New Murals
Revised 5/14/06

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	Click on the image to see a larger version (84 Kb) in a new window. Look for an enlarge button in the lower right corner of the larger image when you move the cursor over it. Close the window to return here. This image is copyrighted by the artist and all reproduction rights are held by the U. S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association. Reproduction or other use without the permission of both parties is strictly prohibited.
Theme	Ocean Station Vessel Launches Weather Balloon
Period	1954—1958
Artist	Tony Falcone, Prospect, Connecticut
Size (framed)	7’-0” wide x 4’-4” high
Champion	Larry Brooks and Carl Burkhart, Class of 1962
Sponsor	Class of 1955
Story	This mural depicts a weather balloon launch from the 311-foot cutter Casco in heavy seas on Ocean Station Bravo between Labrador and Greenland. At the peak of World War II, there had been 22 ocean stations in the Atlantic and 24 in the Pacific manned by the U.S. Navy and other countries. Following the war this system was all but abandoned, despite the call from the U.S. Weather Bureau for some continuation. In 1947, at the urging of commercial aviation, ocean stations were again established in the Atlantic and Pacific, seven of which were the responsibility of the United States. By 1955, the Coast Guard was manning four stations in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific, and this pattern continued until gradually winding down in the 1970s with the advent of satellites for navigation and weather observation. Ocean Station patrol was 21 days on site, attempting to remain "on station" within a ten nautical mile square area while making weather observations every 6 hours using helium balloons carrying radiosondes. Meteorological and navigational information was provided to transoceanic aircraft and surface vessels using voice and CW radio. The cutter also emitted a steady CW radio signal (— — — • • • = O S in Morse code) if "on station". The cutters remained ready for search and rescue operations and conducted oceanographic and anti-submarine warfare observations. A U.S. Public Health Service physician was on board for each patrol to provide medical assistance if needed.