Editor's note: click on photos for high resolution images

Capt. Austin Gould, Coast Guard Sector Miami commander, addresses the guests at the Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark change of command ceremony in Miami, July 17, 2015. Gould presided over the time-honored tradition of the sea-going services that formally restates the continuity of command to the officers and crew. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.

Lt. Lloyd Belcher, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark, embraces members of his crew during a change of command ceremony at Coast Guard Sector Miami, July 17, 2015. Belcher was assigned as commanding officer of the Paul Clark in April of 2013. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.

Lt. Joe Herd greets the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark during a change of command ceremony in Miami, July 17, 2015. Herd, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., received his commission in 2007 after graduating from the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation and attending Direct Commission Officer school. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.

Coast Guard Lt. Lloyd Belcher and Capt. Austin Gould pose for a picture during the Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark change of command ceremony in Miami, July 17, 2015. Belcher was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal after his service as the commanding officer aboard the Paul Clark. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.

MIAMI – Coast Guard Lt. Joe Herd took command of the Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark during a change-of-command ceremony in Miami Friday.

Coast Guard Sector Miami Commander, Capt. Austin Gould, presided over the change of command ceremony where Herd assumed the duties and responsibilities as the commanding officer of the Cutter Paul Clark from Lt. Lloyd Belcher.

Belcher departs the Paul Clark to assume the responsibilities as the governmental affairs officer for the Coast Guard Pacific Area command.

Herd, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, received his commission in 2007 after graduating from the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation and attending Direct Commission Officer school.

Herd arrives from Patrol Forces Southwest Asia located in Bahrain.

The change of command is a time-honored tradition that ensures the continuity of command. It is a formal ceremony conducted before the entire crew. The ceremony marks the transfer of total responsibility, authority, and accountability for the cutter and the accomplishment of its assigned mission. It is conducted according to a formally prescribed ritual, to honor and maintain traditions of the service.

The Sentinel-class fast response cutter is a new Coast Guard patrol boat that is capable of deploying independently to conduct missions that include port, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense.

For breaking news, please follow us on Twitter @uscgsoutheast.

LOS ANGELES—The Coast Guard advises the public to exercise caution when on and around central and southern California beaches as a combination of larger sea swells and tides due to the effects of tropical cyclone Dolores may be present.

Dolores will move west-northwest well off the southern tip of Baja over the next few days, generating a large south to southeast swell that will impact the southwest California coast starting today. Swell size will gradually increase over the weekend, peaking Sunday into early Monday. The swell is expected to result in surf up to seven feet and may create rip currents.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a Beach Hazards Statement that will remain in effect through Monday afternoon. Hazards include breaking surf of 4 to 7 feet with max sets to 8 feet on south facing beaches. There will be a high risk of strong and frequent rip currents, elevated surf and beach erosion.

A Beach Hazards Statement is issued when threats to beach and surf zone safety are expected or occurring. Caution should be used when on or near the water. Stay near occupied towers and never swim alone. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore.

The Coast Guard encourages all boaters and beach goers to prepare for the potential hazards and keep advised of weather changes through the National Weather Service and to monitor VHF-FM channel 16 for the most current safety advisories.

“We strongly urge the public to exercise caution when visiting local beaches over the weekend, due to the different swell direction there may be large breaking waves present in areas that are normally calm,” said Chief Petty Officer Joseph J. Nilles, Officer-in-Charge, U.S. Coast Guard Station Morro Bay.

The Coast Guard urges mariners to always:

• Stay Informed - The public should be aware of weather conditions and monitor the progress and strength of the storm through local television, radio and internet. Check the current and expected weather and water conditions before heading out, and be aware that weather conditions can quickly change.
• Wear life jackets while on the water.
• File a float plan with friends, family members and local marinas before heading out. The list should include the number of passengers aboard the vessel, vessel's destination and expected time of return.
• Always have a working marine-band radio on board.
• Carry marine flares on board the vessel.
• Ensure bilge pumps are operational and vessels are secure for heavy winds and rain.

For more information on boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org.

Please visit the NOAA Website at www.noaa.gov for the most up to date information on the storm.

NEW YORK — Coast Guard Sector New York held a change of command ceremony at the Alexander Hamilton Customs House in Manhattan, New York, Friday.

