Caribbean freight ship sinks

Captains,

A 206 ft Caribbean freight ship sank this week after her crew was unable to mitigate flooding. It's unclear why the vessel was taking on water. Thankfully, the radios, life rafts, and rescue coordination system worked as designed.

RADM W

Coast Guard Cutter Nantucket crew returns home after helping to save 10 lives

Posted by cgnews on 10/10/10 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Nantucket returned home to St. Petersburg today after a successful patrol resulted in crewmembers helping save 10 lives in the Bahamas.

The Nantucket was on patrol off South Florida Thursday, when a 206-foot cargo ship capsized and broke into pieces near Damas Cay in the Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas.

Coast Guard search-and-rescue coordinators in Key West received a mayday call at 2:08 p.m. Wednesday from the motor vessel Mystic, a 206-foot cargo ship with 10 persons aboard. The Mystic passed a position, but no nature of distress was given and the vessel was unable to hear any response from Coast Guard rescue operators.

Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received notification at 3 a.m. that the Mystic was in danger of capsizing, and the 10-member crew of the vessel was making preparations to abandon ship. At 4 a.m. the 10 crew members of the Mystic abandoned ship into two liferafts.

A Coast Guard helicopter aircrew that had pre-staged in Marathon through the night launched and arrived on scene with the Mystic at 4:10 a.m. and Nantucket launched their small boat, to effect a coordinated response.

At 4:30 a.m. the Nantucket smallboat crew recovered four of the individuals in liferafts and the rescue helicopter crew deployed their rescue swimmer who assisted in hoisting the remaining six people and one dog onto the helicopter.

USN teams with USCG for the rescue

Captains,

Sister services, Navy and Coast Guard, did a great job saving this sailor yesterday. Fortunately he had adequate survival equipment when his boat sank.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The Coast Guard and Navy worked together Sunday morning to return a rescued man to shore after his sailboat sank about 250 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras, N.C.

Coast Guard Fifth District watchstanders received a satellite distress signal at 5:07 p.m. Saturday from the sailboat Gloria A Dios. They launched an Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., HC-130J Hercules aircraft crew to search for the sailboat, began broadcasting an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to notify other mariners, used satellite Enhanced Group Calls to target other vessels in the area for help and diverted an AMVER vessel (a ship participating in the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System.)

Coast Guard Fifth District watchstanders and Navy's U.S. Second Fleet Maritime Operations Center coordinated to identify the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its air assets as the quickest and safest way to rescue the unfortunate sailor.

The crew of the Coast Guard Hercules dropped a life raft near the Gloria A Dios after a large wave demasted it causing two holes in the port side cabin at about 9:30 p.m. The sailboat sank and Eisenhower's rescue helicopter crew picked up the man from the water around 10:30 p.m. and flew more than 100 miles back to the carrier.

RDML W

Four ways to be located

Captains,

Today's rescue reports include four different ways to be located: EPIRB, cell phone, distress signal, and marine radio. Smart mariners carry all four.

RDML W

EPIRB leads Coast Guard to distressed mariner

SABINE, Texas — Following a distress from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) onboard a 34-foot sailing vessel, the Coast Guard found a missing 80-year-old man Tuesday who had departed Houston ten days ago. The Eighth Coast Guard District command center received the distress alert located approximately 115 miles south of Sabine at 9:30 a.m. The Coast Guard contacted the owner of the EPIRB and was notified by a family member that the 80-year-old owner of the sailing vessel, Enchantress, departed Houston approximately ten days ago and was headed toward Kemah, Texas. Coast Guard locates overdue boater in Chesapeake Bay BALTIMORE – The Coast Guard rescued a man aboard a disabled 21-foot recreational boat approximately three miles northeast of Thomas Point Park in the Chesapeake Bay, Wednesday. The boater’s friend contacted Coast Guard Sector Baltimore watchstanders at 10 p.m., Tuesday, reporting that he did not report to work. In a phone conversation between the boater and his friend earlier that day, he indicated he was going fishing. Sector Baltimore watchstanders contacted the boater’s cellular phone provider to try and triangulate his position and was able to determine that the last known call was at 7:56 a.m., Tuesday, and his approximate position was five miles from Thomas Point Shoal Light. Coast Guard responds to distress signal NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard responded to a distress signal from a 26-foot sailing vessel, 30 miles south of Venice, La., Tuesday. An MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans was diverted from a training mission and arrived at the vessel's location at 8:36 p.m. A radio was lowered to the vessel and the 26-year-old man onboard. Coast Guard en route to disabled Gloucester boat 200 miles offshore BOSTON — A Coast Guard cutter is en route to help five Gloucester, Mass., fishermen on a disabled lobster boat more than 200 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass., Wednesday night. The owner of the 77-foot boat, suspecting contaminated fuel, radioed for help when the boat’s engines would not start at about 3:30 p.m. Initial communications with the boat were spotty, so a C-130 Hercules plane from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., already nearby for another mission, guided the vessel to an area where Sector Southeastern New England command center staff in Woods Hole, Mass., could maintain radio communication.

