Coast Guard News

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Photo Release
Date: July 25, 2010
Contact: District 7 Public Affairs

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg welcomes
visit from Florida Senator George LeMieux


 
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida Sen. George LeMieux talks with members of Coast Guard Cutter Nantucket, a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in St. Petersburg, while touring the ship July 23, 2010. During his visit to the cutter, LeMieux toured the ship and interacted with crewmembers to learn about life onboard the ship and the multitude of missions the crew undertakes.

ABOVE RIGHT — Florida Sen. George LeMieux talks with Cmdr. Timothy Haws, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg response chief, onboard Coast Guard Cutter Nantucket, a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in St. Petersburg, while touring the ship July 23, 2010.



Florida Sen. George LeMieux listens to Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Fuller while onboard Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg's new 45-foot Response Boat Medium July 23, 2010. During his visit, LeMieux learned about the boat's capabilities and how they applied to the station's missions.

Photo Release

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Novato-based Pacific Strike Team
deployed in shifts to assist Gulf oil cleanup
Will Jason
Posted: 07/25/2010 PDT

 
Chief Petty Officer Alan Dooley of the U.S. Coast Guard s Hamilton-based Pacific Strike Team, standing in front of an oil containment boom, just returned from the oil cleanup on the Gulf of Mexico and is set for another deployment. (IJ photo/Frankie Frost)

NOVATO, CA. — Chief Petty Officer Alan Dooley was driving home from work in Hamilton last week when a radio newscaster announced that BP had plugged the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.  "I had been waiting to hear the news," Dooley said.

For the first time since the spill began on April 20, Dooley had at least an inkling of the scale of what he - a Coast Guard officer and participant in the cleanup - was up against.

"Now is kind of the starting point," Dooley said. "Before, it was trying to mitigate as much damage as possible while this thing was continuing to spew oil."

Dooley is one of 47 active duty personnel and 25 reservists that make up the U.S. Coast Guard's Novato-based Pacific Strike Team. Since the spill, the team's members have deployed in shifts to the gulf to assist in oil dispersion and skimming, controlled burns and other aspects of the cleanup. It is one of the largest missions the 35-year-old strike team has ever faced.

"It's definitely pushing the limits for our folks in terms of the longevity" of the mission, said Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson, the strike team's second-in-command.

Part of the Coast Guard's National Strike Force, the Novato team specializes in disasters involving oil, hazardous chemicals, and weapons of mass destruction. It responded to the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, among other events.

"Our personnel and skillsets are in high demand," Hanson said. "Due to the longevity of the response, we've had to pick and choose exactly which missions in the spill we will support."  In the aftermath of the 1989 Valdez spill, the government outfitted the Novato team with new inflatable booms, oil skimming systems and other equipment. More than two decades later, the strike team is deploying much of that equipment for the first time.

"In a lot of ways, this is the kind of mission that we were created for," Hanson said. "Our hangars area [in Novato] is a little empty right now, which is great."

Hanson, a Novato resident, deployed to the gulf on April 25, and helped organize response efforts from a command post in Houma, La., about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans. Other team members have deployed to sea, overseeing cleanup work on fleets of civilian-operated vessels.

Petty Officer Benjamin Gamad, also of Novato, did not immediately fly to the gulf because his wife was pregnant with the couple's third child. But in mid-June, when his new son was about a week old, he boarded a civilian ship in Port Fourchon, La.

Gamad's vessel skimmed oil from the ocean about 50 miles offshore, near the site of original explosion at the Deepwater Horizon rig.

"It almost looked like brownie batter," Gamad said, of the oil.

Gamad, who departed July 23 for another three-week deployment, said he has mixed emotions about the oil spill. It is one of the nation's worst environmental disasters, and it has forced him to leave his family behind for weeks at a time. But it has let him use many of his skills for the first time outside of training scenarios.

"Everyone who's a first-responder always hates to see bad things happen, but I'm glad we're using our training," Gamad said. "I'm glad we're using our time for what we've been trained for, and we're doing what we need to do."

Gamad was at sea almost continuously during his previous deployment but talked with his wife and children through satellite phone and Internet connections.

"The deployment ... it takes its toll, especially for people with families," he said. "My wife was previously in the Coast Guard. She's understanding."

