JFK remembered

Captains,

Fifty years ago today J.F. Kennedy was inaugurated President of the United States. He had been a captain of PT 109 and always had a liking for the sea and its lore. Americans are constantly reminded of the challenge of doing what you can do for your country. However, a close examination of the speech given 50 years ago reveals a message much more seafarer-like. It's a message for citizens of the world, a message from the heart of a person who has seen the world from the global common of the sea and seeks freedom for all mankind.

RADM W

Washington DC, January 20, 1961......."In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.	24
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.	25
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.	26
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own." JFK

Atlantic, the book

Captains,

Others appear to enjoy this book as much as I do. Atlantic is really just one author's perspective on the Atlantic Ocean, but its a good one. Whether you enjoy its strength and feel, or its history and people, or its fragility and uncertain future, you'll find this is a book worth reading or hearing.

RADM W

'Atlantic': Simon Winchester's labor of love and nostalgia for a mighty ocean

A review of Simon Winchester's "Atlantic," a spellbinding epic of the Alantic Ocean — its surface, depths, both shores and everything in between.

By by David Laskin Special to The Seattle Times

Oh to be Simon Winchester! What other writer lands — and nimbly dispatches — such plum assignments? In his latest volume, the globe-spinning best-seller bestrides the mighty Atlantic to summon forth a history of its surface, depths, both shores and everything in between.

Lake Ontario paddle boat rescue awarded

Way to go Ed!

RADM W

OSWEGO, N.Y. -- The U.S. Coast Guard honored a Henderson Harbor man for saving three people from drowning in Lake Ontario.

Ed Fillingham, 77, was awarded the Silver Lifesaving Medal Tuesday. In April 2009, Fillingham rescued a woman and two men from 40 degree water after their boat capsized and they weren't wearing life jackets. He paddled 500 yards offshore to save the boaters.

Fillingham told us their safety was the first thing on his mind that day.

"You can't leave kids out there like that. Once you commit yourself, you go after them. You got to try anyway. No way I could have left them out there. No way," Fillingham said.

The U.S. Coast Guard awards the Silver Lifesaving Medal to people who endanger their own lives while saving or attempting to save another from drowning, a shipwreck or other perils of the water.

Same boat, new story

Captains,

I suppose every commercial vessel has its own story. This fishing vessel, the Damariscotta (former Heather Lynne II) has more than its share. This week it made the news again. Fortunately its crew survived this time.

RADM W

POINT JUDITH, Rhode Island -- U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued two mariners after the fishing vessel Damariscotta sank near Point Judith, Jan. 3, 2011.

Coast Guard crews recovered the mariners after escorting the 45-foot vessel seven miles into Point Judith Harbor.

Coast Guard crews have deemed the sunken vessel clear of channel traffic, but are marking the location of the vessel to avoid any hazard to navigation. Pollution investigators are on scene to monitor any risk of pollution and have used oil boom to secure any leaks from the vessel. The vessel owner has hired a private company to clean any oil and are creating a salvage plan.

January 5, 2011

Former Newburyport fishing vessel meets with fate, again

By Lynne HendricksStaff Writer

PORT JUDITH, R.I. — The sea has claimed the Heather Lynne II, for a second time.

Almost two decades ago, the 45-foot fishing vessel was a star in Newburyport's fishing fleet, harvesting its catches from the rich shoals off Cape Ann.

But in the early hours of a September 1996 morning, tragedy claimed the lives of its three local crew members - Jeffrey Hutchins, Kevin Foster and John Michael Lowther — when the vessel collided with a steel tow line that connected a barge to a towboat. The Heather Lynne capsized, and its crew drowned.

However it didn't sink - the boat righted itself, was brought back to Salisbury, restored and eventually renamed the Damariscotta, and continued to fish.

Monday it once again met with fate. It sunk in just 12 feet of water some 30 yards from a public dock in Galilee, R.I. as owner Brian Loftes of South Kingston, R.I., and a crew member sought to hobble the boat into port after it began taking on water seven miles offshore. It is expected to be raised and salvaged, again.

Aegean Angel tragedy

Captains,

The tankship Aegean Angel, which has a fine history of helping to save lives (2008), is currently experiencing a tragedy of its own. The captain and chief engineer were killed and the mate seriously injured in a weather related incident on deck while transiting the Atlantic in a storm. The US Coast Guard is coordinating with the Bermuda Rescue Coordination Center and the Greek Minister of Citizen Protection to get medical assistance for the injured mate.

