Tag Archives: USCG
Personal Locator Beacon tips the scale for fishermen adrift in Western Pacific
A group of fishermen adrift in the remote Western Pacific made their recent rescue significantly easier because they carried a personal locator beacon, according to the U.S. Coast Guard search coordinator. The six fishermen were about 30 miles north of Satawal Atoll in the Caroline Islands, a widely scattered archipelago, when their engine failed around 9 a.m. Aug. 17, according to a news release from Coast Guard Sector Guam. The fishermen activated a personal locator beacon, or PLB, which issued a distress signal and transmitted their location to Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam, more than 430 miles away, the Aug. 19 release said. The center relayed the information to the USCGC Oliver Henry on patrol about 270 miles northeast of the fishermen, and a Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel about 160 miles north of the disabled vessel. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:50
Vineyard Wind Turbine Failure: Incident Details, Regulatory Response, and Industry Implications
On July 13, 2024, an offshore wind turbine at the Vineyard Wind 1 project experienced a significant blade failure, leading to debris washing up on Nantucket’s beaches and prompting a federal shutdown of the wind farm. This incident raises obvious questions about the safety and reliability of offshore wind projects, as well as the regulatory framework governing this emerging industry. In the days following the incident, debris from the broken turbine blade began washing up on Nantucket’s south shore beaches. Residents reported finding pieces of green and white foam, along with larger pieces of fiberglass, stretching from Madaket to Nobadeer. In response to the incident, the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) ordered Vineyard Wind to shut down operations “until further notice”. The BSEE, which oversees offshore energy projects, sent a team of experts to work closely with Vineyard Wind on analyzing the cause of the incident and determining next steps. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:22
Broken Offshore Wind Blade Debris Washes Up in Nantucket
Investigators are probing the cause of a damaged offshore wind turbine blade that sent debris washing ashore at Nantucket Beach and shut down swimming in the area. The incident occurred Saturday evening at the 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind project under construction near Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, prompting the probe by federal officials, developers Avangrid Inc. and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S, and GE Vernova Inc., which manufactured the Haliade-X turbines used at the site. Operations at the site have been suspended while investigations are underway, and authorities closed Nantucket’s south shore to swimming for three days. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:46
UPDATED: ‘Three large blade pieces.’ Vineyard Wind wind turbine blade snaps. Search underway
A blade on one of the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore turbines was damaged over the weekend, prompting an investigation by the blade’s manufacturer. In a statement released Monday afternoon, the offshore wind developer referred only to “an incident involving blade damage on a wind turbine” in the offshore energy area south of Martha’s Vineyard. According to the company, the undisclosed damage happened on Saturday evening. No employees, contractors or fishing vessels were in the vicinity of the turbine at the time. No details were given as to the nature of the damage, how long the blade has been in place, or whether it was on an already operating turbine or one under construction. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:45
Coast Guard, good Samaritans assist disabled fishing vessel crew off Barnegat Light, New Jersey
The Coast Guard and good Samaritans assisted four mariners Tuesday after the 64-foot commercial fishing vessel F/V Monica became disabled about 85 miles from the New Jersey coast. F/V Monica was reported to be experiencing transmission issues and a Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light 47-foot Motor Life Boat (MLB) crew safely towed the vessel to Lighthouse Marina, in Barnegat Light. Good Samaritans aboard the nearby commercial F/V Alexandria Dawn heard the distress call and diverted to help. The F/V Alexandria Dawn crew arrived on scene and initiated a tow of the F/V Monica towards Barnegat Light. 3 photos, more, >>click to read<< 13:29
Beached fishing boat recovered
The fishing vessel Judy is floating again after a salvage attempt caused it to crash into the south Jetty and flip onto its side twice. The Judy was reported aground in the sand south of the South Jetty on Sept. 18. Since then, owners made several attempts to refloat the vessel at high tide but were unsuccessful. At the salvage site, one could see two US Coast Guard motor lifeboats at the end of the bar, and the 102-foot tugboat Noelani about 1/3 of a mile out with a long, buoyed line connecting it to the Judy. O as the Judy began to inch forward, eventually floating upright as floated away from the shore. However, as it was being pulled, the Judy began to move precariously nearer to the south Jetty. The tug could be seen moving south to counter the move but when tension was applied to the tow line, the Judy veered right and hit the rocks. 3 photos, >>click to read<< 15:00
Happy Birthday USCG: Why some claim the Coast Guard is the oldest and most badass military service branch
