Coast Guard News

Coast Guard searching for missing 17-year-old swimmer near Long Branch, N.J.

cgnews — Mon, 28 May 2012 01:01:35 +0000

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard is searching for a 17-year-old boy in the waters near Long Branch, N.J., Sunday.

At 5:55 p.m., the Long Branch Police Department requested a Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City to assist in the search for a 14-year-old male who had been swimming in the waters off Pier Village in Long Branch, N.J., had reportedly gone under and did not resurface.

The Coast Guard Sector New York Command Center dispatched an urgent marine information broadcast, launched a rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, N.J., and a rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., both of which are on scene.

Assets from the Long Branch Police Department, the Long Branch Fire Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Monmouth, N.J., Fire Department and local lifeguards are searching.

“We are conducting parallel searches in an area approximately two square nautical miles and working with local agencies,” said Petty Officer 2^nd Class Brad Stuetz, an operations specialist with Coast Guard Sector New York Command Center.

Two rescued from Island Rock near Port Orford, Ore.,

cgnews — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:55:49 +0000

NORTH BEND, Ore. — The Coast Guard rescued two people from Island Rock near Port Orford, Ore., Saturday.

Coast Guard Group North Bend received a report of two overdue divers at 9:10 p.m. Coast Guard Air Station North Bend and Search and Rescue Detachment Rogue River launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew to locate the divers.

Both divers were found on Island Rock signaling Coast Guard units with flashlights. Due to the large number of birds on the rock, the helicopter crew was unable to safely approach and rescue the divers. However, the motor lifeboat crew was able to rescue the divers and took them to Gold Beach, Ore. Neither was injured.

The divers’ 20-foot zodiac had drifted away when its anchor gave way Saturday. It was located by the Coast Guard and returned to them Sunday.

Coast Guard rescues four near Smith Island, Wash.

cgnews — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:51:59 +0000

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard rescued four people near Smith Island, Wash., Saturday.

The Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound command center received a report at 7:35 p.m. that two divers had gone missing near Smith Island, six nautical miles west of Whidbey Island, Wash. Sector Puget Sound launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., along with the Coast Guard Cutter Terrapin, a 45-foot response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Port Angeles and a second 45-foot response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham, Wash.

The divers were located near Smith Island and were rescued by the helicopter crew and the crew of the Terrapin. Both had been swept away from their respective dive boats by strong currents and were unable to swim back. One of the divers was transported via helicopter to emergency medical personnel in Port Angeles to be treated for hypothermia and dehydration.

While Coast Guard units were on scene, the two dive boat operators had intentionally grounded their vessels on Smith Island. After they learned the divers had been recovered, the two dive boat operators were unable to re-launch their vessels due to rough weather, and were rescued from the island and taken to Port Angeles by the MH-65 helicopter crew.

Coast Guard rescues four people from skiff in Bristol Bay

cgnews — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:47:17 +0000

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard rescued four people from an 18-foot skiff 23 miles northwest of Port Heiden Sunday.

“The vessel’s crew ducked into an ice floe to avoid a storm and has been drifting with the ice since,” said Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Roberto, a search and rescue controller with the District 17 command center in Juneau. “The crew had supplies with them for a day trip but we recommend mariners take enough supplies with them for multiple days at a time because anything can happen in Alaska’s extreme environment.”

The Alaska State Troopers contacted the Coast Guard Friday requesting assistance in a search for the overdue skiff in Bristol Bay. Before the Coast Guard could launch, the Troopers incorrectly identified an identical skiff with the same amount of people as the overdue party. However, Sunday the Troopers were informed that the party was still missing by family members. The Coast Guard launched an HC-130 Hercules airplane and crew from Air Station Kodiak to search the region.

The skiff was located in the ice floe by the Hercules crew at about 9:45 a.m. approximately 173 miles from their homeport of Platinum. The vessel had motored into ice to avoid a storm, ran out of gas and drifted across Bristol Bay with the floe.

Following the Hercules sighting of the skiff and four people, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched from Air Station Kodiak to rescue the four people. The helicopter crew safely hoisted the skiff crew at 12:30 p.m. and took them to Dillingham to be evaluated by medical personnel.

The skiff crew originally departed Platinum to make a 23 miles transit to Bird Rock to collect gull eggs for subsistence use.

Coast Guard, local authorities search for swimmer near Howell Point, Md.

cgnews — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:43:42 +0000

BALTIMORE — The Coast Guard and local authorities are searching for a 21-year-old man wearing a black bathing suit after he was reported missing while swimming in the vicinity of Howell Point, Md., Sunday.

