Coast Guard responds to diesel discharge from semi-submerged tugboat in Oregon Inlet, North Carolina

The semi-submerged tugboat Miss Bonnie sits in the water after alliding with the Old Bonner Bridge and is responsible for the potential maximum discharge of 6,000 gallons of diesel, Nov. 18, 2019, in Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. The cause of the allision is currently under investigation. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet.

OREGON INLET, N.C. — The Coast Guard is responding to a discharge of diesel from a semi-submerged tugboat in the vicinity of the Old Bonner Bridge in Oregon Inlet, Monday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received the report of a sheen by a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet at approximately 10:00 a.m., which was reported to be leaking from the tugboat Miss Bonnie.

The tugboat allided with the Old Bonner Bridge on Nov. 17, 2019, at 11:09 a.m.

The maximum potential for the discharge is 6,000 gallons; however, it is estimated 3,000 gallons were onboard. The responsible party has deployed 200 feet of sorbent boom and 175 feet of containment boom around the vessel.

The responsible party is scheduled to deploy secondary ocean boom tomorrow, as well as conduct salvage operations once on-scene weather permits.

There have been no reports of impacts to wildlife at this time. The channel currently remains open to all vessel traffic.

The Coast Guard is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Scientific Support Coordinator to identify the most likely trajectory of the discharged diesel to determine necessary mitigation strategies for the preventative impact to environmentally sensitive areas.

Pictured is the diesel spill resulting from the semi-submerged tugboat Miss Bonnie, Nov. 18, 2019, in Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, which allided with the Old Bonner Bridge on Nov. 17, 2019. The cause of the allision is currently under investigation. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet.

“Protecting the marine environment is a top priority for the Coast Guard,” said Capt. Bion Stewart, commander of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. “We are overseeing the responsible party’s actions to mitigate environmental impacts resulting from the discharge and to remove the vessel when it is safe to do so.”

Involved in the response are:

• Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Marine Safety Detachment
• PCL Construction
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Scientific Support Coordinator
• North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
• National Parks Service

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.

-USCG-

Coast Guard assists disabled sailing vessel near Port O'Connor, Texas

A Coast Guard Station Port O'Connor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew arrives on scene to tow a disabled sailing vessel that was pushing against the north jetty in Port O'Connor, Texas, Oct. 22, 2019. No injuries were reported. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Port O'Connor.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard crews assisted a disabled sailing vessel pushing against the north jetty near Port O'Connor, Texas, Tuesday evening.

Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders received a report that the 45-foot sailing vessel Talon was disabled and pushing against the north jetty with two people aboard. 

Watchstanders diverted a Station Port O'Connor 29-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew and launched a Station Port O'Connor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew to the scene.

Once on scene, the crew of the RB-M towed the Talon to Caracol in Port O'Connor.

No injuries were reported. 

A Coast Guard Station Port O'Connor boarding team member conducts a boarding after towing a disabled sailing vessel to Caracol in Port O'Connor, Texas, Oct. 22, 2019. The sailing vessel contacted Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders after becoming disabled and pushing against the north jetty. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Port O'Connor.

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Coast Guard Cutter Dependable returns home after patrol in Caribbean Sea

The Coast Guard Cutter Dependable underway in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on patrol. 

U.S. Coast Guard photograph courtesy of Coast Guard Cutter Dependable (archive).

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The crew of the United States Coast Guard Cutter Dependable returned home after a 49-day patrol conducting counter-drug and migrant interdiction missions in the Caribbean Sea, Wednesday. 

The crew of the Dependable conducted two separate counter-narcotics boardings while tasked as a surface asset to Joint Interagency Task Force South. In total, the ship’s crew spent a combined 91 hours on counter-narcotics boardings, completed over 40 small boat sorties, and spent more than 647 hours ensuring that suspect vessels were in compliance with international laws.

The Dependable's crew sailed more than 7,500 nautical miles in the Caribbean Sea, and traveled as far south as Curacao and as far east as the Greater Antilles. During the voyage, the crew conducted over 100 drills in transit to maintain optimal readiness.

