NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard has suspended the search for an overdue diver 55 miles offshore Grand Isle, Monday.

Missing is Tim Raines, 56.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a relay on VHF-FM radio from the vessel Early Life Crisis reporting a diver who was overdue by 30 minutes. 

Since the search commenced Saturday evening, the Coast Guard has searched a 5,680 square-mile area more than 82 hours with the following assets:

Seven MH-65 Dolphin helicopters and crews from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans;

Five  HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft and crews from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala.;

A 45-foot Response Boat — Medium and crew from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle;

The Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon and crew;

The Coast Guard Cutter Pelican and crew.

"We coordinated and planned extensive search operations attempting to locate Mr. Raines; searching more than 5,680 miles over the course of three days. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate Mr. Raines despite our best efforts," said  Lt. Josiah Starr, command duty officer at Sector New Orleans.  "Our hearts and prayers go out to the his family."

The search is suspended pending further developments.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard is searching for an overdue diver 55 miles offshore Grand Isle, Saturday.

Missing is Tim Raines, 56.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a relay on VHF-FM radio from the vessel Early Life Crisis reporting a diver who was overdue by 30 minutes. 

Watchstanders received a report from the brother of a passenger aboard the vessel who reported that the diver was spear fishing when he was washed out of the rig by the undertow and surfaced about 40 feet behind the dive vessel. As the diver started swimming toward the dive vessel, he went under the water and never resurfaced. Watchstanders continue to gather additional information surrounding the details of the case.

Sector New Orleans issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and dispatched the following assets to aid in the search:

• MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans;
• HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft crews from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala.;
• The 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Pelican;
• A 45-foot Response Boat - Medium from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle.

MOBILE, Ala. —  The Coast Guard launched an investigation into the cause of the April 24, 2013 explosions and fire on board two Kirby tank barges while moored at the Oil Recovery Company Marine Terminal in Mobile. 

While the investigation is still ongoing, Coast Guard Sector Mobile investigators have made the following preliminary findings: 

On the evening of April 24, Oil Recovery Company personnel were conducting tank-cleaning operations on both tank barges. The barges previously held natural gasoline, a flammable liquid and a first distillation of crude oil.  The tank-cleaning processes involved pumping as much cargo residue as possible from the cargo tanks and using mechanical blowers to ventilate and dry the tanks of remaining oil and flammable vapors. During this process, Oil Recovery Company personnel discovered a malfunctioning mechanical blower, which required them to shut down all the blowers to effect repairs. In shutting down the blowers, flammable vapor from the cargo tanks accumulated around the tank barges and settled on the water’s surface next to the barges. 

At this time, the towing vessel Safety Runner pulled into the same pier at the Oil Recovery Company facility. As the towing vessel approached in close proximity to the tank barges and the cleaning operation, the flammable vapor traveled through the engine room’s ventilation and into its main engines and engine space. Flammable vapors accumulated in the engine room, ignited, and caused a brief fire. The resulting fire spread across the accumulated flammable vapors from the towing vessel and back to the adjacent tank barges. This chain of events caused the flammable vapors within the tank barge’s cargo tanks to explode and engulf the barges in fire. 

The City of Mobile Fire Department, local harbor tugs fitted with fire monitors, and the Coast Guard responded to the scene. The fire department contained the fire to the tank barges and later extinguished the fire by early the next morning. 

The resulting explosions and fire critically injured three persons (an Oil Recovery Company worker, and two persons aboard the towing vessel), created a 30-gallon oil spill in the Mobile River, caused fire damage to the tug and destroyed the two tank barges.

The purpose of the Coast Guard’s investigation is to identify contributing factors that led to the incident and take appropriate measures to assist in preventing future marine accidents. 

On behalf of the National Transportation Safety Board, the Coast Guard is leading the marine casualty investigation.  Using Coast Guard factual material and evidence gathered in this major marine casualty, the NTSB will develop an accident report establishing probable cause. The NTSB will post the report on its public web site.

For more information, please contact Cmdr. Scott Muller, Sector Mobile, chief, Prevention Department, at 251-441-5284 or by email at Scott.W.Muller@uscg.mil.

NEW ORLEANS — One person is dead, and two were rescued by the Coast Guard after a boat accident near Pilottown, Monday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received notification at 12:35 p.m. that a pleasure craft crashed near Head of Passes.

One Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched and arrived at the location of the boat. A rescue swimmer was lowered to administer first aid while another MH-65 helicopter crew was launched. Upon arrival, the helicopter crew hoisted two injured people aboard the helicopter, and CPR was administered to one person during the flight. The two people were transferred to awaiting emergency personnel at the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans. Upon arrival, one person was pronounced dead, the other was in critical condition.

