Coast Guard rescues 2 people from disabled vessel

USCG Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter crew after medevac mission. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo.

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued two people from a disabled vessel in Lake Borgne, Louisiana, Thursday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday of an overdue vessel with two people aboard that launched from Shell Beach.

Sector watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft—Shallow Water boatcrew from Coast Guard Station New Orleans to locate the vessel.

The aircrew located the vessel at 3:36 a.m.

The vessel was disabled and at anchor. 

The aircrew directed the Coast Guard boatcrew to the vessel's location.

The boatcrew arrived on scene at approximately 4:30 a.m. and transported the two people to Shell Beach in stable condition.

-USCG-

Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward returns from first Eastern Pacific patrol with 2,800 pounds of cocaine

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward returns to its homeport after a successful counter narcotics patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Aug. 29, 2019, at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach in San Pedro, California. The Ward is one of four newly commissioned Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) home ported in San Pedro as part of the Coast Guards efforts to strengthen forces in the region and increase safety, security, and emergency response capabilities. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Ian Gray)

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward (WPC-1130) returned from their first patrol of the drug transit zones of the Eastern Pacific Ocean with approximately 2,800 pounds of seized cocaine Thursday.

The cocaine, worth an estimated $38.5 million, was seized by the crews of the Robert Ward and another Coast Guard cutter patrolling the region. An additional estimated 3,000 pounds of cocaine, seized by the crew of the Robert Ward in mid-July in the cutter’s first ever drug bust, was transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast (WMEC-623) and brought ashore in San Diego last month as part of a 13-ton bulk offload.

“The Cutter Robert Ward and three other newly-commissioned cutters based in San Pedro are strengthening the Coast Guard’s safety, security and counter-smuggling efforts along our coast and in the shipping zones off Central and South America,” said Rear Adm. Peter W. Gautier, the 11th Coast Guard District commander. “I’m proud of the Ward’s crew and applaud their actions to disrupt the cartels that profit from crime, addiction and ruin American lives.”

The Robert Ward, commissioned in March, is one of four newly commissioned Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) homeported in San Pedro as part of the Coast Guard’s efforts to strengthen forces in the region and increase safety, security and emergency response capabilities.  

“This was a fantastic patrol,” said Lt. Benjamin Davne, Robert Ward’s commanding officer. “We helped stem the flow of illegal drugs by seizing and disrupting more than three tons of cocaine. We saved lives by keeping these drugs off the streets. Our crew is in friendly competition with other fast response cutter crews stationed in other parts of the nation and on our first patrol we are already credited with the second largest cocaine seizure and disruption rate for any Coast Guard ship in our class.” 

The fight against drug cartels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean requires unity of effort in all phases from detection, monitoring and interdictions, to criminal prosecutions by U.S. Attorneys in districts across the nation.

The Coast Guard increased U.S. and allied presence in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Basin, which are known drug transit zones off of Central and South America, as part of its Western Hemisphere Strategy.

During at-sea interdictions, a suspect vessel is initially detected and monitored by allied, military or law enforcement personnel coordinated by Joint Interagency Task Force-South based in Key West, Florida. The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean is conducted under the authority of the 11th Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda.

To watch the video of the Robert Ward's interdiction in the Eastern Pacific, please click here.

-USCG-

Coast Guard Cutter Stratton arrives in Chennai, India

Coast Guard Cutter Stratton. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasmine Mieszala (archive).

CHENNAI, India – The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton arrived Friday in Chennai following previous engagements with Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Stratton’s crew will work alongside U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel to expand cooperation between personnel, in both nations’ navies and coast guards, which play a critical role ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region. 

India is a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific, whose partnership stands upon a shared commitment to uphold the rule of law, freedom of navigation, democratic values and open markets – key principles of the United States’ Indo-Pacific vision.

"The U.S. Coast Guard is excited to work with the India Coast Guard to further our shared interest in a rules based, free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Capt. Bob Little, commanding officer Coast Guard Cutter Stratton.  “We have several days of in-harbor and at sea exercises planned that will advance our shared capabilities to combat maritime security threats such as trans-national crime, terrorism, illegal fishing, and more.  India is among the United States’ most valuable strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific, and this visit represents an outstanding opportunity to strengthen that partnership."