The Dependable is a 210-foot Reliance Class Medium-Endurance Cutter homeported in Virginia Beach. The crew conducts homeland security missions in the offshore waters of the Western Hemisphere, from New England to the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.

More information on the Dependable is available at http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/cgcDependable/.

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U.S. Coast Guard participates in international forum focused on Pacific maritime threats

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia – The United States participated Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 in the 20th meeting of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum (NPCGF) Summit in Vladivostok.

The annual event brings together delegations from the coast guards of Canada, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States. Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Area commander, was the head of the U.S. delegation. 

“Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, search and rescue, illegal drug trafficking and pollution response are just some of the critical issues we face as maritime nations,” said Fagan. “This multilateral forum is an excellent opportunity to discuss these shared challenges and to find ways to increase our effectiveness through cooperation.”

In effect since 2000, the NPCGF was established to foster multilateral cooperation related to combined operations, exchange of information, illegal drug trafficking, maritime security, fisheries enforcement, illegal migration and maritime domain awareness.  The forum includes numerous working groups, each focused on specific threat areas, which plan joint operations and major exercises. 

A priority goal of the NPCGF is the planning of next year’s Operation North Pacific Guard (NPG). NPG is a deployment each summer of vessels, aviation assets and personnel to help combat IUU fishing in the northern Pacific Ocean.

According to the UN, IUU fishing deprives the international economy of billions of dollars and undermines the livelihoods of legitimate fish harvesters around the world. It impacts food security, affecting millions of people, including many vulnerable coastal communities. Combatting global IUU fishing through international partnerships is a priority for the United States.

NPG 2019 was designed to conduct law enforcement operations in support of regional fisheries management organizations in the North Pacific Ocean. Through the NPCGF enforcement coordination process, partner nations contribute to the at-sea enforcement effort by providing surface patrols, air surveillance or both.

In support of NPG 2019, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, conducted an 80-day fisheries patrol. Coast Guard and Canadian fishery officers boarded 45 vessels and encountered violations ranging from improper gear to intentionally fishing for sharks without a license. Boarding officers also found evidence of illegal shark finning. Altogether, boarding teams detected 68 potential violations.

"Building and expanding partnerships is a priority for the United States Coast Guard and a strategic priority of our commandant, Adm. Schultz,” said Fagan, in her closing remarks. “To achieve this priority, we remain committed to this forum, as well as other multi-lateral forums and our respective bi-lateral relationships."

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Coast Guard Cutter Seneca to offload more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine in Miami

The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) crew underway on the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Sept. 22, 2018. The cutter Seneca is the sixth of thirteen 270' Famous Class medium endurance cutters in the United States Coast Guard fleet. Home ported in Boston's historic North End, SENECA moors within a short walk of such landmarks as the Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, USS CONSTITUTION, and TD Garden - Home of the Celtics and Bruins. 

U.S. Coast Guard Photo.

The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) crew is scheduled to offload more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine Friday at Coast Guard Sector Miami.

The drugs were interdicted in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America, including contraband seized and recovered in over a dozen interdictions of suspected drug smuggling vessels by U.S. Coast Guard cutters:

• The cutter Seneca was responsible for two cases, seizing approximately 2,800 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma (WMEC-908) was responsible for three interdictions seizing approximately 2,500 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL-757) was responsible for two cases, seizing approximately 5,700 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant (WMEC-621) was responsible for one case, seizing approximately 1,000 pounds of cocaine.

"These down range counter-drug operations are a vital component to the Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security's mission and our national security. These operations enable us to extend our maritime borders, weaken the economic engine of Transnational Criminal Organizations, contribute to enhancing stability and security across our partner nations within Central America, and they combat the drug epidemic within our local communities," said Cmdr. John Christensen, commanding officer of the cutter Seneca. "I am exceptionally proud of this crew.  Over the course of the last three months they rose above the challenges of conducting operations at sea, persevered through many personal sacrifices and showed an unwavering dedication to serving our nation."

