The NAFTS Guest Book is a place for sailors and families of sailors to ask questions or make comments about Fleet Tug sailors, ships, reunions or related topics.
434 entries.
wrote on June 20, 2014:
Finding they NAFT site, memories of an old ex-sailor. Was on the USS Keywadin ATA-213 fall of 1948 to Jan. 1949 as it often towed decommissioned subs for which we couldn't slow up fast as they didn't slow down fast. One remembered problem tow was three warehouse type barges of ammo (all at the same time) from a to be dry docked aircraft carrier. They closed down two bridge's auto traffic over Cape Cod canal as we approached them and until we were some distant passed. Our home dock was at the end of the dock "Old Ironsides" was at side of, my car parked not far from it when we were out doing tows. There is a picture on a website of ATA-213 docked there. My first association with ATA's was in April 1946 when on AM-278 broke down two days in the China Sea without power, lights and water for two days after which ATA-181 & ATA-188 were finally sent out being towed to Shanghai China by one of them.
wrote on June 5, 2014:
I served aboard the USS Wandank ATA 204 from oct 69 until it"s decomm in jul 71. I was an ETN2 in ops.
wrote on May 27, 2014:
Have been looking for years for guys from the Tawakoni ATF-114 who were on board 67-69. Joe Wasko BM2
wrote on May 15, 2014:
USS Conserver reunion personal have been trying to contact you about information about join reunions to no avail, just marked off a spam WTF. I tried to get on with my sign in Griff northm66 which wont accept me eather, whats going on??
wrote on May 1, 2014:
I am looking for living shipmates from the ATF 100 Chowanoc. years 1965 thru 1968 before yard overhaul San Diego. early 1968 I can't even find Ship in Nafts web site Than you for any help Jerry
wrote on April 26, 2014:
I tried to send an e-mail to the webmaster to no avail. It was bounced by the nafts server. I would like access to the site and am a paid up member through Jan 2015, but I don't have a user ID and password. Would someone please send them to me? You may e-mail me on for further information if you have questions.
wrote on April 18, 2014:
used to be on a small tug, in Mare Island, back in 91,92
wrote on March 9, 2014:
I am looking for crew mates of my husband, Steven "pic" Dill who served on the USS Cochali in Newport, RI from 1970 to 73.
wrote on February 28, 2014:
I signed up for membership and now I am not able to log on. I sent emails with no reply to any. How do I log on. I never had a password.
wrote on February 19, 2014:
Hello, I'm the son of James Lawson (ships Bos'n) who was a crew memeber on the Moctobi (ATF 105) from 1969 to 1971. Just wanted to find out if anybody that was a part of the crew during that time might have any pictures or posting to share. My father passed in 1998, but always wanted to catch up with shipmates or find out about any reunions. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Ed Lawson
wrote on February 5, 2014:
I am the son of GMC(ret)GEORGE LUNSFORD who served aboard USS MATACO (ATF-86) between 1952 & 53 during the Korean War. My father passed in 1998 and I have found five photos of this period. The consist of MATACO off the Korean coast...towing a suspected gun runner, bringing prisoners into Korea, challenging a Korean boat which was towed to port, a hard-hat diver and a photo of CWO "IKE" ISENBERG on deck in his dress blues. As with other photos of ships my father served aboard I have forwarded many to their respective associations via PDF files. If there is any interest in having these photos I would certainly forward them on. Please feel free to contact me. Home phone 661.872.8850 or cell 661.979.2687. I am also a Navy vet having served aboard USS TICONDEROGA (CVA-14) and I am past president of our TICO Veterans Association. Thank you.
wrote on February 1, 2014:
Looking for former shipmates. Served on ATF156 and was involved in salvage jobs for the Baldwin and Monsen. Please respond. I have pictures available.
wrote on January 20, 2014:
It's been some time since I visited NAFTS website, sure has changed. since my last visit, my email address has change and am haviang trouble using what it think is my pass word. Who do I contact to streighten this out? Rm2 from USS Lipan
wrote on January 9, 2014:
This page has really gone to the dogs. I submitted 2 photos several years ago (USCGC Cherokee WMEC-165 and USS Grasp ARS-24. These photos were properly displayed in the same quality I submitted and with my name as contributor. Now, these photos (when you can find them) are in very poor quality and my name has disappeared completely. What happened?
