)

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Tampa Bay Navigation Guidelines CVTS
requirements

• Tampas navigational guidelines are recommended
  by the COTP (Sector Commander) and the Port of
  Tampa Bay harbor Safety Committee.
• A few guidelines
• During periods of restricted visibility, vessels
  should not transit the bay unless at least two
  sets of channel buoys are visible ahead. Vessels
  should proceed at speeds safe to prevailing
  conditions.
• All meeting and passing situations should be made
  at the safest location possible, with due regard
  to the size of vessels, width of the channel, and
  existing conditions. Light draft vessels should
  give way to deep draft vessels if conditions
  permit.
• CVTS requirements Radio traffic monitored 24/7.
  Security Broadcast system/reporting points are
  designated to give Masters, Pilots, and persons
  in charge of vessels real-time information on the
  density of marine traffic throughout Tampa Bay.
  This includes detailed vessel descriptions and
  ETA info for Sunshine Skyway Bridge traffic in
  both directions.

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Coast Guard changes the training and
qualification requirements for command and
establishes a school to focus on command
operations.

• SUBJ COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO)
  EXAMINATION PROGRAM A. COAST GUARD DECK WATCH
  OFFICER EXAMINATION PROGRAM, COMDTINST 16672.5
  (SERIES) 1. REF A REQUIRES A PROSPECTIVE CO, XO,
  OINC OR XPO OF AN AFLOAT UNIT TO PASS THE
  APPLICABLE DWO EXAM (INITIAL OR RENEWAL) NO MORE
  THAN ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION OF PCS
  ORDERS. THIS STANDARD APPLIES EVEN IF THE MEMBER
  IS CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO A CUTTER AND/OR
  POSSESSES A VALID MERCHANT LICENSE.
• SUBJ PROSPECTIVE COMMANDING OFFICER
  FAMILIRIZATION TRAINING. A. CUTTER TRAINING AND
  QUALIFICATION MANUAL, COMDINST M3502.4 (SERIES)
  1. REF A, PARA 7.D, REQUIRES COMMANDING
  OFFICERS/OFFICERS IN CHARGE TO SPEND A PERIOD OF
  UNDERWAY FAMILIRIZATION ON A CUTTER OF THE SAME
  CLASS AS THEIR NEW COMMAND,BUT NOT THE SAME
  CUTTER. THIS REQUIREMENT WAS ISSUED AS ARESULT OF
  THE NSTB RECCOMENDATIONS FOLLOWING THE COLLISIONS
  AND LOSS OF LIBE ABOARD CGC CUYAHOGA AND CGC
  BLACKTHORN. EXEMPTIONS EXIST FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO
  PREVIOUSILY SERVED AS CO/OIC/XO/XPO OF THE SAME
  CLASS OF VESSELS WITH AUTHORIZED WAIVER APPROVAL
  THROUGH CG-751.

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The Commandants precept (2009) for selection
board panels considering officers for Command
Afloat assignments. A highly stringent, similar
process is conducted for Enlisted afloat command
selections.

• Assignment to command afloat represents the
  highest degree of trust and confidence the Coast
  Guard can place in an officer. A Commanding
  Officer at sea can expect to be involved in
  situations requiring immediate life and death
  decisions. Those selected must reflect the
  highest standards of conduct, character,
  capability, attitude, and military bearing. These
  challenges are best met by professional mariners
  who have successfully demonstrated their
  operational expertise at sea. Those selected must
  have a proven record of superior leadership. We
  must ensure that CG personnel serving under the
  officers you select do so in an environment that
  inspires and develops our junior ranks. If we are
  to be successful in retaining a quality, diverse,
  and motivated work force, we must ensure that
  only the best leaders command our cutters.
• In view of our 218-year legacy as a military,
  multi-mission, maritime service, we must select
  our most capable and responsible officers for
  command afloat assignments. You and your fellow
  Panel members are the principal guarantors of
  this commitment. You have been very carefully
  selected to accomplish this task.
• The Panel shall refer to the provisions of
  Section 14.A of reference (b) and the
  Commandants Guidance to PYO9 Officer Selection
  Boards, enclosure (1), in the development of
  criteria for determining the officers recommended
  for selection.

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Command and Operations School PCO/PXO

• The Command and Operations School was established
  as the Prospective Commanding Officer/Prospective
  Executive Officer (PCO/PXO) School in 1986. The
  sinking of the cutters CUYAHOGA and BLACKTHORN
  highlighted the need for a course that refreshed
  the collision avoidance and damage control skills
  of senior leaders aboard cutters prior to
  assuming their duties. For several years before
  the PCO/PXO School was established, there was an
  attempt to meet training through a variety of
  other Navy and commercial schools. The current
  school was established to consolidate training,
  save money, and take advantage of the visual
  simulator

• AD NAUTAS, PER NAUTAS
• For Sailors, By Sailors

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Blackthorn Memorial Galveston, TexasNote, the
Black memorial buoy numbering 23 to represent the
lives lost. It remains permanently lit.

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A memorial ceremony is held on the anniversary in
St Petersburg, Fl. A time to honor both, our
living and fallen shipmates.

• SUBJ CGC BLACKTHORN (WLB-391) COLLISION - 30TH
  ANNIVERSARY. 28 JANUARY 2010 MARKS THE 30TH
  ANNIVERSARY OF THE USCGC BLACKTHORN (WLB-391)
  TRAGEDY.
• IN 1980, CGC BLACKTHORN COLLIDED WITH THE 605
  FOOT TANKER CAPRICORN IN THE TAMPA BAY SHIP
  CHANNEL, TAKING THE LIVES OF 23 OF BLACKTHORN'S
  50 CREWMEMBERS.
• .ON WEDNESDAY, 28 JANUARY 2010 AT 1100 EST, A
  MEMORIAL CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TO HONOR THE LIVES
  OF OUR FALLEN SHIPMATES AT THE NORTH END OF THE
  SKYWAY BRIDGE IN PINELLAS COUNTY, ST PETERSBURG,
  FL.
• WE ALSO HONOR THE SACRIFICES OF THE CGC
  BLACKTHORN CREW BY OUR DEDICATION TO CONTINUAL
  IMPROVEMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF
  TODAY'S CUTTERMEN.
• I ENCOURAGE ALL SHIPMATES TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
  REFLECT ON THIS TRAGEDY AND ITS REMINDER OF THE
  DANGERS WE FACE ON A DAILY BASIS WHILE EXECUTING
  OUR MISSIONS. THOSE WHO ARE AVAILABLE ARE
  ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY.
• VADM R. J. PAPP, JR., COMMANDER, COAST GUARD
  ATLANTIC AREA, AND 13TH GOLD ANCIENT MARINER,
  SENDS.

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Memorial site in St. Petersburg, FL.(approx 2
miles N. of the collision site)
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Seaman Apprentice Flores, GuardianSA William
Flores died while saving the lives of many others
after the BLACKTHORN sank. With less than 3
months onboard, he held open the lifejacket
locker and passed them out to his shipmates in
the water. He then swam below decks to aid crew
that were trapped inside, never returning to the
surface. He was posthumously awarded the CG
Medal for heroism.
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END

• Morn not for them, they sail with One more
  divine