R 161754Z MAY 12

ALCOAST 245/12
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: 2011 FIREMAN FIRST CLASS PAUL CLARK BOAT FORCES ENGINEERING
AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT
1.  I am pleased to announce MK2 Joshua M. Coaker from Coast Guard
Station Oak Island as the winner of the 2011 Fireman First Class Paul
Clark Boat Forces Engineering Award.  This prestigious annual award
recognizes an exemplary Coast Guard boat engineer who demonstrated
sustained superior performance, proficiencies, and leadership.
2.  MK2 Coaker displayed superb leadership, professional abilities,
and devotion to duty while serving as the assistant engineering petty
officer while assigned to Station Oak Island.
3.  MK2 Coaker demonstrated exceptional devotion to duty by ensuring
the unit was always ready to meet the mission while personally
leading by example during challenging cases in a demanding AOR.  MK2
Coaker accumulated over 300 underway hours conducting search and
rescue cases, enforcing safety regulations, and participating in
numerous ports, waterways, and coastal security escorts.  During one
particular case, MK2 Coaker was a member of a crew responding to a
report of a fishing vessel taking on water.  Once on scene, MK2
Coaker volunteered to go aboard the vessel and assess the situation.
Rapidly identifying the damage, MK2 Coaker used his damage control
expertise to quickly effect makeshift repairs.  He then worked
tirelessly for six hours to keep two pumps running and dewater the
vessel, without which the vessel would have surely sunk.  MK2 Coakers
efforts, actions, and knowledge that day ultimately saved the owner
140,000 dollars in property and ensured the fishing vessels continued
ability to practice its profession.  MK2 Coaker was also committed to
developing his shipmates and making sure that they were ready to meet
the challenges of their duties.  He pursued certification as a
CPR/first aid instructor which he used to train and qualify 38 first
responders in addition to the six Motor Life Boat engineers and 24
boat crew members he helped qualify.  Additionally, he took the
initiative to hold all hands training that informed the crew of
engineering changes and procedures on the units boats.  Onboard the
station, MK2 Coaker acted above his pay grade when filling the role
of engineering petty officer.  MK2 Coaker routinely stayed well past
liberty to ensure that all of his duties and projects were finished
with the highest quality of work.  Always one to support those around
him, MK2 Coaker volunteered to stand duty on his off-time so that his
shipmates could spend more time with their families during the
holiday season.
4.  Each year it is extremely difficult to select only one recipient
from the superb group of petty officers who are nominated for this
award.  Honorable mention goes to the following finalists:
       A.  MK2 James Wacker, STA Ashtabula, and
       B.  MK2 Nicholas Foster, STA Milwaukee.
5.  I am pleased with the number of exceptional quality nomination
packages that were submitted and commend all those who took time to
acknowledge the many outstanding boat engineers we have throughout
boat forces.  The nominees for this years award are listed below in
alphabetical order:
       A.  MK1 Richard Bassin, STA Curtis Bay,
       B.  MK2 Andrew Brannon, CGC COBIA (WPB-87311),
       C.  MK1 Andrew Carvalho, ANT Boston,
       D.  MK1 Adam Dupont, STA Brunswick,
       E.  MK1 Nicholas Kelly, STA Fire Island,
       F.  MK1 Christopher Lamb, STA Tawas,
       G.  MK1 Brian Scott, STA Honolulu, and
       H.  MK1 Keith Stinson, STA Cape Cod Canal.
6.  Presentation of the 2011 Fireman First Class Paul Clark Boat
Forces Engineering Award will be coordinated via SEPCOR.
7.  The selection panel members are listed below:
       A.  LCDR Jason Ingram, BFCO Yorktown,
       B.  LTJG David Ruhlig, COMDT (CG-731),
       C.  CWO Thomas Guthlein, Ancient Keeper,
       D.  CWO Mark Davenport, COMDT (CG-731),
       E.  CWO Fred Eshelman, Sector Boston,
       F.  CWO David Emerson, COMDT (CG-751),
       G.  BMCM Michael Leavitt, MCPOCG,
       H.  MKCM Terence Vanderwerf, DCO CMC,
       I.  MKCM Edward Lewis, MK RFMC,
       J.  BMCM John DiCave, BM RFMC, and
       K.  BMCS Nicholas Pupo, CG Academy.
8.  RDML Mark E. Butt, Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.
9.  Internet release authorized.