wrote on January 1, 2014:
I would like to know if anyone remembers the sinkex off the socal op area in 1977 when an A6 accidentally dropped a bomb on an ATF. The bomb went though the mast and ended up on the floor outside the ships office. I was observing this from the bridge of Cocopa ATF101. It was either the Moctobi, the Molala or the Abnaki. I cant remember and cant find any history about the incident. The brave skipper and a couple other members of the crew stayed with the ship and waited for EOD to difuse the Bomb. Curious if any one remembers any of the details. It was a bad day for NAVAIR and almost fatal for the cre of the ATF.
wrote on December 8, 2013:
Steve.....I was on USS Cocopa Feb 1965 to Sept 1967. Went aboard EMFN straight out of A school and left EM2. Would love to share some stories of my time aboard Cocopa.
wrote on December 7, 2013:
Served on the USS Cocopa (ATF-101) from May 1972 to April 1973 during her second to last Western Pacific cruise. I was a CSSN and CS3 in the galley. I'm reconstructing the Cocopa's history of movement between the Atlantic (World War II) and the Pacific Fleets (World War II, post-war occupation service, Korea and Vietnam). I'd love to hear from shipmates and those willing to share details of the history of the Cocopa.
wrote on November 9, 2013:
I'm researching the USS Nauset (ATF-89). My dad was one of the survivors.
wrote on October 17, 2013:
I am a plankowner of ATF 100 and I plan to attend our reunion,my 8th,next week in Pensacola. Wish all of you were there. Not too many of us left.
wrote on October 15, 2013:
We are having the 2014 USS Arikara ATF-98 Reunion again this year the weekend of July 12th with the Arikara Nation at White Shield, Nothth Dakota on their Reservation. For more info contact Steve Ussery at sussery001@ec.rr.com. You'll be glad you did.
wrote on October 11, 2013:
I served on USS MUNSEE ATF-107 1968/69. She was my last duty assignment as USN. I used to get seasick before we would clear Pt. Loma or any other port. Would surely love to hear from any former shipmates!
wrote on September 14, 2013:
Looking for USS Hopi survivors to communicate with and learn status of the ship and its log. I was a 1st Class Engineman discharged after 4 years of service at end of Korean War.
wrote on August 12, 2013:
Just stopped by to visit the new site. Looks great. Always enjoy visiting the Nafts site and bringing back memories of shipmates and time spent in the Navy aboard 2 different ships. Uss. Lipan ATF85 & Uss Natchaug AOG54.
wrote on July 29, 2013:
Member( Dues Paying) since 1992 Pd 2013 3-13-'13 $30. check was cashed.Have not received TOWLINE this year.Get My name back in Log On USS Serrano ATF 112 '45-'46
wrote on June 24, 2013:
My father, James McGee served on the USS Apache from 1952-55. He passed away May 6, 2012. We miss him. He often talked about his Navy years.
wrote on June 9, 2013:
Nice visiting the site, it has changed since I last was on it.....need to visit more often....
wrote on June 5, 2013:
Just got word that one of my partners in crime has passed away. Roger weaver from Mankato,minn died on may 10. He was the fellow that bought the rye bread for our limberger cheese fests. Never knew he could move so fast when the hotel manager came to me at Warick, RI. He was a fun lovin guy,so we made a good pair as I'm more serious. rest in peace Roger
wrote on May 27, 2013:
Served in USS TILLAMOOK (ATA-192), 1963-65. Would love to hear from my shipmates. Clark.
wrote on May 20, 2013:
Finally got on to the new site. Lookin Good!!! Just moved from Stow (Akron) Ohio to Florence Kentucky. Pretty nice down here. Still hoping to hear from some of the old TF 114 Tawakoni shipmates. I was serving from 67-69 before getting orders to be a boat captain in'Nam.
wrote on May 13, 2013:
Served on the best damned ARS ever! USS Conserver ARS 39. She had many great skippers & crews over the years and served the 7th fleet proudly for 49 of them.