Back in Novato, Hanson is focused on the strike team's day-to-day activities such as training and hazardous waste cleanup throughout the western United States. As always, some members are on call for another disaster.

"We're like the nation's insurance policy," Hanson said.

THANKS ZOOMER for the link to the article .....  
Original Article

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Press Release
Date: July 26, 2010
Contact: District 7 Public Affairs

Coast Guard to investigate Emerald
Princess loss of power, propulsion.


 
MIAMI — The Coast Guard will conduct a joint investigation with representatives from Princess Cruises regarding the loss of power and propulsion aboard the Emerald Princess late Sunday evening.

The Emerald Princess, a 947-foot passenger ship registered in Bermuda, lost power at approximately 6:30 p.m. Sunday after departing from Port Everglades on a 14-day voyage to the Caribbean Sea. Reportedly, the ship lost propulsion for approximately four-and-a-half hours and hotel services were sporadic during that time. Upon notification, Coast Guard Sector Miami personnel immediately began working directly with the master of the Emerald Princess to confirm the safety of the ship, its passengers, and crew.

The cause of the loss of power and propulsion are under investigation.
 
Press Release

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Photo Release
Date: July 27, 2010
Contact: District 7 Public Affairs
USCG photos by:  PO3 Nick Ameen

Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin
holds change of command ceremony



ABOVE LEFT:  Lt. Peter Lang crosses the brow for the last time as Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin's commanding officer at Base Support Unit Miami July 28, 2010. Lang transferred command to Lt. j.g. Kenneth Franklin during a change of command ceremony.
ABOVE RIGHT:  A Coast Guard color guard presents the colors during a change of command ceremony for the Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin at Base Support Unit Miami July 28, 2010.
 
MIAMI, Fla. — The Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin received a new commanding officer during a change of command ceremony at Base Support Unit Miami July 28, 2010.

Lt. j.g. Kenneth Franklin relieved Lt. Peter Lang as the 87-foot patrol boat's commanding officer.

Under Lang's leadership, the cutter Dolphin's crew interdicted 2,740 pounds of marijuana worth $2.74 million, 130 undocumented migrants, and 15 suspected smugglers.

Photo Release

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When the Grand Parade of Sails enters the Duluth port today, the
former Coast Guard cutter Sundew probably will lead the way.
By: Candace Renalls, Duluth News Tribune
Thursday, July 29, 2010


Jeff Foster, owner of the Sundew, stands near his ship Wednesday afternoon
in Duluth. The former Coast Guard cutter is going to be used to lead the tall
ships into harbor for the tall ship parade. (Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com)

DULUTH — When the Grand Parade of Sails enters the Duluth port today, the former Coast Guard cutter Sundew probably will lead the way.

For the intrepid cutter, which served the Duluth port for years, it marks a very public comeback as it joins the group of escort boats leading the flotilla.

“We’re looking at other prominent members of the port to be part of the Parade of Sails as well to make it a celebration of the Duluth-Superior Harbor,” Lt. Aaron Gross with the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Duluth said.

Jeff Foster, who bought the Sundew last year, expected it to be the first boat in.

“We’ll come in before the tall ships with our water cannons going,” he said.

But don’t look for the Coast Guard markings on the Sundew, which first launched in 1944. The Coast Guard’s invitation had strings attached: Since the cutter was decommissioned in 2004, those markings aren’t allowed in such an event.

“I’m taking care of those things that the Coast Guard wants,” Foster said. “I’ll make sure everybody’s happy.”

The Alder, the 225-foot-long Coast Guard cutter that replaced the 180-foot-long Sundew, probably would have been involved, but it wasn’t available. It’s near the Arctic Circle working with the Canadian Coast Guard, said Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Bowden in Duluth.

Today’s escort, which provides the security zone around the tall ships, won’t be the first outing for the Sundew since its 2004 retirement. With its World War II-era technology, it was donated to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center for use as a floating museum. But when it failed to attract enough visitors, it was put up for sale. Foster, who owns Jeff Foster Trucking Inc., had the only minimum bid of $100,000.

After countless hours of work by volunteers, including former Sundew crew members, the vessel took its first post-retirement voyage in May. It cruised from its mooring at the LaFarge property near Bayfront Festival Park to the Superior Harbor entry and back. Subsequent excursions have included one to Bayfield last weekend for an assembly of the area’s power squadrons, civilian boating groups that work with the Coast Guard.

