In 1992, CGC MELLON received the Coast Guard Foundation Admiral John B. Hayes award. At around 0100 the next morning, some 18 hours after the ordeal had begun, the BOUTWELL spotted a flare from the lifeboat. It can be a thing once again Then considered "state of the art" in naval vessel design, she impressed those in attendance with her maneuverability and speed. On scene weather conditions were terrible with low visibility, high winds and rough seas. She was named after Andrew W. Mellon 49th Secretary of the Treasury from 1921-1932. The CIWS, pronounced "see-whizz," is a 6 barreled "gatling gun" system which fires 20mm projectiles at incoming high speed air and surface threats. During helicopter evolutions, these cameras eliminate "blind spots" on the ship and enable the crew to conduct these operations with an enhanced degree of safety. There, the PJs were dropped into the water and swam to the boat, climbed aboard and initiated medical treatment. CGC MELLON is equipped with multiple redundant navigation systems including the Differential Global Positioning System (dGPS). During her service in the waters adjacent to Vietnam, Mellon also conducted numerous naval gunfire support missions, rescue operations, medical civic action programs and training programs for Vietnamese military personnel. USCGC Mellon fires a Harpoon missile back in the Cold War. The diesel engines are Fairbanks-Morse and are larger versions of a 1968 diesel locomotive design. USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717) had a Harpoon Missile System installed in 1989. During a patrol in February 1974, Mellon played a key role in the rescue of crewmembers that survived an explosion, fire and subsequent sinking of the Italian supertanker GIOVANNA LOLLI-GHETTI. In presenting the award to the cutter’s crew, the Coast Guard Pacific Area Chief of Operations cited the unit’s successful Weapons Systems Review, outstanding Tailored Ship’s Training Availability and consistent readiness record as key accomplishments. Press J to jump to the feed. Mellon was the only Hamilton class cutter to fire a Harpoon missile. MELLON is the third in her class of seven high endurance cutters built by Avondale Shipyards. CGC MELLON rendezvoused with the ROSE S. 300 miles NW of Honolulu. The vessel’s master declared the fire out of control one hour later and the PRINSENDAM sent a distress call requesting immediate assistance. After the rescue operations were completed, the Mellon remained on scene in a futile attempt to fight the fire, that had originated in the Prinsendam engine room and progressed throughout the ship. During Bering Sea patrols, Mellon conducted search and … On Admiral Paul Yost's watch, the USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717) gained distinction as the only Coast Guard cutter to fire a Harpoon antiship missile. In the spring 1994, CGC MELLON engaged in two hot pursuit chases of Russian fishing vessels suspected of fishing in the U.S. She also received an anti-submarine warfare suite including the AN/SQS-26 sonar and Mark 46 torpedoes. USCGC MELLON's keel was laid on July 25, 1966 at Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, LA. The fire severely burned 2 crewmembers and disabled the loaded freighter. A nearby Russian vessel NOVIKOV PRIBOY arrived with many doctors for further medical assistance. USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717) shown with Harpoon missile launcher aft of the 76mm gun. Her job was to establish radio communications with aircraft and ships to facilitate their safe navigation. It became the first, and to date only, Coast Guard Cutter to fire a Harpoon, in January 1990 successfully hitting a … SEAWATCH is the most advanced system in use in the Coast Guard. During these earlier Alaskan patrols, CGC MELLON was away from homeport for approximately three months and covered approximately 7000 miles while enforcing laws and treaties established to preserve commercial fishing resources. On November 18, 1976 at the end of yet another Alaskan patrol, CGC MELLON received a distress call from the motor vessel CARNELIAN I. The CARNELIAN I was located 100 miles North of Oahu. They survived an explosion, fire and then sinking of the tanker. CGC MELLON put the Italian crew into one berthing area and gave them clean clothes and warm food. At the time, CGC MELLON was on patrol near Vancouver, BC, a distance of 550 nautical miles from PRINSENDAM. These two operators, who were never identified, provided the only communications link between the two vessels. Demonstrating consummate seamanship, CGC MELLON was able to recover 16 of 33 crewmen who were clinging to logs and debris in the storm-tossed seas. In January 1990, MELLON was first in her class to fire the Harpoon missile. This act was the baseline for all