James Weber, Coast Guard Chief, Disciplined Over Photos Of Hurricane Bill Training

MONTAUK, N.Y. — A New York Coast Guard officer has been relieved of command after dramatic photos surfaced on the Internet of two rescue boats training in heavy surf generated by Hurricane Bill off the eastern end of Long Island.

A Coast Guard commander tells Newsday that Chief Petty Officer James Weber put his boats and crews in a dangerous situation during the August storm.

One spectacular picture showed one of the $1.2 million boats half out of the water with its bow pointed skyward as it flew over the top of a cresting swell near Montauk.

Coast Guard Capt. Daniel Ronan says neither Weber nor the skipper of a second boat was properly qualified to operate in surf that high.

Weber could still be reinstated if he appeals.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com

Comments

[JiminNC]

They are qualified now.

[vietveter]

One reason that the Coast Guard can pull off those unbelievable, dangerous rescues is because they train for them. Go get ‘em Chief – damn the politicians and full speed ahead!

[Aldo Rodriguez]

DAS BOOTED! (sorry, I know, bad pun - Ah boo!)

[Das D]

Excuse my mistake as well, your by-line got it right- It was a first paragraph that had it in error :-)

[Das D]

Just a note, A CPO is not a Line Officer as inferred in the by-line. It is an enlisted rate not to be confused. Truly not a compliment to those senior enlisted men and their experience.
S. Defino