A member of the Aberdeen Proving Ground contacted Coast Guard Sector Baltimore watchstanders at approximately 1:49 p.m. reporting boaters had stopped to go swimming and noticed the man was missing.

A crew aboard a 25-foot Response Boat – Small from Coast Guard Station Still Pond, Md., a marine unit from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland Natural Resources Police boatcrews, Kent County Fire Rescue boatcrews, a crew aboard a Maryland State Police helicopter and a crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., responded to search for the man.

3 people, 1 dog rescued in Charleston Harbor; heavy sea conditions reported

cgnews — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:39:59 +0000

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Three people and one dog were rescued from a sinking recreational boat by Coast Guard rescue crews in Charleston Harbor Sunday.

Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Charleston were notified at 11:56 a.m., Sunday, thru a marine-radio via VHF-FM Channel 16 by the owner-operator of a 14-foot recreational vessel. The maritime distress call indicated the boat was flooded due to heavy seas within Charleston Harbor.

Two Coast Guard Station Charleston 25-foot rescue boat crews responded. Three boaters and one dog were safely removed at 12:06 p.m., and transported ashore. The damaged boat was towed ashore by the Coast Guard.

As a result of Tropical Storm Beryl, sea states are very dangerous in the Charleston Harbor and surrounding maritime communities. At the time of the rescue, Coast Guard crews on-scene reported 4-foot seas within the harbor.

The Coast Guard is strongly urging boaters and swimmers to stay off and stay out of ocean waters along Georgia and South Carolina coastlines until the storm has passed and sea conditions return to normal.

Click here to monitor real time updates of Tropical Storm Beryl.

For updates on port conditions throughout Georgia and South Carolina, visit the Sector Charleston Homeport.

Port condition Whiskey set for North Carolina

cgnews — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:30:18 +0000

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Captain of the Port for Sector North Carolina has set port condition Whiskey at 2 p.m. for Wilmington and Morehead City due to the expectation that gale force winds generated by Subtropical Storm Beryl may arrive within 72 hours.

The ports are currently open to all commercial traffic and all transfer operations may continue while Whiskey remains in effect.

Threatening winds between 39 and 54 mph from a hurricane-force storm are possible within 72 hours.

Mariners are reminded that there are no safe havens in the ports and that the port is safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. All oceangoing commercial vessels and oceangoing barges greater than 500 gross tons should make plans for departing the port. Vessels desiring to remain in port must immediately contact the Captain of the Port at 910-343-3880 to receive permission to do so, and are required to submit a safe mooring plan in writing. Vessels bound for Morehead City or Wilmington unable to depart 24 hours prior to threatening winds making landfall are advised to seek an alternate destination.

“While Beryl is not a full hurricane, it is still capable of causing significant damage if we don’t take appropriate precautions,” said Capt. Anthony Popiel, the Captain of the Port for North Carolina. “We urge all mariners and facilities to exercise due caution as this storm approaches.”

Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Drawbridges may not be operating if sustained winds reach 25 mph or when an evacuation is in progress. Mariners can view the latest port updates for North Carolina on the Coast Guard’s Homeport site.

Port facilities are advised to review their heavy weather plans and take all necessary precautions to adequately prepare for the expected conditions.

Mariners can anticipate the Coast Guard setting port readiness condition X-ray when gale force winds from Subtropical Storm Beryl are within 48 hours of landfall.

If and when port readiness condition Yankee is set, meaning hurricane force winds are expected within 24 hours, vessel movement shall be restricted and all movements must be approved by the Captain of the Port.

For information on how to prepare your boat or trailer for a hurricane, please visit the following site http://www.uscg.mil/news/stormcenter/.

For information on Subtropical Storm Beryl’s progress and hurricane preparedness, please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at the following link http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

Port Condition Zulu set for Ports of Jacksonville and Fernandina

cgnews — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:12:02 +0000

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Captain of the Port of Jacksonville has set port condition Zulu at 12 p.m. Sunday, for all commercial waterways from Ponce de Leon Inlet in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., north to Fernandina Beach, Fla., in preparation for the anticipated heavy weather impact of Tropical Storm Beryl.

This port condition is a change from the previous condition of Yankee.

The Ports of Jacksonville, and Fernandina are closed to all inbound and outbound traffic. No vessel may enter, depart or transit within this safety zone without the permission of the COTP. In addition, the Coast Guard reminds all recreational boaters to exercise caution in the severe conditions and avoid being on the water.