U.S. fisheries conservation and management activities. Cruise Missiles: USCGC Mellon seen here launching a Harpoon anti-ship cruise missile in 1990. Exclusive Economic Zone. Admiral Paul A. Yost Jr. graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1951 and rose in an action-packed career to serve as Coast Guard Commandant from 1986 to 1990. The crew ceremonially commemorated these crossings by conducting the time-honored naval initiation ritual. In February 1975, during another Alaskan patrol, CGC MELLON assisted the LONDON PIONEER about 900 miles NE of Honolulu after a flash fire occurred in the engine room. She also launched weather balloons to record conditions in the upper levels of the earth’s atmosphere. The liner was transiting through Gulf of Alaska waters, approximately 120 miles south of Yakutat, AK, at midnight on October 4, 1980, when fire broke out in the engine room. This Cold War era rescue, which succeeded only as a result of the close cooperation between vessels from Norway, Russia and the United States, was a positive sign during this period which was other wise marked by intensifying superpower competition. Her efforts to track and report the identity of vessels that were illegally discharging oil into the ocean were praised highly in the citation. The vessel sank rapidly. CGC Mellon was originally homeported in Honolulu, HI. A towering wave, estimated at over 100 feet, rolled the sloop and broke the mast. She was also equipped with extensive anti-submarine warfare equipment, including the Mk46 torpedo and the AN/SQS-26 sonar. Named for Andrew W. Mellon the 49th Secretary of the Treasury from 1921-1932 and launched February 11, 1967 by Mrs. John W. Warner, Jr., sponsor and granddaughter of Andrew Mellon. CGC MELLON retains the distinction of being the only Coast Guard … These improvements vastly improved CGC MELLON’s capabilities. At midnight Mellon was advised of a distress call from 230 miles south-east of Hawaii. Budget constraints and evolving Coast Guard missions later resulted in the removal of the HARPOON launching system. When she arrived in Honolulu, she earned the nickname "Mellon No Ka Oi," or "Mellon best of all." CGC MELLON makes full use of recent technological advances in shipboard electronics. Her main battery was upgraded from the 5-inch 38 to the later Mk 75, 76mm gun system. Posted by 3 years ago. US Navy 040527-N-4104L-006 The U.S. Coast Guard Hamilton-class cutter Mellon (WHEC 717), the guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) steam together.jpg 1,480 × 1,944; 775 KB All of the ser­vice’s … CGC Mellon’s first Commanding Officer, Captain Robert P. Cunningham, was the first Coast Guard aviator to command a 378-foot cutter. CGC MELLON arrived around 1830 that night and dispatched a team to provide medical assistance onboard the WILLIAMSBURGH. USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715) was a US Coast Guard high endurance cutter and the lead ship of its class. All Hamilton-class cutters also carried an ASW suite that was upgraded during FRAM, this included MK 32 Mod 7 Surface Vessel … CGC MELLON is often called upon to assist a disabled vessel or to transport an injured crewmember ashore via helicopter. In the Bering Sea, CGC MELLON is typically involved in the enforcement of laws and regulations related to the preservation of U.S. fisheries stocks. In 1985, she was also the first and only Coast Guard cutter to be equipped with the Harpoon missile, an anti-ship missile system that was test-fired in 1990. The rest were taken back to Honolulu on the Mellon. 12 7 of the crew were not recovered. The crew and passengers of the cruise liner filled the lifeboats with only 15 passengers and 25 crewmembers remaining on the PRINSENDAM. It used to be a thing. Mellon was also the first, and only, Coast Guard cutter to test fire a Harpoon missile. See more ideas about uscg, coast guard, us coast guard. The twin screws can use 7,000 diesel shaft horsepower to make 17 knots, and a total of 36,000 gas turbine shaft horsepower to make 28 knots. It set limits on fishing in order to preserve the resource and it tasked the U.S. Coast Guard with enforcement of these limits. ... We build Port-FREMM build with the modern upgrades, but we have one in stock with the harpoon missiles on the bow. She was also fitted with a Phalanx Close in Weapon System, or "CIWS." Laid down July 25, 1966 at Avondale Shipyards near New Orleans, Louisiana. She also worked closely with elements of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), gathering weather information. CGC MELLON later towed the carrier safely back to Honolulu for repairs. CGC MELLON was classified as a "high endurance cutter," one which was designed to remain at sea for extended periods of time to undertake mid-ocean search and rescue