BOSTON — A Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew from Cape Cod, Massachusetts pulled three people from the water more than 150 miles off the coast after their vessel sank Monday. 

Watchstanders at the 1st Coast Guard District Command Center in Boston received an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert from the vessel Scotia Provider, home-ported in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia at 12:41 p.m. 

The crew of the 54-foot fishing vessel Scotia Provider discovered their engine room full of water, sent their last know position via satellite phone, and abandoned ship into a life raft. 

Two aircraft from Air Station Cape Cod were launched. Multiple fishing vessels and the 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba were diverted to assist. 

Arriving on scene at 3:10 p.m. the three men were safely hoisted to the helicopter and flown back to Cape Cod. 

"As soon as we saw the beacon go off I knew they were in trouble, said Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Brancaleone, one of the operations unit coordinators at the 1st Coast Guard District. "We launched multiple assets and we got the fishermen to safety, just like we are trained to do." 

Every year the First Coast Guard District saves 350 lives in the Northeast.

HOUSTON — Federal, state and local response personnel as well as representatives from the barge companies are monitoring air quality and assessing damage and possible impact to the environment Monday after barges collided at mile marker 349 on the Intracoastal Waterway near Bolivar Peninsula in Texas and a fire ensued in the early morning hours.

At approximately 1:20 a.m., a collision occurred between two eastbound Kirby Inland Marine barges being pushed by the tug Capt. Shorty C and two westbound Enterprise Marine Services barges being pushed by the tug Jackie. A fire erupted on one of the barges being pushed by the Jackie, which had approximately 1 million gallons of naphtha aboard. Naphtha is a flammable petroleum product used as a motor gasoline blendstock. Three of the barges were damaged in the collision.

A Port of Houston fire boat arrived on scene and began firefighting. The fire continued until about 5:25 a.m., when it was extinguished with the assistance of a T&T Marine Salvage vessel. No injuries were reported. At this time, response officials do not believe any significant amount of product was released into the waterway.  Air monitoring in the area continues to show no risk to the public.

By mid afternoon, incident responders moved three of the barges to a safe location to lighter the product off of them and continued working to stabilize the remaining barge for it's transfer and subsequent lightering.

The closed section of the Intracoastal Waterway from mile marker 348 to the Houston Ship Channel has been opened to one-way traffic westbound at a slow bell until the remaining barge can be moved. Vessel traffic in the Ship Channel itself has not been impacted.

The cause of the incident is under investigation. It is unknown at this time if the fire was burning diesel fuel used aboard the barge, or the naphtha product.

Photos and video of the incident will be posted to DVIDShub.net, the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System.

SEATTLE — A Coast Guard aircrew rescued four people after their vessel ran aground near Eagle Point, San Juan Island, Monday.

All four people were transferred to EMS waiting on a local road at 3 p.m. with no reported injuries.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound in Seattle received a call via VHF-FM radio channel 16 at 1:20 p.m. from a good Samaritan vessel, reporting that a 23-foot recreational vessel had run hard aground.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles and a 45-foot Response Boat – Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham were launched to assist.

The aircrew arrived on scene around 2:13 p.m. and observed the vessel rocking heavily. All four people were able to make it out of the boat and onto the rocks, where they were hoisted by the aircrew.

“We’re thankful that everyone was able walk away from this incident safely,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Chason Ashworth, a member of the operations unit at Sector Puget Sound. “The decisive action of the good Samaritans on scene enabled us to quickly and efficiently provide assistance to these mariners in need.”

Vessel Assist was unable to recover the vessel due to its location. Coast Guard officials are working with the owner to develop a salvage plan.

There have been no reports of pollution from the grounded vessel.

The incident is under investigation.

Weather on scene was reportedly 1 to 5 foot seas and 14-mph winds.

TEXAS CITY, Texas — The Coast Guard fully reopened the Intracoastal Waterway near Bolivar Peninsula Monday at 9:15 p.m., after closing it for a barge collision earlier in the day.

At approximately 1:20 a.m. at mile marker 349 on the waterway,  a collision occurred between two eastbound Kirby Inland Marine barges being pushed by the tug Capt. Shorty C and two westbound Enterprise Marine Services barges being pushed by the tug Jackie. Three of the barges were damaged in the collision, including one that was on fire until responders extinguished it.

