Coast Guard Gets An Assist From Good Samaritans in Assisting Vessel

JUNEAU, Alaska (D17 Public Affairs) – The Coast Guard and Good Samaritan vessels assisted a boat taking on water in Admiralty Cove around noon today. The Coast Guard launched a 47-foot Motor Life Boat and a 25-foot Response Boat from Station Juneau and diverted an HH-60 ‘Jayhawk’ rescue helicopter from Air Station Sitka. Sector Juneau also issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast. The...

Coast Guard working with other agencies to rescue person in water

BOSTON (D1 Public Affairs) – The Coast Guard is working with several local and state agencies to rescue a person from the water near Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown, R.I., today. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England received a 911 call from a good Samaritan at about 4:30 p.m., stating that someone in the water appeared to be in trouble. The caller and another person had unsuccessfully...

Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur to hold change of command ceremony

PORT ARTHUR, Texas (D8 Public Affairs) – Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur is scheduled to host a change-of-command ceremony at the Holiday Inn Plaza in Beaumont, Texas, July 2 at 10 a.m. During the change-of-command ceremony, Capt. John Plunkett will assume the responsibilities of Commanding Officer of MSU Port Arthur from Capt. Thomas Sparks. Rear Adm. Joel Whitehead, Eighth Coast...

The Lifeboat Crewman

By Petty Officer Jeff Pollinger If you’re a regular boater on the Great Lakes or along the nation’s coasts, you’ve probably seen Coast Guard crews plying through the waters on a 47-foot motor lifeboat. The aluminum, gray-hulled lifeboat has been the primary vessel for search and rescue operations for more than 10 years. The 1.2 million-dollar self-righting boats can travel faster...

Must Reading: First-person account from recent F/V MIDNIGHT case

An Unofficial Coast Guard Blog has a first person account of the recent F/V Midnight case by SN Stephen Hatch at Coast Guard Station Southwest Harbor. If you’ve ever wondered what happens during a SAR case, here’s an account of one. “Be calm, cool, and collective.” It’s something I’ve come to know and understand in the Coast Guard. Those three words that all begin with “C”...

Is Your Life Worth More than $15.00?

U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets range in price from as low as $15.00 to about $400.00 for the top of the line inflatable, although, even the most expensive life jacket is worthless if it is not worn. With the long Fourth of July holiday just a few days away the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary points out that life jacket wear is “critical” to surviving a boating accident. Ninety percent...

Coast Guard Rescues Nine People From A Capsized Pleasure Craft

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe rescued nine people from the water Saturday after a 21-foot rental pleasure craft capsized on Lake Tahoe. At 4:44 p.m., Station Lake Tahoe received a call from a person reporting that his pleasure craft capsized causing nine people to fall into the water. The Station immediately launched a 25-foot safe boat, arriving on scene at 4:57 p.m. The safety...

Coast Guard Rescues Father and Son Near Charleston Harbor

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard rescued two people near the south jetties in Charleston Harbor around 9 p.m. Saturday. Peter Hyers, 54, and Christopher Hyers, 22, of Hilton Head Island, S.C., were boating when their sailing vessel ran aground at the Charleston Harbor jetties. Coast Guard search-and-rescue coordinators at Sector Charleston received a report from a good Samaritan of the grounding...

Update – Coast Guard closes Mississippi, St. Louis Harbor

ST LOUIS – The Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River from mile marker 174 to 189, which includes the St. Louis Harbor, due to high water and navigational hazards at approximately 9 a.m. yesterday. This section is closed to all recreational vessels and commercial traffic with exceptions made for vessels with two or fewer barges. Such exceptions can only transit during daylight hours or at...