Since the Michigan City Coast Guard Station is right next to the OMC lighthouse, we met at the lighthouse parking lot..


I took Mary, Herm, Jake and Gloria on a quick tour of the OMC light and I checked out the landscaping.. The rest of the repairs to the outside of the lighthouse are under way. That is why there is white around the windows. This is the last of the damage of a storm that came through and just about tore off the lanternroom, a few months ago..


Al lof our work with the plant and flower beds is paying off, the grounds look very nice..














The group heads down to the Coast Guard Station..

Our host, Petty Officer Jason Fowler, explained the role and duties of the Michigan City Station..


After finding out about the station's role, we went into the totally secured area for a look around..


The first stop was by the staion's two boats. The Michigan City Station is a small station but the two boats are two of the best the Coast Guard have.


The biggger boat is one those that when it is inverted, it will right itself.. The small boat will do over 60, so that they can reach a problem quickly..


Then we got to tour the big boat, Sue tried out one of the seats...


While Carolyn takes a turn at the wheel..


Next up was Captain Kat for her turn at the wheel..


Cindy takes her turn while Carolyn captures the moment digitally for her..

Now for a scary moment, Roy behind the wheel and me standing on the bow.


Carolyn and Roy enjoying the moment as we all did!!


OK it's time for half of us to take a little cruise out to the Pier Light.. The first group was chosen by one repesentative of each family who has a camera just in case there isn't a second trip because the boat might be needed for an emergency run..


Jake's not covering his ears to something I am saying but to the ship's horn.. It was very LOUD!


We're off! Looking back at the other group left on shore still holding the short straw so to speak..


Earlier in the morning we almost didn't get to take the ride on the boat as they received an emergency run early in the morning.. It turned out to be a false mayday call, which is really disgusting that someone would do that.. It cost a lot of time and money not to mention that if something else would have really happened they wouldn't have been able to go..


The city of Michigan City, by the way, has put a bid in to buy the lighthouse.. The city already owns the catwalk and the pier is owned by the federal government..


Jeff takes a picture of our other half of our group at the Coast Guard Station, as Herm looks on; while we cruise by...

Someone asked if we could cruise by the Old Lighthouse while we were out, great idea!


As you can see there is a lot of re-painting and repair going on the Southside of the building.. They are going to add storm windows when this work is done which should lower the heating bills in the winter..


Back at the staion and switch groups..


As this group took off, we on shore heard them singing... row, row your boat, led by Roy..


What a beautiful day, great weather with great friends!!


As I stated early, the boat stayed in the creek as they call it, in case of an emergency and they said that the lake was pretty choppy when they were out on their run earlier..


I rushed over to the Old Michigan City Lighthouse to get an image of the group at the drawbridge.. They also got the great view of the Old lighthouse from the waterway..

WOW! What a day!

Nice pictures Paul
Thanks for sharing them with us
I love the boat.
The lifelike HL123 and HL712 are pretty neat also.

Is the Boat coastguard?
If so why no RED and WHITE?

WOW!! Great pictures. Sparkling day. Thanks for sharing.

Sandy

I realized that I was mentioning the small boat and since we didn't get on it, I hadn't shown it.. This image also shows the Coast Guard colors on the bow of the big boat, Daniel..



The small boat is a 25-Foot Defender Class Boat (RB-HS/RB-S)...

The big boat is a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB)...

Daniel,

I mentioned in an Anchor Bay post that the 47' MLB replaces the old 44' MLB. The 47' boat is a lot faster and a lot more powerful with the bigger engines. It also has a lot more comfortable cabin room then the old 44' version. The entire boat is made of annodized metal that won't rust and never gets painted whereas the white hull boat are constantly needing paint because of rusting. They have a 47' MLB at Station Ponce Inlet so if your ever down New Smyrna Beach way and want to see it, just stop at the gate and get a Coastie to show it to you.

Great pics Paul ! Looks like you had a lot of fun.

Great info on the USCG boats, Rich!

Several of the group went to a Minor League Baseball game last night and they said they had a blast.. The Bradys didn't make it, as I have a bum foot right now and I wanted to rest it up for the 4th Annual HLC Grillin today... I will be adding pictures from the Grillin later but someone else will have to post the fun at the game pictures..

All in all a Great HLC weekend, beautiful weather the whole time..

Great information and pictures! Thanks for sharing the fun!

Great Pictures Paul. Looks like a lot of fun.

Thanks for the great pictures, Paul. Looks like you had perfect weather for the Annual Gathering. Sure wish I could have been there but everyone looks like they are having a great time.

Happy Retirement, Herm!

Looks like everybody had a great time!

I can sure go for a good barbeque!

Great pictures Paul. Both functions sort of make me wish we was still in IN.

THANKS to Doyne and Cindy Cole for sharing their beautiful lake cottage and water toys with us!
We had a great time, fantastic weather, terrrific company, and deliciuos eats! As Paul usually puts it...it doesn't get any better than this!!!!!!
This was such a "WAY COOL" party, makes me proud to be a Hoosier Lighthousing Club Member....Yahoo!