Capt. Gordon Loebl, who took command of Sector New York, as well as becoming Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey, in June 2012, was relieved of his duties and responsibilities by Capt. Michael Day. 

Day most recently served as the deputy commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco.

Sector New York is the largest Coast Guard operational field command on the east coast. With more than 700 active duty personnel and 300 reservists, the Sector is charged with maritime safety, security and stewardship for the Port of New York and New Jersey, as well as the Hudson River.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored naval tradition, which formally acknowledges the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.

Capt. Gordon Loebl (right) and Capt. Michael Day render a hand salute during a change of command ceremony for Coast Guard Sector New York at the Alexander Hamilton Customs House in Manhattan, New York, July 17, 2015. Day relieved Loebl of his duties and responsibilities of the sector as well as Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Frank Iannazzo-Simmons)

Capt. Gordon Loebl receives the Legion of Merit award for his outstanding meritorious service as Commander of Coast Guard Sector New York during a change of command ceremony at the Alexander Hamilton Customs House in Manhattan, New York, July 17, 2015. Rear Adm. Linda Fagan, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, presented the award to Loebl. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Frank Iannazzo-Simmons)

Members of the official party render a hand salute while the colors detail retire colors during a change of command ceremony for Coast Guard Sector New York at the Alexander Hamilton Customs House in Manhattan, New York, July 17, 2015. Capt. Gordon Loebl relieved Rear Adm. Linda Fagan of her duties and responsibilities of the sector as well as Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Frank Iannazzo-Simmons)

SEATTLE — Capt. Stanley Romanowicz relieved Capt. Marc Lebeau as commanding officer of Coast Guard Base Seattle, Friday.

Romanowicz’s previous assignment was as a management and program analyst within the mission support integration office at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

“I’m very confident we will continue to expand on the great foundation built by Capt. Lebeau and the Base Seattle team,” said Romanowicz. “Supporting Coast Guard operations in the most efficient and effective manner has never been more important than it is today.”

Lebeau’s next assignment will be as chief of naval engineering at Coast Guard Headquarters.

“Base Seattle has been the trend setter for mission support,” said Lebeau. “In the last three years, I’ve been amazed by the depth and breadth of your technical skill and your limitless ambition. You have made me proud to be your spoksman.”

Base Seattle was commissioned in 1976 and has received numerous upgrades to the grounds and facilities throughout its history. Today, the base provides services to more than 1,600 crewmembers from 16 shore units and 5 cutters.

Editor's note: for high resolution images, click the thumbnails above.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Crewmembers at Coast Guard Station Charleston hosted a Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps member during a unit visit, Tuesday. 

While visiting with his family, Station Charleston crewmembers also helped Marcus Stover earn his on-water certification for the JROTC.

Stover, a 15-year-old student and a Petty Officer 3rd Class in the Navy JROTC, was given a full access tour along with a ride aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, during the visit. In addition to earning his rank, Stover has also earned the title of Captain of the Rifle Team in the JROTC.

“Our crew here at Station was amazed with Marcus,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Justin Longval, a boatswain's mate and the officer in charge of Station Charleston. “This young man, despite the challenges he has faced, has accomplished so much. We were very interested in hearing this young man's story and we were especially interested in helping him earn his certification.”

During the tour, Stover and his family learned about he history of the Coast Guard, the service’s traditions and how Coast Guardsmen serve communities throughout the nation. After the tour, the family went aboard the RBM for their ride.

While aboard, the crew discussed the history of Charleston Harbor and got to know the family. Stover was then given the opportunity to operate the RBM. The crew gave him instructions and showed him how to control the vessel. Stover took command of the RBM and navigated it through the Cooper River, going under the Arthur Ravenel Bridge and past the Wando container terminal.

Upon their return to Station Charleston, the crew presented Stover with a boat crewmember certificate and a Challenge Coin from the unit.

“We get requests all the time from civilian personnel to come to the station and see what we do,” said Longval. “Most of the time, it’s from friends or family members of folks that are stationed here or were stationed here at one time. This request was special, as we were able to engrain a positive lasting memory into the mind of a young man that earned his place in the Navy JROTC program and now in the U.S. Coast Guard.”

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JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard and Alaska State Troopers are investigating a report of a downed aircraft 18 miles west of Juneau, near Point Couverden, Friday.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Liberty have been dispatched to investigate.