The Sundew will be the site of Foster’s 40th high school reunion on Friday night. It also will be the site for fundraisers for Woodland Hills and Marshall School in the next two months. Foster sees more fundraisers and special events in the Sundew’s future.

“A lot of people enjoy it, and I happen to be a part of it,” he said of the Sundew. “There’s been a lot more excitement, since we got it running. Wherever I am, people ask me about it, so it tends to be a topic of conversation.”

Word that the Sundew was in great shape and running again reached the contractor doing the oil cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico for BP. Foster was asked for the Sundew’s help.

As for going, Foster said: “It’s doubtful. I think they probably have enough vessels down there.”

Still, with the Sundew’s size and the machinery it has on board, Foster is exploring commercial uses for ship.

Firing up the ship’s diesel and getting the Sundew out is no small task. It takes a crew of 10. Fifteen is even better.

“I’ve had so much help from all sorts of folks, from people who were in the Coast Guard, who served on this vessel and vessels like it (39 were built),” Foster said. “Mechanical engineers donate their time to start things up and go out for two hours and then go back to The Cities.”

Today, there will be even more on board. Commandered by Capt. Steve Kelly, the crew will include Coast Guard and Navy veterans and teenage Coast Guard cadets. And it will include Foster, who is being trained by Kelly.

“I’m a captain in training,” Foster said. “I’m out there learning how to drive this vessel.”

Original Article

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Media Advisory
Date: July 29, 2010
Contact: District 9 Public Affairs

U.S., Canadian Coast Guard units offer
tours during Grand Haven festival


The Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Samuel Risley at 229-feet in length will be the largest ship at the festival.  The 140-foot U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking tug USCGC Neah Bay will be the largest U.S. Coast Guard ship at the festival.      
  
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Neah Bay and Buckthorn and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley are scheduled to make their official entrance into the Grand River Aug. 2, marking the beginning of a busy and exciting week at the 2010 Coast Guard Festival.

The parade of ships will begin Aug. 2 at 1 p.m. The ships will moor at designated spots along Escanaba Park, adjacent to the Coast Guard Station in Grand Haven.

Media wishing to get underway on a Coast Guard cutter for the parade should contact Chief Petty Officer Dustin Allman in advance at (616) 850-2552.

Each of the ships will be available for public tours at a variety of times from Aug. 2 through Aug. 7, with crewmembers available to answer questions.

The Coast Guard is committed to making the public’s experience on board these cutters a pleasant one, and asks for everyone’s cooperation and patience with these simple safety/security requirements:

• Though the tour will show off many spaces, some spaces will be off-limits.
• No, backpacks, coolers or bags of any type, nor open food or drink will be permitted on board. Searches may be conducted.

Additionally, specialized Coast Guard units may be on display at Kids Day Aug. 3 from 10 a.m., to 2 p.m., at Mulligan’s Hollow and other times and locations. Visit Coast Guard Sector Field Office Grand Haven at 650 South Harbor Drive for current status.

Background information about the three cutters is provided below.

Arriving from Cleveland, Cutter Neah Bay is a 140-foot icebreaking tug. Its primary duty is facilitating the movement and commerce in the ice-choked waterways of the Great Lakes from November to May. Additional missions include search and rescue, public relations and law enforcement. Neah Bay is specially designed for icebreaking missions such as establishing and maintaining tracks and assisting beset vessels. Its 2,500 shaft horsepower propulsion system and hull design are its greatest assets in breaking through restrictive ice formations. Neah Bay can continuously break through 18-30 inches of ice and 3-8 feet while backing and ramming.

Arriving from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Cutter Buckthorn is a 100-foot inland buoy tender, the only cutter of its class. Its shallow draft allows the ship to service aids to navigation in waters that are not navigable by deeper draft vessels. The twin-screw configuration makes the ship highly maneuverable, which is vital for working around shoals and obstructions in placing navigational buoys. Buckthorn's primary mission is aids-to-navigation on the St. Mary’s River, one of the Great Lakes most critical waterways. The crew is responsible for maintaining 270 buoys, 3 lighthouses, 16 ranges, 71 shore side lights and 39 Canadian buoys as part of an international agreement. Buckthorn also performs light construction work throughout the Great Lakes.