The helicopter returned to the scene of the crash and hoisted the last person as well as the rescue swimmer. The person was then flown to the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans with reportedly minor injuries.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating the cause of the crash.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard urges the public to be cautious and remain alert while enjoying local beaches and waterways as summer progresses.

During the past two weeks, 11 lives have been lost along the Gulf Coast in water recreation accidents. The Coast Guard received notification in these cases and launched extensive search and rescue efforts but were unable to locate any of the missing persons.

In an effort to prevent further loss, here are some safety tips when swimming in open water.

• Only swim in designated areas, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Never swim alone.
• If caught in a rip current, remain calm and don’t fight the current. Instead, swim parallel to the shore and swim towards the shore only after out of the current.
• Seek help if someone is caught in a rip current. Throw them something that floats or give them instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while attempting to rescue someone else from a rip current.

The following examples are recent Coast Guard search and rescue cases, which highlight the importance of preparation and awareness while near the water.

A swimmer became distressed after not swimming in a designated area. Click here.

A fisherman was unexpectedly swept out to sea by a wave. Click here.

Rip Current Awareness Week is June 2-8. For more information on how to identify rip currents and how to increase your chances of surviving if ever caught in one, visit: http://ripcurrents.noaa.gov

For more information on general safe boating practices, visit: www.uscgboating.org

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of St. Louis has restricted traffic on the Mississippi River in response to high water, Monday.

The upper Mississippi River is closed to all traffic from mile marker 179 to mile marker 184 near the St. Louis Harbor. Fleet vessels are permitted to operate in the zone to ensure the safety and integrity of their fleets.

The Coast Guard encourages mariners to ensure that moored vessels and barges are adequately secured with the anticipation of increased current and high water. Debris may be an increased hazard to navigation and may drag buoys off station.

Exercise caution when dislodging debris from fleeting areas and communicate the same to downstream fleets. South-bound operations are not recommended unless a vessel is 75 feet or more in length and has a minimum of 1,800 horsepower.

All mariners are advised to exercise caution when in close proximity to railways when navigating toward the river bank. The increased level of caution is to ensure the safety of railway systems near the river’s edge.

All concerned mariners may contact Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River at 314-269-2332 or the Coast Guard on VHF-FM radio channel 16.

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard has suspended their search for a missing 21-year-old man in Lake Ponchartrain Thursday.

Missing is Ksanwy Chavez.

Watchstanders at 8th Coast Guard District Command Center received a call from a New Orleans Parish 911 operator Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., and reported a distressed swimmer in the vicinity of the University of New Orleans lakefront area.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and a 29-foot response boatcrew from Coast Guard Station New Orleans began searching for Chavez. Multiple crews continued to search throughout the night.

Two 25-foot response boatcrews from Marine Safety and Security Team New Orleans joined the search for additional support Thursday, along with over flights from multiple MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews.  In total, Coast Guard crews searched for 27 hours and covered a 163-square-mile-area.

The New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department and good samaritans also aided in the search.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Chavez,” Said Capt. Peter Gautier, commander, Sector New Orleans. “We have searched aggressively with boats and helicopters to locate Mr. Chavez and appreciate working with the New Orleans Police Department, Fire Department and local good Samaritans in this effort.”

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard assisted two men aboard a grounded 21-foot personal craft in the vicinity of Gardner Island near the Mississippi Gulf Outlet, Sunday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report from the good Samaritan vessel Capt. Blake Kerry at approximately 9 a.m. that a flare alerted the location of two men aboard a grounded boat in a marshy area. The two men initially declined assistance until one of the boaters, a 70-year-old man, began to experience health concerns.

Sector New Orleans directed the lauch of a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Venice 24-foot Special Purpose Craft — Shallow Water boatcrew to the scene. Air Station New Orleans arrived on scene at approximately 10:45 a.m. and delivered a radio for the men to maintain communication. The Station Venice boatcrew remained on scene until the aircrew returned from base. Upon return at approximately 12:30 p.m. the aircrew deployed a rescue swimmer down to the grounded boat. The rescue swimmer asssessed the situation and rigged a towing line from the grounded boat to the Blake Kerry.

The Blake Kerry towed the boat and the two men to the nearest port. Both men reported no injuries or medical concerns.

"This was the first case we had a rescue swimmer who was able to help a boater in a shallow, marshy area; he earned his keep, he was pretty muddy," said Lt. Bryan Conrad, Air Station New Orleans pilot. "It was very helpful to have a good Samaritan who was able to help in such a shallow area."

The men's condition are unknown.

The Coast Guard recommends all boaters have a working VHF-FM marine-band radio on board their vessel. With marine-band radios on board and set to channel 16, a boater is only a call away from help. The Coast Guard, other rescue agencies and other boaters monitor marine band radios 24/7, which increases the number of people who can respond.  The radios are better than cellular phones because their signals can be of assistance locating a person in distress. Though cell phones are better than no communication device at all, they tend to have gaps in coverage while on the water, and they have limited battery life.