August 4, 2022 marks the Coast Guard’s 232nd birthday. Over two centuries of continuous lifesaving, law enforcement and defense while proudly serving the United States looks good on the force. And despite the Army and Navy claiming to be the older service – they’re all wrong. So. So. Wrong. Mostly. Here’s why. When the Revolutionary War ended in 1783, the Continental Army and Navy were dissolved. Gone. Finished. Cut off! Minus two little volunteer militia units to maintain the weapons. This was largely due to the country not wanting a “standing” military, leaving it up to essentially volunteer militia and states. Seven years later on August 4, 1790 the orange and blue savior we all know and love, the United States Coast Guard, was born – though initially labeled The Revenue Cutter Service. Photos, >click to read< 15:39
F/V Lone Star sinks at Fisherman’s Terminal on Tuesday morning
According to Harbormaster Matt Creswell, the fishing boat Lone Star was reported to be sinking at around 5 a.m. “We received a report that there was a vessel sunk at the crane dock between Aurora and Harris harbors, we refer to it as Fisherman’s Terminal,” Creswell said. “Harbor staff responded before 6 a.m. and found the large fishing vessel, a little over 40 feet I believe, named the Lone Star, was completely sunk in the crane docks.” >click to read<
USCG seeks information on vessel leaking oily substance into Alaskan waters – The USCG is seeking info about a vessel photographed July 14, at approximately 4 p.m., in northeastern vicinity of Valdez Narrows. The position on that date is indicated by encircled yellow triangle on the chart below. Photos, >click to read< 10:50
Fishing vessel catches fire off the coast of Oregon
U.S Coast Guard crews responded to a fire on a 42-foot commercial fishing vessel off the coast of Manzanita Beach in Oregon early Saturday morning. USCG said they received a distress call at around 6:30 a.m., about 2 miles west of Manzanita Beach. One person on board was rescued from the water by a Good Samaritan, transferred to a USCG crew and brought to shore with no medical concerns. This is developing news. Videos, >click to read< 13:03
Witness describes the scene of a commercial fishing boat fire near Manzanita Beach – >click for video<– 17:55
Newport, Oregon: Motor Lifeboat Victory’s last voyage
At about 2 a.m. Wednesday, the 52-foot motor lifeboat Victory left the boathouse at U.S. Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay for the final time — nearly 65 years to the day of when she first arrived in Newport. The storied vessel did not leave under her own power but was towed behind a 47-foot motor lifeboat.,, For decades after arriving in Newport at the end of 1956, she was the station’s workhorse, capable of towing more than 750 tons and holding 40 survivors. She is self-righting and self-bailing and could motor through towering seas in hurricane-force winds, and countless local fisherman and other mariners owe their lives to her crews over the past seven decades. >Video, photos, click to read< 12:11
USCG medevacs 2 crewmen from fishing vessel 3 miles off South Padre Island, Texas
Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi command center watchstanders received a call on VHF-FM channel 16 at 10:34 a.m. from the commercial fishing vessel F/V Miss Verna stating that two crewmen were unconscious after entering a confined freezer space. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac. A Coast Guard Station South Padre Island 45-foot Response Boat–Medium crew launched to assist. Once on scene, the boat crew worked with South Padre Island Fire Department personnel to remove the crew members from the confined space and transfer them to the RB–M. Both men were conscious but exhibiting labored breathing. >click to read< 16:16
F/V Scandies Rose: Survivor Jon Lawler’s Wrenching Testimony, Experts note serious flaws in a USCG regulation
The architects who testified were not involved with the development of the stability booklet for the Scandies Rose, a Washington managed boat which went down around 10 p.m. in the Gulf of Alaska during a storm that generated National Weather Service warnings of heavy freezing spray. Also Wednesday, Jon Lawler, one of the two survivors of the seven-person crew, offered wrenching testimony of the final minutes before the boat went under. After donning a survival suit, he exited the wheelhouse amid what he described as sheer panic as the boat tilted crazily and tossed people about. >click to read< 17:38
A Fundraiser for Commercial Fisherman Todd Chase – Supporting Chase Family
Please support my sister and her boys after the tragic loss of Todd Chase, beloved husband, father, and friend to so many. Todd Chase was among the four local fishermen on the Coastal Reign that capsized 2/20 in Garibaldi, OR. His body was recovered on the jetty rocks. One of the best men in this world was lost too soon yesterday evening. He is survived by his wife Angie Chase, his four boys, Zach, Cord, Bowen, and Brayden Chase. He also had so many family and friends in Oregon. He will be deeply missed. Jacque Jacobsen is organizing this fundraiser >click to read, and please donate if you can< 08:04
F/V Coastal Reign: At least one has been declared dead after fishing boat capsized along Oregon Coast
At least one of four crew members pulled from a capsized fishing boat on Saturday has died, according to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). A 38-foot fishing boat capsized at about 4:40 p.m. at the Tillamook Bay bar entrance, just a few miles south of Rockaway Beach. A representative for the Coast Guard said within about half an hour, rescue crews were able to retrieve all four people who were on board. Two of the four people were unresponsive,,, The USCG confirmed Sunday one had been declared dead soon after the rescue. Another was flown to a hospital in Portland for more care. >click to read< 15:03