Coast Guard 17^th District command center watchstanders received an emergency beacon alert Friday afternoon. Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders assumed the role of search and rescue mission coordinator and directed launch of response assets.

“Our primary concern is getting assets on scene to verify the nature of the emergency,” said Cmdr. Patrick Hilbert, deputy commander, Sector Juneau. “Once there, our assets will focus on providing assistance as necessary.”

Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay rescued three people aboard a sailing vessel 53 miles west of Eureka, Calif., Friday, July 17, 2015. For the video, please click here. 

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — Coast Guard members located a lost hiker Thursday near Manila and rescued three people aboard a sailing vessel 53 miles west of Eureka Friday.

Thursday, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders received a request from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s department to assist in locating a 20-year-old male near the Manila Sand Dunes. Rescue 6606, an MH-65D helicopter crew from Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay, was immediately dispatched to search the area,while ground personnel from the local police department remained in contact with the distressed male by cell phone. As night fell, Rescue 6606 utilized night vision goggles and instructed the man to use a flashlight function on his cell phone, which immediately made his position apparent to the four-member rescue flight crew.  The flight crew coordinated through  Sector Humboldt Bay Command Center with the sheriff’s department ground crew to vector them toward the lost hiker, and they returned him to safety.

At approximately 10 p.m., Sector Humboldt Bay received a radio call from an operator aboard the Kaloni, a 55-foot sailing vessel transiting from Bellingham, Washington to San Francisco.

The operator of the distressed vessel reported his vessel lost engine power and its sails were torn, but he and his crew were in no immediate danger. All three crew members were unable to control the sailboat. 

The operator reported the weather conditions off-shore deteriorated through the night with winds more than 40-miles per hour and swells between 15-20 feet. The crew became sea sick after several hours, and the seas became increasingly dangerous before they requested for immediate evacuation by the Coast Guard.

Rescue 6606, piloted by Lt. Cmdr Jason Bustamente and Lt. Cameron Welicka were dispatched by Sector Humboldt Bay to assist. Rescue 6606 located the vessel Kaloni 53 nautical miles west of Eureka around 5:40 a.m., Friday. The weather conditions were around 65 miles per hour winds and seas of 25 feet. With coordination of the pilots and Flight Mechanic, Petty Officer 2nd Class John Clare, attempted to lower the rescue swimmer, Petty Officer 2nd Class Max Kaczmarek, directly to the sailboat to assess the condition of the survivors. After two unsuccessful attempts to place the rescue swimmer aboard the distressed vessel, the rescue crew lowered Kaczmarek next to the vessel where the survivors entered the ocean and they were able to safely hoist them from the heavy seas one by one. 

All three crew members were transported to Sector Humboldt Bay without any injuries. 

“Those were by far the largest waves I have ever seen,” said Welicka. “It was truly a team effort that led to the successful rescue of the three mariners.”

“Fortunately, the hiker and sailors had the appropriate communications equipment to call for help, and the Coast Guard was ready to respond quickly and effectively to safely save lives.” said Capt. Art Snyder, commander, Sector Humboldt Bay.

BOSTON — A Coast Guard air crew medically evacuated a 19-year-old woman from the cruise ship Norweigian Dawn Friday off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Watchstanders at the 1st Coast Guard District in Boston received a call at 8:32 p.m. from the ship explaining a passenger was suffering from suspected appendicitis.

After a conference call between the command center and the duty flight surgeon, it was decided a medevac was warranted. 

A helicopter rescue crew launched from Air Station Cape Cod and was on scene with Norweigian Dawn at about 10 p.m. They hoisted the woman safely aboard and rushed her to Hyannis Airport. There, an awaiting EMS crew transported her to Hyannis Hospital for further care.

JUNEAU, Alaska — Rescue crews have located all five people who were onboard a small plane that crashed 18 miles west of Juneau, Friday.

Four of the people aboard the plane survived and were transported to Juneau by a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, for treatment of their injuries. The fifth person was located by the search team who reported that they were deceased.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims following this tragic event," said Cmdr. Patrick Hilbert, deputy commander, Coast Guard Sector Juneau. "We appreciate the support provided by the Alaska State Troopers and Juneau Mountain Rescue personnel during our response efforts today."

Names of the people onboard the plane are being withheld pending next of kin notification.

The cause of the crash will be investigated by the NTSB.

