Share By DINA ARÉVALOPort Isabel-South Padre Presseditor@portisabelsouthpadre.comTuesday, August 4, marked the 225th anniversary of the United States Coast Guard.Though stations across the country held celebrations on Tuesday, including at Sector Corpus Christi, Station South Padre Island’s observance was more reserved, said Lt. William Bell, who serves as station commander. “What we did this morning (Tuesday) is we had the entire crew outside formed up, and we observed colors,” he said. The National Anthem and the Coast Guard service song, Semper Paratus — which means “always ready” — was also played, Bell said. “It’s a good time for us to reflect,” he said.Approximately 100 men and women serve at the station, Bell said. That includes 60-70 people stationed at the facility, including reservists, a dozen that crew the vessel Amberjack, and another dozen who make up the Aids to Navigation team, he said.Though a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Coast Guard serves many other functions, as well. As a part of the armed services, it can conduct military operations. It also performs search and rescue operations and serves as maritime law enforcement.In that regard, Bell says the station has been kept particularly busy lately. “We’re always out patrolling the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the Laguna Madre.” he said. “We’ve had some disabled vessels that have been calling in that we try to help get pointed in the right direction, whether it’s helping them arrange commercial salvage or Good Samaritan assistance, or if it’s a search and rescue case, going out and saving folks from a vessel taking on water, or people in the water, whatever it might be. So we’ve had some of those cases going on recently,” he said.Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here. RelatedLooking Back: Coast Guard celebrates 225th anniversaryBy DINA ARÉVALO Port Isabel-South Padre Press editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Tuesday, August 4, marked the 225th anniversary of the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard, which patrols the country’s maritime borders, is a branch of the Armed Forces, but it’s a lot more than that. It began as the Revenue Cutter Service…August 8, 2015In “News”Letter to the Editor for January 17, 2019Special to the PRESS Hello, I’m curious to know if the community that the Coast Guard Station at South Padre serves is reaching out to help and/or support the crew members there who are continuing to work even though they are not being paid? They are certainly there for the…January 18, 2019In “News”Spring Break 2015: Coast Guard talks water safetyBy ESTEVAN MEDRANO Port Isabel-South Padre Press press@portisabelsouthpadre.com February 19, 2015 It isn’t just on land where law enforcement will be needed next month on South Padre Island. The curling, foaming surf can catch inexperienced vacationers off guard with its unfamiliarity and unpredictability. Rip tides, shallow areas, silting, rocks and thick…February 20, 2015In “News”
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