CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Coast Guard assisted disabled vessel 170-miles offshore Charleston, Thursday.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston operational watchstanders received a call from a commercial assistance company Tuesday morning reporting that the 36-foot sailing vessel with one person on board was disabled in 8-foot seas, offshore and requesting assistance.

The sailing vessel Aletheia was transiting from Marathon, Fla. to Bermuda.

Communications were established via satellite phone, and rescue crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin were dispatched to assist at approximately 9:26 p.m., Tuesday.

Yellowfin crewmembers located the Aletheia at approximately 6:18 a.m., Wednesday and successfully completed the tow back to Charleston at 10:12 a.m., Thursday.

No medical concerns were reported.

With National Safe Boating Week commencing nationwide this Saturday a local kickoff is to take place in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Boaters are reminded the importance of safety equipment aboard vessels such as life jackets, proper communication equipment, and the benefits of owning an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued four after their 20-foot boat began taking on water approximately ten miles off the coast of Wrightsville Beach, N.C., Wednesday.

At approximately 3 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach received the report from a member of the New Hanover County Emergency Management and 911 Communications. A crew aboard a 41-foot Utility Boat launched to assist.

When the Coast Guard arrived on scene the 20-foot vessel’s stern was already submerged. The boaters were transferred from their vessel to shore aboard the UTB.

"The main thing is to be prepared for anything," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Micah Kennedy. "They had all the safety equipment that they needed aboard, even exceeding the number of lifejackets that they needed.”

Kennedy also said that making sure that all your safety equipment is aboard is crucial and that having a spare hand-held dewatering pump, just in case you need it, would be ideal.

Coast Guard Sector North Carolina is broadcasting a safety marine information broadcast to warn boaters of the vessel, which was left on scene.

Crewmembers of Station Wrightsville Beach are en route to the vessels to report its condition.

The owner is making arrangements to salvage the vessel.

*Editor's note: Media is welcome to attend this event. Please contact Jennifer Heisler at 843-606-0232*

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Coast Guard Station Charleston, Coast Guard Auxiliary and partner agencies are hosting a free safe boating week event to be held on Saturday from approximately 10 a.m., till 2 p.m., at the Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park.

This event is held for the community to learn about having fun while being safe on the water.

Members from Coast Guard Station Charleston, Coast Guard Auxiliary, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston County Rescue Squad, police and fire departments from Isle of Palms, Mt. Pleasant, Charleston and North Charleston will be present.

Representatives will be available to answer questions about boating safety and regulations.

This event is part of National Safe Boating Week, an annual Coast Guard supported weeklong public awareness campaign with the goal of encouraging safe boating practices by mariners throughout the country.

The week highlights the importance of safety equipment aboard vessels such as life jackets, proper communication equipment, and the benefits of owning an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. The hope is to encourage people to carry appropriate safety equipment which could save their life.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. ─ The Coast Guard in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey is scheduled to participate in National Safe Boating Week May 19 to 25.

National Safe Boating Week marks the informal beginning of summer and Coast Guard crews throughout the Delaware Bay region will be on patrol paying particular attention to recreational boating safety.

"We want people to be safe while enjoying their time on the water. Some of the simple things they can do to stay safe and be prepared, should a problem arise, are to wear their life jackets, letting someone on shore know exactly where they are going and when they expect to return, and carry a VHF-FM marine band radio. Cell phones are not a reliable form of communication on the water, so the best way to reach the Coast Guard is via radio," said Capt. Meredith Austin, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia.

In this area, the 2011 statistics show 216 boating accidents resulting in a total of 33 fatalities.

Life jackets save lives. Seventy percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84 percent were reported as not wearing a life jacket.  Accidents can leave even a strong swimmer injured, unconscious and exhausted in the water.

The Coast Guard can narrow down a search for a missing or distressed boater when a boater files a float plan with a friend, family member, local marina personnel or the Coast Guard. A float plan states where you are going and how many people are aboard your vessel. It also gives a vessel description, details your destination and what time you expect to arrive there. If you are delayed for some reason, make sure you let someone know.

In addition, a VHF-FM radio is the best method of communication while on the water. Although cell phones are a good backup, they can be unreliable due to gaps in coverage area and the inevitable dead battery. 

