ARCTIC OCEAN – The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent came alongside the Coast Guard Cutter Healy and the ships tied up so the crews could enjoy a day long morale event aboard the Healy Sept. 5, 2009.
The 2009 Arctic Barbeque, the day’s main event, featured a “surf and turf” menu. For the turf offerings, the Healy’s cooks prepared steak, chili and pulled pork. The Canadians prepared smoked salmon, shrimp, scallops and lobster.
Paul Delvin, chief cook of the Louis S. St-Laurent, prepared an enormous cheese platter comprised of fine cheeses from all over the world served atop an eight-foot-long mirror. “The crew usually only gets processed cheese, so for morale events I like to break out the good stuff,” said Delvin.
After the meal, the crews competed in the inaugural Arctic Olympics. Cribbage, foosball, air hockey and a number of interactive video games were just a few of the premier events.
Chief Petty Officer Sorjen Manangan represented the Healy as a member of the American air hockey team.
Manangan won his match against Canadian Coast Guard Engineering Cadet Andrew Pearson, but the Canadians rallied and came from behind to claim victory in the air hockey tournament.
“If it would have been air football or something we may have had a chance,” said Manangan. “I think having the word hockey in the title gave them a mental edge that we just couldn’t overcome,” he joked.
Though the Healy crew and science party fought valiantly, it was not enough. The Canadians won the most events and were crowned champions of the first Arctic games.
“It was all in good fun,” said Navy Petty Officer First Class Richard Lehmkuhl. “It was a great meal and being able just hang out and take it easy was nice,” he said.
The two ships have been taking part in a multi-year, multi-agency Arctic survey that will help define the Arctic continental shelf.
To download photos of this and other cutter Healy events please visit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cutterhealy
.