No injuries were reported. At this time, response officials do not believe any significant amount of product was released into the waterway.

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard has reopened the Upper Mississippi River to marine traffic at 11:45 a.m. today.

A portion of the river was closed due to a sunken towing vessel located at mile marker 173, earlier today. The closure took place when the Charlie Boy, a previously missing 61-foot towing vessel, was located by the U.S. Army Corps of engineers outside of the navigable channel on the Upper Mississippi River at approximately 11:30 a.m., today.

Salvage operations are pending.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

LOS ANGELES — The Coast Guard is searching for a missing kayaker near Santa Claus Beach.

At 8:30 p.m., Monday, watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles Operations Center in Long Beach received a report from LeeAnne Wood that her husband Phillip Wood, 55, had not returned from a kayak trip. Wood left from Santa Claus Beach in his blue single-man kayak at approximately 4 p.m., and was scheduled to return within an hour or two.

The Coast Guard immediately launched a 45-foot Response Boat — Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands and an MH-65D helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles along with a Montecito Fire Department swift-water rescue crew and a helicopter from Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department to assist in the search. The Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip, an 87-foot Patrol Boat homeported in Channel Islands, is scheduled to search the area for Wood throughout the night.

If anyone has any information, please contact the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles Command Center at (310) 521-3815.

A rescue swimmer from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.J., poses with passengers aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter Monday, July 20, 2015. The Coast Guard helicopter crew hoisted six passengers after their boat ran aground in Wachapreague, Va. U.S. Coast Guard photo

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued two children and four adults Monday in Finney Creek, north of Wachapreague.

Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders received a distress call at about 6:20 p.m. stating an 18-foot pleasure craft was aground with four adults and two children aboard.

The vessel was high and dry on an oyster bed and no other vessel was able to assist due to the water's depth.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The helicopter crew hoisted all six people and transported them to Accomack County Airport.

The vessel is anchored with navigation lights on. There were no reported injuries.

Please click on above photo to download video. 

BOSTON — A Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew from Cape Cod pulled three people from the water more than 150 miles off the coast after their vessel sank Monday. 

Watchstanders at the 1st Coast Guard District Command Center in Boston received an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert from the vessel Scotia Provider, home-ported in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Monday at 12:41 p.m. 

The crew of the 54-foot fishing vessel Scotia Provider discovered their engine room full of water, sent their last know position via satellite phone, and abandoned ship into a life raft. 

Two aircraft from Air Station Cape Cod were launched. Multiple fishing vessels and the 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba were diverted to assist. 

Arriving on scene at 3:10 p.m., the three men were safely hoisted to the helicopter and flown back to Cape Cod. 

"As soon as we saw the beacon go off I knew they were in trouble, said Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Brancaleone, one of the operations unit coordinators at the 1st Coast Guard District. "We launched multiple assets and we got the fishermen to safety, just like we are trained to do." 

Every year the First Coast Guard District saves 350 lives in the Northeast.

LOS ANGELES — The Coast Guard ended the search for a missing kayaker near Santa Claus Beach Tuesday.

At 12:30 a.m., Tuesday, the Coast Guard ended the search for Phillip Wood, 55, after a Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department search-and-rescue team located Wood on the beach at Loon Point. Wood was separated from his kayak and swam to shore. He was treated for mild hypothermia and taken to his house to meet his wife where he was reported to be in good condition.

LeAnne Wood contacted watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles Operations Center in Long Beach around 8:30 p.m., Monday, reporting that her husband had not returned from a kayak trip. Wood left from Santa Claus Beach in his blue single-man kayak at approximately 4 p.m., and was scheduled to return within an hour or two.

The Coast Guard immediately launched a 45-foot Response Boat — Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands and an MH-65D helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles along with a Montecito Fire Department swift-water rescue crew and a helicopter from Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department to assist in the search. The Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat homeported in Channel Islands, also assisted in the search for Wood.