3 sailors rescued 600 NM east of Bermuda

Captains,

Yesterday's successful rescue at sea involved two rescue coordination centers, a 406mHZ EPIRB, a Coast Guard C-130 and AMVER. The Amver participating vessel, M/V Wellington Star, answered the call for assistance. With support from a USCG C-130 aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City, three sailors were rescued after their yacht flipped over 600 miles northeast of Bermuda. Fortunately the sailors were wearing their survival suits.

RDML W

Coast Guard coordinates rescue of 3 people east of Bermuda

PORTSMOUTH VA - Saturday Coast Guard watchstanders in Portsmouth received an inmarsat satellite phone distress signal from a french sailing yacht at 4:45 p.m. Ten minutes later Rescue Coordination Center Gris Nez, in northern France, called reporting they had received a 406mHz radio beacon distress signal from the same yacht. Watchstanders attempted to call their satellite phone, began broadcasting an Inmarsat C SafetyNET Enhanced Group Call to all ships in the area and contacted nearby ships participating in the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System. After multiple calls, the Coast Guard made contact with the sailing yacht's crew and found that their yacht had flipped over from a wave and another flipped it back. The crew also reported they were wearing their survival suits. The watchstanders maintained regular contact while an Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130J Hercules aircraft crew took flight to search for the yacht and provide communications and support as two AMVER vessels were en route to provide assistance. The AMVER vessel Wellington Star arrived and the last person was safely transferred aboard at 12:37 a.m. Sunday. They are now en route to New Bedford, Mass.

Keep the crew inside the lifelines

Captains

Majesty of Seas crewman, Robert Mado is a lucky man, but why did he go overboard? The investigation pends. Hope he is OK after treading water for over two hours.

RDML W

MIAMI -- The Coast Guard rescued a cruise ship crewmember who went overboard Friday morning.

A smallboat crew from Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, Fla., located 31-year-old Robert Mado treading water around 6:15 a.m., roughly five miles off the Fowey Rocks near Biscayne Bay, Miami. Mado was transferred to Fireboat One from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

Mado went overboard from the Royal Caribbean, Majesty of the Seas, early Friday morning. The Majesty of the Seas crew broadcast a distress call around 4:30 a.m.

Also assisting in the search was:

* An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami
* A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boat crew

Piracy continues - more security needed

Captains,

Piracy, another issue highlighted in Admiral Allen's speech to IMO continues. U.S. flag vessels have been subject to significantly improved security standards since the USCG promulgated a MARSEC Directive last spring following the MAERSK ALABAMA case. Other flag states should adopt and reenforce similar standards to deter the pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa.

RADM W

From The Times

December 1, 2009

Super tanker and its $20m cargo seized by gang of Somali pirates

(Fred Vloo)

The hijacking of the 300,000-tonne Maran Centaurus underlines the ease with which pirates are able to prey on ships far out to sea. It is pictured here under a previous name - Astro Centaurus

Fifth District 'Safe Catch' Operation

Captains,

I bring this notice to your attention. I plan to encourage similar initiatives throughout the Coast Guard. Loss of life continues to plague the fishing industry and other operators of uninspected vessels.

RDML W

Fifth Coast Guard District Kicks Off Operation Safe Catch 2010

The Fifth Coast Guard District, which ranges from New Jersey to North Carolina,launched on Nov. 1, Operation Safe Catch 2010, a marine safety pulse operation that runs through Apr. 30, 2010. The pulse operation is intended to improve commercial fishing vessel safety and prevent loss of life and property at sea.

The implementation of the commercial fishing industry vessel regulations published in 1991 has reduced fishing vessel casualties and subsequent loss of life throughout the fishing fleet. However, as of Nov 1, 2009, there have been eight lives and nine fishing vessels lost in CY 2009 within the Fifth District, confirming that commercial fishing continues to rank among the most hazardous occupations in the U.S.

Operation Safe Catch 2010 is intended to increase the rate of safety compliance of commercial fishing vessels through: (1) Education, outreach and increased participation in the Coast Guard's voluntary dockside examination program; (2) Increased at sea enforcement of safety regulations through risk-based operations; and (3) Leveraging and expanding the Coast Guard's partnerships within the commercial fishing vessel industry and resource managers.

