The official blog of the U.S. Coast Guard
Senior Chief Petty Officer Peter MacDougall recalled the dark and stormy nights he went out into, knowing his wife could hear the helicopter take off from their house, imagining the anxiety it caused her. He spoke about the close calls. He spoke about survivors he rescued from the grip of the sea, and the men and women he served alongside who made each of his 40 years of service special.
The Coast Guard ancients on watch in July 2009 gather together in their ceremonial clothing, which honors the history of their service. From left are Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officers Christopher Kukla (Silver Ancient Mariner) and Peter MacDougall (Enlisted Ancient Albatross), Vice Adm. Vivien Crea (Ancient Albatross), and Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Guthlein (Ancient
Master Chief Petty Officer Lloyd Pierce, command master chief at the Coast Guard Academy, speaks after becoming the Coast Guard's Silver Ancient Mariner. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley. The lore of being at sea has inspired generations of sailors since the very foundation of our country. Life aboard a