In The News - 2008

Coast Guard Gets Expanded Budget for Fiscal 2009

Posted: 28 Oct 2008 02:45 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

By Navy Seaman William Selby WASHINGTON – The Coast Guard received a large budget increase for fiscal 2009 as part of the Consolidated Security Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act, a senior Coast Guard officer said last week. “In our operating expenses account and appropriation, we were appropriated $43.6 million to enhance maritime safety, security, and stewardship,” Coast Guard Rear Adm. Keith Taylor, assistant commandant for resources and chief financial officer, said to online journalists during a teleconference Oct. 24. Taylor said the money will allow the Coast Guard to hire about 500 new maritime inspectors, maritime investigators, and boat crew and boarding team members. The funding also will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to manage rule-making projects and provide for training and support, he said. “There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of maritime trade over the last 10 years, as well as the use of our maritime transportation system,” Taylor said. “This growth in this area will allow us to add capacity, to meet the requirements that we have, and begin to address the shortfalls that we have in this area.” In addition to maritime support, he said, the budget addresses Coast Guard requirements in other areas including inspection, command and control, and intelligence. To fulfill inspection requirements for the U.S. towing-vessel fleet, Taylor said, the Coast Guard has increased its capacity to provide armed-boat escorts and to carry out security boardings. The service also is enhancing its ability to test contingency plans that address environmental hazards in the port and coastal regions, he added. “It’s allowing us to … continue to beat all the mission demands we have across all threats and all hazards,” the admiral said. “It’s allowing us to keep critical acquisition projects on track, and being able to continue to deliver new assets to the men and women of the Coast Guard, so they can meet mission demands.” The Coast Guard received $38.1 million to help the Coast Guard establish comprehensive intelligence and awareness regimens. The funds will provide 100 more positions and enhance cryptologic service groups, which provide intelligence and maritime domain awareness efforts, he said. The Coast Guard also plans to add more than 200 “watch standers” at command centers nationwide, Taylor said, to improve situational awareness and monitor the new rescue circuits. Taylor said the increased budget will allow the Coast Guard to keep critical projects on schedule and meet mission demands. Navy Seaman William Selby serves in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.

Deadline for new port security measures approaching

Posted: 07 Oct 2008 02:45 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

BOSTON - The Coast Guard is set to enforce new security measures at port facilities in New England Oct. 15, 2008, as mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act and the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act. Regulations require that all personnel needing unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA regulated facilities carry Transportation Worker Identification Credentials as an additional means of security in America’s ports. To obtain TWIC, an individual must provide biographic and biometric information such as fingerprints, sit for a digital photograph, and successfully pass a TSA security threat assessment. They will be required to present the credentials for unescorted access to secure areas of facilities. Since Jan. 25, 2007, Coast Guard captains of the port in the Northern New England, Boston and Southeastern New England zones have been working with port facilities in an effort to make the transition to the new requirements as seamless as possible. Owners and operators of the facilities in these zones must comply by Oct. 15, 2008. “Coast Guard personnel have collaborated with TSA, facility owners and operators, as well as truckers, vendors, contractors and other port stakeholders to ensure they are working toward compliance,” said Capt. Liam Slein , chief of the Coast Guard First District prevention department. “Our goal is to ensure the safe and secure flow of commerce through these port facilities as this new security measure is added.” The Coast Guard will conduct routine announced and unannounced spot checks to ensure that owners and operators of MTSA regulated facilities are complying with the applicable TWIC regulations. Owners and operators of facilities may provide escorts to secure areas for individuals who do not yet have a TWIC. To learn where and how to enroll, call the TWIC enrollment hotline at 1-866-347-8942 or go to the Web site www.tsa.gov/twic.

