Coast Guard SAR

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News Release
Date: July 26, 2010
Contact:  District 5 Public Affairs

Thunderstorms rage through Chesapeake Bay
Coast Guard responded to 37 distress calls

BALTIMORE — Coast Guard responded to 37 distress calls resulting in more than 77 people assisted or rescued after a severe thunderstorm developed in the Chesapeake Bay Sunday afternoon.

At 3:05 p.m., the National Weather Service Radar indicated a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing destructive winds in excess of 70 mph. A marine broadcast was issued to notify mariners to seek shelter immediately.

At approximately 3:25 p.m., Sector Baltimore watchstanders received the first call notifying them that vessels were being affected by the storm. Within minutes, multiple calls came in to the command center.

Damaging wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and unstable sea conditions began to create a dangerous situation for mariners.

Within a two hour period, eight Coast Guard response boatcrews from six different small boat stations, including Stations Stillpond, Station Oxford, Station St. Inigoes, Station Curtis Bay, Station Annapolis and Station Washington, D.C., began responding to the distress calls. Distress cases spanned from the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to as far south as Colonial Beach, Md., to include the Potomac River.

Some of the rescue efforts included:

Coast Guard Station Oxford boatcrews rescued two people from a capsized kayak near Cambridge Creek, Md.

Station Annapolis boatcrews rescued three personal water craft operators who were located clinging to a buoy near Herring Bay, Md.

Station St. Inigoes rescued five people located in the water after their raft capsized near St. George’s Island. With the use of a translator, St. Inigoes crewmembers were also able to rescue a Spanish speaking family aboard a 30-foot pleasure craft that was disabled near Colonial Beach.

“I have been working this job for more than five years, and I have never seen this happen before,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Stanley, a search and rescue coordinator at Sector Baltimore.

“Storms can turn a normal day out on the boat to a battle of life and death, in one case we literally had victims clinging to a buoy for life,” said Chief Petty Officer Keith Moore an operations specialist at Sector Baltimore. “This is what we train for; this is why we are here. However, in an emergency as large as this was, a number of unprepared mariners can take a toll and create a very difficult situation for all responders. We could not have done this alone; we are incredibly thankful to our state and local agencies for helping us carry the burden of such a difficult mission.”

The Coast Guard urges mariners to pay close attention to the weather reports and weather advisories prior to and while boating. Mariners should take appropriate action when a storm is nearing by leaving affected areas, returning to marinas and safe haven as soon as possible.

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 26, 2010
Contact:  District 13 Public Affairs

Coast Guard rescues six from
Juan De Fuca Strait, Wash.



VIDEO:  Crewmembers of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter hoist the six person crew of the recreational vessel Honey Bee in the Juan De Fuca Strait, Wash., Sunday, July 25, 2010, after it became grounded. All six crewmembers were transported to Bellingham by a Coast Guard Station Bellingham response boat with no reported injuries. U.S. Coast Guard video by Coast Guard Station Bellingham.

Seattle — The Coast Guard rescued six stranded boaters from the Juan De Fuca Strait, Wash., after their vessel ran aground at approximately 5:30 a.m. Sunday.  

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., located the grounded recreational vessel Honey Bee and six person crew during an overflight. The crew consisted of four adults and two children.

The crew of the Coast Guard helicopter hoisted the six person crew of Honey Bee to the deck of good Samaritan vessels on scene. The good Samaritan vessels then transferred the crew to a 33-foot Coast Guard response boat from Coast Guard Station Bellingham, Wash.

All six crewmembers were transported to Bellingham with no reported injuries. There were no reports of pollution.

A commercial salvage vessel has been contracted to recover the grounded vessel.  

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 25, 2010
Contact:  District 9 Public Affairs

Coast Guard medically evacuates man
during Chicago to Mackinac Race


A small boat from U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock medically evacuates a man from a sailing vessel during the Chicago to Mackinac race, July 25, 2010. After the man was transported from the sailing vessel to Hollyhock, an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Traverse City airlifted the man to a hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich. (USCG Photos by Brian Luman)

CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard medically evacuated an injured man during the Chicago to Mackinaw Race at approximately 11 a.m., July 25, 2010.

Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock, homeported in Port Huron, Mich., received a report of an injured man aboard a sailing vessel approximately 30 miles west of Muskegon, Mich., around 8:30 a.m.

Hollyhock crews responded by launching their small boat and returning the man to the cutter, where he was soon airlifted to a Grand Rapids, Mich., hospital by an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Mich.

Coast Guard surface and air assets work closely together to keep mariners safe and provide emergency assistance.

For more information or media inquiries, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs office at 216-902-6020.

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 26, 2010
Contact:  District 17 Public Affairs

Coast Guard responds to Seattle fishing
vessel aground in Prince William Sound


A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew from Cordova responded to the Seattle-based 100-foot fishing vessel Cape Cross which ran aground at 5 a.m. in Main Bay in Prince William Sound Monday, July 26, 2010. The Cape Cross reported taking on water listing 30-degrees to the port with a light pollution sheen 150 yards long by 15 yards wide was reported coming from the grounded vessel. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew from Cordova is responding to the Seattle-based 100-foot fishing vessel Cape Cross which went aground at 5 a.m. in Main Bay in Prince William Sound Monday.

Sector Anchorage command center received a VHF radio call at 11:15 a.m. from the captain of the fishing vessel Josie reporting that the Cape Cross had gone aground with seven crewmen aboard.  The crew of the Josie safely retrieved all seven crewmembers.

The Cape Cross is reported taking on water and listing 30-degrees to the port side.  The helicopter crew arrived on scene with the Cape Cross at 1:15 p.m. and delivered two dewatering pumps to the crews of the Cape Cross and the Josie.

The Cape Cross is reported having 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel aboard, light sheening has been reported in the area.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez is coordinating the response to minimize any potential pollution to the area.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center is also monitoring three other fishing vessels that have gone aground in Southeast Alaska.  The 34-foot fishing vessel Arcola ran aground at Swanson Harbor at 7:19 a.m., the 34-foot fishing vessel Windbreaker ran aground at Mab Island south of Berners Bay at 6:51 a.m. and the 69-foot crabbing vessel Chevelle ran aground east of Annette Island in Revillagigedo Channel at 4:30 a.m.  Both the Windbreaker and the Chevelle successfully refloated with the tide however, the Chevelle sustained a three inch hole in the vessel.  The Arcola was completely submerged and sank off of Swanson Harbor.

The Coast Guard worked with all vessel crews to minimize any potential environmental threat from the more than 5,000 gallons aboard the three vessels

In all three cases there were no injuries or pollution reported.

“We were lucky in these cases that there were no reported injuries,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Komrosky, Sector Anchorage watchstander.  “Mariners are responsible for knowing where they are navigating at all times.  We encourage all mariners to practice safe boating techniques, including using maritime charts and navigation equipment and to maintain an alert watch to ensure safe navigation in Alaska’s diverse waterways.”

The Coast Guard has responded to more than 23 distress calls within the last week and wants to remind the boating community to stay safe by utilizing safe boating practices while on Alaska’s waterways.

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 26, 2010
Contact:  District 8 Public Affairs

Coast Guard responds to helicopter crash



NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three people Monday after their helicopter crashed approximately 80 miles south of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico.

Rescued were Keith Milard, 34, of Nashville, Tenn., Rusty Carole, 24 of Galliano, La., and Stanly Duhon, 43, of Duson, La.

The Coast Guard received a report at approximately 3 p.m., from Rotorcraft Leasing Company, LLC, that a Rotorcraft Bell Helicopter with three people aboard landed in the water.

A good Samaritan responding to the urgent marine information broadcast issued by the Coast Guard picked up the three persons from the water and transported them to a nearby rig.

Two Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopters and crews from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans arrived at the rig at approximately 4 p.m. The rescue helicopter crew embarked the three individuals and transported them to Houma, La., where they were met by local EMS and transported to Terrebonne General Medical Center.

"We appreciate the assistance of the good Samaritan in the vicinity," said Coast Guard Lt. Ryan Baxter, a search and rescue coordinator at the Eighth Coast Guard District. "We urge mariners to listen to channel 16 in the event of an emergency and contact local USCG units."

The condition of the persons is unknown.

