UNIT INFORMATION
MAILING ADDRESS: USCGC MELLON (WHEC 717)
Attn: (Crewmember's name)
1519 Alaskan Way South
Seattle, WA, 98134
WELCOME TO THE MELLON!
We are excited to have you on board and look forward to getting to know you during your time with us. MELLON is a great ship that focuses on safety, professionalism, and teamwork. We believe in working hard and operating the ship with discipline and proficiency while having fun and building morale. While on board, you can expect to learn the ways of the Coast Guard, see exciting parts of the world while fulfilling MELLON's missions, gain access to skills and qualifications you need for success in your chosen career path, and make some lifelong friends along the way.
WELCOME ABOARD MESSAGES
Welcome Aboard Messages are sent to each new recruit before graduation. Within that message will be unit contact information, your designated sponsor's name and email address, as well as instructions for reporting to the cutter. Feel free to call the ship during normal working hours (keep in mind the three hour time difference) if you have not received your welcome aboard message. When you call, ask for the ship's office and five them your name. If there is no answer when you call, it means we are underway. In that case, send an email to YNC Michael Alexander (michael.p.alexander@uscg.mil)and request the name of your sponsor.
COMMERCIAL PHONE: (206)217-6290 FAX: (206)217-6296
WELCOME ABOARD VIDEO
Copies of MELLON’s most recent Alaska patrol video are available at TRACEN Cape May for recruits who have been assigned to the unit. We suggest you ask your company commanders for an opportunity to watch them before you leave. The TRACEN Cape May Public Affairs Officer will be able to help locate a copy if necessary. The video provides a glimpse at what life will be like for you when you arrive, the work you will be doing, and the fun you will have underway!
OMBUDSMAN
Mrs. Rutledge, uscgcmellon@gmail.com. The Ombudsman will help you and your family with any questions about housing, the Seattle area, TRICARE, family life in the Coast Guard, and other resources for families.
WEBSITE
//www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcmellon
UNIT MISSIONS
MELLON was designed to perform each of the Coast Guard’s missions, which include search and rescue, defense operations, law enforcement, and environmental protection. MELLON typically deploys to the Eastern Pacific along Central America, and the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea for fisheries patrols in the north.
Be sure to check out MELLON’s command philosophy before you report on board by visiting //www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcmellon/command_philosophy.asp.
TYPICAL SA/SN JOB ASSIGNMENTS
“Deckies” are assigned to the deck division within the Operations Department. The first six months for a Seaman or Seaman Apprentice reporting aboard will be a busy and exciting time. Underway, deckies participate in all deck evolutions under supervision of the Boatswain’s Mate. They are responsible for handling mooring lines, anchoring the ship, raising and lowering the ship’s small boats, steering the cutter, and upkeep of MELLON’s exterior.
By the end of four months on board, all SA and SN will qualify on helm and lookout and in-port security watch standing.
TYPICAL FA/FN JOB ASSIGNMENTS
After your check-in process is completed, you will be assigned to either the Main Propulsion Division (“Main Prop”) or the Auxiliary Division (“A-gang”) where you will begin the qualification process while you assist your assigned division with the daily work routine. Engineers are responsible for maintaining and repairing systems within and outside of the engine room, ship fueling, aviation fueling, and small boat maintenance, among other important tasks.
As a FA or FN, you will qualify as a security watch stander in port and underway, and an auxiliary (generator) watch stander in port.
OTHER TYPICAL E2/E3 ASSIGNMENTS
Within 4 months, all E2 and E3 personnel are required to complete basic and advanced DCPQS, in-port security, and qualifications in their respective divisions. Underway, break-in (i.e. unqualified) personnel can expect to stand two 4-hour watches each day until qualified. In port security break-ins will be on a 1 in 3 duty rotation standing two 4-hour watches, meaning they will be required to stay on the ship once every three days and stand two watches on their duty day.For qualified personnel, MELLON is on a 1 in 5 rotation, meaning duty sections stand watch once every five days.
The Damage Control Officer will set up a training plan that covers all of the required sections every two months. You may find this challenging at first, but you will complete it easily within the required time. Very few exceed the four month standard. This qualification is necessary for the survivability of the ship. Damage control is the responsibility of the entire crew, from the Commanding Officer to our newest member.