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Boaters off San Pedro

Posted: 03 Oct 2008 03:45 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

SAN PEDRO - After a two-day search that covered more than 300 square miles south of the entrance to the Port of Los Angeles, the Coast Guard has suspended its efforts to find the missing boaters. Responders recovered pieces of debris of an accident that likely happened shortly after midnight on October 2. Henry Sanchez, 51, and Penny Avila, 48, were reported to be aboard a 26-foot pleasure craft bound for Santa Catalina Island. Debris included a California vessel number that matches the vessel Sanchez and Avila were reportedly aboard. “The hearts and prayers of the Coast Guard go out to the families of those involved in this tragic time,” said Captain Paul Wiedenhoeft, the Commander of Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. If any new information becomes available, search and rescue efforts may resume. Partner agencies are conducting sonar searches of the bottom to assist with the on going investigation.

Coast Guard Captain of the Port orders vessels out of IHNC

Posted: 07 Sep 2008 09:05 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port here has ordered the immediate removal of all vessels moored in the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal (IHNC) in anticipation of Hurricane Ike’s possible landfall in the region. Two separate orders were issued as preemptive measures to prevent damage to bridges or other structures in or neighboring the navigable waters of the IHNC. One order was issued Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, to Southern Scrap Recycling, where numerous barges and vessels broke their moorings along the turning basin just north of the Florida Avenue Bridge during Hurricane Gustav. The order specifically states “in that your company has not shown the ability to follow your Heavy Weather Protection Plan as hurricanes approach this Port, I am requiring that all floating vessels at your facility, and those that you own, be moved completely out of the IHNC, turning basin, and intracoastal waterway in vicinity of the IHNC during Hurricane season.” Many of the vessels, including three decommissioned ex-Navy vessels, drifted north and west and ran aground on the north and west sides of the turning basin. The federal levee flood protection system in the turning basin was not impacted and no vessels entered into the southern section of the IHNC, which was the primary source of flooding for the Ninth Ward during Hurricane Katrina. The second order was issued Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, to all other facilities within the IHNC turning basin and the IHNC section north of the turning basin to protect the bridges in this section of the IHNC. This order was issued due to the strong surge currents pushing water out of the turning basin north toward Lake Ponchartrain. This order is applicable as hurricanes approach the region. “Both orders are necessary to help protect the City of New Orleans and to prevent disruptions to the maritime transportation system,” said Capt. Lincoln Stroh, commander of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans and designated Captain of the Port. One of the changes made to the Coast Guard’s heavy weather plan as a result of Katrina was the removal of commercial vessels from the southern section of the IHNC, which was strictly enforced for Hurricane Gustav. These new orders go another step further and remove all vessels from all sections of the IHNC. “Having any vessel adrift during a storm is a concern and problem we take extremely seriously,” said Stroh. “Every storm we face produces its own set of circumstances that impact our waterways. Our responsibility to the citizens of New Orleans and the maritime industry is to be vigilant in preparation for storms and vigilant in response after the storm.”

Training Center Petaluma Civilian Employee Honored with National Award

Posted: 13 August 2008 10:13 AM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

PETALUMA, Calif. - A Rohnert Park woman has been named the Coast Guard’s top civilian employee of 2007. Mrs. Lena M. Gavello, an education specialist and assistant director for the Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma’s Child Development Center (CDC), received the award from the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Thad Allen. Gavello has worked for the Coast Guard for seven years as a child care teacher and became CDC’s assistant director in April 2006. “Her outstanding performance of duties and responsibilities during the extended absence of the CDC Director last year was truly remarkable,” said Capt. Brian Marvin, commanding officer of the training center located near Two Rock, seven miles west of Petaluma. “She stepped in as the CDC Director and performed responsibilities well above her pay grade while still performing all her own job duties in an outstanding manner,” he said. The “Civilian of the Year” award is presented each year to an employee who demonstrates outstanding leadership, achievements in job responsibilities and exemplifies Coast Guard Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. Gavello was selected from employees from around the nation nominated by their commands. She received a crystal plaque, gifts certificates from sponsors, a Coast Guard gold watch and a monetary cash award. Among her award winning accomplishments were managing special needs services for children, coordinating a new standard operating procedure manual for the CDC, and ensuring compliance with the California Child Food Program and the National Association for the Education of Young Children standards. “It’s no surprise to me that Lena was selected,” said Larry Streeter, Gavello’s supervisor and director of the training center’s Morale, Well-being and Recreation program. “I nominated her because of her strong leadership skills and her demonstration of the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty. She immerses herself in the CDC operations to ensure that the mission of serving children and parents is accomplished to the highest possible level. Her outstanding and incredible service moved the CDC staff to continue in a spirit of teamwork and dedication to the kids,” he said. Training Center Petaluma graduates 4,000 students a year supplying the Coast Guard with proud new Chiefs, cooks, medics, storekeepers, yeomen, as well as information technology, electronics, and operations specialists.

Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma Welcomes New Commanding Officer

Posted: 08 Aug 2008 04:32 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

PETALUMA, Calif. – Capt. Christopher J. Hall relieved Capt. Brian J. Marvin as the new commanding officer of Training Center Petaluma today at 10:00 a.m. Capt. Marvin’s four-year command assignment was the longest period that any Army or Coast Guard Commanding Officer has ever served at “Two Rock” in its 65-year history. Accomplishments during the past four years include the training of 18,000 sailors and establishment a state-of-the-art training facility for crews manning the Coast Guard’s newest cutters. During his tour, the training center continued it strong commitment to the community, supplying countless volunteers to many local non-profit organizations, including Rebuilding Petaluma and the Petaluma COTS program, and supporting local elementary schools with mentorship and tutoring. The Training Center Fire Department responded to over 400 vehicle accidents, fires, and other emergencies in the Two Rock area, and was part of Sonoma County’s strike teams sent to wildfires throughout California. Capt. Marvin’s next assignment is in Alameda, Calif., where he will help establish a Forces Command which will support the readiness of the Coast Guard and help manage all Coast Guard Training Centers nation-wide. Capt. Marvin will reside in Petaluma. Capt. Hall is coming from Washington, D.C., where he was the Chief of the Office of Search and Rescue at Coast Guard Headquarters. His previous experience includes tours in the White House and as a pilot in San Diego and Washington, D.C., Capt. Hall will reside on base. Rear Adm. Daniel May, U.S. Coast Guard Director of Reserve and Training, presided over the ceremony. Invited guests included training center instructional and support staff and state and local officials.

Coast Guard and LA County Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Posted: 11 Jul 2008 04:53 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

San Pedro, Calif. (PADET LA) - The U.S. Coast Guard and Los Angeles County Fire Department (LAFD)/Life Guard signed a Memorandum of Understanding (OMU) this morning. The memorandum is a document of agreement for the exchange of emergency medical and rescue services between the two agencies. The MOU started out as a two-page document and was in the making before Sept. 11 according to Mike Frazer, Chief Lifeguard Services of the County of LA. This signing memorializes this partnership, and it’s going to legitimize what we’ve already been doing. The Coast Guard has an 87-foot patrol boat the Coast Guard cutter Halibut stationed in Marina Del Ray, Calif. Just last month, the two agencies recently worked together to transfer a Catalina Island resident suffering from major medical problems to a local hospital. “It’s (the memorandum signing) an opportunity to add to and strengthen the relationship we already had,” said Captain Paul E. Wiedenhoeft, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. “They (LAFD/Life Guard) have been amazing day-to-day partners.” “The partnership makes both agencies better and generally improves our services to the people of Southern California,” said Captain John Long, Coast Guard District Eleven Chief of Staff.