Arriving from Parry Sound, Ontario, Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley is a 229-foot Light Icebreaker and Medium Navigation Aids Tender. The ship is named after the first chairman of the Board of Steamship Inspection, and was the first Type 1050 vessel commissioned by the Canadian Coast Guard. The vessel is powerful with 8840 horsepower in four main engines and highly maneuverable as it is equipped with controllable pitch propellers, bow and stern thrusters and twin rudders. During the primary navigation season, from late March to late December, the ship tends aids to navigation in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes. During the winter months, the ship breaks ice in Canadian and U.S. waters from Port Colborne, Ontario to Thunder Bay, Ontario. The vessel can move steadily through ice up to 36 inches thick.

USCGC Hollyhock is unable to attend as previously advertised.

Media Advisory

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WOW ... I can't believe this.  LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER SNUB to Grand Haven. 

Just two weeks ago Traverse City was named the newest Coast Guard City.  Now, the largest U.S. COAST GUARD ship at this years Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival will be the 140-foot USCGC Neah Bay.  The largest ship will be the Canadian buoy tender ice breaker Samuel Risley.  The CG did not send the 225-foot HOLLYHOCK as was advertised or the 240-foot MACKINAW as a replacement.  

[EX-CG-GM]

Ron, I know some of the 225's had the ability to deal with oil spills and were sent to the Gulf.  Is it possible the Hollyhock was one of them?

[BuoyJumper]

Ron, I know some of the 225's had the ability to deal with oil spills and were sent to the Gulf.  Is it possible the Hollyhock was one of them?

No Stan .. HOLLYHOCK is not in the Gulf.  The reason I know that is that she conducted a medevac during Chicago to Mackinac Race on July 25, just 30 miles west of Muskegon, Michigan.

[EX-CG-GM]

Ron,  I am absolutely in awe of the way you manage to keep track of all the info on these vessels.  Seriously!   

[BuoyJumper]

Ron,  I am absolutely in awe of the way you manage to keep track of all the info on these vessels.  Seriously!  

Thanks for the kudos Stan but that was just dumb luck this time.  The reason I knew about the HOLLYHOCK and the Mackinac Race medevac is that it was fresh in my mind.  The reason being is that the header on our 180 Vets forum at the CG Channel Community this week is the BRAMBLE overseeing the Mackinac Race back in July 86.  So I guess I'm not so smart after all.

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Photo Release
Date: July 27, 2010
Contact: District 17 Public Affairs

Alaska's Coast Guard buoy tenders
arrive to Juneau for Roundup


 
JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard 17th District is hosting its week-long annual District Buoy Tender Roundup in Juneau beginning Monday to include cutters homeported throughout Alaska.

This year's roundup brings five U.S. Coast Guard buoy tenders from Kodiak, Petersburg, Sitka, Ketchikan and Homer for five days of training.  Participating are the Coast Guard cutters SPAR, Elderberry, Maple, Hickory and Anthony Petit. The Sycamore is deployed to the Gulf of Mexico supporting efforts for the Deepwater Horizon response.

The event allows approximately 200 Coast Guard members the opportunity to receive specialized training during the week in areas such as engine repair, buoy maintenance, first aid and more.  The roundup gives buoy tender crews the opportunity to exchange ideas and build camaraderie.  Due to the remote locations in Alaska which the cutters operate, this mission-essential training would be nearly impossible to complete otherwise and has proved successful for more than 20 years.

During the week-long training, the Buoy Tender Olympics will be held Wednesday at Coast Guard Station Juneau from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m but is not open to the public.

Crews aboard Coast Guard buoy tenders in Alaska service 1,250 navigational aids along 33,000 miles of coastline while actively participating in search and rescue, environmental protection, and law enforcement missions.

Photo Release

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Photo Release
Date: July 30, 2010
Contact: District 7 Public Affairs
USCG Photos by PO3 Victoria Bonk

At sea aboard the Coast
Guard Cutter Mohawk

USCG Compass story on the CGC Mohawk by Victoria Bonk

 

ATLANTIC OCEAN — Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Moore, a damage controlman aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, stands as the engineer officer of the watch during the basic engineering casualty control exercises, Wednesday, July 21, 2010. BECCEs are drills in the engine room use to train the watch sections to respond to a casualty on the main diesel engines, generators, reduction gears and the electrical switchboards.