Rescue agencies were notified about the crash by the planes automated emergency beacon and from a 911 call placed by a person who was onboard the plane.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Liberty, Alaska State Troopers, members of Juneau Mountain Rescue and three TEMSCO helicopter crews responded to the crash.

Steep terrain and limited visibility on scene prevented the helicopters from transporting ground crews to directly to the scene of the crash. The ground crews were hoisted to a clearing near the crash site where they located the five people who were onboard the plane at the time of the crash.

Check out a practice survivor's view of a rescue by Petty Officer Evan Thigpen at our Facebook Page! https://goo.gl/hDpnqH
Download the video in high resolution: https://goo.gl/Kh8hdn
Download video of Thigpen on the job with his audio commentary: https://goo.gl/TjwLdc

Fins in the water
by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nate Littlejohn

“I took the injured woman first,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Evan Thigpen, an aviation survival technician (AST) at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City (ASEC), North Carolina. “We were doing fast-basket recoveries to the helicopter, but I had drifted 40 yards from the vessel. After each hoist I had to swim this distance, if not further. I had the second survivor carry the small dog - again an easy hoist, but long swim back. The last survivor held a cat in its carrier while I towed him. Upon entering the water from the sailing vessel I immediately lost my left fin and couldn't recover it.”

Coast Guard ASTs like Thigpen, more commonly known to the public as rescue swimmers, are responsible for some of the most dangerous components of search-and-rescue missions. This often puts them on the deck of vessels in distress or in the water with survivors in life-threatening situations. The Coast Guard equivalent to boots on the ground, ASTs are fins in the water.

Despite losing one fin, Thigpen saved three people, a dog and a cat from the disabled sailboat off Cape Charles, Virginia, Oct. 22, 2014.

“Towing survivors is physically strenuous in calm seas with two fins,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Roderick Ansley, one of Thigpen’s supervisor’s in the rescue swimmer shop at ASEC. “Accomplishing this with one fin, in large, breaking seas is nothing less than a miraculous feat of dedication, courage and self discipline.”

Thigpen is known among his leaders and peers for his superior performance under pressure during search and rescue missions, but to truly explore his reputation, one needs to dive a bit deeper than that.

“He is a true quiet professional,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Claude Morrissey, Thigpen’s shift supervisor at ASEC. He’s always willing to work late and take extra duty. He’s always willing to support the air station in any way that he can. He is truly just a great all-around guy.”

“I was first stationed in Seattle aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, a 378-foot ship,” explained Thigpen. “That’s when I first met an aircrew, deployed to our ship from Kodiak, Alaska. I admired them for being humble and professional. I wanted to become an AST, because of what we stand for. We're all in the job to help people. We're a tight brotherhood that puts trust and faith in one another. It doesn't matter who gets a big SAR case or who is getting a lot of recognition. Every day is just another duty day and it's our job. I know that anyone in my shop, or any swimmer in the Coast Guard would never give up.”

On Nov. 27, 2014, 100 miles off Cape Hatteras North Carolina, Thigpen was called upon again when a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew responded to an injured man aboard a sailboat after midnight. Thigpen was lowered to the boat and swam the injured man in 12-foot swells to the helicopter cable where the survivor was hoisted, by sling, to safety.

Since then, he’s performed three medevac cases, the most recent of which occurred 200 miles off the North Carolina coast July 6.

Originally from Vero Beach, Florida, Thigpen grew up surfing, swimming and watching the Coast Guard drive by in boats and fly by in helicopters and planes. “I joined the Coast Guard to help people in need and hopefully make an impact,” said Thigpen. “I have always especially admired the Coast Guard’s search and rescue mission.”

Though rescue swimmers arguably receive more recognition than any other Coast Guard profession, Thigpen doesn’t let that go to his head.

“I've only been in the rate two years and there is so much to learn in this job field,” said Thigpen. "The best thing a new person can do is soak up knowledge. We have very experienced ASTs in our rate who have a lot to offer. I have yet to meet one who hasn't made an impact on me. My senior ASTs are mentors for how to make me a better AST. I'll learn more from them about real life situations than I can learn from any manual or course."

Chief Petty Officer Shannon Brugh, lead AST in ASEC’s swimmer shop, said Thigpen was recently nominated by ASEC command to represent the Coast Guard at the 2015 North Carolina United Service Organization’s 10th Annual Salute to Freedom Gala for his life-saving actions in October and November in 2014.

