Coast Guard 5th District holds change of command ceremony in Portsmouth, VA

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Rear Adm. Stephen P. Metruck assumed command of the Coast Guard’s 5th District during a change-of-command ceremony Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion.
Metruck relieved Rear Adm. Steven H. Ratti, who has served as the 5th District’s commander since April 2012.
As commander of the 5th District, Metruck will oversee operations in navigable waters from the middle...
Coast Guard Academy cadet to receive Fulbright Scholarship

NEW LONDON, Conn. — A U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadet was recently granted a Fulbright Scholarship to study marine economic development in Mauritius during the 2014-2015 academic year. First Class Cadet Jessica Lukasik, a member of the Class of 2014 and native of Lawrenceville, Ga., will pursue a master’s degree at the University of Mauritius. The Government major plans to conduct a research project...
After North Atlantic patrol, Cutter Escanaba back in Boston

BOSTON – The Boston-based Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba returned to its homeport after a 36-day patrol in the North Atlantic, Tuesday.
While out on patrol, the medium-endurance cutter focused on fisheries missions in support of Operation Atlantic Venture.
Escanaba’s crew conducted 26 law enforcement boardings during the patrol. Crew members measured fishing gear, inspected daily catch limits and...
Coast Guard aircrew medevacs ailing woman from cruise ship Carnival Liberty off the coast of Cat Island, Bahamas

MIAMI — A 50-year old woman suffering health complications was medically evacuated from the cruise ship Carnival Liberty by a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., helicopter crew off the coast of Cat Island, Bahamas Sunday.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. watchstanders at Coast Guard Seventh District command center received notification from the cruise ship concerning a 50-year-old woman experiencing...
Dozens of organizations participate in full-scale antiterrorism exercise at Training Center Cape May

CAPE MAY, N.J. – Several dozen law enforcement, emergency management and military organizations participated in the first full-scale, antiterrorism exercise aboard a Coast Guard training center Tuesday at 10 a.m.
The Coast Guard partnered with more than a dozen local, state, and federal law enforcement and emergency management agencies to test their response to a simulated suicide bomber attacking...
Warmer spring air is here, water temperatures remain dangerously cold

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — The Coast Guard is warning boaters who may be beginning their preparations to launch their boats that water temperatures in lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron, and the connecting waterways remain dangerously cold.
The National Weather Service reports that water temperatures in those lakes are just above freezing, with maximum temperatures of 35-39 degrees.
“With these...
Coast Guard suspends search for man who reportedly jumped off Bahamas Cruise Ship Celebration

MIAMI — Coast Guard crews have suspended their search for a 30-year-old man who reportedly jumped over the railing of the Bahamas Cruise Ship Celebration early Sunday morning, 27-miles east of Delray Beach, Florida.
James Miller of Charleston, South Carolina reportedly jumped overboard early Sunday and Coast Guard crews have been searching for him since.
Coast Guard assets that assisted in the search,...