During the operation, Coast Guard at-sea boarding teams and dockside examiners will concentrate on "high risk" vessels. These are vessels in poor condition with inadequate safety equipment; have a history of repeated search and rescue interventions; or engage in higher risk fishery operations, such as one-person fishing vessels operated far from shore.

Pictured above: The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Finback tows the 71-foot fishing vessel Dictator Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2009, after it was involved in a collision with the 965-foot merchant vessel Florida 47 miles off the coast of Cape May, N.J. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Roy A. Snyder)

Rescued Sailors off Hawaiian Islands

Captains, You gotta like this story because the kid from Galesburg and his friend survive. They called someone ashore before it was too late, saved the last flare until they knew the helo would see it, and trusted the rescue swimmer. Too bad they didn't wait for a better day to go sailing in a 24 foot boat. The Sector Honolulu SAR planner sums it up pretty well. "Those two guys were fortunate." RDML W

Galesburg man saved at sea

SOURCE: WQAD, 30Nov09

GALESBURG, Illinois - Luke has always loved the ocean. But, his passion almost cost him his life.

He's surfed and snorkeled but in his 25 years, he's never sailed until last Sunday. His friend, Alfredo, asked Luke if he wanted to sail with him to take a boat back to it's owner - a 30 hour trip between the islands of Hawaii.

They set sail early Sunday morning. On Monday morning, Luke called his fiancée, Allyson, to let her know they ran into some rough waters and won't be arriving when they said and to call his parents, Jim and Beth. That night, Luke and Alfredo were facing waves up to 20 feet high. "It's the channel between Maui and the big island. It’s supposed to be the one of the most dangerous crossings on any of the oceans," explained Jim. Luke confirmed it was. "When we hit the channel, our rudder snapped off the back of the boat so we had no steering. That's when we knew we were in trouble," said Luke.

Moments later, the sailboat capsized. The men lost their cell phones and handheld radio. Alfredo rigged up some lights to put at the end of the mast to send SOS signals. They managed to save 3 of the 20 flares that was on board and shot off 2 of them when they saw a ship pass nearby, but it didn't stop.

Luke's parents were trying to call him all day on Monday. Then, decided to call the Coast Guard that night. Luke and Alfredo spotted the rescue plane. "It went by the first time and already past us. So he (Alfredo) held onto the flare. He knew how they fly the search pattern and know it'd be back in 20 minutes." They shot off their last flare.

“When we arrived on scene the two sails masts were in the water and the boat was swaying violently in the water,” said Lt. j.g. Jason Gross, an HH-65 rescue helicopter pilot.

“After we lowered a rescue swimmer onto the vessel, we determined the best course of action would be to have the two men swim away from the boat and then we lowered a basket into the water and hoisted them from there.”

“This one could have turned out much differently,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Sean Soule, a search and rescue planner with Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “We received tremendous cooperation from the DLNR, Navy and Hawaii County officials and were able to cover a huge area and those two guys were fortunate.”

At 8:54 Tuesday night, the Harmons got a call from the National Guard saying their son and his friend had been found and are fine. They had to lower a diver into the water for the rescue because the waters were too rough.

After this near-death experience, Luke's passion for the ocean hasn't changed. "I'll probably do it again," Luke said. Then, he laughed and added, "But, I don't think I'll cross that channel on a 24 foot sailboat again'.

USCG Arctic Operations

Captains,

One of the topics Admiral Allen mentioned in his IMO General Assembly speech is "climate change". Climate change could impact seafarers in a variety of ways. In the Arctic, for example, where there was only ice, now there are seasonal open seas. Fishing, cruising, oil exploration, global shipping, military operations, and Coast Guard services are now being conducted in the Arctic. I delivered the following presentation on Coast Guard operations in the Arctic.

RDML W

USA maritime leadership continues in London at IMO

Excerpts from Adm Allen's speech at the General Assembly this week:

U.S. Delegation to the International Maritime Organization

I am Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.

Since our inclusion as an IMO member state, the United States has made significant contributions to advance IMO?s objectives of marine safety, security, and environmental protection and we will continue to do so. We are committed because the marine transportation system is an absolutely essential link in the global supply chain.

We are a maritime nation. My service, the U.S. Coast Guard, was founded to provide maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship for a fledgling nation. We quickly learned that our values, economy, and security were tied to the oceans and waterways that funneled into our ports. Those ports, over 360 of them today, have become essential hubs in the global marketplace.