In addition, the Coast Guard advises boaters to always wear their life jackets.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard kicked off the start of National Safe Boating Week with Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day at many of its units in downtown, Friday.

National Safe Boating Week, which takes place May 18-25, is an initiative aimed at improving boater behavior through education, awareness and training to make recreational boating a safe and enjoyable experience by reducing boating accidents.

As part of the "Wear It" campaign, the 8th Coast Guard District and its units are taking part in donning life jackets for Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day. The campaign encourages all boaters to wear a properly-fitted personal floatation device when out on the water.

Throughout NSBW, the Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer safe boating classes and free vessel safety checks. To find the location of the nearest Auxiliary flotilla and a schedule of safe-boating classes, please visit their website at www.cgaux.org.

In 2012, the Coast Guard counted 4,515 accidents that involved 651 deaths, 3,000 injuries and approximately $38 million damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. Approximately 71 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 85 percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket.

• File a float plan – Before you go out leave information about your trip with a family member or friend who is staying on shore.  Include all information that would help rescuers in case of an emergency; how many people on board, where you are going, how long you will be out and a description of your boat.  However, do not file float plans with the Coast Guard. Like a life vest, a float plan is a lifesaving device on paper, which can make the difference in rescue and response time in the event of an emergency.
• Communication devices - With marine band radios on board and set to channel 16, a boater is only a call away from help. The Coast Guard, other rescue agencies and other boaters monitor marine band radios 24/7, which increases the number of people who can respond.  The radios are better than cellular phones because their signals can be of assistance locating a person in distress. Though cell phones are better than no communication device at all, they tend to have gaps in coverage while on the water, and they have limited battery life.
•  Equip your boat with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon – An EPIRB is a safety device that automatically transmits an emergency signal when it is placed or floating in the up-right position.  The signal allows the Coast Guard and other rescue agencies to pin point your location.  EPIRBs are essential for any vessel especially those that transit far offshore. The device is designed to send accurate location as well as identify information to rescue authorities immediately upon activation through both geostationary and polar orbiting satellites.

For more on National Safe Boating Week please visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com.

PITTSBURGH — The Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, along with the National Safe Boating Council, will kick off the National Safe Boating Week campaign on three different fronts, Saturday.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will perform vessel safety examinations at the Greater Pittsburgh Aquatic Club on Neville Island Saturday at 9 a.m. and the Fox Chapel Yacht Club at 9 a.m., Sunday. Club officers and members are aiming to have 100 percent of their boats successfully pass the free vessel safety check offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel exam team.

Additionally, at Cabela's in Wheeling, W. Va., the Auxiliary will be setting up booths and will have the support of the "Coastie" boating safety robot and its operators to entertain and educate young and old alike. Activities will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and ends in the afternoon.

With summer fast approaching, families and friends are anxious to enjoy time in the sun and on the water, boating, fishing, paddling and more. During all recreational water activities it's important to remember safety precautions.

Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in almost three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities in 2012, and the 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. That's why boating safety advocates continue to push for increased and consistent life jacket wear on the water.

"Simply put, boating responsibly and wearing life jackets can save lives," said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Baoting Council. "Accidents on the water happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket. It's important that everyone consistently wears a life jacket while on the water."

For any further media inquires or requests contact Lt. j.g. Alyssa McDonald at 412-644-5808 ext. 2121 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For hours after 4 p.m. contact Yvonne Pentz of the National Safe Boating Council at 440-670-1294 or ypentz@paulwerth.com.

For more information on the National Safe Boating Campaign visit their website.

NEW ORLEANS — A Coast Guard aircrew medevaced a 56-year-old crewman from a tug and barge approximately 125 miles south of Southwest Pass in the Gulf of Mexico, Thursday.

 Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans command center received a call at approximately 8:30 a.m. from the articulated tug and barge Laurie Ann Reinauer that one of its crewmembers reportedly suffered from nausea and dizziness. A Coast Guard flight surgeon recommended removing the crewman due to the possibility of stroke risk and other potential complications form post surgery. The crewman reportedly sustained the injuries during a boat lowering evolution.

A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched and arrived at the location of the Laurie Ann Reinauer at approximately 5 p.m. and hoisted him aboard. The aircrew transported him to West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero.

"This was a great case highlighting the teamwork and standardized training between Coast Guard units," said Lt. Caitlin MitchellWurster, Air Station New Orleans pilot. "Having a fellow aircrew from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile out there with us to relay information to the boat and back to the hospital allowed us to save minutes in a critical case."

The crewman's condition is unknown.

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Coast Guard suspended its search for a male kayaker reported overdue near Lake Frederick.

Missing is Joseph Kane, 21, of Pensacola.

Coast Guard air and boatcrews, along with multiple federal, state and local responders, searched an area of 5,679 square-nautical miles over a period of 74 hours in an effort to locate to Kane.