wrote on April 30, 2013:
Rodger, Sorry, but I have not received e-mail from you. Would you please re-send? Thanks. Jon
wrote on April 27, 2013:
Was a crew member on the USS Apache (ATF67) 1969 - 1971. Rated SK3. Would like to hear from my shipmates. Thanks to NAFTS for the chance.
wrote on April 25, 2013:
Great website. I am doing research related to the USS ERIE (PG-50), a vessel that was torpedoed and then sank, due to incorrect lightering operations, in the inner harbor at Willemstad, Curacao, December 5, 1942. The ERIE was re-floated and eventually hauled out to her last resting place off the coast of Curacao, in 1952. The first salvage vessel on the scene was the USS ESCAPE (ARS-6). I am trying to determine who commanded this vessel while it was involved in the re-floating operations (until 1 September 1952). Can anyone supply this info?
wrote on April 24, 2013:
My Dad was aboard USS Fortune when it blew a boiler at Tutuila, Samoa. Spent a lot of time in the Naval Hospital in California. Nice website.
wrote on April 2, 2013:
was on the Cocopa jan 56 til july 59 great times
wrote on March 30, 2013:
Great to see a note from another OLE COCOPA shipmate. I was there early 65 to late 67. Just renewed my membership.
wrote on March 19, 2013:
Served on the ATF 101 from 1952 to 1956.
wrote on February 23, 2013:
1966-1969 Lived on the USS Sakarissa YTM 269 Stationed at Hunters Point Naval Ship Yard San Francisco Calf. Best US Navy duty to be had. E2-E4 Engineman 3rd class.
wrote on January 30, 2013:
I have been trying to to get on line for several months to pay my dues. Your website does not recognize my e-mail address, user name, or password. They have not changed. I have e-mailed the membership chairman several weeks ago and have had no response. Please let me know how to get on the website to pay my dues. My membership number is 2415. Thank you Dan Bloom
wrote on January 15, 2013:
Served on the uss deliver ars 23 1951 1954 we were around the fleet tugs a whole bunch. knew a Halfacher I think on the Apache. Keep up the good work as you guys always have "gotter dun" Don B.
wrote on January 14, 2013:
Was so sorry to hear of Toms crossing the bar. Looked forward to seeing him every year. Keep your chin up Charlie as I know how you feel. God speed and God bless Dennis
wrote on January 14, 2013:
Was sad to read here about TT,s passing. Got to know him and Charlie at the reunions.
wrote on January 1, 2013:
I served aboard the ARIKARA as a SK2 from jul 1961 to Feb 1963 and enjoyed the 2 deployments to the far east ports in Japan, Korea, Guam, Hong Kong, Phillipines, Tiawan, Christmas island and Midway. I finanlly retired in Oct 1963.
wrote on December 28, 2012:
I wanted to pass on that "TT" (Donald Thomas) crossed the Bar on December 24th. T was a Snipe, retiring in 1975. I use to sit on the porch and listen to the stories of the big tugs and the engine rooms. It was wonderful to talk about boats, ships, and engines. I will miss him and just wanted to pass on the sad news to his fellow Snipes out there. Warren DeWolfe, Bend, Oregon
wrote on December 22, 2012:
Looking for any Arikara-98 Sailors still floating around out there. We are looking for you. There will be a Reunion with the Arikara People July 2013. Some of us were there for same June 2012. It was one of the high lights of my life. Join us. Contact me for info. Life is good. Peace.
wrote on December 14, 2012:
My Dad was on the uss Quapaw and I am trying to find all the info that I can. Anyone that can help please email me. Served from 46 to 48 William Patterson.
wrote on December 12, 2012:
Served aboard USS Papago (ATF-160) 72-75 and would like to hear from any of my shipmates. Remember GITMOS and transAtlantic tows
wrote on December 10, 2012:
New website looks great and glad to see it up and running. Do the photos etc I put on the old website transfer? Hope to hear from others who served on the Tawakoni ATF 114.
wrote on December 9, 2012:
just got onto the new site best of luck with this. do I now delete all old contact stuff @ nafts uss Ute atf 76 59-62 thankew...
wrote on December 9, 2012:
Norfolk was great. Looking forward to Pensacola in 2013. Wonderful to see us back on line.