California-based Coast Guard cutter returns home after 164-day, 32,000 nautical-mile patrol to the Western Pacific

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The crew aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) returned Tuesday to their homeport of Alameda following a 164-day deployment to the Western Pacific.

The crew steamed nearly 32,000 nautical miles since they​ departed Alameda​ Jan. 20 amidst the partial-government shutdown.

Under the tactical control of commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, the crew patrolled and conducted operations as directed including enforcing United Nations Security Council Resolution Sanctions​ against North Korea by monitoring and gathering intelligence on vessels conducting ship-to-ship transfers in the East China, South China and Yellow Seas.

Bertholf’s crew made history March 24-25 as the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to transit the Taiwan Strait.

Bertholf’s crew engaged in professional exchanges, community relations events and capacity-building exercises with navies and coast guards in Japan, South Korea and thePhilippines,​ including at-sea joint​ search-and-rescue and interdiction exercises.

Bertholf also made a multi-day port call to Hong Kong, marking the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the city in 17 years.

The U.S. Coast Guard has an enduring role in the Indo-Pacific, going back over 150 years. The service’s ongoing deployment of resources directly supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.

A family waits for the arrival of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf July 2, 2019, at Coast Guard Base Alameda, California. The crew of the Bertholf left Jan. 20 for a patrol in the Western Pacific where they patrolled and enforced United Nations Security Council Resolution Sanctions against North Korea by monitoring and gathering intelligence on vessels conducting ship-to-ship transfers in the East China, South China and Yellow Seas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi).

“The U.S. Coast Guard is proud to operate with our Pacific counterparts, and together we are dedicated to enhancing our capabilities and strengthening maritime governance and security while promoting individual sovereignty,” said Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Area.

Commissioned in 2008, Bertholf is the first of the Coast Guard’s legend class national security cutters and the first national security cutter to deploy to the Western Pacific. Alameda-based U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton departed June 5 for a months-long Western Pacific deployment.

These technologically-advanced ships are 418-feet long, 54-feet wide, and have a 4,600 long-ton displacement. They have a top speed in excess of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, endurance of up to 90 days and can accommodate a crew of up to 170.

National security cutters feature advanced command-and-control capabilities, aviation support facilities, stern cutter boat launch and increased endurance for long-range patrols to disrupt threats to national security further offshore.

The Coast Guard is scheduled to commission its seventh and eighth national security cutters, the Coast Guard Cutters​ Kimball (WMSL 756) and Midgett (WMSL 757) in August. Both cutters will be homeported in Honolulu and will enhance the Coast Guard’s presence throughout the Indo-Pacific.

"The U.S. Coast Guard's unique authorities, capabilities, and missions make us the maritime safety and security partner of choice for sea-going countries around the world,” Fagan said. “Our increased presence throughout the Indo-Pacific will enhance regional stability and improve maritime governance and security.”​

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El Guardacostas de Islandia actualiza su flota de L1 a los helicópteros de la familia Super Puma más grandes, el Airbus H225

Reykjavik , Airbus Helicopters y la Guardia Costera de Islandia (ICG) están colaborando estrechamente con la entrada en servicio de dos helicópteros pesados ​​de búsqueda y rescate (SAR) Airbus H225 como el primer paso en la renovación de la flota de helicópteros de la Agencia.

Estas aeronaves reemplazan a dos de los tres AS332 L1 actuales en el ICG, el primero de los cuales entró en servicio en 1995. Estos son fletados en régimen de alquiler a la compañía Knut Axel Ugland Holding AS, y ambos estarán en servicio a finales de este mes de abril de 2019. 

Airbus Helicopters se está ocupando de la formación a pilotos y técnicos sobre las características del H225, así como mantenimiento y soporte continuos bajo contrato HCare Smart Parts By the Hour.

Bimotor, de la clase de 11 toneladas, el H225 es el miembro más reciente de la familia Super Puma de Airbus Helicopters, su mayor potencia motriz le proporciona un vuelo más suave y mejor rendimiento en general  frente al AS332 L1.

Equipado con instrumentación electrónica digital y un sistema de piloto automático de 4 ejes, el H225 ofrece una resistencia excepcional y una elevada velocidad de crucero, además puede ser equipado con una amplia gama de equipos SAR. 

Operado por dos pilotos, se puede configurar con hasta 18 asientos o seis camillas.

El H225 y el H225M militar son puntos de referencia en SAR y CSAR, son operados por 20 países de todo el mundo.

