Greetings from CGC Jefferson Island

Coast Guard Magazine, May, 2005 by Scott Keister

The CGC Jefferson Island is homeported at Group Portland in South Portland, Maine. The CGC Jefferson Island was constructed at Bollinger Machine Shop and Shipyard in Lockport, La., and commissioned Aug. 16, 1991. Able to maintain speeds in excess of 26 knots and highly maneuverable, the Jefferson Island is the 40th of the 110-foot island class patrol boats. The Jefferson Island's namesake is located in the Chesapeake Bay along the shore of Maryland. The cutter's crew consists of two officers and 13 enlisted members with diverse rates. A busy operational tempo challenges the crew to be involved in a variety of shipboard evolutions, providing opportunities for greater responsibility and professional development than at most larger units.

The Jefferson Island's primary missions are search and rescue and the enforcement of federal fishery laws in the demanding and sometimes unforgiving North Atlantic. These waters are home to rich lobster, scallop and cod marine resources. Additionally, the Jefferson Island conducts homeland security patrols in both Boston and New York City.

The Jefferson Island's homeport is two hours north of Boston and is collocated at Group Portland with Station South Portland, Aids to Navigation Team South Portland, CGC Marcus Hanna, and CGC Shackle.

The area in and around Portland is typified by friendly people, lots of summer and winter activities, and some of the most beautiful forests, mountains and coastlines in the country. This area is truly family-friendly and was recently voted the number one city in the United States to raise children. Portland is home to two minor league sports teams, the Portland Seadogs (the "AA" farm team for the Boston Red Sox) and the Portland Pirates (an affiliate of the Washington Capitals hockey team). In addition to the professional sports, Sports Illustrated named Portland as Maine's Sports Illustrated Sportstown for having the state's best community youth sports programs and consistently producing the majority of the secondary school state championship sports teams. Additionally, Portland has a thriving downtown business and entertainment community.

The areas surrounding Portland provide many outdoor activities such as hiking, bike riding, camping, hunting, both fresh and salt water fishing, and cross-country and downhill skiing. Famous Acadia National Park is located four hours northeast, and Mt. Washington, in the beautiful White Mountains, is approximately two hours northwest of Portland.

A billet aboard the Jefferson Island provides a great mix of work and recreation time, and the Portland area allows for an ideal combination of city and countryside amenities. If you are looking for a home that seems like a vacation and want to feel the accomplishment of being an integral part of a team meeting the demands and rewards of an assignment on a patrol boat, join us on JI.

RELATED ARTICLE: Housing

Barracks are available for E-6 and below at Group Portland. Living on the economy generally costs between $500 and $1200 in rent.

Education

The University of Southern Maine is located in Portland, and Southern Maine Technical College is in South Portland.

Facilities

Group Portland offers a dining facility, all-hands club, a fitness room, and outdoor basketball and tennis courts. All Coast Guard personnel receive free memberships to the local YMCA.

Weather

Summers here have temperatures between the 60's and 80's. Winter temperatures generally range from the 20's to the 40's, with and average annual snowfall of 70 inches.

Story by Lt. Cmdr Scott Keister, CGC Jefferson Island, photo by BM3 Mark Brennan, ANT South Portland