operations and to conduct law enforcement and national security missions. She received her Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) upgrades from 1985 to 1989. In the international arena, CGC MELLON conducted professional exchanges with the maritime services of Costa Rica and Panama in 1993. CGC MELLON closed the distance and launched her embarked helicopter which carried the "PJs" as they are called to the sailing vessel. At roughly 1115 the next morning Mellon reached the area where the vessel Tamerlane (Norway) was rescuing survivors from the now deserted tanker. CGC MELLON was one of the first naval vessels built with a combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion plant. During this refit, CGC MELLON was equipped with the latest command and control technologies. CGC MELLON’s "balloon shelter" was replaced with a telescoping helicopter hangar. An insider official who doesn’t want to identify said, “Mk 49 launcher for the RIM-116 Rolling airframe missile (RAM) and the RGM-84 harpoon is the ideal missile system for Del Pilar and Alcaraz, noting that a sister-ship of the vessels, the United States coast guard cutter, USCGC – Mellon (WHEC-717), has been fitted with the Harpoon missile system launchers.” CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast … 16. Much further to the south, CGC MELLON plays a key part in a national strategy known as "STEEL WEB," an effort to deny narcotics smugglers access to the United States via maritime routes. Sometime in the mid-afternoon the USCGC BOUTWELL arrived to assist. USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717) is a U. S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter based out of Seattle, Washington. Here she performed search and rescue and oceanographic research missions. The USCGC Mellon was the first cutter in her class to fire the Harpoon missile. These survivors were then transferred to the CGC MELLON for medical assistance. User account menu. In 1991, CGC MELLON made a diplomatic visit to Vladivostok, Russia, to join in the celebration of their Maritime Border Guard’s 73rd Anniversary. This is approximately the distance from New York to Melbourne, Australia. Archived. The wave destroyed all marine navigation equipment. The Ship. These efforts have her in constant contact with Russian, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese vessels fishing for Pollock. The ship was recently equipped with the AN/SPS-78 digital surface radar system that incorporates a state of the art computerized collision avoidance system. WILLIAMSBURGH arrived at 0745 and immediately passengers and crew were transferred from the lifeboats into the helicopter and then to the deck of the supertanker. Jun 17, 2017 - Explore Robert Nichols's board "USCG CUTTERS" on Pinterest. USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717) underway. CGC MELLON and other cutters diverted to assist. This cover is in good, but not perfect condition. She was twice awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation during the Vietnam War. The test of the ship's new firepower occurred in 1990. Mellon’s primary area of operation shifted northward to the icy waters of the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea where she conducted search and rescue operations and enforced U.S. laws and regulations pertaining to fishing in these areas. Mellon was modernized from 1985 to 1989 during the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program. Living up to the Mellon’s motto “Primus Inter Pares,” meaning first among equals, the cutter established several Coast Guard firsts, including the first of five Hamilton-class high endurance cutters to have a Harpoon anti-ship missile system installed. The stylized Northwestern Coastal Indian harpoons symbolize combat readiness and … The ROSE S. was taking water on at a rate of 300 tons per day. Mellon was the first and only USCG cutter to be fitted with the Harpoon missile, test firings were also conducted in January 1990. Her first crew numbered approximately 150 personnel. She demonstrated the ability to reach speeds greater than 20 knots within two ship lengths from a standing stop. CGC MELLON was one of the newer ships of her class to have a joystick helm. This included training in international law, defensive tactics, counter narcotic trafficking methods, boarding procedures, and medical training. In 1992, CGC MELLON represented the Coast Guard at the kickoff of the city of Portland, Oregon’s, "Just Say No to Drugs" campaign. During that same patrol, CGC MELLON also assisted a Liberian bulk carrier that was taking on water in heavy seas. On March 6, 1977 CGC MELLON spotted a volcanic eruption just a few hours old on Seguam Island in the Aleutian chain. 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