El comandante Sindri Steingrimsson, Director de Operaciones de Vuelo en el ICG: “La experiencia con nuestra actual flota de Super Pumas ha sido excelente a lo largo de los años. En general, han hecho un trabajo fantástico para nosotros aquí en la Guardia Costera Islandesa, en algunas de las condiciones más difíciles para las operaciones SAR en todo el mundo. Esperamos que los nuevos Super Puma añadan un gran valor a la seguridad de nuestras misiones, aumentando la capacidad, fiabilidad y, al mismo tiempo, modernicen nuestros estándares tecnológicos para satisfacer todas las necesidades actuales".

La foto adjunta muestra uno de los nuevos helicópteros alquilados.

El Ministerio de Transporte de China selecciona el H175 para las operaciones de búsqueda y rescate (SAR)

Atlanta, la Oficina de Rescate y Salvamento (CRS) del Ministerio de Transporte (MOT) de China está ampliando su flota de helicópteros de búsqueda y rescate de clase media con el Airbus H175, comenzando con una firma para dos aeronaves en configuración para búsqueda y rescate (SAR).

Estos nuevos H175 realizarán misiones SAR en una de las áreas de tráfico marítimo más transitadas del mundo (7 de los 10 puertos de contenedores más activos del globo se encuentran en China), así como en otras zonas importantes como el Mar de Bohai y el Mar Amarillo. Estas aguas con gran volumen de tráfico representan un entorno operativo muy exigente donde los pilotos deben estar siempre preparados para lo inesperado. La configuración SAR del H175 fue elegida por su largo alcance, resistente cabina altamente flexible, y por el sistema de aviónica Helionix, que facilita la descarga de trabajo del piloto y mejora el conocimiento de la situación espacial y estado general de la aeronave.

El MOT/CRS ha sido uno de los clientes más importantes de Airbus en China a lo largo de más de 10 años, hoy en día vuela cuatro H225 operados cuatro bases aéreas principales a lo largo de la costa de China: Shanghai, Penglai, Xiamen y Zhuhai. Esta selección de la versión H175 SAR sigue a la del Servicio de Vuelo del Gobierno (GFS) de Hong Kong, que recibió la primera configuración multiservicio, que incluye la configuración SAR, en junio de 2018.

"El H175 está demostrando su lugar como activo de confianza para las misiones de búsqueda y rescate offshore, como lo vemos hoy en China", Bruno Even, CEO de Airbus Helicopters. "Gracias a la confianza continua del MOT/CRS en Airbus, y nuestra estrecha asociación con la Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), el H175 ayudará a las tripulaciones de rescate a salvar más vidas y embarcaciones en peligro en sus costas".

El H175 está preparado para realizar una amplia gama de misiones enfocadas a los servicios públicos como búsqueda y rescate (SAR), servicios médicos de emergencia (EMS), policiales y de vigilancia, extinción de incendios así como operaciones de control de fronteras terrestres y marítimas. Se ofrece con más de 20 configuraciones de cabina, totalmente certificadas, que se pueden reconfigurar fácilmente según los requisitos de la misión. El H175 se concibió desde el principio para ofrecer los más altos niveles de seguridad en todos los modos de vuelo, así como el más alto rendimiento en el rango de helicópteros súper-medios. Comparte con el H135, H145 y H160 la suite de aviónica Helionix, que refuerza las capacidades de búsqueda y rescate de la máquina.

Hoy en día, el H175 está en funcionamiento en los Países Bajos, el Reino Unido, Dinamarca, Tailandia, Australia, México y Hong Kong, China.

Safran signs by-the-hour support contracts with Icelandic Coast Guard covering Makila engines

Safran Helicopter Engines has signed Support-By-Hour (SBH®) contracts with Icelandic Coast Guard, covering two H225. This contract formalizes a five year Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) agreement supporting a total of 4 Makila 2A1 engines.  

Commented Höskuldur Ólafsson, Icelandic Coast Guard, Helicopter Director Maintenance: “With this contract, we will benefit from a the best engine-support for our Makila engines. We are delighted to have Safran on our side during our missions”.  

Olivier Le Merrer, Safran Helicopter Engines EVP Support & Services, said: “We are extremely proud  to provide this support solution to Icelandic Coast Guard for their H225 helicopters. We will deliver world-class services to guarantee the availability of their engines during their missions.”  

This contract will be managed by Safran Helicopter Engines Germany, which supports more than 280 operators flying in Germany, Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia.

