Coast Guard Cutter ‘Narwhal’ to Return to the Ocean Institute

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

To provide boating safety information and demonstrations, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal will return to the Ocean Institute for public tours on Saturday, May 13.

The 87-foot warship will be docked at the Ocean Institute, with public tours running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when attendees will have the opportunity to meet officers and the crew of the Narwhal. The Cutter Narwhal is based in Newport Beach and patrols coastal waters from the Mexican border to the Channel Islands.

Throughout the day, the Dana Point Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer organization that supports the Coast Guard, program “Hawk Mentors,” in which high school students educate elementary school students on topics related to mental health. During the Voice for Girls event, Jacobson spoke on the panel about her mentorship program.

Starting immediately, the Girl Scouts of Orange County has partnered with Irvine-based OMID (Multicultural Institute for Development) to offer free, short-term mental health care services for Girl Scouts. As the partnership is meant to aid with short-term mental health concerns, OMID will connect Girl will hold boater education classes and provide boating and marine safety information related to paddle craft requirements, clean boating habits, fuel-oil spill prevention and the California boaters’ card.

Scouts with other available resources if long-term help is needed.

Through the Girl Scouts of Orange County website, parents, volunteers and troop leaders can request an appointment for any registered Orange County Girl Scout. Girl Scouts will now have access to a maximum of eight 50-minute sessions, which can be either one-on-one or for an entire troop. The sessions may be conducted in person or via video conference.

The Girl Scouts of Orange County provides the services at no charge and is funded by a Girl Scout grant that the O.L. Halsell Foundation provided.

Starting in June, Girl Scout volunteers will also be able to sign up for a low-cost, two-part Mental Health First Aid Training program designed for adults who work with youth. The Mental Health First Aid Training led by Girl Scouts of Orange County staff facilitators teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.

To reach the suicide and crisis lifeline and connect with a trained crisis counselor, call 988.

“Coastie,” the talking ship, will also cruise around the Ocean Institute grounds and engage with families.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary will also provide free vessel exams, demonstrations on fire extinguishers, personal flotation devices, marine radios and a distress flare simulation.

“Providing free tours to the public helps people gain an appreciation of how the Coast Guard works with Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection to patrol and protect our coast,” USCG AUX Unit Coordinator Garry Nelson said in a media release.

“We are grateful to the Ocean Institute for partnering with us to make this day possible,” Nelson continued.

The Ocean Institute is located at 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. More information about joining the Dana Point Flotilla of the Coast Guard Auxiliary can be found at the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary website.