Above left, Petty Officer 3rd class Thomas Floyd, a food service specialist aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, serves the evening meal to crewmembers, Friday, June 18, 2010. The Mohawk is deploying to Africa to help partner nations with building law enforcement capacities in their region.

Above right, Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk practice their law enforcement training on the flight deck while underway to West Africa, Thursday, June 17, 2010. The Mohawk is deploying to Africa to help partner nations with building law enforcement capacities in their region.

Photo Release

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Press Release
Date: July 30, 2010
Contact: District 11 Public Affairs

Coast Guard Cutter Waesche
to hold change of command



ALAMEDA, Calif. — The command of Coast Guard Cutter Waesche is scheduled to be transferred from Capt. Lance L. Bardo to Capt. Kelly L. Hatfield, July 30, during a change of command ceremony being held at Coast Guard Island at 10:30 a.m.

During the past three years, Bardo commanded Waesche’s pre-commissioning crew, brought the cutter through sea trials, accepted delivery to the Coast Guard and commissioned the 418-foot cutter in May 2010. He guided Waesche and the crew through ready for sea inspection and returned the crew and cutter safely to homeport. Bardo went on to successfully complete operational testing of the aircraft ship integrated secure and traverse aircraft capture and hangaring system for the first time on a U.S. warship.  The ship sailed more than 14,000 miles in a brief six-month period.

Bardo's military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Metal, four Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, five Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and numerous other personal, campaign and unit awards. Bardo is married to the former Elizabeth (Beth) Brown and has two sons and one daughter.

Bardo is retiring from the Coast Guard after more than 29 years of service.

Hatfield is coming to the Waesche from assignment as Chief, Pacific Area Response and Enforcement.  Hatfield  previously commanded Coast Guard Cutter Alert, a medium endurance cutter homeported in Astoria, Ore., and Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley in Kodiak, Alaska.

Hatfield was born in Livingston, Mont., and is a 1985 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy. He earned a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the College of Naval Command and Staff, U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I.

Hatfield’s' military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service medal, two Coast Guard Meritorious Service medals, two Coast Guard Commendation medals, two Coast Guard Achievement medals, and numerous other personal, campaign and unit awards. Hatfield is married to the former Amber Ashenfelter and has four daughters.

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored event preserved by the rich heritage of naval tradition. It is a formal custom that is designed to strengthen the respect of authority, which is vital to any military organization.

The ceremony culminates when both officers read their orders, face one another and salute. This signifies to the entire command that the transfer of responsibility has formally taken place.

Media interested in attending the Waesche’s change of command should contact Lt. George MacDonnell at (510) 437-5902 at least 24-hours prior to the event. Photo I.D. and proof of insurance are required in order to gain access to the base.

Press Release

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Grand Haven's Coast Guard Festival
gets into full swing this week
Monday, August 02, 2010 


U.S. Coast Guard cutters NEAH BAY from Cleveland and the BUCKTHORN from Sault Ste. Marie enter the Grand River channel .

The 86th annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival has hit its midway point, but there are still plenty of things left to do.

Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard's "Parade of Ships" steamed up the Grand River channel

The Coast Guard cutters Neah Bay and Buckthorn and the Canadian Coast Guard Service Samuel Risley arrived in Grand Haven around 1 p.m.

The ships will be available for tours through Saturday. Crew members also will be on hand for questions.

Thursday is Kids Day in Mulligan’s Hollow, behind the YMCA in downtown Grand Haven. The free activity for children runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and more than 3,000 children and their caregivers are expected.

There will be a large tent where children can make six different crafts, as well as carnival games, six inflatables, strolling clowns and jugglers and something new, the National Pedal Pullers and Racers Association.

A lunch of a hot dog, chips and bottled water is available for a nominal fee.

Adult entertainment includes the Grand City Show Skiers, performing daring tricks and stunts on water today at 7 p.m. at the Waterfront Stadium. The cost is $5.

The USO Liberty Bells will honor the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard at the festival with “A Salute to Heroes,” a patriotic show 7 p.m. Friday that features World War II era songs such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Thanks for the Memories.”

And it wouldn’t be the Coast Guard Festival without the fireworks. They’re on Saturday, starting at dark. Shot from Dewey Hill, overlooking the Grand River, they have the musical fountain’s choreographed music as an unforgettable backdrop.

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