The cutter Seneca’s crew along with those of the other ships conducted operations targeting transnational criminal organizations in conjunction with Joint Interagency Task Force-South, Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice, and a number of other Coast Guard aircraft. The cutter Seneca’s presence and efforts are critical to disrupting and dismantling the transnational criminal organizations that attempt to smuggle these drugs through the ocean and into Central and North America.

The cutter Seneca is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Boston. The cutter Tahoma is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Kittery, Maine. The cutter Midgett is a 418-foot national security cutter homeported in Honolulu. The cutter Valiant is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Jacksonville, Florida. 

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

-USCG-

Coast Guard to set Port Condition X-RAY for the ports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Tropical Storm Jerry

SAN JUAN – The Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan anticipates setting Port Condition X-RAY at 8 p.m. Wednesday for the ports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgins Islands due to the possibility of sustained gale force winds greater than 39 mph from Tropical Storm Jerry arriving to the area within 48 hours.

The Coast Guard strongly cautions the maritime community to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions as Tropical Storm Jerry approaches Eastern Caribbean waters.

During Port Condition X-RAY port facilities are currently open to all commercial traffic and all cargo transfer operations at Coast Guard regulated facilities may continue while X-RAY remains in effect.

All ocean-going commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons should make plans for departing the port no later than the setting of Port Condition YANKEE. Mariners are reminded there are no safe havens in these facilities, and ports are safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum.

Vessels desiring to remain in port must immediately contact the COTP to receive permission and are required to submit a safe mooring plan in writing. Vessels bound for the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico unable to depart 24 hours prior to threatening winds making landfall are advised to seek an alternate destination.

Recreational boaters are advised to seek safe harbor. Maritime and port facilities are reminded to review and update their heavy weather response plans and make any additional preparations needed to adequately prepare in case of a potential impact to the area. Mariners can view the latest port updates on the Coast Guard’s Homeport site for Sector San Juan.

The Coast Guard advises public and recreational boaters of safety messages:

Secure belongings.  Owners of large boats are urged to move their vessels to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or to sustaining damage. Trailer-able boats should be taken out of the water and stored in a place not prone to flooding.  Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to remove EPIRBs and to secure life rings, lifejackets and small boats. These items, if not properly secured, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources be diverted to ensure people are not in distress.

Stay clear of beaches. Wave heights and currents typically increase before a storm makes landfall. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by hurricanes.  Swimmers should stay clear of beaches until local lifeguards and law enforcement officials say the water is safe.

Be prepared. Area residents should be prepared by developing a family plan, creating a disaster supply kit, having a place to go, securing their home and having a plan for pets. Information can be found at the National Hurricane Center’s website.

Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of the storm through local television, radio and Internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF radio channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF radio channel 16.

For the latest forecast advisories and weather updates for Tropical Storm Jerry visit the National Hurricane Center website.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter.

-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, 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 aircrew, good Samaritan boat crew medevac injured vessel captain northeast of Biorka Island, Alaska

An Mh-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka medevacs an injured vessel captain after he reportedly lacerated several fingers aboard a fish processing vessel northeast of Biorka Island, Alaska, July 20, 2019. Good Samaritans aboard the charter fishing vessel North River assisted by transporting the captain from his vessel to a nearby shore where he was transferred to the Jayhawk crew. U.S. Coast Guard video courtesy of Air Station Sitka.

JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard aircrew and a good Samaritan boat crew medevaced a vessel captain after he was injured aboard a fish processing vessel northeast of Biorka Island, Saturday.

The MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka transported the captain from shore near the vessel to the air station, where they transferred him to Sitka Fire Department emergency medical services for further care.

At 10.18 a.m. Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a report from a vessel in the area that the captain of the fish processing vessel Northwind potentially severed several fingers. Around the same time the Jayhawk crew was conducting a training flight in the area, heard a request for help over VHF channel 16 and diverted to respond.

