Coast Guard Cutter Sapelo, a 110-foot Island Class Cutter. Cutters in this patrol boat class are named after United States islands.
In October 1988, I was in Adak, Alaska to participate in a large multi-service exercise (PACEX if memory serves correct). A couple of WPB-110s sailed up there as Coast Guard representatives. I ran into CO, USCGC SAPELO at the O-Club one night after working hours. Started a conversation. Anyway, I was invited to go out to sea aboard SAPELO the next day. Twenty years later I've got to tell you...the regular 110 crews...that it was very rough that day. Most of the US Navy ships stayed in tied up to the piers or at anchor in Sweeper Cove that day, but SAPELO went out in the heavy weather. What a ride. Been to sea on most things that float from carriers on down, albeit mostly on submarines. But when we pulled in that night I was really "green-behind-the-gills". I departed Adak with a great deal of respect for the men and women of the US Coast Guard, especially those who ride those little WPB-110s.
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