“Evan was chosen for his heroic actions on a pair of search and rescue cases,” said Brugh. “Apart from that, he is the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back and bend over backward to accommodate personal requests. He always has a smile on his face and never anything negative to say. He’s a very positive person who I can tell enjoys coming to work on a daily basis.”

"Every time I mention how proud I am of something Evan has done at work, he tells me it’s no big deal, it's his job," said Hunter James, Thigpen's girlfriend of about two years. "He’s so selfless, driven, caring and determined, and does the best he can no matter what."

“As swimmers, we get a lot of attention,” said Thigpen. “What people don’t always think about is the entire Coast Guard behind us, doing their jobs so we can do ours. Without the pilots flying us out there, the flight mechanics lowering us from the helicopter, without the support personnel making sure we have fuel and gear, we couldn’t do what we do. We’re all part of the same Coast Guard team.”

HONOLULU – A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Barbers Point located two missing kayakers beset by wind two miles offshore Kaena Point, Oahu about 10:20 a.m. today.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu were notified at 10 a.m. today that Honolulu fire Department was responding to three kayakers in distress near Kaena Point and diverted the Coast Guard helicopter crew already patrolling in the area.

The Air Station Barbers Point crew arrived on scene, located two of the kayakers tied together and vectored in an Ocean Safety Jet Ski crew who towed the two kayakers safely to shore.

The third kayaker was located by Honolulu Fire Department about 300 yards off share and safely towed the kayaker back to shore.

"The two kayakers acted correctly to improve their chances of being located quickly," said LT Kevin Edes, Sector Honolulu Command Center Supervisor.  "By tying their kayaks together, they became a larger target more easily seen from the air."

The Coast Guard reminds boaters to always wear a life jacket, file a float plan with a friend and highly encourages recreational boaters to have an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).  A new free Coast Guard Boating Safety Application is available on both IPhone and Android devices that has direct contact information to the nearest Coast Guard Command Center to report distress situations.

EDITORS NOTE: The image attached to this release is NOT from the involved case.

Members of the Coast Guard Cutter Alder, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender, retrieve buoys in the Keweenaw Waterway near Houghton, Mich., Nov. 17, 2013. The cutter is participating in Operation Fall Retrieve, where buoys are removed for the winter. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Johnson

CLEVELAND — U.S. Coast Guard crews conducted a MEDEVAC of a 74-year-old man from a 35-foot sailboat involved in the Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race early Sunday morning on northern Lake Huron.

The man's name is not being released by the Coast Guard and there is no video or imagery available for this case.

Just before 6:30 a.m., the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Alder, homeported in Duluth, Minnesota, and deployed to assist with the race, was contacted by the sailboat stating that a crew member had lost consciousness for approximately three minutes and had a history of heart issues.

Alder diverted to assist and it was determined by the on-call Coast Guard flight surgeon that a MEDEVAC was necessary. 

Alder arrived on scene, approximately 32 miles off-shore from Tawas City, Michigan, and brought the man on board. The Alder was met by a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Tawas, Michigan, aboard a 25-foot response boat with local emergency medical services personnel aboard. 

Once ashore, the man was transferred to EMS at Station Tawas in stable condition and is being taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas City.

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew lowers rescue personnel to the site of a plane crash and hoists survivors for transport to medical care near Juneau, Alaska, July 17, 2015. The Coast Guard worked with Alaska State Troopers and Juneau Mountain Rescue to rescue four of the five people aboard the downed aircraft. U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Sitka.

The initial release is available here.

NEW YORK - Coast Guard Station Fire Island, Suffolk County Marine and Suffolk County air responded to a report of an overdue kayaker in Babylon, New York, near Gilgo State Park, Sunday. 

While conducting search patterns near Fire Island Inlet, Station Fire Island located the distressed kayaker and rescued him from the water.

The kayaker was not wearing a lifejacket, and reported that he had been treading water for approximately 45 minutes.

 “It’s very important to wear a lifejacket whenever you’re on the water,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Crociata, a Station Fire Island crewmember. “The kayaker wasn’t wearing one and he could have died because of it.”

The Coast Guard reminds all boaters of the importance of wearing a life jacket when navigating aboard recreational vessels and personal watercraft. For more information on how to choose the appropriate lifejacket, please download this brochure.  

No injuries have been reported.