As a flag state, port state, and coastal state, the United States satisfies the requirements for election under Category ?A?. We are a leader in providing international shipping services. In addition to the U.S. flag fleet, the United States is one of the top five ship owning countries in the world. We have some of the world?s busiest ports and rank second in terms of overall port calls by the world?s ships.

We continue to work at IMO with the international community to address the most pressing issues of the day including air emissions from ships, climate change, piracy in waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden where United States forces have demonstrated resolve to address this threat, and goal-based standards for new ship construction.

After the tragic terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11th, 2001, we engaged the IMO to develop the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. This Code has led to the broad international effort to increase global shipping security. To improve maritime awareness for vessel safety and security, we are voluntarily hosting the international data exchange for the long-range identification and tracking system.

We regularly send highly qualified delegations to IMO meetings and several U.S. personnel have held leadership positions within IMO committees. American subject matter experts assisted in the meetings that produced the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the U. S. Coast Guard also posts a permanent officer at the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden, where I have personally delivered a graduation address.z

Recognizing our financial obligations, the United States has remained current on its payments of assessed contributions and made voluntary offerings to various IMO projects. Over the past five years, we provided $1.4 million in funding for the International Maritime Security Trust fund. We provide support and training expertise to help developing countries safeguard their own maritime interests and contribute to international governance.

As a member of the Council, the United States has been a strong advocate for an efficient and forward looking IMO. We will continue to support transparency in all financial and regulatory matters, accountability by adhering to internal and external audits, and the highest ethical standards.

Within the United States, President Obama recently acknowledged just how vital the oceans are to our way of life when he formed the Ocean Policy Task Force. This multi-agency group is creating a governance framework to responsibly manage competing oceanic interests.

When I testified before the United States Senate, I stressed the need to align the Task Force?s domestic policies with the international community. We appreciate that the oceans are indeed the last global commons. We share those waters with all of you and many of the challenges we face extend beyond the reach of individual nations. To facilitate trade and mitigate threats, the global community must work together.

We are committed to working within the IMO framework and with all of the member nations to meet these challenges. This is our obligation so we can leave a better world for our children to inherit.

Boat and 8 people saved in this flooding case off NJ

Captains,

In this case, 8 people were at risk due to a faulty raw water connection in the engine room. On a clear day off the NJ coast, CG crews on rescue boats saved the people and the boat.

ASBURY PARK, N.J. - The Coast Guard rescued eight people Saturday after the 30-foot boat they were aboard was taking on water near Asbury Park. The Coast Guard received a call at 10:50 a.m. from a crewmember aboard the Erin Elizabeth reporting they were taking on water and needed assistance. A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Shark River, N.J., arrived on scene and transferred all eight people aboard their boat. A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Manasquan, N.J., arrived on scene and transferred the eight people aboard their boat. The rescue boat crew from Station Shark River located the source of the flooding, which was coming from a raw water hose and leaking into the engine room and secured the leak. The rescue boat crew from Station Manasquan transported the eight people with the Erin Elizabeth in tow to Hoffman's Marina in Brielle, N.J.

Caught in the surf, then flooding dooms the FIREFLY off Morro Bay CA

Captains, The skipper of the FIREFLY is lucky to be alive this Thanksgiving. Make sure your through-hull fittings are intact, especially if you plan to cross the bar alone at midnight. The Coast Guard was called in time for this case, but YOU don't want to have a night like this on your vessel.

MORRO BAY, Calif - The Coast Guard rescued a mariner from a 56-foot recreational boat that sank approximately one and three-quarter miles southwest of the entrance to Morro Bay Harbor just before midnight on Wednesday, November 25th. Coast Guard Station Morro Bay responded with a 47-foot motor life boat to a report that the vessel Firefly was caught in the surf zone off Cayucos, Calif. Morro Bay Harbor Patrol also responded. The mariner maneuvered the vessel out of the surf zone and was heading south to Morro Bay Harbor. The Coast Guard crew located the vessel and commenced an escort to Morro Bay Harbor. During the transit the vessel became disabled with approximately 3-4 feet of water in the engine room. A second motor life boat from Station Morro Bay was launched to further assist. Coast Guardsmen from the motor life boats attempted to dewater the vessel, but it continued to take on water at a greater rate than the pumps could handle. When the vessel was listing hard to starboard and only about 2 inches of freeboard remained, the decision to evacuate the vessel was made. The vessel quickly sank in approximately 150 feet of water. Floating debris from the vessel was retrieved by the Coast Guard and Harbor Patrol. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Santa Barbara is investigating.