Video Releases

VIDEO RELEASE: Coast Guard conducts precision airdrop, delivers blood, medical supplies to cruise ship

2012-01-25T15:23:23Z

Editors note: Click the image above to view or download video from the airdrop.

HONOLULU — A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew flew more than 900 miles to conduct a precision airdrop of a package containing blood and medical supplies to a cruise ship traveling northeast of Hilo, Hawaii, Tuesday.

Medical personnel from the Carnival Spirit contacted Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center, here, at about 5:30 a.m., requesting medical assistance for a passenger. The ship's doctor treating a 67-year-old woman for medical complications determined that the woman’s condition would be stabilized with additional blood.

The cruise line and the Coast Guard coordinated with Tripler Army Medical Center blood bank to provide six units of blood for the patient. The blood was transported to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point where it was packaged in a shatter-proof rescue container in preparation for the airdrop.

The aircrew rondezvoused with the Carnival Spirit at about 8 a.m. After assessing the ship's layout, the aircrew flew over the cruise ship, dropping a trail line directly on its bow. The container was then dropped in the water near the ship and the ship's crew recovered the container by heaving on the trail line.

"As the cruise ship comes closer to the Hawaiian Islands we will have additional Coast Guard assets available to medically evacuate the patient if needed," said Petty Officer 1st Class Stacie Hudson, a rescue coordinator with the Joint Rescue Coordination Center here.

"This case highlights the Coast Guard's role as America's maritime first responder," said Cmdr. Chris O'Neil, chief of media relations for the Coast Guard. "Demonstrated in this case is our speed, adaptability, reliability and skill - the basic qualities the nation expects of a first responder - which are part of our organizational DNA and ingrained in our operations."

For more information contact the 14th Coast Guard District public affairs office at 808-535-3230.

Video Release: Coast Guard icebreaker escorts tanker through Bering Sea ice

2012-01-07T06:09:31Z

BERING SEA — The Coast Guard Cutter Healy breaks ice around the Russian-flagged tanker vessel Renda 250 miles south of Nome, Alaska, Jan. 6, 2012.

The Seattle-based Healy is the Coast Guard's only operating polar icebreaker.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis.

BERING SEA — The 420-foot Coast Guard Cutter Healy breaks ice during an escort of the Russian-flagged tanker vessel Renda 250 miles south of Nome Jan. 6, 2012.

The Renda is carrying more than 1.3 million gallons of petroleum products for delivery to the city of Nome.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis.

For more information please contact Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley at 907-321-4510.

Coast Guard, multiple agencies conduct joint search and rescue exercise north of Barrow

2011-08-02T18:10:09Z

BARROW, Alaska – Coast Guard 25-foot Response Boat – Small crewmembers and Air Force, Alaska Air National Guard and North Slope Borough personnel work together to search and rescue 10 various shaped and weighted buoys, which were used to simulate people in the water after a sailboat accident in the Arctic Ocean July 27, 2011.

The two-day joint exercise, designed to better understand each agencies capabilities and concerns during a maritime mass causality event, started the same day Coast Guard commandant, Adm. Bob Papp, testified before the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee about the challenges the service faces operating in the region

“For the past four years, we have been conducting limited Arctic operations during open water periods,” said Papp during his testimony. “However, we face many challenges. Some Arctic operations demand specialized vessels, aircraft, and crews trained to operate in extreme climate.”

U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosely

Coast Guard, multiple agencies conduct exercise north of Barrow as commandant testifies on Arctic capabilities

2011-08-02T18:08:51Z

BARROW, Alaska - A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules aircrew searches for various shaped and weighted buoys from the airplane over the Arctic Ocean July 27, 2011.

The buoys were used to simulate people in the water during a joint rescue exercise comprised of Air Force, Alaska Air National Guard and North Slope Borough personnel all searching for 10 simulated people in the water after a sailboat accident in the Arctic Ocean.

“Rapid change is occurring; Arctic ice is diminishing and in summer months an entire new ocean is emerging,” said Papp during his testimony. “These new waters are spurring an increase in human activities such as natural resource exploration, shipping, and ecotourism.”

U.S. Coast Guard Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Charly Hengen