Here are some other tips to help boaters have a safe and prepared summer on the water:

• Check the local weather prior to departing the dock. Weather can change very rapidly, and a watchful eye on the forecast conditions is key to safety.
• Have nautical charts of the area you are boating in, a global positioning device and a reliable means of communication on board your vessel.
• Obtain a free, no-fault vessel safety check, which can be conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, before heading out on the water. The safety checks are courtesy examinations of your vessel, verifying the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations.
• Boating under the influence or boating while intoxicated is just as deadly as drinking and driving. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. Penalties for violating BUI and BWI laws can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges and jail terms. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

Media wanting more information are requested to contact Public Affairs Detachment Atlantic City, N.J., at 609-677-2204.

For audio public service announcements please click the following links:

Lifejackets - U.S. Coast Guard - Closer than you think

Lifejackets - U.S. Coast Guard - Speechless

Lifejackets - U.S. Coast Guard - First Impulse

Scan the quick response code below to view the Coast Guard approved float plan on your mobile device.

For further boating safety information, check online at one of the following:

Vessel Safety Checks: http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/

Coast Guard Boating Safety page: http://www.uscgboating.org/

National Safe Boating Council: http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/

U.S. Power Squadrons: http://www.usps.org/

CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, working in concert with Coast Guard Sector Detroit, announces Wednesday that it will be offering free vessel safety checks throughout eastern Michigan, northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana during the months of May and June, 2012.

Some recent safety checks resulted in Coast Guard boarding teams requiring mariners to return to port because of a lack of required safety equipment.

The Coast Guard is offering these free, no penalty, courtesy examinations of recreational boats to ensure boaters understand the state and federal safety requirements, and that boaters' equipment meet those standards.

Coast Guard auxiliarists from Auxiliary Divisions 16, 18 and 20 will be offering vessel safety checks in Ohio from May 12 to May 19, at locations between Marblehead and Toledo, in Michigan from May 7 to June 30, at locations south of Detroit between Monroe and River Rouge, and north of Detroit at locations between Clarkston and Algonac and in northeast Indiana on May 19.

Click here for a complete spreadsheet detailing the times and locations where Vessel Safety Checks will be offered.

"Checking safety gear before leaving the dock ensures that proper lifesaving equipment is available should something go wrong," said Chief Petty Officer Gabe Settel, a search and rescue controller with Coast Guard Sector Detroit. "The Coast Guard wants everyone who goes out on the water to come home safely."

The Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary are advising that all mariners receive a vessel safety check before heading out onto the water. This is not a boarding or law enforcement action, and there will be no citations given as a result of this examination. Each vessel examiner is a trained boating safety specialist that will make recommendations and discuss issues that will make boaters safer.

For more information contact Lynn Heasel, Auxiliary coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Detroit, at 313-568-9575.

What: Media availability for National Safe Boating Week

When: Friday, May 18, 2012, 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Where: Harbor Island West Marina, 2040 Harbor Island Drive San Diego, CA 92101

Hosted By: U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary

Contact: Petty Officer Henry Dunphy, 619-252-1304, henry.g.dunphy@uscg.mil, by 5 p.m., Thursday, May 17, if planning to attend.

Background: National Safe Boating Week is May 19-25, 2012. Boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada are teaming up to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary wear of life jackets.

“Each year, as many as 500 lives could have been saved if boaters had worn their life jackets,” said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “New life jackets on the market today make it easier than ever for a boater to have fun and stay safe on the water.”

Drowning remains the primary cause of death in recreational boating accidents. Statistics released by the Coast Guard indicate that 88 percent of boaters who drowned in 2010 were not wearing their life jackets.

“Like many recreational activities, boating has inherent risks,” said Chief Petty Officer Bradley Adams, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station San Diego. “We encourage everyone to make safety a priority on the water. This means having all the required safety equipment on board, including properly fitted life jackets, knowing the rules of the road, checking that weather conditions are safe for your planned activities and never boating under the influence of alcohol.”

This event will feature Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary members who will discuss ways to stay safe on the water and the free vessel safety checks that are available to boaters.

For more information, visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/ or www.USCGBoating.org.

To schedule a vessel safety check, visit: http://safetyseal.net/

CORRECTION: Manns Harbor Fire Department requested Coast Guard search assistance through Dare County 911 Dispatch Center

PORTSMOUTH, Va. —The Coast Guard is searching for a 32-year-old man who went missing, Wednesday, at Brier Hall point in the Alligator River near the entrance to the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina.

Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders received notification at noon via the Dare County 911 Dispatch Center from Manns Harbor Fire Department that a vessel was sinking, and two people were in the water.

Dare County also reported that one man swam to shore, but the other was still missing.

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, in Elizabeth City, N.C., to search with Manns Harbor Fire Department.

BOSTON — The Coast Guard is searching for a missing towboat captain west of Pocasset, Mass., Wednesday.

Watchstanders from the Sector Southeastern New England command center received a distress call at approximately 1 a.m. from the captain of the 29-foot TowBoat U.S. vessel Triple J, reporting that his vessel was taking on water.

A 25-foot Response Boat from Station Cape Cod Canal, a 41-foot utility boat from Station Woods Hole and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tigershark were immediately launched to search for the captain.

The Wareham, Mass., harbor master found the Triple J unmanned and partially submerged around 6 a.m. approximately three miles south of Hog Island Channel.

“He called us on a VHF-radio and we were able quickly find a fixed position,” said Lt. Brian Hall, the command duty officer at Sector Southeast New England. "We launched several assets and are conduct a thorough search of the area."

Assisting in the search are:

• Bourne, Mass., Police Department
• Wareham Harbor Master
• Marion, Mass., Harbor Master

View Larger Map

BOSTON — The Coast Guard has ended its search for the missing TowBoat U.S. captain off Pocasset, Mass., Wednesday.

Divers from the Wareham, Mass., Fire Department located the man deceased inside the cabin of the 29-foot Triple J around 8:30 a.m.

“Ending a search like this is a hard outcome to accept,” said Lt. Brian Hall, the command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The Coast Guard and other agencies began the search after watchstanders from the Sector Southeastern New England command center received a distress call at approximately 1 a.m. from the Triple J’s captain, reporting that his vessel was taking on water.

A 25-foot Response Boat from Coast Guard Station Cape Cod Canal, a 41-foot Utility Boat from Coast Guard Station Woods Hole and the Coast Guard Cutter Tigershark were immediately launched to search for the captain.

The Wareham, Mass., harbormaster found the Triple J unmanned and partially submerged around 6 a.m. approximately three miles south of Hog Island Channel.

Other agencies involved in the search were:

• Bourne, Mass., Police Department
• Wareham Harbormaster
• Marion, Mass., Harbormaster

"Sadly, accidents like these are a very real danger of working on the water,” said Lt. Daniel Tanksley, a command
duty officer at the 1^st Coast Guard District Command Center. “In the wake of tragedies like this, we urge mariners to recognize these dangers, operate safely, and be prepared for the worst.”

Editor's note: For high resolution version, click the image above.

LIHU’E, Kauai – Coast Guardsmen from Station Kauai, along with members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, joined Bernard J. Carvalho, Jr., mayor of the County of Kauai, in signing a proclamation declaring May 19-25 National Safe Boating Week on Kauai, Tuesday.

National Safe Boating Week is an annual Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary supported initiative with the goal of encouraging safe boating practices by mariners throughout the country. The week highlights the importance of safety equipment aboard vessels such as life jackets, proper communication equipment, and the benefits of owning an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. The hope is to encourage people to carry appropriate safety equipment which could save their life.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by Jim Jung.

SEATTLE — Boom is deployed, May 15, 2012, to contain the oil sheen that was leaked after a boat fire sunk the fishing vessel Deep Sea on Sunday near Whidbey Island, Wash. A total of 2,100 gallons of diesel fuel has been recovered and 4,400-feet of boom deployed in response to the incident. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard, Washington Dept. of Ecology, Health, and Natural Resources continue to respond to the sunken fishing vessel Deep Sea, Tuesday, located in Penn Cove near Whidbey Island, Wash.

The cracked vent estimated to be leaking two gallons per minute was plugged and is no longer emitting fuel. Three deployable skimmers, two vacuum trucks, one vessel containing bales of absorbent material and two dive teams are on-scene. One boom-tending vessel is en route.

The dive teams continue to siphon fuel from the vessel’s external vents. Once complete, the teams will look for any remaining fuel located inside the vessel. Approximately 2,100 gallons of diesel has been recovered. In addition, 4,400-feet of boom has been deployed to contain the surface sheen.

Coast Guard pollution investigators will remain on scene until the containment and cleanup process is complete. The Oil Spill Liability Fund will remain open to pay for the response effort until completion.   