All cargo and bunker handling operations must cease at this time.

A safety zone has been established prohibiting vessel movement and activities unless specifically authorized by the COTP.

All commercial vessels and barges who have received permission from the COTP to remain in port must be at their mooring site in accordance with their plan.

Vessels bound for this port are advised to seek an alternate destination.

Mariners are also advised that drawbridges will remain closed when wind speeds are 34 knots or greater. Due to uncertainty of weather movements and related bridge closures, mariners are urged to seek passage through drawbridges well in advance of the arrival of gale force winds.

Coast Guard Stations Mayport, and Ponce de Leon Inlet have secured operations in anticipation of the hurricane. The Coast Guard strongly urges boaters and swimmers to stay off the water.

For updates on port conditions throughout Northeast Florida, visit the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Homeport.

For up to date information on Tropical Storm Beryl, visit the National Hurricane Center website.

Air Station Corpus Christi celebrates aviation milestone

cgnews — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:06:03 +0000

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi celebrated 30 years of service by the HU-25 Falcon jet, Wednesday.

Crewmembers from Air Station Corpus Christi celebrated the Falcon’s milestone with a day of celebration including a softball game, barbecue lunch and a cake cutting ceremony. The lunch and cake were provided with funds donated by the Coast Guard Aviation Association, known as the Pterodactyls.

The cake was cut by Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas McCall and Chief Petty Officer Blaine Lee, the youngest and oldest Falcon crewmembers at Air Station Corpus Christi.

The Coast Guard was scheduled to hold an official ceremony on Friday, May 25 in Mobile, Ala.

The Falcon has previously flown from units located in Astoria, Ore.; Borinquen, Puerto Rico; Miami; San Diego; Sacramento, Calif.; and Traverse City, Mich.

The Falcon remains operational in Cape Cod, Mass., and Corpus Christi, Texas. They also continue to provide logistical support out of Elizabeth City, N.C., and the Standardization Team is based at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, Mobile, Ala.

“Flying the Falcon is the culmination of a lifelong dream to be a jet aviator and fly the Coast Guard’s fastest operational asset,” said Lt. Cmdr. Lahcen Armstrong. “I’d like to see it fly for another 30 years.”

Below is a brief history of the Falcon.

• After evaluating more than 30 different aircraft, Secretary of Transportation William T. Coleman, Jr., and Adm. William Siler, commandant, announced on Jan. 5, 1977, the award of a contract for the purchase of the Falcons.

• The first Falcon was delivered to the Coast Guard on Feb. 19, 1982. The Coast Guard received forty-one airframes to replace the HU-16 Albatross and C-131 Samaritan.

• Through the years, there have been four variations of the Falcon. All were equipped with large search windows and a hatch which could be used to deliver life rafts, dewatering pumps, or other equipment to mariners in distress.

• The HU-25B was equipped with the Aireye system, used for mapping pollution on the water. Two aircraft from Cape Cod, equipped with the Aireye system, deployed to Bahrain during the first Gulf War in 1991 in response to the oil pollution in the Persian Gulf.

• The HU-25C and HU-25D are both equipped with high resolution image sensors and infra-red cameras to help search for missing boats.

• The Falcon also commonly flies on emergency medical transport missions.

• On Jan. 2, 1986, a baby was delivered in-flight aboard a Falcon at 12,000 feet during a medevac from Alpena to Traverse City, Mich.

• With a maximum air speed of 380 knots, it is the only operational jet aircraft in the Coast Guard inventory.

Coast Guard Cutter Steelhead holds change of command

cgnews — Sun, 27 May 2012 17:58:40 +0000

PORT ARANSAS, Texas — Lt. j. g. Devon Strozok relieved Lt. Jonathan Magin as commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Steelhead, during a change of command ceremony, Friday.

Strozok was previously stationed on the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell in San Diego, Calif.

The Steelhead is an 87-foot Patrol Boat based out of Port Aransas. It is one of four multi-mission assets located in the South Texas area. Its missions include search and rescue, law enforcement, and marine safety and security.

A change of command ceremony is a time honored naval tradition, which formally restates to the officers and crew of a unit, the continuity and authority of command and is unique in the world today. It involves the total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.

Upon relief, Magin will transfer to Pensacola, Fla., for Naval Flight Training.

Capt. John Pasch, commander of Sector Corpus Christi, presided over the ceremony.