The Stratton crew will be in Chennai participating in shore side and at-sea maritime training exercises, including mock vessel boarding, navigation, communications and small boat operations.

Stratton, a 418-foot national security cutter, originally homeported in Alameda, California, is operating in the western pacific under the tactical control of U.S. 7th Fleet, engaging in professional exchanges and capacity-building exercises with partner nations, and will patrol and conduct operations in the Indo-Pacific region as directed.

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Coast Guard rescues 3 from vessel taking on water near Matagorda, Texas

A shrimping vessel lies partially submerged in Matagorda Bay near Matagorda, Texas, Aug. 26, 2019. Coast Guard Station Port O' Connor rescued three mariners after receiving information of their vessel taking on water.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Port O' Connor.

CORPUS CHRISTI — The Coast Guard rescued three mariners aboard a disabled vessel taking on water near Matagorda, Texas, Monday morning.

Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders received a report of a disabled shrimping vessel that was taking on water approximately two miles from the Matagorda jetties.

A Station Port O'Connor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew was launched.

The mariners contacted the command center via cellular phone and informed them that they would be abandoning the vessel. Watchstanders instructed the mariners to ignite a flare to make the RB-M crew aware of their location.

Once on-scene the three mariners were taken from the water onto the RB-M and then transported to Station Port O'Connor. There were no reported injuries.

The vessel remains partially submerged in Matagorda Bay approximately 300-yards from shore.  A Safety Marine Information Broadcast has been issued to mariners in the area. The owner of the vessel has made vessel salvage arrangements.

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Coast Guard medevacs man from fishing vessel near Uganik Bay, Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Bradley Pigage (archive).

KODIAK, Anchorage— The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 56-year-old man from a fishing vessel near​ Uganik Bay, Alaska, Saturday.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Kodiak hoisted the crewman from fishing vessel​ Caiti Jo​ and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services in Kodiak at​ 7:00​ p.m.​

Watchstanders at the Sector Anchorage command center received notification at 4:42​ p.m. that a crewman aboard the vessel was experiencing stoke-related symptoms. A​ ​ Coast Guard duty flight surgeon was consulted and a medevac recommended. The command center launched the Jayhawk aircrew from Air Station Kodiak.​ ​

Weather on scene was clear visibility with 17 mph winds and one foot seas.

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Coast Guard searches for person in the water in New Orleans

U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer Elizabeth Bordelon (archive image from SAR exercise).

NEW ORLEANS -- The Coast Guard is searching for a person in the water in New Orleans, Saturday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 9:03 a.m. of a person entering the water from a walkway near the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans.

The person is described as a white male in his mid-60’s, wearing pajamas with a white top.

Involved in the search are:

-Coast Guard Station New Orleans 29-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew.

-Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew

The cause of the incident is under investigation.​

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Coast Guard rescues person in the water near Crystal Beach, Texas

A Coast Guard Station Galveston boat crew stands with the mariner they rescued after he entered the water when his jet ski began to sink approximately two miles offshore Crystal Beach, Texas, Aug. 17, 2019. The man, who was wearing a lifejacket, stated he had been in the water for approximately three hours and was reported to be in stable condition. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Galveston).

HOUSTON​ —​ The Coast Guard rescued a 50-year-old man from the water after his jet ski began sinking approximately two miles offshore Crystal Beach, Texas, Saturday.​

At 3:52 p.m., Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received notification from a good Samaritan who reported that the crew of a disabled vessel witnessed the man enter the water after his jet ski began taking on water. The crew of the disabled vessel lost sight of the man shortly after​ and contacted the good Samaritan on shore.

​

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Station Galveston 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew, a 29-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew and an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew to search the area.​ ​

Once on scene, the Station Galveston boat crews were able to locate the missing jet skier, who was wearing a lifejacket, and transfer him to the RB-M. The man stated he had entered the water at approximately​ 1:30 p.m.

The jet skier is reported to be in stable condition.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Galveston.

"One of the key contributing factors in the positive outcome of today was this gentleman's decision to wear a lifejacket," said Lt. j.g. Terrell Sisk, command duty officer at Sector Houston-Galveston. "Our chances of locating and assisting​ those in distress are greatly improved when a life jacket is worn."

The jet ski was recovered and towed back to Station Galveston.