The Washington Dept. of Ecology continues to monitor shore areas for potential environmental effects from the spill.  Oil sheen - a very thin coating of oil - covers the surface of nearby waters.  Some sheen has reached shore in places.  The sheen is too thin for removal from the water.

Ecology is analyzing water samples collected on Monday from Penn Cove to help evaluate environmental impacts from the spill. There have been no injured or killed mammals or fish observed or reported.

The Washington Dept. of Health has temporarily closed Penn Cove to shellfish harvesting because of the diesel spill.  The major commercial shellfish operation in Penn Cove voluntarily stopped harvesting on Sunday before any diesel reached its shellfish. The volume of diesel spilled from the boat grew through Monday, leaving a visible fuel sheen over the commercial operation and leading the state to close the area. Recreational shellfish harvesting in Penn Cove is also being temporarily closed. Before the area is reopened to harvest, the shellfish will be tested to confirm that they’re safe to eat.

The Dept. of Natural Resources is developing options for salvaging the vessel once the Coast Guard and Ecology's environment assessment team have completed their work.

For additional information on the response, respectively contact:

13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs office at (206) 220-7237

Larry Altose, Dept. of Ecology at (425) 649-7009; cell: (206) 920-2600

Donn Moyer, Dept. of Health at (360) 236-4076; cell: (360) 280-0487

Toni Droscher, Dept. of Natural Resources at (360) 902-1523

NEW YORK - Capt. Joseph Vojvodich, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, New Haven, Conn., right, presents a public service award pin to Les Trafford, owner of Sea-Tow Shinnecock/Moriches, N.Y., May 15, 2012. Trafford was recognized for his exemplary commitment to maritime safety and support of Long Island, N.Y., Coast Guard units. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco.

NEW YORK -  Capt. Joseph Vojvodich, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, New Haven, Conn., right, presents a certificate of merit to Les Trafford, owner of Sea-Tow Shinnecock/Moriches, N.Y., May 15, 2012. Trafford was recognized for his exemplary commitment to maritime safety and support of Long Island, N.Y., Coast Guard units. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco. 

Click the below thumbnail to obtain a high-resolution version

CLEVELAND — The keynote speaker and public service award recipients from the U.S. Coast Guard pose for a picture following the Cleveland Federal Executive Board's Wings of Excellence Federal Employee Recognition Ceremony at the Marriot Key Center in Cleveland, May 11, 2012. Pictured left to right are: (back row) Greg Harris, vice president of development at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum; Lt. Richard Colby, an asset line manager at Civil Engineering Unit Cleveland; Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Hutton, a storekeeper with Base Support Detachment Cleveland; Petty Officer 1st Class Ben Phlipot, an information systems technician with Electronic Systems Support Unit Cleveland; Capt. Thomas Routhier, commanding officer of Base Cleveland; (front row) David Bolanz, area housing manager for the 9th Coast Guard District; Katherine Carver, a real property accountability specialist with Civil Engineering Unit Cleveland; and Lt. Cmdr. David Uhl, chief of reserve readiness for the 9th Coast Guard District. NASA photo by Michelle M. Murphy

NEW YORK – A Coast Guard law enforcement team terminated a vessel voyage in Sandy Hook Bay, N.J., Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

While performing a routine vessel safety check on a 19-foot pleasure craft with one person onboard, the crew from Coast Guard Cutter Chinook noted three violations: no life jackets, Type IV flotation device or sound-producing device.

The crew of the Chinook terminated the voyage and escorted the vessel to Atlantic Highlands Marina. The man was fishing for clams when he was boarded by the Coast Guard.

“We terminated the vessel voyage for the safety of the passenger onboard,” said Chief Petty Officer Rodger Krass, a Sector New York command duty officer. “The person was not properly equipped to be on the water.”

Although the outside air temperatures are warming up, water temperatures are still very cold, and sea conditions can present unforeseen challenges. Proper safety equipment can save your life in an emergency.

The public is invited to explore a variety of Coast Guard rescue boats and witness a Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., conduct a search and rescue demonstration with a Station New Haven Rescue boat crew.

Also at the open house:

• Local police and fire department units will offer demonstrations of their vehicles and equipment.

• Coast Guard Auxiliary and New Haven Power Squadrons will be available to discuss boating safety and “paddle smart” activities.

• Environmental organizations, such as the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, will be available to discuss issues that affect Long Island Sound.

