Lightship 612
On Station, San Francisco Bar
28 August 1962
Boarded a 95 footer at Fort Point Lifeboat Station. Got under way for a uneventful ride out, wasn’t bothering me too much seasick wise. When we arrived at the L.V. they sent a small boat over to receive me and one other person, I don’t remember who. On the trip to the L.V. from the 95 footer Scott (Gary Scott BM3- Ed) told me not to put my hands on the gunnel, because I would lose my fingers when they rubbed the side of the L.V. Had Jacob’s Ladder over the side to receive me. Once on board I was directed to my bunk and told to store my gear. It wasn’t long after that I got seasick. I was in the bunk for three days. The crew fed me crackers, oranges to neutralize the acid in my stomach.
Every time JB (skipper) (CHBOSN J.B. Gill USCG - Ed) came to see me, he had a pipe with Cherry Blend tobacco, and that would get me sick all over again. Chief Backlin (BMC Robert L. Backlin USCG - Ed) finally had enough of me and drug my sorry ass out of the rack and put me to work. I hated him for that, at the time, but didn’t know it was for my best interest… and that is what got me over being sick.
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