Keeping USNS Comfort's crew comfortable in NY
NEW YORK (USTCNS) --- While bringing comfort to a city in need, crewmembers aboard USNS Comfort, currently moored at Pier 92 in New York City, are also getting some care of their own.
In an effort to keep morale high amongst the Sailors and civilian mariners aboard, businesses and organizations from all over the country are helping supply Comfort with many amenities it wouldn't normally have on board. Things like internet access, free cell phone usage, and Broadway show and sporting event ticket giveaways keep crew spirits high and help them stay motivated about carrying on with their mission of lending logistical support to the World Trade Center disaster relief workers.
Manager of Information Technology, Navy Chief Teresa Fryer, says this the first time Comfort has ever pulled into a port and received this type of Internet access. Verizon made a T-1 line available, along with extra phone lines and video teleconferencing capability.
"Many of the crew aboard the ship only have a few hours notice before they deployed on this mission," Fryer explains. "Internet access really allows them to be able to quickly and easily take care of some of the details they didn't get a chance to take care of before they left."
Petty Officer 2nd Class Deborah Appelbaum, who works at the Master at Arms office on board Comfort, says cell phones supplied by Nextel and Motorola are really helpful to the crewmembers, as well. Six are available for sign out for 10 minutes at a time.
"The crew loves it," Appelbaum says. "Many people are using them when ever they get a spare minute to call home. It really helps them stay in touch with the family and friends back home."
Appelbaum also points out that disaster relief workers coming on board the ship to get a hot meal, shower and some rest also hear about the cell phones and use them to talk to their loved ones. She says it's a big boost for everyone, especially the relief workers who have traveled long distances to help, leaving family far behind.
John Blackburn, a fire fighter from Toronto, Canada, found out about the phones while he was eating lunch in the galley. He made his way to the Master at Arms office, checked out a phone and called his mother for the first time in several days.
"It's good that I called," Blackburn said later. "She really worries about me and what we're doing at Ground Zero. I try to call whenever I can to let her know that I am still okay."
Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel St. Hilaire, 22, who works in the administration department on board Comfort, says the little perks like that really make it much easier for everyone to carry on with their jobs, because when they have their home life taken care of, they can better focus on their work.
Hilaire also says the ticket giveaways are exciting for many of the crewmembers, because they are not only free of charge, but also most of them are for good seats.
"Last night I saw my first Broadway show ever," beams Hilaire. "It was Les Miserables, and it was amazing. I was in the second row. Another Sailor from Comfort was in the first row!"
Hilaire says he thinks crew morale is high and that, with all the extras, they really feel appreciated for what they are doing to support relief efforts in New York City.
"We came here to help them out. We never expected anything in return, but it's nice. It's nice to feel appreciated."
(FROM MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
In an effort to keep morale high amongst the Sailors and civilian mariners aboard, businesses and organizations from all over the country are helping supply Comfort with many amenities it wouldn't normally have on board. Things like internet access, free cell phone usage, and Broadway show and sporting event ticket giveaways keep crew spirits high and help them stay motivated about carrying on with their mission of lending logistical support to the World Trade Center disaster relief workers.
Manager of Information Technology, Navy Chief Teresa Fryer, says this the first time Comfort has ever pulled into a port and received this type of Internet access. Verizon made a T-1 line available, along with extra phone lines and video teleconferencing capability.
"Many of the crew aboard the ship only have a few hours notice before they deployed on this mission," Fryer explains. "Internet access really allows them to be able to quickly and easily take care of some of the details they didn't get a chance to take care of before they left."
Petty Officer 2nd Class Deborah Appelbaum, who works at the Master at Arms office on board Comfort, says cell phones supplied by Nextel and Motorola are really helpful to the crewmembers, as well. Six are available for sign out for 10 minutes at a time.
"The crew loves it," Appelbaum says. "Many people are using them when ever they get a spare minute to call home. It really helps them stay in touch with the family and friends back home."
Appelbaum also points out that disaster relief workers coming on board the ship to get a hot meal, shower and some rest also hear about the cell phones and use them to talk to their loved ones. She says it's a big boost for everyone, especially the relief workers who have traveled long distances to help, leaving family far behind.
John Blackburn, a fire fighter from Toronto, Canada, found out about the phones while he was eating lunch in the galley. He made his way to the Master at Arms office, checked out a phone and called his mother for the first time in several days.
"It's good that I called," Blackburn said later. "She really worries about me and what we're doing at Ground Zero. I try to call whenever I can to let her know that I am still okay."
Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel St. Hilaire, 22, who works in the administration department on board Comfort, says the little perks like that really make it much easier for everyone to carry on with their jobs, because when they have their home life taken care of, they can better focus on their work.
Hilaire also says the ticket giveaways are exciting for many of the crewmembers, because they are not only free of charge, but also most of them are for good seats.
"Last night I saw my first Broadway show ever," beams Hilaire. "It was Les Miserables, and it was amazing. I was in the second row. Another Sailor from Comfort was in the first row!"
Hilaire says he thinks crew morale is high and that, with all the extras, they really feel appreciated for what they are doing to support relief efforts in New York City.
"We came here to help them out. We never expected anything in return, but it's nice. It's nice to feel appreciated."
(FROM MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
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