• A U.S. Air National Guard Black Hawk Helicopter will be on display and the crew will be available to talk to the public.

WHO: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound and partnering agencies

WHAT: Annual open house, admission is free. Participants include: CG Station New Haven, Conn., Air National Guard, New Haven and West Haven Fire Dept., New Haven, Milford and Branford Police Dept., Conn. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, International Ice Patrol, Sea Cadets, USCG Auxiliary and the TSA.

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound

             120 Woodward Ave, New Haven, Conn.

WHY: National Safe Boating Week.

Hot dogs, burgers, chips, sodas and a variety of baked goods will be for sale.

This is a great opportunity for the public to ask questions and learn about the various Coast Guard missions within the Connecticut and Long Island area.  There will be plenty of information to help educate people on how to stay safe on the water this summer.

It is important to note that the Coast Guard does not work alone in its efforts to rescue people in distress and protect the environment.  The open house also serves as a way to maintain and highlight important relationships federal, state and local agencies that participate in search and rescue efforts in the area.

NEW YORK - A Coast Guard rescue boat crew medically evacuated two men from a tanker anchored at Stapleton Anchorage in New York Harbor, Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

The crew of the tanker Aztec called the Coast Guard requesting medical assistance at 11:28 a.m. for a 60-year-old man reportedly suffering from symptoms of a heart attack.

The Coast Guard rescue crew from Station New York, with an emergency medical technician onboard, evacuated the man from the Aztec to provide medical attention and transportation to shore. The man was transferred to local emergency medical services personnel waiting on Staten Island.

In a second call shortly after the first rescue, the crew of the Aztec again radioed the Coast Guard requesting medical assistance for a 58-year-old-man reportedly suffering from symptoms of a seizure.

The Station New York rescue boat crew returned to the Aztec and safely evacuated the second man from the vessel. He was transferred to local emergency medical services personnel waiting on Staten Island.

Both men were taken to Staten Island University Hospital.

"It was unusual to have two medevacs from the same vessel," said Lt. Cmdr. Jason C. Aleksak, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station New York. “Fortunately we were able to provide the attention both patients needed and get them to further medical care."

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and New York Sea Grant program will host a no-cost Safety at Sea training event Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y.

The event, conducted by Coast Guard certified fishing vessel drill instructors, will feature demonstrations throughout the day and is designed for vessel masters, operators and crews of uninspected passenger vessels.

The program will offer training on a variety of safety issues including firefighting, lifesaving, CPR/first aid, drug and alcohol testing requirements, licensing and more.

Passenger vessel exams will be conducted dockside at the station, but must be pre-scheduled through Antoinette Clemetson, New York Sea Grant coordinator. Call (631) 727-3910 to reserve a spot for the event and make an appointment for vessel exams. Space is limited.

Please dress appropriately (no sandals, wear full length pants, cap)

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Coast Guard Station Montauk
69 Star Island Road
Montauk, NY  11954

PITTSBURGH — The Coast Guard is scheduled to commence the second phase of the Towing Vessel Bridging Program, July 1, 2012, conducting prioritized examinations aboard towing vessels that have not undergone voluntary examination during the first phase.

The initial phase, “Phase One”, has been ongoing for the last three years, allowing towing vessel operators the opportunity to request examinations from the Coast Guard to help identify and remediate potential hazards on board their vessels and achieve compliance with regulatory standards.

The Towing Vessel Bridging Program, currently ongoing, is designed to improve maritime safety, security and environmental responsibility within the towing vessel industry by conducting voluntary examinations on commercial towing vessels. A major intent of the program is to prepare the towing vessel industry for routine inspections which will eventually be conducted under new regulations being created to improve vessel safety.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh towing vessel examiners have conducted voluntary examinations on more than 130 towing vessels to date, issuing a total of 119 safety decals.  These towing vessel decals signify the vessels are in compliance with current regulations. Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh's goal is to examine all 175 commercial towing vessels primarily operating within the greater Pittsburgh area.

“It’s great to meet and work with the crewmembers in person, and to let them know that we’re here to help them prevent accidents and improve overall safety,” said Petty Officer Third Class David McVay, a towing vessel examiner for MSU Pittsburgh, who examines vessels in Penn., Ohio, and W. Va., encompassing 328 miles of rivers including the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny. “Sometimes there’s a little apprehension about having the Coast Guard come aboard, but we’re here to help, not to impede on commerce or stop vessel traffic."

