My son has been assigned to the USCGC Mellon out of Seattle (great for us, we live on the West Coast). I think I understand he will be staying on board only until he reached E3 and wants to get a place of his own. Are there barracks when they are in port, or do they stay on board always? Does he need his vehicle there with him? Thanks in advance for any help.
Oregon Mom

In the past, some other folks with an association to this board have gone out to Seattle to the Mellon or the Midgett or one of the ice breakers. There are no barracks but the Coast Guard pier is just off the Seattle Metro line which allows easy access to affordable areas such as West Seattle. So a vehicle is not essential. In fact, if you look at an aerial view of the pier, you will see that parking is definitely not plentiful, so commuting by car might be a problem anyway.

Thanks for the driving info. That is my opinion also, but share that with a 20 year old who has been driving rural areas and doesn't use public transport. Oh Well, his decision.
Oregon Mom

Roger on that "his decision" thing. My younger daughter is going on 19, just finishing her first year in college and already knows everything about everything, so I'm used to having my suggestions ignored.

wepprop...didn't you know that by the time that they are 19 they have been through life and know it all....LOL.. Hell that's what most of the young ones think..we're just here to look at them like they are crazy and when it all falls around them pick them up as normal...LOL...

The thought of the young ones are amazing....LOL

I second that! Or.. they ask for advice and then don't take it... LOL

My son grew up in Anchorage & Juneau, all he ever used was public transportation. Now that he is in Boston he loves not having a car. He hops a bus or takes the metro and goes wherever he wants and doesn't have to worry about parking or he just walks. He is in Norfolk in drydock for a couple of months... even if he had a car, it wouldn't be doing him a whole heck of a lot of good if it is sitting on a pier in Boston while he is in Virginia.

Non-rates going to cutters that are going out for longer cruises, I would seriously try to discourage them from taking a vehicle. They are pretty much tethered to the boat anyway.

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My son is on the Mellon and doesn't have his car up there right now. He gets around ok (via skateboard) but does wish he had his car sometimes. He has made friends with some other coasties who have cars and he gets around with them when needed. If he is there for any length of time I am sure he will end up taking his car up there, but will need to find storage for it when not using it.

What is your son's name? My boyfriend's on the Mellon and I know  A LOT of people on it.