The Icelandic Coast Guard (ICG) is a civilian law enforcement agency that is responsible for search and rescue, maritime safety and security surveillance, and law enforcement in the seas surrounding Iceland. It will operate two H225 owned by Knut Axel Ugland Holding AS, by March 2019.  

SBH® is Safran Helicopter Engines maintenance-by-the-hour service. It makes engine operating costs predictable, eliminate cash peaks, allow flexibility for scheduled and unscheduled MRO coverage. It now covers 40% of Safran Helicopter Engines customer turbines’ flying hours.  

SBH® is part of EngineLife® Services, Safran’s range of solutions for helicopter engines. 

Coast Guard medevacs man from fishing vessel Kari Marie 201 miles north of St. Paul, Alaska

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, forward-deployed to St. Paul, approaches the fishing vessel Kari Marie to medevac a man from it, approximately 201 miles north of St. Paul, Alaska, Feb. 18, 2019. Forward-operating locations follow the fishing fleet throughout the year to reduce response times for search and rescue cases when the call comes in. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

KODIAK, Alaska - A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, forward-deployed to St. Paul, medevaced a man from the fishing vessel Kari Marie approximately 201 miles north of St. Paul, Alaska, Monday.​

District 17 Command Center watchstanders received notification from the fishing vessel Pacific Mariner. They were relaying communications for the fishing vessel Kari Marie for a crew member that was reported to have suffered a compound fracture while aboard the vessel.

District personnel directed the launch of a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Forward-Operating Location St. Paul to conduct the medevac. They also diverted an Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules aircrew to provide communication coverage for the case.​

The man was transported to local emergency medical services personnel in St. Paul and was reported to have been in stable condition.

“Being forward-deployed in St. Paul allowed us to significantly reduce the response time to assist this mariner,” said Lt. Kevin Riley, the aircraft commander for this case.“We hope he makes a rapid and full recovery.”

On-scene weather was 4-foot seas, overcast skies, and an air temperature of 34 degrees with calm winds.​

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Coast Guard medevacs man from fishing vessel 40 miles north of Cold Bay, Alaska

MH-60 Jayhawk USCG Air Station Kodiak ©Lt. Daniel Beshoar (archive)

KODIAK, Alaska – A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew, forward-deployed to Cold Bay, medevaced a 35-year-old man from the 305-foot fishing vessel Golden Alaska, 40 miles north of Cold Bay, Alaska, Wednesday morning.

​

The Jayhawk aircrew launched, conducted the medevac from the Golden Alaska and safely transported the man to the Cold Bay clinic. He was reported to have been in stable condition upon transfer.

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At 10:54 p.m., Tuesday, Coast Guard 17th District Command Center watchstanders received notification from Health Force Partners requesting a medevac for a man aboard the Golden Alaska who was reported to have been suffering from severe leg pain. The watchstanders directed the launch of the Cold Bay aircrew to conduct the medevac.

​

“Our forward operating locations are critical to mission success in Alaska,” said Lt. Jeff Mistrick, a Jayhawk pilot on the medevac. “Alaska has more than 47,300 miles of shoreline and encompasses more than 3.8 million square miles of land that we are responsible for covering. Had it not been for our close proximity to this man, we may not have been able to hoist him as quickly as we did.”

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A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew is forward-deployed to Cold Bay during the Alaska winter fisheries season in efforts to reduce response times for search and rescue cases.

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On-scene weather was 12 mph winds, 2 to 3-foot seas with 12 miles visibility.

​

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Coast Guard medevacs cruise ship passenger 55 miles east of Savannah

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Savannah hoists an 80-year-old woman Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, after she suffered a head injury after falling on board the cruise ship Carnival Ecstasy 55 miles east of Savannah, Georgia. The woman was transported to the Memorial University Medical Center Savannah. (U.S. Coast Guard video courtesy of Air Station Savannah)

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard medevaced an 80-year old woman Sunday 55-miles east of Savannah, Georgia.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston Command Center watchstanders received a call at 9:15 p.m. from the cruise ship Carnival Ecstasy stating a passenger suffered a head injury after falling and was in need of medical attention.

A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew launched to assist.

The Dolphin crew rendezvoused with the vessel, hoisted the woman with a nurse and transported them to Memorial University Medical Center Savannah at 10:20 p.m.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter.

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Sector Columbia River aircrew rescues two surfers near Indian Beach, Ore.

An aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River rescues two surfers trapped in a cove near Indian Beach, Ore., Jan.12, 2019.

The surfers declined medical attention and were released after landing back at the Sector's base.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Sector Columbia River.

