PACIFIC DIVISION TO ADOPT “GOLDEN BEAR” The Pacific Division, Stockton Council has scheduled an adoption ceremony for the California Maritime Academy ship, GOLDEN BEAR, Saturday, April 2, 2005 at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo.  Watch the calendar of events for the exact time, location and to make reservations to attend.   GOLDEN BEAR is the former USNS MAURY, which was decommissioned by the Navy in 1995 and donated to the State of California as the Training ship GOLDEN BEAR for use by the California Maritime Academy.  This is a great opportunity for Stockton Council to add another significant adopted unit in our efforts to support our Sea Services and the institutions which support them.  You are encouraged to plan to attend this special event.  We welcome GOLDEN BEAR as an adopted unit to the Stockton Council,  Navy League of the United States.

 

 

The property for Station Rio Vista was transferred from the Department of the Army to the Department of the Transportation (United States Coast Guard) effective 01 September 1963.  The transfer was without reimbursement.  Station Rio Vista was commissioned on 03 June 1967.  The cost of construction was $500,000.  The commissioning billet structure was a Chief Warrant Officer as Commanding Officer and 26 enlisted personnel.  The Station was tasked with Aids to Navigation, Search and Rescue and Recreational Boating Safety missions.  The unit was equipped with two 30-foot SAR boats, one 19-foot Aid to Navigation boat, and two skiffs.  On 30 April 1976, Station Rio Vista was divided into two separate commands, with Station Rio Vista commanded by Chief Warrant Officer and Aids to Navigation Rio Vista commanded by a Boatswain's Mate First Class.  In 1976, two 21-foot Aluminum Hull Monarchs replaced the two 30-foot SAR boats. The command billet structure was changed in 1985 to a Chief Boatswain's Mate as the Officer in Charge with the staffing level reduced to 15 enlisted personnel.  Since that time there have been various boat changes, which included a 22-foot Boston Whaler Sentry, 22-foot Boston Whaler, 24-foot Munson, 20-foot Rigid Hull inflatable, and a 21-foot Safe boat.  With the increase in Homeland Security and Law Enforcement due to the 11 September 2001 attacks, all boats were replaced with 4 25-foot Defender Class RB-Ss, and with the help of the Coast Guards staffing study, the units Personnel Allowance was increased to 30, which included an independent SK2.

 

The station averages over 450-500 search and rescue cases a year, conducts over 350 boardings and is underway in excess of 2000 hours.  Station personnel also attend various boat races and regattas, provide static displays, and give tours to over 200 people a year.

 

Currently the Personnel Allowance is described, in accordance with the Personnel Allowance System (G-CPA-2), as follows: 30 Enlisted, Active Duty personnel and 12 Enlisted, Active Reserve personnel.  There are also 4 main Auxiliary divisions (10, 9, 5, and 3) with numerous flotillas that assist in watch and patrols.