The program will be shifting into Phase Two on July 1 and will incorporate examinations that are designed to address vessels that have yet to participate in the voluntary examination program. Vessels will be strategically prioritized and examined by the Coast Guard to ensure every vessel and operator has the opportunity to engage with the Coast Guard before the new inspection regulations come into effect.

These changes to inspection standards for the towing vessel industry are structured to improve the safety of towing vessel operations, not only in Pittsburgh, but throughout the nation’s waterways.

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Members of the Coast Guard will receive a 2012 Legacy Award for oil spill prevention, preparedness and response, May 16, for their efforts during the investigation of the sunken World War II tanker ship S.S. Montebello.

Members of the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force will present the award during the Clean Pacific Conference in Long Beach, Calif.

One of six awards to be given, Coast Guard members of the S.S. Montebello Unified Command will be recognized for the operation that successfully concluded that the sunken tanker posed no threat to the California coastline and nearby marine sanctuaries.

The Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force is comprised of senior executives from environmental agencies with oil spill regulatory authority in the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii and the Province of British Columbia.

Legacy Awards are given to industry, non-profit, or public agency organizations and individuals, or for team efforts.  The Task Force gives Legacy Awards for projects, accomplishments, or leadership that demonstrate innovation, management commitment, and improvements in oil spill prevention, preparedness or response resulting in enhanced environmental protection.  Efforts to promote partnerships and involve the public are favored.

For more information on The Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force, please visit www.oilspilltaskforce.org

CLEVELAND — A Coast Guard rescue boatcrew medically evacuated an ailing 67-year-old man from aboard a bulk carrier in Lake Superior Monday evening.

The man's name and hometown are not being released.  There is no Coast Guard imagery associated with this case.

Radio watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Marquette, Mich., received a call from local 911 central dispatch just before 7 p.m. EST.  The 911 call relayed contact from the crew of the motor vessel Joseph L. Block.  The crew of the vessel were reporting a crewmember suffering from stomach pains and severe dizziness.

After conferring with an on-call flight surgeon, it was determined the man needed to be evacuated.  Search and rescue controllers at Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., determined that, given the ship's location, a rescue boat from Station Marquette could get on scene faster than a rescue helicopter.

A rescue boatcrew launched from the station aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium at 7:13 p.m.  They arrived on scene, 38 miles northeast of Marquette, at 8:10 p.m. and transferred the man onto the RB-M.

During the transit to shore, the man was treated by a local EMT, who was already aboard the RB-M.  The man was transported to Station Marquette, where a waiting ambulance crew took him to Marquette General Hospital.

The Joseph L. Block is a 714-foot bulk carrier and was en route to Indiana Harbor with a cargo of taconite.

Whenever possible, the Coast Guard utilizes local EMTs and other first responders who have more extensive training to treat injured mariners.

The Response Boat-Medium is one of the Coast Guard's newest response assets, capable of a top speed in excess of 40 knots.

SEATTLE — In recognition of National Safe Boating Week, May 19-25, 2012, the Thirteenth Coast Guard District is emphasizing boating safety and will be reminding Pacific Northwest boaters throughout the week and year with a series of boating safety messages.

In conjunction with the North American Safe Boating “Wear it! Always wear your life jacket!” campaign, the Coast Guard will reinforce the following boating safety messages:

• Take a paddler education course. Paddlesports are the fastest growing segment of recreational boating, with more than 300,000 paddlecraft (primarily kayaks) now being sold annually. Paddlecraft are an extremely affordable entry point to recreational boating.  Like any other watercraft, paddlers should seek out paddler education before heading out on the water.  CLICK HERE to obtain more information on paddlesport safety.
• Wear a personal floatation device/life jacket at all times.  The law states you must have a PFD for every person on board, but the Coast Guard suggests you go one step further and wear your PFD at all times when boating.  It is much more difficult to locate, access, or don a PFD at the moment the accident occurs.  CLICK HERE for more information on personal floatation devices/PFDs.
• File a float plan and leave it with someone who is not recreating on the water.  A float plan is a lifesaving device on paper and can assist emergency responders with locating a distressed mariner. To learn more about a float plan CLICK HERE.  For a blank float plan CLICK HERE.
• Have a marine band radio and visual distress signals.  All of these devices will greatly assist you if you are in distress.  CLICK HERE for more information on visual distress signals.
• Have a registered 406MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon.  CLICK HERE to learn more about EPIRBs and registering your EPIRB.
• DO NOT boat under the influence of alcohol.  Alcohol affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination.  Factor in boat motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray and a drinker's impairment is accelerated.  CLICK HERE for more information on boating under the influence.    
• Start the season off right with a thorough boat inspection, including the hull and propulsion equipment. Pay particular attention to through-hull fittings and hoses that may have cracked or become brittle over the winter.
• Obtain a free boat inspection from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Boating safety courses are also available.