Additional much more in depth here
News Release

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News Release
Date: July 27, 2010
Contact:  District 8 Public Affairs

Coast Guard responds to wellhead allision



NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating an allision between a towing vessel and a wellhead in the Barataria Waterway at approximately 1 a.m., Tuesday.

The tug vessel Pere Ana C, pushing the dredge barge Captain Buford Berry, allided with the wellhead while it transited the Barataria Waterway.

The wellhead is currently emanating oil and natural gas into Barataria Bay.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans issued a Broadcast Notice to Mariners that a report of oil release was detected.

An Air Station New Orleans MH-65C helicopter has deployed with a marine pollution investigator on board to assess the scene and determine impact.

The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been enacted to provide monetary support for any clean-up operations.

The government has contracted Environmental Safety and Health for the clean up, and they are currently on scene.

Also responding is the U.S. Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team from Mobile, Ala.

A safety zone has been established at two miles around the incident location to protect vessels and mariners from the hazards associated with the release.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

News Release

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UPDATE TO REPLY #1788 ABOVE ...


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

UPDATE:  Coast Guard responds to Seattle fishing
vessel aground in Prince William Sound


The fishing vessel Cape Cross lies on its side after crews were unable to refloat the vessel which ran aground in Main Bay in Prince William Sound July 26, 2010. The fishing vessel crew was able to cover all fuel vents to restrict potential flow of fuel from the vessel before it rolled on its side at approximately 5:15 a.m. July 27, 2010.  The damaged hull (above right) of the fishing vessel Cape Cross lies exposed after the vessel rolled on its side. (USCG photos by USCGC Long Island)

VALDEZ, Alaska — Three of the Ship Escort/Response Vessel System vessels have arrived on scene with the fishing vessel Cape Cross in Main Bay at approximately 1:45 pm and have completely surrounded the vessel with boom containing the sheen and any potential fuel release from the vessel.

Although the vessel’s fuel tanks do not appear to have been breached or leaking response crews have commenced exclusionary booming of the Main Bay Salmon Hatchery before lightering of fuel aboard the Cape Cross can begin.

Responders are assessing the stability of the Cape Cross through the tidal phases.  Low tide is at 6:30 am Wednesday.

During low tide, R and R Diving Company plans to install a temporary patch on the hull of the vessel.  When the patch is secure, the Cape Cross will be repositioned to facilitate the lightering of all fuel onboard.  Once all fuel is removed and the vessel is stable, efforts to remove the vessel from Main Bay may commence.

The owner hired Alaskan Marine Surveyor to assist with pollution response and salvage of the vessel.  The marine surveyor is heading to Main Bay and expected on scene Tuesday evening.

The Coast Guard Cutter Long Island remains on scene to enforce the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s closure of the commercial fishery in Main Bay.  A Coast Guard helicopter overflight is scheduled to take place Wednesday to gain a better perspective of the response and determine any environment impact to the bay.

The Coast Guard continues to investigate the cause of the grounding and is monitoring all phases of the response and salvage.

News Release

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UPDATE TO REPLY #1791 ABOVE ...


News Release
Date: July 28, 2010
Contact:  District 17 Public Affairs

UPDATE #4:  Coast Guard responds to Seattle fishing
vessel aground in Prince William Sound


The fishing vessel Josie floats along side the fishing vessel Cape Cross providing a stable work platform for responders while they prepare the vessel for lightering July 28, 2010.  Above right Alaska's Response and salvage crews work aboard the fishing vessel Cape Cross preparing the vessel for lightering and in the bay skimming any fuel that has escaped the vessel July 28, 2010. The fishing vessel lies on its side after crews were unable to refloat the vessel that ran aground in Main Bay in Prince William Sound July 26, 2010. (USCG photos)

VALDEZ, Alaska — The salvage company R and R Diving began removing fuel from the fishing vessel Cape Cross at 6 p.m. Wednesday as efforts continue to secure the vessel and minimize any potential environmental impact.

Response crews are expected to continue lightering until dark and then continue operations at first light tomorrow.  Fishing vessels contracted through Ship Escort/Response Vessel System are actively recovering any discharged diesel fuel that remains outside of the boomed Cape Cross.

Response crews from SERV have deployed exclusionary boom around Main Bay Hatchery and have surrounded the Cape Cross with containment boom.

Marine Safety Unit Valdez personnel remain on scene aboard the SERVS’ tug Endurance to maintain close monitoring of response and salvage efforts.

