First woman Coast Guards

Press, 5 July 1977, Page 12

First woman Coast Guards

NZPA-Reuter Washington The first women ever assigned to sea duty aboard a United States military ship are preparing to find their sea legs. Among them is Debra Lee Wilson, a petite blonde from California otherwise known as Petty Officer Third Class Wilson, or under the traditional title of bosun’s mate.

Petty Officer Wilson, who is 21, is one of 24 women who will be going aboard two Coast Guard cutters in the (northern) autumn. The Coast Guard, w’hich in times of national emergency becomes part of the United States Navy, had to change I its regulations to allow women to be assigned to sea-going vessels. | “It is not only a milestone (in our naval history, but a • significant event in the ( move towards equal opportunities for women,” said ■Transportation Secretary Brock Adams, who had to approve the change in Coast Guard rules. He said the Coast Guard would be able to draw on many qualified women previously varred from going to sea.

Fourteen of the first group of women come from families with a nautical (background. One is the daughter of a (retired United States Navy ■ chief petty officer and a nurse in the Royal Navy. The father of another is a retired United States Navy captain. “I’m thrilled to death,” said Ensign Beverley Kelley, aged 25, of Miami, whose parents sail large private (yachts up and down America’s East Coast.

She does not see any problem in facing ship-board jobs that need muscle.

“There are men that are small and weak, too, on ships. Others help pull the weight for them on the few occasions when they might need it.” she said. Admiral Owen Siler, commandant of the Coast Guard, said he was confident that women would carry out their sea-going duties in the true spirit of the Coast Guard’s motto, Semper Paratas (Always Ready), “and will provide us -with a new resource of talent.” While the Coast Guard is breaking down the sex barrier, it is sticking to the traditional male titles.

Besides the bosun’s mate, some of the women have ranks such as yoeman second class, seaman and seaman apprentice. The two cutters they will be assigned to normally carry a crew of about 15 officers and 137 enlisted men.

Their peace-time mission is to enforce United States laws and international treaties, protect American fishing rights, save lives, fight pollution, make waterways safe and gather oceanographic information. They are also expected to maintain military readiness in case of a national emergency. But if that were to happen, the women would i be replaced by men. i Under American law,! (women cannot be assigned to duty aboard Navy vessels other than hospital ships and transports.