Search-and-rescue resources and agencies were:

Three Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala., HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrews and one ATC Mobile MH-60T helicopter aircrew;

Four Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews;

The 87-foot Coast Guard Cutters Cobia and Seahawk and crews;

Three Coast Guard Station Pensacola response boatcrews;

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boatcrew;

Two U.S. Navy MH-60 aircrews;

U.S. Navy Police;

Escambia Search and Rescue boatcrew;

Escambia County Sheriff's Office;

Department of Defense Police.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a call from Kane's father who reported his son overdue and expected his return by 5 p.m. Monday. His son reportedly launched his yellow kayak at Lake Frederick at approximately 2 p.m.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time," said Cmdr. Eric King, Sector Mobile. "We have exhausted every effort conducting a robust search in attempts to locate Mr. Kane, and we appreciate the assistance of all of the agencies and personnel who have volunteered their time and resources to assist with the search-and-rescue efforts."       

The search is suspended pending further developments.

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard encourages the public to participate in Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day.

In 2012, the Coast Guard counted 4,515 accidents that involved 651 deaths, 3,000 injuries and approximately $38 million of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.

“Today’s life jackets are comfortable stylish and easy to wear. In fact, they don't even have to be jackets anymore,” said Ed Huntsman, recreational safe boating specialist for the 8th Coast Guard District. “Old-fashioned, bulky orange life jackets have been replaced with varieties of life jackets, such as inflatable life jackets that resemble a pair of suspenders or a belt pack. There are specific styles made for anglers, hunters, skiers and other sports enthusiasts. One style even has a built-in walkie-talkie.”

Join your colleagues, peers and friends around the world in demonstrating how easy it is to wear a life jacket - even at work!

Just prior to National Safe Boating Week and the fourth-annual “Ready, Set, Wear It!” event held May 18, we are asking you to take a photo of yourself wearing your life jacket to work.

Participants in cities around the globe will gather to set a world record for the most life jackets worn and inflatable life jackets inflated. The goal is not only to promote the comfortable and versatile options when it comes to life jackets, but also to educate the public about life jackets and safe boating in general.

Don’t forget to post your photo on the “Ready, Set, Wear it!” Facebook wall or email to outreach@safeboatingcouncil.org for others to see you “Wear it!” at work.

To create or participate in the “Ready, Set, Wear it!” event click here

For more information on the National Safe Boating Campaign click here

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Coast Guard and partner agencies are searching for a male kayaker reported overdue on Lake Frederick near Naval Air Station Pensacola, Tuesday.

Missing is Joseph Kane, 21, Pensacola.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Ala., received a call from Kane's father who reported his son overdue and expected his return by 5 p.m. Monday. Kane reportedly launched his yellow kayak at Lake Frederick at approximately 2 p.m. The father reported his son is an experienced swimmer and usually wears his life jacket.

Joint Coast Guard and first responder agencies from Florida are currently searching an area of 610 square-nautical miles in the vicinity of Pensacola Bay.

Search-and-rescue resources deployed are:

One Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew;

One Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew;

One Coast Guard Station Pensacola 25-foot Response Boat — Small boatcrew;

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boatcrew;

Orange Beach Fire/Rescue boatcrew.

The Coast Guard recommends all boaters and water enthusiasts file a float plan with family or a friend. Include all information that would help rescuers in case of an emergency; how many people on board, where you are going, how long you will be out and a description of your boat. However, do not file float plans with the Coast Guard.

MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard is calling attention to the dangers and risks of hoax distress calls after launching multiple air and boatcrews from three states during an extensive five-and-a-half hour search in the vicinity south of Horn Island, Miss., Friday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a distress call on VHF-FM channel 16 at approximately 9 a.m. stating that a boat was on fire and there were four people going into the water south of Horn Island. The search took place 20 nautical-miles south of Horn Island and within Mississippi Sound and involved one boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Pascagoula, Miss., an MH-65 helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and an HC-144 aircrew from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile.

The three assets from the three units searched an 88 square-mile area in response to the distress calls, which resulted in negative sightings of distress. Four times in the past six weeks, a male voice has spoken of a boat fire and people going in the water on VHF-FM channel 16. Channel 16 is only used for hailing and distress; mariners in the area heard the call and notified the Coast Guard.  In all cases, the male did not respond over the radio as aviation and boat resources were launched.

"False distress calls like this tie up valuable assets like aircraft and boats, waste taxpayer money and put our crews at risk every time since we take every distress call seriously," said Cmdr. Eric King, chief of response for Sector Mobile. "And they impede the ability of first responders like the Coast Guard and our partners to respond to real distresses where real lives may be in genuine peril."

The Coast Guard is requesting anyone who has any information in these distress calls to contact the Coast Guard Sector Mobile Command Center at (251) 441-6213.