Surfing around the world

Lt. John Kidwell, Special to the Pilot

EDITOR’S NOTE: During a 35-day journey from New Orleans to Newport

Beach via the Panama Canal, Lt. John Kidwell, commander of the new Coast

Guard cutter Narwhal, has offered to keep the community updated on the

crew’s journey through a series of e-mail reports from a dozen ports of

call. The following is his fourth report as he takes our readers aboard

the ship:

Well, the third leg of our voyage was incredible. Our 380-mile track

line took us through some of the bluest water we have ever seen. From Key

West, we sailed southwest to Cozumel, Mexico, passing only Cuba on our

port side.

The crew members are really starting to get in tune with their new

ship -- both are working together flawlessly. It is wonderful to see

everyone take so much pride in their new Lady. Fourteen hours after

passing Cuba (visible only on radar), our lookout, Phil Heem, spotted the

lights of the Yucatan Peninsula, and, at first light, the beautiful

island of Cozumel.

Immediately upon mooring, we were greeted by an assistant to the U.S.

and a Mexican Navy Liaison Officer. Soon after securing the cutter, the

captain, J.J. Kidwell, and myself were escorted to meet both the

commander of Mexican Naval Forces and the mayor of Cozumel.

The hospitality awarded to us and our crew was incredible. It was

apparent that our two-day stay here in Cozumel was going to be one great

time.

Upon returning to the ship, the men of Newport Beach wasted no time

breaking out the boards. This was the first surf they have seen in over

two months. Before the captain and I could get out of our dress uniforms,

these guys were on the other side of the island taking in some surf.

The rest of the crew has been taking in the sights and visiting the

local shops, Mayan ruins and, yes, the local dance clubs. The most

popular attraction here, though, is the beautiful reef that surrounds the

island, second only to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

We will be wrapping up our stay here Aug. 2 and begin making

preparations to get underway at first light Aug. 3. With a few storms

forecasted, our next leg to the British Grand Cayman Islands will be a

good challenge.