Canadian and U.S. forces team up with Frontier Sentinel

Posted: 03 Jun 2008 04:53 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

NORFOLK, Va. - Approximately 3,000 personnel from Canadian and U.S. military forces and government civilian agencies will participate in the full-scale training exercise Frontier Sentinel (EX FS 08-2), which will focus on maritime homeland security from June 9-13, 2008. The exercise will take place in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire. “This exercise tests and validates the ability of U.S. forces, Canadian forces, and civilian agencies to work together to our mutual benefit,” said the Exercise Director, Capt. Christian Haugen. “We have plans and procedures in place — with Frontier Sentinel, we can see what works, and what needs polishing. As a result, we strengthen our ability as allies to protect and defend North America as a whole.” The purpose of the Frontier Sentinel exercise series is to exercise coordinated planning and response to maritime threats to North America. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Second Fleet, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Customs and Border Protection and Joint Task Force Atlantic (Canadian East Coast Forces), make up the core group of operational commanders responsible for Maritime Homeland Security and Defense on the East Coast. Frontier Sentinel 08-2 is the fifth exercise in the series. The scenario for this exercise involves an underwater mine explosion located near Portsmouth, N.H. It involves the coordinated detection, assessment and response to a maritime security threat to Canada and the U.S. “When making decisions as a unified command, we need to ensure that all agencies involved are mentally and operationally aligned,” said Capt. James E. Rendon, commander of the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, and Captain of the Port for the region. The Frontier Sentinel exercise’s objective is to practice, evaluate, and recommend improvements for multi-agency responses to maritime security threats with a focus on underwater mine detection and countermeasures. Exercise planners chose this area because of the unique challenges it offers. The port is home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and a host of key industrial facilities, many of which are vital to the New England energy infrastructure. Capt. Jeff Carlson of the U.S. Navy’s Mine and Anti-Sub warfare division also highlighted the need to forge a close partnership, stating that “our objective is the same as the Captain of the Port’s, which is to determine the safest route in and out of the port as quickly as possible.”

Coast Guard Sector Northern New England to hold change of command

Posted: 28 May 2008 08:08 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

PORTLAND, Maine - Capt. James B. McPherson will assume command from Capt. James Rendon as commander of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England at 11 a.m., Friday at the Coast Guard base in South Portland, Maine. McPherson most recently served as chief of the public affairs office at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for directing the service-wide public affairs program and executing crisis communication strategies for incidents of national significance. Rendon has been in command in Maine for one year, serving as the Sector Northern New England commander. Significant activities during his tour include 200 search and rescue cases, 3,000 law enforcement boardings, 750 vessel exams and inspections, maintenance of more than 1,000 aids to navigation, and winter ice breaking operations. “It has truly been a privilege to serve the Northern New England maritime community,” said Rendon. “I am proud of the hard-working, capable Coast Guardsmen of the sector and am grateful for the strong relationships we enjoy with our various local, state, federal, and industry partners. Together we have ensured a safe and secure maritime environment.” Rendon also was responsible for two presidential security details and led the Coast Guard’s efforts during two multi-national exercises that tested safety and security capabilities. Rendon has also led the Area Maritime Security Committee and other forums, promoting collaborative efforts and exercises to enhance maritime safety and security throughout the northern New England coastal region. Rendon, due to the needs of the service, is being transferred to the position of executive assistant to Vice Adm. Vivien Crea, vice commandant of the Coast Guard. The area of responsibility for Sector Northern New England extends across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and a portion of northeastern New York, spanning more than 5,000 miles of coastline and 11,000 square nautical miles of water. The commander of Sector Northern New England is responsible for all Coast Guard operations in the region including maritime safety and security, protection of natural resources, and maritime mobility. The commander oversees 20 Coast Guard field units and cutters across the four-state region and exercises federal authority granted by law and regulation as captain of the port, federal maritime security coordinator, officer in charge marine inspection, and federal on-scene coordinator. The Sector Northern New England staff enjoys an excellent working relationship with the port communities and other governmental agencies in the Northeast. This change marks the second change of command ceremony for the sector since it was officially established on June 30, 2005.