For additional boating safety tips, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/default.aspx. Click on the “REGULATIONS” tab to get additional information on federal laws, federal regulations, state boating laws and navigation rules.

For media inquiries, to arrange a boating safety interview with a Coast Guard member or to obtain additional boating safety information, contact the Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The public and media are invited to partake in a National Safe Boating Week kickoff event scheduled to begin Saturday morning at Leicht Park in Green Bay.

The purpose of the event is to promote boating safety initiatives for the upcoming boating season throughout the Green Bay area.

The mayor of Green Bay will open the ceremony with a National Safe Boating Week proclamation at 9:30 a.m.

Events include interactive boating safety demonstrations, tours of the Coast Guard Cutter Buckthorn, paddleboat safety demonstrations, and free vessel safety inspections by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The goal of National Safe Boating Week, held annually during the week leading up to Memorial Day weekend, is to heighten awareness among recreational boaters of the importance of boating responsibly and wearing a life jacket at all times.

Nationally, there were 672 boating fatalities in 2010.  Of those, 21 were children under age thirteen. 

Almost 75 percent of these boating accident victims drowned and of those, 88 percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket.  Although federal regulations require that children under 13 wear life jackets when boating, Wisconsin state law does not require wear.

Eight out of every 10 boaters who drowned were on vessels less than 21 feet in length.

Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.

Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 19 percent of the deaths. 

Editor's Note: Media interested in attending should contact Paul Mason, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, at 920-309-0076, or Chief Petty Officer Kyle Dupree, officer-in-charge of Station Green Bay, at 920-435-7042.

SITKA, Alaska – Coast Guard Air Station Sitka is scheduled to hold a change of command ceremony where Cmdr. Ward Sandlin will relieve Cmdr. Doug Cameron as Air Station Sitka’s commanding officer Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the hangar.

Sandlin is arriving from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., where he served as the Operations Officer.

Sandlin's prior assignments include a variety of operational and staff assignments. After graduating from Harding University in 1991 and Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in 1992, he served at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington as a staff officer in the Marine Safety Planning Division. He was then selected for flight training at Naval Flight School, Pensacola, Fla. He served operational tours at Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., and Air Station Kodiak, before being sent to Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala. as an instructor pilot. Following his tour in Mobile, he again served in Coast Guard Headquarters as the HH-60J Platform Manager before transferring to Clearwater.

Cameron has led Air Station Sitka since June, 2010. His next assignment will be as the Chief of Incident Management for the 5th Coast Guard District in Portsmouth, VA.

Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo, commander, 17th Coast Guard District, will preside over the ceremony.

For more information, please contact Lt. David Birky at 907-966-5613

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard continues to closely monitor salvage efforts Monday to assess and repair the container-ship MSC Idil, approximately 70 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico.

The Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo is on scene with the MSC Idil ready to provide any needed rescue assistance, while monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of the crew and the environment.

The crew of the MSC Idil continues to maintain the situation stabilized and is controlling the ship’s stability using onboard water pumps to manage flooding.

The vessel owner, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has hired commercial salvage company DonJon-Smit to conduct a salvage assessment of the vessel and effect repairs. Representatives from DonJon-Smit have been on board the vessel since Saturday afternoon to conduct their assessment.  Work will continue until a viable course of action to conduct temporary repairs is determined and effected. 

The 900-foot container ship suffered an explosion onboard late Friday afternoon, approximately 60 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico, during its transit to Barcelona, Spain.

The MSC Idil reported the explosion was most likely caused by welding that was taking place on board the vessel. The Idil also reported they have full control of their cargo and that they have not released any hazardous materials into the environment but are taking actions to mitigate any potential release. The MSC Idil is reported to have 588,000 gallons of fuel oil and 62,000 gallons of diesel on board.

Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo, a 110-foot patrol boat is homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.