BOSTON — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle is scheduled to arrive at Pier 4 at the Charleston Navy Yard on Thursday, July 23, as part of the 2015 cadet summer training deployment.

EAGLE will be open for free public tours:

Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

At 295 feet in length, the Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the American flag and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service. Constructed in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and originally commissioned as the Horst Wessel by the German Navy, Eagle was taken by the United States as a war reparation following World War II.

With more than 23,500 square feet of sail and six miles of rigging, Eagle has served as a classroom at sea for future Coast Guard officers since 1946, offering an at-sea leadership and professional development experience.

Currently, there are 150 cadets from the Coast Guard Academy embarked. The summer deployment for the Barque spans 17 weeks, stopping at 14 port calls in three countries, with six different groups of cadets and officer candidates training onboard. 

Once in Boston, Eagle will be finishing up with training cadets and will be transitioning to training swabs (incoming freshman at the Coast Guard Academy) and officer candidates. A permanent crew of eight officers and 57 enlisted personnel maintain the ship and guide the cadets through an underway and in-port training schedule, dedicated to learning the skills of navigation, damage control, watchstanding, engineering and deck seamanship. 

From Boston, Eagle will set sail to New York City for her port call July 31 to Aug. 3. To follow Eagle’s summer cruise, visit the ship’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/CoastGuardCutterEagle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard medevaced two people after their 25-foot boat allided with a buoy one mile north of the St. Petersburg Pier, Sunday.

At 11:40 p.m. watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a Mayday call via VHF-FM marine radio channel 16 stating a man and woman had suffered head injuries and needed emergency medical attention after their boat allided with a buoy.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Station St. Petersburg was launched, arrived on scene and transported the two people to Demen's Landing, St. Petersburg. Local EMS transported the boaters to Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg, for further medical assistance.

The condition of the boaters was unknown at the time of the medevac.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also responded, and has assumed lead on the investigation into the incident.

NEW YORK – After a busy weekend on the waters of New York, the Coast Guard is reminding the boating public to practice safe boating for the remainder of the busy summer season.

The following cases indicate the importance of preparedness.

A boarding team from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock terminated the voyage of a 25-foot pleasure craft Friday. The pleasure craft was found to have one major violation of having an insufficient amount of life jackets on board. The boatcrew escorted the vessel to Shinnecock Shores Marina.

A boarding team from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock terminated the voyage of a 22-foot pleasure craft Friday. The pleasure craft was found to have one major violation of having no fire extinguisher on board. The boatcrew escorted the vessel to a boat slip near Gardeners Avenue.

A boarding team from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock terminated the voyage of a 20-foot pleasure craft Friday. The pleasure craft was found to have two violations. Not having a sufficient amount of life jackets and no type-4 throwable floatation device on board. The boatcrew escorted the vessel to its homeport.

A boarding team from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock terminated the voyage of a 19-foot pleasure craft Saturday. The pleasure craft was found to have one major violation of having no fire extinguisher on board. The boatcrew escorted the vessel to the South Hampton Yacht Club.

A boarding team from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock terminated the voyage of a 13-foot pleasure craft Sunday. The pleasure craft was found to have three major violations: no fire extinguisher, no sound producing device, and no type-4 throwable floatation device. These violations resulted in the boatcrew escorting the vessel to Rampshire Street in Southampton.

A boarding team from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock terminated the voyage of a 21-foot pleasure craft Sunday. The pleasure craft was found to have one major violation of having an insufficient amount of life jackets on board. The boatcrew escorted the vessel to the Southampton Yacht Club.

A boarding team from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock terminated the voyage of a 26-foot pleasure craft Sunday. The pleasure craft was found to have one major violation of having an insufficient amount of life jackets on board. The boatcrew escorted the vessel to the Aquebogue Marina.

"With the warm summer weather, we’re seeing an increase in recreational boaters,” said Chief Warrant Officer Richard Berg, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station Shinnecock. “We want everyone to enjoy their boating experience. Our top priority is insuring you are safe while doing so. Having the required safety equipment and knowing how to use it increases the odds of coming home safely. It isn’t worth your life or the lives of your friends and family to risk going out unprepared.”

 In 2014, 78% of fatal boating accident victims died due to drowning. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 84% were not wearing a life jacket.

For more information on boating safety, and what you can do to prepare before going out on the water, go to the Boating Safety Resource Center at http://www.uscgboating.org.