Coast Guard and Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. Sign Homeland Security Agreement

Posted: 15 May 2008 01:03 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

Newport Harbor, Calif. - The U.S. Coast Guard and Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) signed a memorandum of agreement on Monday, May 12, 2008. The agreement delineates the specific responsibilities of each agency when responding to maritime incidents in Orange County, Calif. “The purpose of this mutual assistance agreement is to formally solidify the work we already do together in Orange County waters,” said Capt. Paul E. Wiedenhoeft, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach who also serves as the Captain of the Port. The Sheriff’s Department and Coast Guard share jurisdiction in many areas including enforcement of boating regulations and protection of life, environment, and property. The Coast Guard has an 87-foot patrol boat the Coast Guard cutter Narwhal stationed in Corona Del Mar. Both agencies have joined forces in recent months to conduct law enforcement in Newport Harbor. “This interagency agreement will assist in efforts to fortify maritime security with the expansion of awareness, education and outreach to Orange County harbor communities. It is consistent with the goals set forth by the Department of Homeland Security’s Small Vessel Security Strategy” said Capt. Deana Bergquist, OCSD Harbor Patrol Division. The agreement also strengthens the sharing of intelligence information and coordination of communications between the agencies when responding to a serious maritime incident. It was signed by Capt. Paul E. Wiedenhoeft for the U.S. Coast Guard, and Assistant Sheriff, Acting as Sheriff Jack Anderson and Capt. Deana Bergquist for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Tugboat Master Refuses Coast Guard Alcohol Testing After Striking Pier in Martinez

Posted: 14 May 2008 02:32 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

San Francisco, Calif. - U. S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco is investigating an incident involving a tugboat hitting a refinery pier in Martinez early this morning. Investigators are conducting interviews and gathering information to try to determine the cause of the incident. When Coast Guard investigators arrived at the scene they were not satisfied with the alcohol testing that had already been conducted by the marine employer. Testing equipment used by the marine employer appeared to be out of date, so Coast Guard investigators decided to conduct their own breathalyzer tests. Two of the three crewman voluntarily submitted to breathalyzer testing but the Master did not. Despite the complications with the alcohol testing, Coast Guard investigators will thoroughly explore all aspects of the incident to determine the cause. Proper alcohol testing is required to be completed within two hours of an incident unless safety considerations dictate an extension. Drug testing is required to be performed within 32 hours. Coast Guard officials will also oversee those tests to ensure they are done properly. Coast Guard Marine Casualty investigations are conducted under 46 CFR Part 4. They can take between several weeks to over a year to conduct depending on the complexity of the incident under investigation. “The Coast Guard, state and local agencies, Tesoro Refinery response crews and cleanup workers reacted quickly to this incident,” Captain David Swatland, Deputy Sector Commander at Sector San Francisco, said. “Their fast response helped maintain the safety and security of the facility and surrounding waterways,” he said.

Coast Guard Reopens Miami River After Barge Refloated

Posted: 24 Apr 2008 12:49 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

MIAMI - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Capt. Karl L. Schultz, has fully re-opened the Miami River at 8 a.m. Thursday, to all marine traffic after a barge carrying sand became partially submerged Saturday. The 195-foot barge had reportedly buckled between the Dolphin Expressway Bridge and the N.W. 12th Ave. Bridge while being loaded during a dredging operation. Restrictions on vessels entering and departing the river were immediately placed as crews attempted to secure and remove the barge. The barge was refloated at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday and towed to Ferrous Processing and Metal Trading Recycling in the Miami River. As of 8 a.m. Thursday, 13 commercial vessels had been awaiting permission to transit through the Miami River. The Coast Guard is still investigating the cause of the accident.

