Editor's note: This article and photos were submitted some months ago and sat on the shelf for this weekend. We are publishing it to commemorate the anniversary of the Columbia shuttle disaster and at the same time to celebrate the recent successful launch and recovery of Atlantis. Every shuttle launch is supported by Auxiliary boat crews who man the perimeters of the launch area from very early morning to hours after the launch. Many times the Auxiliarists have to come back day after day, as circumstance cause the launch to be scrubbed. This article is dedicated to those men and women who fly the space craft and those Auxiliarists who serve on the water.

Friendly raccoon at Haulover Canal.

I just watched space shuttle STS-101 land at Cape Kennedy. It was an especially happy moment for me to see the astronauts safely home. I had been on duty at NASA's Mosquito Lagoon 14 days ago helping secure the perimeter to keep boats out of a restricted zone around Cape Canaveral prior to the launch of space shuttle Discovery.

The USCG Auxiliary vessel that I was privileged to crew on was one of several providing assistance to the USCG in this operation. Our job was to keep spectator boats out of the waters of Mosquito Lagoon south of Haulover Canal. We were also asked to keep the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) free of any spectator boats that might inadvertently block the channel.

We were asked to be on duty at 0400 on that Saturday, July 1 and work in 6-hour shifts. I arose at 1230 and dressed in my ODU uniform, packed food for the crew of three plus our coxswain, and then drove to the coxswain’s home in Port Orange, Florida. The other crewmembers met us there and we drove down to Haulover Canal where the vessel facility "Sandcastle" (a 25' Rosborough) was to be launched.

It was very dark when we arrived at our departure point. The Coast Guard had two mobile camper units set up there that had radio communication with all other Coast Guard vessels. There was a friendly raccoon scoping out the trashcans, and three Coast Guard personnel who met us helped us get underway.

As I looked up at the sky, once we were on the water, the Milky Way was in evidence. When the coxswain started the props on his engine, the algae in the water appeared as an effervescent spectacle. We were able to see the lights from the launch pad where Discovery was waiting for its liftoff time of 1600.

Anchor outside of the channel.

By noon when our tour of duty was over, many vessels were approaching from the north and south to view the launch. The weather was very warm and we were ready for a respite from our duties. Because the launch was only four hours away, we decided to change into our civilian clothes, eat lunch, and wait for the shuttle to launch.

By 1600, there were many, many boats anchored in the area north of Mosquito Lagoon. Unfortunately, the launch was cancelled due to the weather. We were asked to arrive the next morning and provide the same assistance. We agreed and were told we didn’t need to be on duty until 0800!

I went to bed early that night in anticipation of another long day on the water, and we were on duty at Mosquito Lagoon at 0800 the next day. The weather was not good and after several rain storms; the shuttle launch was cancelled. This was Sunday, 2 July. We were asked to be on duty, July 4 for the (successful) next attempt at a launch.

On the Fourth of July, I arose at 0500 and prepared again for the mission to keep Mosquito Lagoon free of spectator boats south of Haulover Canal. It was a gorgeous day as we took up our post at 0800. By 1000, boats were beginning to arrive to take up their watching posts for the launch. We were kept very busy answering questions, advising boaters that they could not tie up to markers, nor anchor in the ICW.

By launch time, there were over 100 boats of all sizes anchored, beached, and some still looking for their "perfect spot." Many kayakers had paddled up through the canal to watch the launch as well. Boaters came in unfamiliar rented boats, as passengers on large commercial vessels, and in their own boats. Many had questions about where they could and couldn’t anchor, where the restricted zone was located, and some just wanted to chat.

The shuttle went up on July 4, right on time, with a spectacular show for all of us watching. Discovery as the shuttle lifted off the launch pad with a great roar. There was a wave of applause, with boats blowing their horns and spectators showing their excited support of the brave astronauts on board. Then the solid rocket fuel tanks separated and started to fall to earth again, and Discovery disappeared into the sky This was our own fireworks display, provided by NASA.

What a wonderful way to support the USCG! Total hours devoted to this mission for our crew – 24 hours each.