Two patrol boats are on the water at all times, guarding our submarines from the Marina at the northern end of the base to the Submarine Force Library Museum at the southern end. Each boat is manned with two watchmen who stand eight hour-long shifts before being relieved by the next crew. The coxswain drives the boat while the bow hook acts as a lookout and mans the mounted gun. Each of the patrol boats is fitted with an M-60 machine gun, usually mounted forward of the cabin.
While on watch, patrol boats shadow boats traveling past the base, ensuring that civilian mariners maintain a low speed in the no-wake zone surrounding the submarine piers. If ships fail to slow down, the coxswain turns on his siren and blue flashing lights. Should the ship continue to disregard warnings, its information is relayed to the Coast Guard and Connecticut River Patrol while the patrol boat quickly moves to intercept.
"All boats are kept 200 feet from the security barriers," said MASN Chris Patrick. "Most boaters know the rules, but sometimes we have to remind them to keep their distance."
Besides speeding, incidents on the Thames River most often include tipped canoes. "We had one pregnant woman last year," Patrick said, "but most days are pretty quiet."
"All cases on the river are reported to the Coast Guard," BMC Marvin Blue, the Chief in charge of small boat operations. "They are required to put out information on boating incidents." Reports are also sent to base dispatch, which will pass the information on to the security director when a reasonable threat is suspected.
In addition to the MAs, Department of Defense Police Officers stand watches on the patrol boats. Qualified Auxiliary Security Forces personnel can be trained to man the machine gun, although they are never allowed to drive the boat. All boat security officers take a three-week Coxswain course to become qualified for the watch.
Whether on land or in the river, our security force keeps a watchful eye over our base.
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