RADM W

Ship Heads to Bermuda: 2 Killed & 1 Injured

December 30, 2010 by bernews

[Updated] A ship is heading to Bermuda to obtain medical care for an injured officer after two other crew members were killed today [Dec 30] after a wave hit the 274 metre ‘Aegean Angel’ [pictured] as it was sailing in the mid- Atlantic with a cargo of fuel oil.

The 47-year old captain and a 33-year old chief mechanic were killed, and the 34-year old Cypriot deputy captain was “seriously” injured in the incident after the three men were hit on the deck of the ship as they were checking for damage amid strong winds, a spokesman of Athens-based Arcadia Shipmanagement Co Ltd. told Bloomberg today.

“The ship didn’t suffer any damage and is now sailing to the closest port which is in Bermuda to get treatment for the injured officer who is receiving medical attention on board while the company is in contact with the U.S. coastguard,” the Arcadia Shipmanagment spokesman told Bloomberg.

Jan 1, 2011 - Coast Guard to medevac crewmember from Greek merchant vessel off Bermuda

USCG C-130 File Photo

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – The Coast Guard is preparing to rescue the injured 2nd mate of the Greek flagged merchant vessel Aegean Angel approximately 500 miles northeast of Bermuda Friday.

Coast Guard watchstanders at the Coast Guard 5th District were contacted Friday morning by the Minister of Citizen protection in Greece, who was requesting assistance in the rescue.

April 16, 2008 - Coast Guard, Motor Tanker Aegean Angel Coordinate Rescue of 11 Mariners 300 Miles South of Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Coast Guard watch standers and the crew of a Coast Guard HU-25 Falcon Jet coordinated with the motor tanker Aegean Angel the rescue of 11distressed mariners aboard a life raft Tuesday, after their vessel sank 300 miles south of Puerto Rico

The 11-men crew consisting of nine Guyaneese, one Dominican and one Cuban were forced to abandon the Korean flagged cargo vessel Tel Tale II and board a life raft, after waves reportedly beat on the vessel's starboard side causing it's cargo to shift and the vessel to loose it's steering before finally capsizing and sinking.

New Years Eve rescue

Captains,

In another holiday rescue, a good samaritan helped out 3 fellow fisherman off Owls Head in Maine. The crew of the F/V Miss Jill were very lucky the crew on the F/V Rising Sun were alert and nearby.

RADM W

Coast Guard, fishermen aid sinking vessel off Owls Head

By Staff | Jan 01, 2011

OWLS HEAD — U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews and a good Samaritan aided a commercial fishing vessel crew after abandoning their sinking boat east of Owl’s Head State Park at approximately 8:40 p.m., Dec. 31.

Coast Guard Sector Northern New England watch-standers received report that the fishing vessel Miss Jill was sinking at 8:40 p.m. and three mariners were abandoning their vessel on a life raft, according to a news release issued by the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Station Rockland rescue crews launched a 47-foot motor life boat to the last reported location. An urgent marine Information broadcast was issued, alerting any boats in the vicinity to provide assistance.

A 30-foot fishing vessel, the Rising Sun, was in the immediate area and plucked the mariners in their life raft from the water, the Coast Guard said.

"It's fortunate the Rising Sun crew was close by to assist the mariners," said Chris Berry, a Coast Guard Sector Northern New England operational unit controller, in the release. “This shows the great camaraderie of a tight-knit maritime community.”

Christmas rescue

Captains,

Captain Pagunsan aboard MV Fantasy Star (AMVER participant) teamed up with the crew of USCGC Tarpon on Christmas when a 406 MHZ EPIRB alerted the Charleston Coast Guard of a distressed vessel named Carol Ann. Thanks Captain Pagunsan.

RADM W

Ship in right place at right time

1/1/2011

By LOUIE BROGDON The Brunswick News Arsenio Pagunsan, captain of the Fantasy Star, a Panamanian freighter ship, didn't expect to spend Christmas 30 miles off the coast of St. Simons Island, but at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard, he did. It was lucky for two individuals that Pagnusan, his ship now docked in Brunswick, was in the right place at the right time. The Fantasy Star was heading toward the Brunswick port from Canada when it and its crew were asked to divert 22 miles off course, he said. "I received a message from the U.S. Coast Guard that a fishing vessel was in engine trouble and they asked for me to go to the fishing vessel for communication," Pagunsan said Thursday. The troubled boat reportedly didn't have a strong enough radio to communicate with the Coast Guard in Jacksonville. The Fantasy Star was asked to go to the beleaguered boat and use its own communication devices to relay messages to a Coast Guard unit that was six hours away. The two people aboard the immobile boat were rescued and taken to Tybee Island by the Coast Guard, Pagunsan said. The Fantasy Star was released by the Coast Guard after nearly eight hours and docked on Colonel's Island.