The weather on scene was reported as 2-foot seas with 17 mph winds.

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Coast Guard medevacs man near Mobile Bay, Alabama

A Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile MH-65 Dolphin helicopter stands ready on the air strip in Alabama. ATC Mobile provides core training for rotary wing and fixed wing pilots, rescue swimmers and aircrews for air stations Coast Guard wide. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA3 Brandon Giles (archive).

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile medevacs a man from a fishing vessel approximately 46 miles south of Mobile Bay, Alabama, August 9, 2019. The aircrew arrived on scene at 8:34 p.m. and transported the man to Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama, in stable condition. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo/Released).

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard medevaced a man from a fishing vessel approximately 46 miles south of Mobile Bay, Alabama, Saturday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report at 7:44 p.m. Friday of a man aboard a fishing vessel going in and out of consciousness.

Sector watchstanders diverted an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile to medevac the man.

The aircrew arrived on scene at 8:34 p.m. and transported the man to Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama, in stable condition.

-USCG-

Coast Guard rescues 2 people from disabled vessel

Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Giles (archive).

NEW ORLEANS – A man captured his own rescue on video when he was hoisted from a disabled vessel in Otter Bayou, approximately 20 miles southeast of Hopedale, Louisiana, Saturday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 12:30 p.m. Saturday of a disabled recreational vessel with two men aboard in Otter Bayou.

Watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans to rescue the men.

The aircrew arrived on scene at 5:30 p.m., recovered the men and transported them to Air Station New Orleans in stable condition.

Two men are rescued from a disabled vessel by an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans in Otter Bayou, approximately 20 miles southeast of Hopedale, Louisiana, August 10, 2019. The aircrew arrived on scene at 5:30 p.m., recovered the men and transported them to Air Station New Orleans in stable condition. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy video/Released)

-USCG-

Coast Guard rescues 37 people after fishing boat capsizes, sinks in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

Fishing nets, life rafts, and debris from the 160-foot Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita float behind the capsizing vessel approximately 336 miles southwest of Clipperton Island, August 7, 2019. Twenty five crew members and 12 Coast Guardsmen who abandoned the Marujita and were rescued by the crew of the Coast Guard cutter after the 160-foot fishing boat listed and capsized. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo/Released).

A U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer from a Coast Guard cutter holds onto a crew member from the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita as they are hoisted onto the cutter approximately 336 miles southwest of Clipperton Island, August 7, 2019. The crewman was one of 25 crew members and 12 Coast Guardsmen who abandoned the Marujita and were rescued by the crew of the Coast Guard cutter after the 160-foot fishing boat listed and capsized. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo/Released).

A crewman from the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita clings to the hull of the capsized vessel approximately 336 miles southwest of Clipperton Island as a rescue swimmer from a Coast Guard cutter swims to his aid, August 7, 2019. The crewman was one of 25 crew members and 12 Coast Guardsmen who abandoned the Marujita and were rescued by the crew of the Coast Guard cutter after the 160-foot fishing boat listed and capsized. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo/Released).

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 25 fishing boat crewmen and 12 Coast Guardsmen after the fishing boat they were aboard capsized and sank approximately 336 nautical miles southeast of Clipperton Island in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Wednesday.

Coast Guardsmen were conducting a routine boarding of the 160-foot Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita when it began listing and became unsafe to remain aboard. All fishing boat crewmen and Coast Guardsmen aboard the vessel abandoned ship.

A boat crew from a Coast Guard cutter quickly rescued 16 of the fishing vessel crew and Coast Guard members while 20 others climbed up nets hung from the side of the cutter. One Marujita crewman clung to the hull of the sinking vessel until he was rescued by the cutter’s rescue swimmer.

"Fast action by the cutter's crew resulted in a remarkable mass rescue in a dangerous and challenging situation," said Capt. Arthur Snyder, chief of operations for the 11th Coast Guard District. “Their decisive response reflects their training and dedication, and shows the types of dangers faced by Coast Guard crews deployed around the world protecting our nation.”

The cutter was in the region conducing a law enforcement patrol. There were no reported injuries. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

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Coast Guard boat crew, Ketchikan EMS medevac injured fisherman in Revillagigedo Channel, Alaska

A Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew approaches the fishing vessel Lake Bay to medevac an injured 58-year-old man off the vessel in Revillagigedo Channel, 18 miles southeast of Ketchikan, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2019. The Station Ketchikan crew was accompanied by Ketchikan emergency medical services personnel to assist the injured man while in transit. U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo by Sarah Hines.

