Always Ready: Coast Guard Sea Stories From the 1970s

by Mark T. Holmes

Always Ready – Coast Guard Sea Stories from the 1970’s chronicles the experiences and adventures of the author during his eight years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. In his book, author Mark Holmes recounts fact-based tales of rescues at sea, liberty calls by energetic crew members, rowdy behavior and some raunchy antics by his shipmates, all with a unique perspective on the Coast Guard during the evolving 1970’s. You’ll read about life during boot camp, a daring rescue in mountainous seas, a miraculous recovery of a man overboard, and the inner struggles and successes of Mr. Holmes during the course of his two enlistments. Some dates and the some names of people, places, and institutions have been fictionalized, but the stories themselves are true.

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2015

About the author

Mark T. Holmes is a commercial writer and former marketing executive. Following a layoff from a senior marketing job at one of the nation’s largest credit unions during the past recession, Mr. Holmes formed his own Florida S-corporation, Idea Depot, Inc., and began writing high-end military transition and executive federal resumes, along with doing web development and optimization, plus writing marketing material for a message-on-hold company.

In 2014, Mr. Holmes released his first book, Streams to Ford, a book of poetry long in the making, followed in 2015 by Always Ready – Coast Guard Sea Stories from the 1970’s. "Artifact" - a novel inspired by my father's missions as a bomber pilot in WW2 is now released. All books are available in print and Kindle format on Amazon.

Mark and his wife Sheri operate a retail location in an antique mall, and trade in antiques and vintage cameras. Learn more and see related photos online at www.artifactbook.com

Reviews

[John Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't recall how I discovered this book. But so glad I did. The author has a casual narrative writing style in which he recounts his eight years in the U. S. Coast Guard from 1971 as a radioman on ships and shore assignments on the east coast. I was in the Coast Guard as a quartermaster from 1964 to 1968, also on the east coast. As per Mr. Holmes accounts, not a lot has changed other than electronic advances, more law enforcement and drug interdiction. Search and rescue, boring patrols at sea, beer, high jinks and good camaraderie seemed to have not changed. Boot camp was spot on and mirrored my experiences.

The author's story telling was like having a beer with a shipmate sharing similar experiences. This was an enjoyable and nostalgic read. A book only a "coastie" would love, therefore 4 stars.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read of the Coast Guard in the 1970s. I bought this book as I sailed on the same Coast Guard cutter, the Courageous, although 20 years later. The difference in patrol lengths and objectives was interesting (search and rescue, or SAR, had diminished in role for these cutters; patrols were typically six weeks long in the 90s, as compared to two-week sorties in the 70s; and illegal aliens and drugs were the primary focus of the later Courageous crews). Yet, I instantly knew I was reading of life in the Coast Guard when I read of scrounging for parts, the watch routine, swim call, and fishing off the fantail while on a slow bell. Thank you, Mark Holmes, for providing a Coastie time machine.