"It was great timing for everybody involved," said Lt. Justin Neal, co-pilot on the response. "We were maybe two minutes away and listening to channel 16 like we always do, somebody called out needing help and we were able to respond."

A good Samaritan crew aboard the charter fishing vessel North River took the captain from the Northwind onto their vessel, then transported him to shore where he was transferred to the Jayhawk crew that landed nearby.

"It was great that everybody was willing to help, and do what was required to get this person to a higher level of care," said Neal.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Kellen Browne (archive).

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Coast Guard medevacs man 12 miles east of Cumberland Island

A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew medevacs a man July 13, 2019, 12 miles east of Cumberland Island, Georgia. The Dolphin crew hoisted the man and transported him to UF Health Jacksonville after he was found unresponsive on his vessel by a good Samaritan. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Heron).

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Coast Guard medevaced a man Saturday 12 miles east of Cumberland Island, Georgia.

At 10:10 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville watchstanders received a report from a good Samaritan of an unresponsive male aboard another vessel.

A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and the Coast Guard Cutter Heron crew were diverted to assist.

The Dolphin crew arrived on scene, hoisted the man and transported him to UF Health Jacksonville.

The Heron crew began towing the vessel and handed it off to Nassau County Sheriff's Officewho continued to tow it to Dee Dee Bartels Public Boat Ramp.

For more breaking news follow us on​ Twitter.

-USCG-

Coast Guard, local partners searching for 2 men near Stoney Creek, Md.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jazmin Jenkins/22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (archive).

BALTIMORE — The Coast Guard and Maryland Natural Resources Police are searching for two men who went missing while crabbing in the vicinity of Stoney Creek Saturday evening.

A good Samaritan notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region’s command center at about 5 p.m. Saturday that they found a debris field in the water 300 yards off the Brandon Shores Power Plant.

The items found included empty beer cans, a throwable flotation device, a cooler with an I.D. inside and a gas can that appeared to have been snapped off a boat.​

An MNRP boat crew arrived on scene, joined by a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay shortly thereafter. After investigating the debris, both crews searched the vicinity for signs of people in distress.

Sector Maryland-National Capital Region watchstanders confirmed today that two people associated with the I.D. in the debris field did in fact go crabbing yesterday.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, joined the search efforts this morning. Another RB-M crew from Station Curtis Bay is currently searching the Stoney Creek, Rock Creek and North Beach areas. An MNRP crew is presently searching as well.​

Anyone with additional information regarding this case should contact the Sector Maryland-National Capital Region command center on VHF-FM channel 16 or at 410-576-2693.

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-USCG-

Coast Guard Cutter Dependable returns to homeport after 62-day patrol

USCG Cutter Dependable.
U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Cutter Dependable (archive).

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Dependable returned to Little Creek, Virginia, after completing a 62-day Mid-Atlantic fisheries patrol, Saturday.

From New Jersey to South Carolina, the Dependable’s boarding teams conducted 39 boardings, and inspected the catch, gear and lifesaving equipment of U.S. fishing vessels to ensure they met all required federal laws and regulations.

During the patrol, the Dependable’s boarding team members adeptly identified a variety of lifesaving equipment concerns on board several commercial and recreational fishing vessels. The boarding team members helped those mariners fix their issues on the spot, and educated them on the importance of maintaining their equipment.

“Living marine resource patrols are vital to ensuring the continued stability of the multi-billion dollar U.S. seafood industry, as well as the stewardship and sustainability of living marine resources, such as fish, turtles and marine protected species,” said Cmdr. Rula Deisher, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Dependable. “Our boarding team members ensured that the mariners’ safety and fishing gear were fully operational, and that they were operating within U.S. fishing regulations. We enjoyed the opportunity to serve the public so close to our homeport.”

The Dependable is a 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter homeported in Little Creek, and routinely deploys in support of counter-drug and alien migrant interdiction, living marine resources and search and rescue missions.

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