CG keeps watch over New Orleans during Mardi Gras

Coast Guard Magazine, March, 2005 by Kyle Niemi

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 4 -- Group New Orleans units began operating an increased patrol schedule during the height of Mardi Gras festivities here.

The increased security initiatives included extra patrols, deployment of additional crewmembers and resources, and joint cooperation with local law enforcement to keep New Orleans citizens and visitors safe on and around the water.

Station New Orleans crews provided increased smallboat patrols of the Mississippi River to protect maritime facilities and vessels, and monitor for any suspicious activity.

During many of the parades, Air Station New Orleans flew law enforcement overflights and assisted the New Orleans Police Department by monitoring for suspicious or dangerous activities.

The security initiatives involved NOPD officers aboard the boats and aircraft alongside Coast Guard crewmembers. These patrols were implemented with the public's safety and security in mind.

The crew aboard the CGC Pelican, an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Abbeville, La., was also in New Orleans maintaining a security presence, conducting patrols and boardings. Station Gulfport, Miss., assisted Station New Orleans by providing additional crewmembers for their patrols.

The Coast Guard also played a large role in the ceremony to mark the arrival of the Krewes of Zulu and Rex to New Orleans on Lundi Gras. The Krewe of Zulu sailed from the Gov. Nicholls Street Wharf to Waldenberg Park aboard the CGC Harry Claiborne. The Krewe of Rex sailed from the New Orleans Port Authority Wharf to Spanish Plaza aboard the CGC Barbara Mabrity. Station New Orleans boat crews assisted the transit by enforcing a safety and security zone during the event.

The CGCs Harry Claiborne and Barbara Mabrity are 175-foot coastal buoy tenders homeported in Galveston, Texas, and Mobile, Ala., respectively.

The Coast Guard Mardi Gras float, crewed by members of the 8th District rolled in the following parades: Krewe d'Etat, Endymion, Bacchus, Opheus and Rex.

Story by PA2 Kyle Niemi and photos by PA3 NyxoLyno Cangemi, 8th Dist.