KODIAK, Alaska - A Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew medevaced an injured 58-year-old man off the fishing vessel Lake Bay in Revillagigedo Channel, 18 miles southeast of Ketchikan, Alaska, Monday.

The boat crew and Ketchikan emergency medical services coordinated efforts to transfer the man from the small boat to Station Ketchikan. Ketchikan EMS further transported the man to Ketchikan Medical Center. The man was reported stable upon transfer.

Sector Juneau command center staff received notification via VHF-FM radio Channel 16 from the vessel's master that a crewmember aboard received a large laceration to his arm and required assistance. Sector issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Station Ketchikan boat crew with local EMS aboard to respond.​

"Today there was a situation involving an injured fisherman in need of an escort to a higher level of care," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Mitchell, a coxswain on the case. "With the cooperation of multiple responding agencies, our boat crew was able to successfully medevac the injured man south of Bold Island to Ketchikan, even​ with the​ restricted visibility."

Weather on scene was dense fog with a visibility of 300 yards, southeast winds at 10 knots and seas of two feet.​

-USCG-

Boeing, Marines, Navy Celebrate $115 Million V-22 Facility

MV-22 Osprey, U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brennon A. Taylor (archive).

Boeing investment accommodates V-22 fuselage production and MV-22 modification program

Allows Ospreys to be delivered with higher quality, efficiency and improved safety

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1, 2019 — Boeing [NYSE: BA], the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy celebrated the transformation of a 350,000-square-foot facility outside Philadelphia into a modern factory where company employees will build fuselages for the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft and modernize the MV-22 fleet for the Marines.

“Boeing’s $115 million investment supports U.S. and international demand for the unrivaled capabilities of the V-22,” said David Koopersmith, vice president and general manager, Boeing Vertical Lift. “We started this project two years ago in a mothballed building. Now, it is a state of the art manufacturing center for the only in-service tiltrotor aircraft in the world.”

The new factory will improve safety and productivity, lower operating costs, and reduce Boeing’s environmental impact. It will be home to the Common Configuration – Readiness and Modernization (CC-RAM) program that standardizes the Marine Corps Osprey fleet by upgrading previously built aircraft to the new Block C configuration. The factory will also house fuselage production for Navy, Air Force, Marines, and international Osprey customers.

“The V-22 readiness program is our number one priority,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 Joint Program Manager. “The CC-RAM program is key in meeting our readiness goals and returning capable and reliable aircraft to Marine units around the world.”

Boeing employs approximately 4,600 people in Pennsylvania and supports 16,000 direct and indirect jobs in the commonwealth.

Coast Guard rescues 3, 1 dead after boat hits salmon pen in Port Angeles Harbor, Wash.

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Sector Field Office Port Angeles (archive).

SEATTLE​ — Coast Guard crews rescued two adults and one child after a 20-foot personal craft allided with a salmon pen resulting in the death of one adult male in Port Angeles Harbor, Tuesday night.

​

A Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles MH-65 rescue helicopter crew diverted from training Tuesday after observing a person on the boat attempting CPR on an unresponsive individual. The aircrew lowered a rescue swimmer, who then swam to the platform on the fish pier to assist with CPR.

​

A Coast Guard Station Port Angeles 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew embarked all four people from the boat and brought them to emergency medical technicians waiting at the pier at Station Port Angeles. The Port Angeles Police Department reported that one of the injured adults aboard the boat had been declared deceased. The salmon pens reportedly were not in use at the time the allision occurred.

​

The cause of the incident is under investigation by the Clallam County Marine Unit and the Port Angeles Police Department.

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Coast Guard searching for possible person in the water near Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class John Michelli (archive).

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard is searching for a possible person in the water in Bush Canal in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, Wednesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at approximately 12 p.m. of a vessel making way and without any passengers aboard.

A good Samaritan reported seeing the vessel earlier in the morning with a person aboard.

Involved in the search are:

- Coast Guard 24’ Special Purpose Craft - Shallow Water boat crew

- Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew

- Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office

- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

The cause of the incident is under investigation.​

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