121.5 MHz Satellite Distress Alerting Ends Next Year

Posted: 18 Apr 2008 01:11 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard is reminding boaters to check their boating equipment, because after Feb. 1, 2009, only distress alerts from 406 MHz beacons will continue to be detected and processed by search and rescue satellites worldwide. Older model EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) that transmit a distress alert on 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz will no longer be monitored by satellite, and is likely to go completely undetected in an emergency. Mariners disposing of their old EPIRB before Feb. 1, 2009 are urged to first remove the battery. EPIRBAlthough recreational boaters are not required to carry an EPIRB, they are strongly recommended for ALL boaters venturing outside the harbor, along with a VHF-FM marine band radio. The 406 MHz signal sent by the newer EPIRBs when a mariner encounters distress are picked up by the COSPAS/SARSAT satellite constellation, which determines the EPIRBs position through triangulation. EPIRBs with embedded GPS are even more helpful in quickly finding a distressed boater. With GPS coordinates, the position of distress is pinpointed almost immediately. Without GPS, it may take two or three satellite passes to come up with a good, triangulated position. “As we say in the Coast Guard, 406 EPIRBs take the ‘search’ out of ‘search and rescue,’” said Capt. Chip Strangfeld, Commander of Coast Guard Sector San Diego. “In some cases, the time saved by EPIRBs could mean the difference between life and death. For a one-time cost of under $900, a GPS imbedded 406 EPIRB is ‘cheap insurance’ for those who put themselves at risk in the offshore environment.” As long as the new 406 MHz beacon has been registered (which is required by law), search and rescue authorities can quickly confirm that the distress is real, who they are looking for, and a description of the vessel or aircraft. This means an effective search can be initiated even before a final distress location has been determined for non-GPS EPIRBs. It also means that a false activation may be resolved with a phone call to the beacon owner, saving resources for actual distresses. This registration is free and can be done on the internet at: www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov or it can be mailed/faxed to NOAA by calling 1-888-212-SAVE. Beacon registrations must be updated at least every two years or when information such as emergency contact phone numbers and other vital information changes. This registration information is only available to authorized search and rescue personnel. It saves lives. More potentially life-saving information along with how to take a boating safety course or get a free vessel safety check from the Coast Guard Auxiliary can be found on the internet at: www.uscgboating.org.

Coast Guard ends search for missing pilot

Posted: 07 Apr 2008 05:03 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

BOSTON - The Coast Guard ended the search today for the pilot of a private plane that crashed about one mile offshore of Belfast, Maine, Sunday. Coast Guard Station Rockland, Maine, received a call from the Waldo County dispatch reporting a plane piloted by Doug Low, 60, of Lincolnville, Maine, crashed into the water near the Belfast airport around 6:15 p.m., Sunday. “The decision to end a search for a missing person is never easy,” said Capt. Jim Rendon, commander of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. “Our condolences go out to Mr. Low’s family and friends.” During the nearly 15-hour search, a 25-foot boat crew from Station Rockland, two Jayhawk helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., Maine Marine Patrol, and Belfast fire and police departments quickly responded, saturating the area with rescue equipment and personnel. Maine State Police divers and multiple local harbor masters also searched.

Coast Guard to participate in joint-agency readiness training

Posted: 25 Mar 2008 08:01 PM CDT
Source: Coast Guard News

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard and the Urban Area Security Initiative Region 1 will be holding the annual Area Maritime Security Training & Exercise Program here March 27, 2008. Agencies involved will exercise plans for coordination, communication and capabilities of everything from ambulances to bomb sniffing dogs that may be involved in a terrorist, or any emergency situation. “The AMSTEP exercise pulls together all those agencies responsible for the security of the port and the people who live there” said Capt. Lincoln Stroh, Commander of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans. “The AMSTEP exercise is an annual requirement where agencies respond to a terrorist event. The interaction and lessons learned help responders react to any joint agency emergency”. The list of agencies involved in this year’s exercise includes; Coast Guard units from New Orleans and Baton Rouge, the FBI, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), City of New Orleans, Orleans, St. Charles, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Jefferson Parish Emergency Operations Centers, Touro Infirmary, West Jefferson and East Jefferson Hospitals, Shell-Norco, and police, sheriff, fire and EMS from throughout the region.