The captain of the Cape Cross reported 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel, 300 gallons of lube oil, and 100 gallons of hydraulic oil, and an undetermined amount of gasoline on board.

The investigation into the cause of the Cape Cross’s grounding is ongoing.

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 29, 2010
Contact:  District 1 Public Affairs

Coast Guard Cutter Seneca
rescues injured fisherman


A Coast Guard Cutter Seneca small boat crew approaches the fishing vessel Captain Bligh to render assistance to an injured crewmember approximately 40 nautical miles south of Nantucket Island.

BOSTON — A Boston-based Coast Guard cutter crew rescued an injured crewman from a fishing boat approximately 40 nautical miles south of Nantucket Island, Mass., Wed., July 28, 2010.

The 22-year old fisherman fell and injured his shoulder while aboard the 69-foot fishing boat Captain Bligh. His condition at the time of the rescue was stable, but his current condition is unknown.

The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca crew diverted from their routine patrol in the North Atlantic to assist the crewman after the Captain Bligh crew contacted Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England via satellite phone.

The Seneca’s boarding team and boat coxswain safely transferred the fisherman from the fishing boat to the 270-foot cutter and began heading toward shore while Petty Officer 1st Class Carole Arcelay, a health services technician, evaluated, treated and prepared the crewman for transfer.

The Seneca crew transferred the crewman to a 47-foot boat crew from Coast Guard Station Provincetown who transported him to the station where they were met by local EMS.

The Captain Bligh, which is home ported out of Point Judith, RI, had been out for three days lobster fishing.

The on scene weather was 10-20 knot winds with 2-3 foot seas.

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 29, 2010
Contact:  District 7 Public Affairs

Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin medically
evacuates a 31-year-old male


The 87-foot USCG patrol boat YELLOWFIN

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 31-year-old male at approximately 3 p.m., Thursday 25-miles southeast of Savannah.

The Coast Guard received notification from the motor vessel Harbel Tapper, that a 31 year-old male was in need of medical attention after falling down a single flight of stairs aboard the vessel. The crew of the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin conducted the medical evacuation. The Yellowfin is homeported in Charleston, S.C.

He will be taken to Coast Guard Station Tybee Island for further evaluation by local EMS.

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 29, 2010
Contact:  District 8 Public Affairs

Coast Guard continues
response to wellhead allision


A wellhead spews a mixture of oil and natural gas after a towing vessel's dredge barge allided with the structure in Mud Lake, La., July 27, 2010. The U.S. Coast Guard and several federal, state and local agencies deployed containment boom and multiple resources and personnel to minimize environmental damage. Wild Well Control Inc., designated as the prime contractor to secure the leaking wellhead, estimated it would take approximately 10-12 days to secure the source.

NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. Coast Guard continues to work with the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office LOSCO, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources LDNR, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality LDEQ, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries LAWLF, the Louisiana State Police LSP, and Jefferson Parish Emergency Services to secure the wellhead and minimize environmental damage resulting from an allision between a tow vessel and a wellhead in the Barataria Waterway, which occurred at approximately 1 a.m., Tuesday. The Unified Command Post, established at U.S. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, is reporting that the wellhead continues to emanate a mixture of oil and natural gas into Barataria Bay.

Oil containment and clean-up operations are on going as 48,800 feet of containment boom and 11,000 feet of sorbent boom are deployed to minimize the environmental impact. Additionally, 193 personnel, 2 helicopters, and a combination of 31 skimmers, boats and barges are responding to the incident. Oil skimming and recovery operations are ongoing in Mud Lake. Approximately 3 barrels, or 144 gallons of oily-water mix, has been recovered.

 Preparation to mobilize assets needed to secure the well are continuing and include the following:

- The required equipment for the firefighting barge has been properly secured to the barge and tested;

- The Chevron and BP pipelines in the area have been marked to allow the responders to visually see their locations and ensure that no further damage is done from the temporary spuds that are used to anchor the support vessels;

- A hydrographic survey is scheduled to be completed early Saturday which will ensure there is sufficient water depth for the response vessels;

- A replacement crane barge was ordered and arrived Friday in Lafitte, La.

Wild Well Control Inc. has been designated as the prime contractor to secure the leaking wellhead.