Coast Guard confirms identities of missing F/V Emmy Rose Captain and Crew
The Coast Guard has confirmed the identities of the four missing fishermen from Maine whose vessel sank off the coast of Massachusetts early Monday. The four men aboard the Portland-based Emmy Rose were first identified by WCSH/WLBZ on Tuesday evening as Jeff Matthews, Ethan Ward, Michael Porper and Robert Blethen. Petty Officer Amanda Myrick confirmed their identities late Tuesday and said that Blethen was the captain of the vessel owned by Rink Varian. The 82-foot Emmy Rose and its crew were on a multiday trip to catch groundfish such as haddock, pollock and flounder. They left Portland late last week and were believed to be heading to Gloucester, Massachusetts, to unload their catch when they ran into trouble early Monday. >click to read< 07:15
Candlelight vigil held for missing Maine fishermen – There was a candlelight vigil held Wednesday night for four Maine fishermen lost at sea, as the Coast Guard announced it had suspended the search. >video. click to read< 18:49
Coast Guard concluded search for missing man near St. Helena Sound
The Coast Guard concluded the search Thursday evening for a man who went missing after his fishing vessel capsized, Wednesday. The man has been identified as Don Melcoock, 50, who is from the greater Charleston area. “I am thankful of the aggressive search efforts put forth by all of our Coast Guard units and partner agencies who have conducted search and rescue operations over the past three days,” said Lt. Cmdr. Christie Connell, the search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Charleston. “We found the second missing man who unfortunately did not survive. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased.” >click to read< 20:37
The USCG’s First Superstorm: The Great Galveston Hurricane
In early September of 1900, a hurricane of massive force struck the Gulf Coast west of Galveston, Texas. The Great Galveston Hurricane would prove far deadlier than any man-made, environmental or weather-related disaster in U.S. history, with approximately 8,000 killed in Galveston and roughly 2,000 more lost in other parts of the Gulf Coast. This death toll is greater than the combined casualty figure for the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, Hurricane Katrina, the 9/11 terrorist attacks as well as Hurricane Ike, which struck Galveston in 2008. >click to read< 09:15
UPDATED: USCG identifies Maine fishermen who died after boat capsized
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has confirmed the identities of the two people that were aboard the Hayley Ann vessel off the coast of Maine when it capsized Thursday afternoon. The two fishermen have been identified as Arnold “Joe” Nickerson IV, 60, of Arundel and Chris Pinkham, 44, of Boothbay Harbor. The Maine Marine Patrol escorted the USCG vessel that brought the fishermen’s bodies to shore Thursday night,, >click to read< 13:04
Sinking claims lives of well-known Maine fishing captain, deckhand – A well-respected Maine fishing boat captain and his deckhand have been identified as the two men who died Thursday when their boat sank 45 miles off the coast of Portland. >click to read< 13:40
USCG offers Commercial Fishermen Marine Safety/Survival Training, asking Oregon fishermen to sign up
The Coast Guard has scheduled marine safety and survival training in five different cities along the Oregon Coast and is offering six separate two-day trainings beginning Oct. 24. The trainings are designed for commercial fishermen, not the general public, and are scheduled to be held on the following dates, at the following locations and with the following contacts for scheduling and questions: >click here to read more information< 18:02
“We don’t even know what the rules of the road are,” Fishermen unsatisfied with wind turbine plans
Rhode Island commercial fishermen sat down a year ago with offshore wind developers, they say they made it clear that for the sake of navigational safety the minimum spacing of any turbines installed in ocean waters needs to be at least one nautical mile in every direction.,,,“It’s the exact thing we’ve been saying for years,” said Lanny Dellinger, the Newport lobsterman who chairs the board. “That’s the minimal ask for us.”,,,In Rhode Island, representatives of Ørsted were conciliatory and the meeting was generally cordial, but at the heart of the discussions over the South Fork project is a larger clash between two industries, one legacy and the other nascent,,, >click to read< 07:46
Newport Fishermen’s Wives seeks injunction to prevent the USCG from eliminating our helicopter
Newport Fishermen’s Wives is filing suit in federal court, seeking an injunction to prevent the USCG in Wash D.C. from eliminating our helicopter. To make a contribution for legal fees, click the link below. OR mail your contribution to NFW P.O. Box 971 Newport, OR 97365 NFW is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Thank you so much. #savethehelo http://www.
Update: USCG and Wash. Dept. of Ecology continue to monitor grounded 97-foot F/V Neahkahnie near Whidbey Island, Wash.
SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology continue to monitor a fishing vessel that ran aground near Lagoon Point on Whidbey Island, Wash., Tuesday morning. continued
