Heaving a Line by George Papabeis, FSO-PA FL 74

Heaving a Line

By George Papabeis, Flotilla Staff Offi cer-Public Aff airs 74 Brandon

“We need someone capable to go to the front of the boat and prepare to receive a line. Please put the loop on your front leŌ cleat and have the operator of the vessel steer to track with us.”

All boat crew members in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are familiar with this direcƟ on. It is one in a series of quesƟ ons and instrucƟ ons we are trained to calmly and methodically deliver to a vessel in distress. At this point, an Auxiliarist heaves a line to the disabled boat and creaƟ ng a physical connecƟ on between the two boats. The exchange ends with: “We will tow you to the nearest safe haven....” It is a pact between those in need and those who can off er assistance.

The heaving of the line is in its own way metaphor for all those who serve in the Coast Guard, Armed Forces, fi rst responders, medical personnel, and in this latest naƟ onal emergency the “front line” of essenƟ al workers. All parƟ cipate and expose themselves to harm in service of their families, community, and naƟ on regardless of their sex, age, ethnic background, religion or poliƟ cal affi liaƟ on.

Even those who are not acƟ vely serving, just “plain” ordinary ciƟ zens, do their part by following quaranƟ ne and social distancing.

Humanity’s strength is in its cooperaƟ ve endeavors, and in the recogniƟ on that we are all “in boats” and that our allegiance is to each other. All of the previously menƟ oned services sacrifi ce their Ɵ me, personal comfort and economic resources. Our challenge will be to maintain that which is required over an uncomfortable period. Our resources, physical, mental and spiritual, will be tested. I have faith that our service, our naƟ on and most importantly, our peoples will weather this storm and reach a safe haven.

It will take courage, endurance and paƟ ence. We are up to this task.Ω