Finally, all nonrated personnel will be required to help the galley by serving as mess cooks on a rotating basis. Mess cooking is an opportunity to help maintain crew health and happiness and is usually done for two weeks to one month at a time.
RATINGS REPRESENT AT UNIT
BM, DC, EM, ET, FS, GM, HS, IT, ME, MK, OS, SK, YN. On some deployments, MELLON will work with aviation rates (AMT, AET) and intelligence specialists (IS). Non-rates are welcomed and encouraged to speak with petty officers to learn about various rates and jobs.
The Coast Guard allows advancement to petty officer via on the job training known as striking, in lieu of formal “A” school. There are currently no strikeable rates, but striker programs are subject to change in the future.
INSTRUCTIONS / UNIFORM FOR REPORTING
GETTING TO BASE SEATTLE
If flying into Seattle, find a Shuttle Express Share Ride at the airport and give the driver the address (1519 Alaskan Way South at Pier 36 in Downtown Seattle). Shuttle Express will cost about $20.00, while a taxi will cost $40.00. Alternatively, try the Central Link light rail from SeaTac to Stadium for $3.00. You will be reimbursed for the cost of your transportation. Alternatively, if MELLON is in port, you may call the ship to arrange for a duty van to pick you up from the airport and take you to Base Seattle.
SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING AFTER HOURS
None. Report to Quarterdeck in Tropical Blue Long.
IF THE UNIT IS UNDERWAY WHERE TO REPORT
During working hours, report to the Base Seattle A&T Program Manager in Building 1. The guards at the front gate will direct you to the appropriate building. After working hours, ask the gate security guard to notify the Command Duty Officer that you are reporting to the MELLON per orders. Call (206) 217-6564 if you run into any problems.
UNIFORM NORMALLY WORN DURING THE WORKDAY
In port, Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) and composite-toed boots. The underway uniform will be authorized when MELLON is at sea; this is the ODU long or short sleeved tee shirt and pants with composite-toed boots. Black, brown, or navy blue deck shoes (i.e. topsiders) are authorized after the workday when underway.
RECOMMENDED UNIFORM ITEMS IN ADDITION TO SEABAG ISSUE
Extra ODU t-shirts, moisture-wicking undergarments, extra socks (black or plain white athletic crew socks are authorized).
HOUSING
Single E2s / E3s will live on board when they first report to MELLON while being processed for barracks or government leased housing. Members with personal transportation available are eligible for government leased apartments, located primarily south of Seattle. New members will meet with MELLON’s housing officer when reporting aboard to determine housing arrangements.
Married members or members with dependents will receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to live on the economy.
PARKING
Day parking for personnel who commute to work is available on base during in-port times. Free, long-term, secured parking is available at Naval Base Everett when MELLON goes underway. If you are reporting while the cutter is away from homeport, please note that you cannot leave your automobile on base when you fly out to meet the cutter.
LOCAL CLIMATE
Summer 65-70°, mostly sunny. Winter: 40-50° with heavy precipitation and light snowfall.
UNIT MUTUAL ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE / CONTACT
ELC2 Aaron McCarthy, (206) 217-6290, Aaron.M.McCarthy@uscg.mil
CONTINUING EDUCATION
MELLON offers many opportunities for education. Local colleges such as Washington State University and the University of Washington offer on-campus and distance learning. There are many other colleges in the area that accommodate our fluid schedule. Tuition assistance is available to help students cover costs. Although MELLON’s underway connectivity is not as fast as in-port connectivity, it is more than adequate for submitting assignments. When you report aboard, you will have a chance to discuss educational opportunities with MELLON’s education officer.
BASE SEATTLE FACILITIES / MWR
Base Seattle offers an exchange, laundry facilities, galley, a large gym with basketball court and fitness classes, medical clinic and a work-life office.
NEAREST MILITARY FACILITY
There are several military facilities in the surrounding areas. Naval Base Everett in Everett, WA; Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, WA; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, WA all offer additional MWR services and commissaries.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN THE AREA
Seattle and its surrounding areas offer services for many different religions and denominations. Underway, MELLON provides Protestant and Catholic services on Sunday mornings.
U.S. PASSPORTS
A passport is good to have for foreign port calls, but it is not required. Speak to the passport representative at either TRACEN Cape May or Base Seattle for an official government passport, especially if you are meeting MELLON in a foreign port of call!
D13 Health Safety Work-Life
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/