Coast Guard, Miami Edison Sr. High Partnership to be Recognized

Posted: 13 Mar 2008 12:46 PM CST
Source: Coast Guard News

MIAMI - Coast Guard Sector Miami and Miami’s Edison Senior High will receive the Coast Guard’s Partnership in Education (PIE) Award for 2007 from Terri Dickerson, Director of Civil Rights for the Coast Guard, during an open to the public ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the Integrated Support Command on Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, 100 MacArthur Blvd., Miami Beach, Fla. In the fall of 2004, Sector Miami embarked upon a community service effort partnering with the “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program”, GEAR UP. This year 26 Coast Guard members dedicated more than 875 hours to comprehensive mentoring, counseling, career development programs and team building excercises to 26 members for Miami Edison’s junior class in the GEAR UP EDISON program. During the 2006-2007 school year, Coast Guard mentors assisted in the student’s record achievements that included gains in math and reading scores, increased interest in college education, and a significant improvement int he students’ participation in advanced placement courses. “The Coast Guard’s GEAR UP program partnership with Miami Edison Senior High School is a true ‘win-win’ situation where local Coast Guardsmen, as emissaries of the greater South Florida military community, have the chance to positively influence the lives of the participating Edison students through activities such as academic tutoring and mentorship,” said Capt. Karl Schultz, commander Sector Miami. “The involvment of Coast Guardsmen and Miami Edison students alike find the program richly rewarding and of mutual benefit.” The Coast Guard, in support of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, designed the PIE program to provide career awareness to and enhance educational opportunities for the nation’s youth. Throughout the Coast Guard, a comprehensive program has been established that places personnel in direct contact with students at the elementary and secondary levels. Coast Guard personnel volunteer their time and resources by helping students develop to their full potential. The participants make a positive impact on students’ lives through their involvement in tutoring, classroom presentations, sponsoring field trips, mentoring, and enhancing schools’ physical environments.

Agencies Respond To Keosene Spill

Posted: 15 Feb 2008 10:37 PM CST
Source: Coast Guard News

PORTLAND - The Coast Guard, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and the Maine Department of Marine Resources continued waterside response operations after a delivery truck overturned on the Allen Avenue Extension Bridge in Falmouth, Maine, spilling approximately 1100 gallons of kerosene into the Presumpscot River Thursday. Marine environmental clean-up efforts and assessments were conducted today by several agencies. Clean Harbor and Environmental Services acting on behalf of the truck owner, Dead River Inc., deployed a containment boom and absorbent pads downstream from the incident to contain and prevent the kerosene from spreading. Joint response from Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Coast Guard teams from Sector Northern New England conducted shoreline assessments along the affected areas. Surveys of potential pollution areas were provided by a Coast Guard Falcon jet from Air Station Cape Cod, which conducted two over-flights of the river and surrounding waters of Casco Bay. A 25-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station South Portland transported two pollution investigators to Mackworth Island to assess the area, but did not find signs of pollution. Additionally, a biologist from the Maine Department of Marine Resources conducted assessments of areas of environmental concern regarding wildlife and marine resources. “We are always concerned about pollution entering the sensitive areas of the Presumpscot River and Casco Bay,” said Capt. Jim Rendon, Commander of Sector Northern New England. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the responders who have worked tirelessly over the last two days to restore the environment.” There is potential that additional kerosene will be sighted in the region over the next few days due to tidal action, forecast rains, and other weather conditions. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Coast Guard will continue to monitor and ensure that pollution in the marine environment is dealt with properly.

Tug Everlast anchors in Portland Harbor

Posted: 15 Feb 2008 10:31 PM CST
Source: Coast Guard News

BOSTON- The Canadian tug Everlast was anchored in Portland Harbor, Maine, for inspection on Friday after a pump room on the barge it was pushing caught fire Thursday night. While anchored, the 400-foot double-hulled barge was evaluated by a Coast Guard marine inspector and Portland Fire Department officials to determine the extent of the damage caused by the fire. Steps were taken to move the tug and barge to the Portland Ocean Gateway terminal for additional repairs to the installed firefighting systems late Friday evening. “The Portland Fire Department was outstanding in accurately assessing the potential for the fire reflashing and helping to craft an appropriate response strategy to this casualty,” said Capt. Jim Rendon, commander of CG Sector Northern New England. The Coast Guard and the Canadian Transportation Safety Board are working together to look into the cause of the fire.