Coast Guard News
May 25, 2016
By Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua L. Canupand Petty Officer 2nd Class Nate Littlejohn... [Read More]
May 24, 2016
HONOLULU – Two hikers are safe, Tuesday, after being stranded overnight on the Na Pali Coast Trail and writing "SOS” in the sand of Kalalau Beach, Kauai.
The hikers were hoisted to safety by an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Barbers Point and transported to awaiting EMS at Lihue Airport. They are reported to be in stable condition.
The Dolphin crew was conducting training in the area when they overheard a radio conversation mention “SOS” written in the sand. ... [Read More]
May 24, 2016
OXNARD, Calif., — The 11th Annual Channel Islands Harbor Safe Boating Expo was held Saturday, May 14th at Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor. The event kicked off National Safe Boating Week which began May 21, 2016.... [Read More]
May 24, 2016
Cell phones and water don't mix. In case of emergency, you want to have a EPIRB or PLB on board your boat. They take the "search" out of search and rescue.
U.S. Coast Guard photo illustration by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Laughlin
CLEVELAND — As National Safe Boating Week continues, the Great Lakes Coast Guard is reminding boaters of the importance of carrying life-saving emergency distress equipment. ... [Read More]
May 24, 2016
NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard urges all boaters to file a float plan with family or friends during National Safe Boating Week and the boating season.
A float plan, similar to a life jacket, is a life-saving device on paper, which can make a difference in rescue and response time in the event of an emergency.... [Read More]
May 23, 2016
BOSTON — The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a possible woman missing in the vicinity of the Essex River, Monday.
After a 10-hour search, which covered 44 square miles but yielded no sightings, additional reports, or correlating info, the search was called off at approximately 9 p.m.
Coast Guard assets involved in the search were:
- two MH-60 Jayhawks from Air Station Cape Cod
- 29-foot response boat from Station Gloucester
- 29-foot response boat from Station Merrimack River... [Read More]
May 23, 2016
WARRENTON, Ore. — The Captain of the Port for Oregon and southern Washington canceled the captain of the port order on the motor vessel Sparna allowing the vessel to leave its mooring at Kalama, Washington, Monday.
The Sparna, a 623-foot bulk grain carrier, briefly ran aground near Cathlamet on the Columbia River, March 21, resulting in the ship needing to undergo temporary repairs.... [Read More]
May 23, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. — Coast Guard officials are seeking public comment while conducting a waterways analysis and management system review of the upper Columbia River from Vancouver, Washington, to the Bonneville Pools in the vicinity of Hood River.
Officials are seeking information from local mariners to validate the adequacy of the existing aids to navigation system, gain a better understanding of the uses of the waterway and general safety issues in the area before the comment deadline of Aug. 31, 2016. ... [Read More]
May 23, 2016
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary are celebrating safe boating this week in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland. Whatever way you play on the water — whether it’s with a kayak, canoe, jet ski, powerboat, sailboat, or other craft — make safety your top priority! We’re determined to arrive at the day when every boater is fully prepared before going out!1. Wear your life jacket. Often, the difference between life and death is wearing a life jacket rather than fumbling around for it when you need it.... [Read More]
May 23, 2016
NEW ORLEANS — While boaters may feel safe with just a cell phone, the Coast Guard recommends marine-band radios set to channel 16 for all boaters in case of distress during this third day of National Safe Boating Week.... [Read More]
May 23, 2016
BOSTON — Coast Guard rescue crews, along with partner agencies, are responding to a swamped 17-foot pleasure craft and a possible person in the water Monday at the mouth of the Essex River.
Coast Guard Sector Boston watchstanders received a report from a good Samaritan about the swamped boat at approximately 11 a.m. The same good Samaritan had seen the boat at about 7 a.m. traveling towards the mouth of the river with one woman aboard. The woman was described as being approximately 50 years old with gray hair. She was not wearing a lifejacket.... [Read More]
May 23, 2016
MARYSVILLE, Mich. – The U.S. Coast Guard, in partnership with other federal, state, local, and Canadian response agencies is conducting a functional oil spill response exercise with Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership (“Enbridge”) in Marysville, Michigan, Wednesday, May 25th from 8 a.m., to 3 p.m.
More than 400 participants are involved in this exercise of a simulated discharge of light crude oil from Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline that crosses the St. Clair River. ... [Read More]
May 23, 2016
BOSTON — A change of command ceremony for the First Coast Guard District is scheduled for Thursday at Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall.
WHO: Rear Adm. Steven D. Poulin will assume responsibilities from Rear Adm. Linda L. Fagan as commander of the First Coast Guard District.
WHAT: Change of Command ceremony for the First Coast Guard District, which includes more than 11,000 active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel, and employs 30 cutters, 200 boats and eight aircraft.... [Read More]
May 23, 2016
CAPE MAY, N.J. – Coast Guardsmen are scheduled to participate in numerous Memorial Day events to help Cape May County honor the service of America’s military members who have died in service to our country, Monday, May 30, 2016.
The Coast Guard Training Center Cape May’s ceremonial staff will provide buglers, a color guard and firing parties at a number of community events in honor of Memorial Day. Senior officials from the training center are also expected to speak at a number of these events.... [Read More]
May 22, 2016
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 20-year-old man is missing after he failed to resurface while swimming off Ponte Verda Beach, Sunday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville received the initial report at 6:01 p.m., from St. Johns County Fire and Rescue stating that a young woman had watched her brother disappear underwater.
The Coast Guard has launched rescue crews aboard a 29-foot Response Boat — Small from Station Mayport and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Savannah. ... [Read More]
May 22, 2016
Note: Click on photos for link to high resolution video and photos.
YANKEETOWN, Fla.— The Coast Guard suspended the search for a man, Sunday, after he went missing near Cedar Key, Florida, Friday.
Gilbert Valdes, 54, from Eldersburg, Maryland was reported missing Friday night, along with his brother, Garrick Valdes, 50, from Locust Grove, Virginia, and friend Bruce Smith from Alachua, Florida. The Coast Guard rescued Garrick Valdes and Smith from their capsized 23-foot boat Saturday morning.... [Read More]
May 22, 2016
NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard recommends boaters have signaling devices on board their vessel in case of emergency during this second day of National Safe Boating Week.
All boaters should be able to signal for help. When day and night signaling devices are required, the devices must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved.... [Read More]