The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been enacted to provide monetary support for the clean up and recovery operations.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 31, 2010
Contact:  District 1 Public Affairs

Chatham Coast Guard crew
saves 11 from burning boat

 
Harwich Fire Department crewmembers also responded to the fire.

BOSTON — A Chatham, Mass., Coast Guard crew rescued 11 people from a 44-foot yacht after it caught fire approximately three miles south of Wychmere Harbor, Mass., Fri., July 30, 2010.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England dispatched a Coast Guard Station Chatham 27-foot boat crew to assist the people aboard the Hyannis Port, Mass.-based yacht Bronze Monkey after receiving the report from 911 around 11:35 p.m.

"When we arrived on scene we could see the boat was engulfed in smoke," said Petty Officer First Class Matthew Hussey, the Station Chatham boat coxswain. "As we got closer we could see flames and everyone on the bow."

All the lifejackets and signaling devices were trapped in the cabin, which was engulfed in flames, said Hussey.

"It's good we got there when we did," Hussey said. "Some of the passengers couldn't swim and about two or three minutes after we pulled everyone off the boat it was fully engulfed in flames."

The Station Chatham crew transported the 11 people to Wychmere Harbor where they were met by EMS. No injuries were reported.

The vessel sank in approximately 22-feet of water causing a minor sheen and debris field. The Coast Guard is issuing a safety broadcast on VHF-FM radio channel 16 to warn nearby mariners.

Harwich Fire Department crewmembers also responded (See above Youtube video).

The captain of the Bronze Monkey stated the fire began in the engine room and believes it was caused by an electrical malfunction.

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 31, 2010
Contact:  District 5 Public Affairs

Coast Guard crew medevacs 1 near Shark River, N.J.

   

SHARK RIVER, N.J. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 30-year-old female after she had not resurfaced from a 122-foot dive 15 nautical miles east of Shark River Saturday.

Name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The Coast Guard received a call at 11:21 a.m. from a crewmember aboard the dive boat Gypsy Blood, homeported in Brielle, N.J.,  reporting the woman  had been missing approximately 35 minutes. 

An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J.,  arrived on scene and medevaced the female after a dive master aboard the Gypsy Blood located her under water.

The woman was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation until transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, N.J.,  and transferred to awaiting emergency medical personnel.

NOTE:  From NJ.com the woman died.

News Release

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News Release
Date: July 31, 2010
Contact:  District 1 Public Affairs

Coast Guard assists crew
of stricken fishing vessel



NEW YORK — At approximately 330 a.m. Friday, there was a collision at sea between a cargo ship and the commercial fishing vessel Atlantic Queen. The collision occurred 11 miles south of Jones Beach, N.Y., and 25 miles east of Sandy Hook, N.J. One crew member aboard the Atlantic Queen sustained a non life-threatening injury. The U.S. Coast Guard launched search and rescue assets immediately upon receipt of a Mayday call from the Atlantic Queen.

Three crew members from the Atlantic Queen were rescued by the Coast Guard boat from Jones Beach. The 72-foot-long Atlantic Queen reportedly lost approximately 15-feet of its forward bow structure, but remains afloat. Coast Guard investigation teams have been dispatched to the scene. (Photo: US Coast Guard)

News Release

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News Release
Date: August 02, 2010
Contact:  District 13 Public Affairs

Coast Guard responds to boat
fire near Port Townsend, Wash.

   
A 40-foot sailing vessel burns near Port Townsend, Wash. The Coast Guard Cutter Swordfish, homeported in Port Angeles, Wash., and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles were sent to assist local firefighters with containing the blaze. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Port Angeles.

ASTORIA, Ore. — Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound was notified of the fire at approximately 1:30 p.m. and sent the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Swordfish, homeported in Port Angeles, Wash., and an MH-65 helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles to assist the local fire deparment with containing the blaze.  the vessel's owner confirmed nobody was aboard the 40-foot sailing vessel.

Attempts to put out the fire have failed and the boat is now adrift over 117-feet of water.  The Swordfish crew has established a safety zone to keep anyone from getting too close to the vessel, which will be allowed to burn.  Effects upon the marine environment are expected to be minimal as there is little fuel aboard the vessel.

News Release