WARRENTON, Ore. — The Coast Guard rescued two surfers in distress near Indian Beach, just north of Cannon Beach, Saturday afternoon.

An aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Sector Columbia River safely completed two hoists and transported the surfers to the Sector in Warrenton where they declined medical care and were released.

Watchstanders at the Sector Columbia River Command Center received the distress notification from Seaside 911 dispatch at 11:47 a.m., and immediately directed the launch of the aircrew and a boat crew from Station Cape Disappointment.

Both surfers were pushed by the surf into a nearby cliffside cove. The aircrew arrived on scene at around 12:15 p.m where they conducted 150-foot hoists to get the surfers to safety. The hoists were completed at 12:35 p.m. and dropped the surfers off at about 12:45.

The Station Cape Disappointment boat crew returned to base before arriving on scene.

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Coast Guard, local agencies search for two people aboard overdue vessel near Mobile Bay, Alabama

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard and local agencies are searching for two people aboard an overdue vessel in Mobile Bay, Alabama, Wednesday.

Missing are two mens, with 85-years-old and 40-years-old.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report at 6:30 p.m. of an overdue 22-foot white Jon boat with both men aboard.

A family member of one of the two men reported the men were planning to fish between the Theodore Ship Channel and Gaillard Island Tuesday evening and were supposed to return by 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Involved in the search is:

- Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter air crew

- Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew

- Mobile County Sheriff’s Flotilla

- Daphne Search and Rescue

- Mobile Police Department

- Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry air crew

- Alabama Marine Resources

Anyone with information about the two men and overdue vessel is requested to contact Coast Guard Sector Mobile at (251) 441-6211.

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Coast Guard suspends search for missing kayaker near San Luis Pass, Texas

HOUSTON — The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a missing kayaker near San Luis Pass, Texas, Friday evening. 

An extensive 41-hour search was conducted covering an area of 2,638 square miles.

Involved in the search were: 

• An Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew
• A Station Freeport 45-foot Response Boat–Medium boat crew
• A Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew
• The Coast Guard Cutter Beluga 
• Galveston Island Police Department 
• Galveston Island Beach Patrol 

"It's always an incredibly difficult decision to suspend a search," said Lt. Mike Hart, Sector Houston-Galveston command duty officer. "We have to consider all the factors involved in the case, and we never make the decision lightly. Our condolences go out to Mr. Ferguson's family and friends."

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a call from the wife of the missing kayaker after he failed to contact her Wednesday. She also reported that Galveston Beach Patrol had found his truck locked, but without the kayak.

Anyone with information on the missing kayaker can contact the Sector Houston-Galveston Command Center at 281-464-4853. 

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Coast Guard rescues 81-year-old man near Hilton Head Island

MH-65 Dolphin Air Station Savannah ©USCG (archive)

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard rescued a man Monday after his jet ski became grounded near Hilton Head Island.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston Command Center watchstanders received a call at 7:51 p.m. from Sea Tow stating a man had grounded his jet ski near Skull Creek. Sea Tow attempted to reach the man but were unable due to water depth and puff mud and requested Coast Guard assistance.

A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched to assist at 8:21 p.m.

The Dolphin crew arrived on scene at 8:55 p.m., hoisted the man and transported him to Hilton Head Airport with no medical concerns.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Coast Guard, good Samaritan search for 2 missing fishermen near Block Island, RI

MH-60 Jayhawk Air Station Cape Cod ©USCG (archive)

BOSTON — The Coast Guard along with a good Samaritan are searching for two missing fishermen after the fishing boat Mistress capsized Tuesday morning off Block Island, Rhode Island.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. the captain of the Mistress issued a mayday call stating the boat was taking on water near the Block Island Wind Farm.

The fishing boat Captain Bligh was nearby and responded to the scene first. The crew of the Captain Bligh rescued one fisherman and reported that the Mistress had capsized, and two fishermen were missing.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod arrived on scene and began searching but encountered low visibility and unsafe weather conditions and was forced to return to base.

A 45-foot response boat from Station Point Judith also launched but was forced to turn around due to weather.

The 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Sanibel and a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Montauk are en route to scene.

The winds were reported to be 30 to 35 knots and the seas 10 feet.

The Captain Bligh has remained on scene.

The Mistress is homeported out of Point Judith, Rhode Island.

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Coast Guard searching for missing cruise ship crewmember 267 miles northwest of Puerto Rico

HC-130, Clearwater ©USCG (archive)

MIAMI — The Coast Guard is searchingWednesday for a missing crewmember, who went overboard from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Harmony of the Seas 267 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a notification from the cruise ship stating a crewmember went overboard Tuesday.