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The Coast Guard is responding to the report of a missing person and capsized vessel in the Upper Mississippi River, Monday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River received the report Sunday at a approximately 7:30 p.m of a capsized towing vessel at mile marker 173 on the Upper Mississippi River. Reports state three people were aboard the towboat and that two were rescued by the St. Louis Fire Department. The 61-foot towing vessel, Charlie Boy has approximately 9,350 gallons of fuel and other oils on board.

Sector Upper Mississippi River issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and has closed the waterway from mile marker 165 to 178. There are no vessels in the queue at this time.

Coast Guard pollution responders are on scene conducting a shoreline search and have seen no signs of pollution.

Ste. Genevieve Sheriff's Dept is conducting the search for the missing person between miles 148 and 109.9. St. Louis Fire Department and Missouri State Water Patrol are aiding in the search. Currently air assets cannot be used due to hazardous weather conditions.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also conducting a search in the St. Louis Harbor area and assisting with a survey boat to locate the sunken vessel.

Upon locating the vessel the owner will submit a salvage plan and remove the vessel from the waterway.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

Click here for more imagery.

DEADHORSE, Alaska — The Coast Guard Research and Development Center held a joint exercise with civil counterparts in the Arctic Ocean near Oliktok Point Monday and Tuesday.

The exercise was the product of a cooperative research and development agreement between the RDC and ConocoPhillips Co. to assess the application of unmanned technologies and improve collaboration between civil and federal entities during response operations.

"Federal, state, municipal, and private collaboration on the North Slope, where assets and resources are scarce, is vital to response mission success,” said Rich Hansen, Arctic coordinator at the RDC.

Coast Guard assets and personnel from the RDC, Coast Guard Cutter Healy, Coast Guard 17th District, and Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak joined representatives from ConocoPhilips Co., Insitu Inc., Era Helicopters, Priority 1 Air Rescue, the Department of Energy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration and North Slope Borough for the two-day exercise. The team responded to a simulated downed aircraft just north of Oliktok Point. The Healy deployed a six-man life raft and thermal dummy in the icy waters which simulated the aircraft’s survivors for the exercise.

During the first day of the exercise, ConocoPhillips Co. provided an Insitu Inc. unmanned aircraft system launched from DOE’s Sandia National Laboratory-operated shore facility out to the Healy. Shore operators then successfully transferred control of the UAS to the Healy to execute a search pattern provided by the Coast Guard 17th District to locate the simulated aircraft survivors.

Locating the targets in the ice-covered waters proved to be a challenge, and the Healy had to vector the UAS to the SAR targets’ location. The UAS circled above the raft and thermal dummy, relaying imagery and providing situational awareness to decision makers on Healy and back on land, while an Era Helicopters crew and Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed from the Coast Guard Arctic Shield forward operating location in Deadhorse to performed rescue operations. After the rescue concluded the Healy returned control of unmanned aircraft back to operators at Oliktok Point, where it was safely landed.

On the second day the team executed the exercise again, this time launching NOAA’s UAS deployed aboard Healy to locate the simulated aircraft survivors. The team experienced similar issues locating the target and NOAA’s UAS had to be vectored in by the ship. Once the UAS was over the target, the Healy passed updated position information from the UAS to the two manned aircraft out of Deadhorse and vectored them in for recovery.

“Some UAS have the endurance to stay in the air for several hours and even up to a full day, which is beneficial when executing lengthy search patterns,” said Lt. Keely Higbie, a member of the exercise planning team from the RDC. “The use of UAS in response operations has the potential to reduce manned aircraft time on-scene and is an exceptional resource for providing situational awareness during response and recovery efforts. Additionally, launching and recovering UAS from a shore location allows for the majority of logistical support to be on land, tying up less space on our cutters and provides an eye in the sky for Coast Guard assets that are not equipped with flight decks during response operations.”

The imagery from the UAS was broadcast live through NOAA’s Arctic Environment Response Management Application and could be viewed from a link online, demonstrating the ability to provide situational awareness to Coast Guard decision makers anywhere in the country.

“The lessons learned from this exercise will help facilitate collaborative response efforts in the future as well as develop requirements, tactics, techniques, and procedures for unmanned technologies that could be leveraged for those responses in the Arctic environment," Hansen said.

For more information contact Lt. Keely Higbie at 860-271-2815.