Assets searching:

• A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules airplane crew
• The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute (WMEC-620)

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

-USCG-

Anatomía de la operación SAR: EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

Vídeo del US Coast Guard, Suboficial de 2ª clase Corinne Zilnicki.

El teniente Daniel Dunn y el suboficial Travis Unser del US Coast Guard, observadores en el 5° District Command Center en Portsmouth (Virginia), y el teniente Tyler Monez, piloto de uno de los helicópteros MH-60 Jayhawk de la USCG Air Station Elizabeth City (Carolina del Norte), subrayan la importancia del uso y registro adecuado de las radiobalizas.

El Guardacostas norteamericano respondió a más de 700 alertas falsas de las EPIRB a lo largo de este 2018, e insta a todos los propietarios de balizas a registrar correctamente sus dispositivos con la NOAA.

PORTSMOUTH, Virginia. Después de responder a más de 700 falsas alarmas en 2018, el Guardacostas comunica a cualquier persona que pueda necesitar en algún momento el envío de su posición ante una emergencia que registre su radiobaliza correctamente siguiendo los trámites establecidos al efecto.

Una EPIRB es un dispositivo que transmite una señal de socorro al sistema Cospas-Sarsat. Éste es un programa internacional de carácter humanitario dedicado a la búsqueda y salvamento de personas en situaciones de peligro en cualquier parte del mundo.

Cospas-Sarsat (Cosmicheskaya Sistema Poiska Avariynyh Sudov, cuyo significado es Sistema Espacial para la Búsqueda en Emergencia, y SARSAT es acrónimo de de Search And Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking), utiliza una red satelital para detectar y localizar las señales emitidas por las radiobalizas instaladas en embarcaciones, aeronaves, balsas salvavidas y portátiles.

El objetivo es dar apoyo a todas las organizaciones existentes en el mundo con responsabilidad SAR (Search And Rescue), en operaciones de búsqueda y rescate, tanto en mar, aire o tierra, con el fin de reducir los tiempos para detectar y localizar a las personas en peligro.

Estos satélites transmiten la señal a una red de unidades terrestres, éstas al USCG y otras unidades de emergencia, al igual que ocurre en los servicios SAR competentes en cada país, según dónde se produzca la emergencia.

Los armadores de barcos pesqueros, buques de pasajeros que transporten a seis o más personas, y buques comerciales están legalmente obligados a llevar EPIRB. Sin embargo el USCG recomienda que todo marinero que navegue en alta mar lleve también una radiobaliza portátil.

La Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC) requiere que todos los propietarios de EPIRB registren sus balizas en la NOAA, y mantengan la información de registro actualizada.

En Estados Unidos si se activa una baliza no registrada, la FCC puede iniciar el procesamiento del propietario basándose en las pruebas que serán proporcionadas por el Guardacostas; emitirá notificaciones de advertencia y avisos de responsabilidad con multas que ascienden hasta los 10.000 $.

El personal del USCG sólo pudo comunicarse con 163 de los más de 700 propietarios de EPIRB para determinar la causa de las falsas alertas debido a que el resto no había registrado sus balizas, actualizado su información de registro o incluso las habían eliminado de forma incorrecta.

"Manejamos las alertas de las EPIRB bajo un sesgo de acción", Teniente Daniel Dunn, uno de los oficiales del 5° Coast Guard District's Command Center, "Tenemos que tratarlas como llamadas de socorro reales hasta que podamos cerciorarnos con toda seguridad de lo contrario".

Cuando los vigías de los Guardacostas reciben una alerta EPIRB y no pueden rastrear al propietario debido a la falta de información de registro, o bien ésta está desactualizada, inmediatamente movilizan y envían equipos de aeronaves y embarcaciones para buscar en el área signos de que la emergencia es real.

Cuesta aproximadamente 15.000 $ por hora volar un avión HC-130 Hercules, 10.000 $ por hora de vuelo para un helicóptero MH-60 Jayhawk y 5.000 $ por hora la operación con un bote de pequeño tamaño del US Coast Guard.

"Si la gente utilizara este sistema de la forma adecuada se resolverían muchas de las incógnitas que envuelven una misión búsqueda y rescate", Teniente Daniel Dunn. "Las EPIRB no registradas dan como resultado una enorme pérdida de tiempo, dinero y un mal uso de los recursos que podrían utilizarse para salvar la vida de alguien que sí lo necesita".