The Coast Guard reminds boaters to:

• Always wear a life jacket. Since there is little time to reach for stowed vests when accidents occur, wearing one at all times reduces your risk of drowning. Federal law requires you to have a personal floatation device on board for each passenger.
• File a float plan. A float plan is simply letting family and friends know where you are going and your expected time of return. File a float plan with someone who is not getting underway with you and stick to the plan. If you change plans, contact the person. A float plan assists responders in the search of an overdue boater who may be in distress.
• Have a signaling device to communicate distress on the water. Boaters should have a marine-band radio, signal flares and an emergency position-indicating radio beacon to alert first responders. Boaters can reach the Coast Guard on marine-band radios on VHF channel 16 24/7, and an EPIRB provides search-and-rescue coordinators with vital information such as phone numbers and the description and type of vessel, which allows the Coast Guard to respond much quicker.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter air crewmember embarks a 79 year-old woman medevaced from the Carnival Breeze cruise ship July 20, 2015, approximately 90 nautical miles northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The patient and a cruise ship nurse were transported aboard the Coast Guard helicopter to the Isla Grande Airport, where Emergency Medical Services personnel received and transported them to the "Centro Medico" Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  (U.S. Coast Guard photo).

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The crew of a Coast Guard helicopter medevaced a 79-year-old woman from the Caribbean Breeze cruise ship Monday evening, approximately 90 nautical miles northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Coast Guard Watchstanders in Sector San Juan received notification at 4:30 p.m. Monday from the crew aboard the cruise ship reporting the woman, a U.S. citizen, required medical attention ashore.

The cruise ship was transiting from Miami to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, when the incident was reported to the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Watchstanders in San Juan coordinated with the Carnival Breeze and dispatched a crew aboard a MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen to conduct the medevac. The helicopter arrived on scene and the crew deployed their rescue swimmer to the Carnival Breeze to assess the patient's condition. The woman was placed on a litter and hoisted aboard the aircraft, while a cruise ship nurse who accompanied the patient was hoisted onboard via the helicopter's rescue basket.

"The seamless coordination with the Carnival Breeze resulted in a safe hoisting evolution and the expedited transport of the patient to receive specialized medical care ashore," said Lt. Crystal Barnett, Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter pilot.

The Coast Guard helicopter transported the patient and the cruise ship nurse to the Isla Grande Airport, where they were received by awaiting Emergency Medical Services personnel and transported by ambulance to the "Centro Medico" Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Ric.

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 20-month-old boy who lost consciousness aboard a tour boat near Molokini Crater, Monday.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Maui transferred the boy and his parents from the Pride of Maui onto the RB-M and safely transported them to Ma’alaea at 11:15 a.m. where they were met by EMS.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Maui received notification from a crewmember aboard the tour boat at 10:44 a.m. a passenger was unresponsive. They directed the launch of the RB-M crew with an EMT aboard and arrived on scene at 10:55 a.m. to effect the transfer and transport to land.

The boy was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center where he was treated and later released in stable condition.

The Coast Guard 45-foot RB-M replaced the aging and outdated 41-foot Utility Boat and boasts an improved design, new ergonomics and enhanced safety features making boat crews more effective in performing their multiple missions.

No imagery is available for this case.

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

CAPE BLANCO, Ore. — A Coast Guard rescue swimmer swam 1,750 yards in 5-foot seas and 30-mph winds to rescue four people after their fishing vessel grounded near Cape Blanco, Tuesday morning.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Darren Harrity, a 27-year-old native of Jupiter, Florida, individually pulled each fisherman more than 250 yards in 57 degree water from their life raft to shore, where they were met by EMS.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received a report from the crew of Jamie K, a 52-foot commercial fishing vessel, via VHF-FM marine radio channel 16 at 1:40 a.m. stating that they were taking on water and had lost power.

The vessel subsequently ran aground, at which time the crew donned survival suits and abandoned ship into their life raft.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station North Bend and two 47-foot Motor Life Boat crews from Coast Guard Search and Rescue Detachments Rogue River and Coquille River launched to assist.

The aircrew arrived on scene at 2:49 a.m. and lowered Harrity into the water next to the life raft. Shortly after, the aircrew reported experiencing mechanical issues with the helicopter and was unable to safely complete additional hoists. The aircrew remained on scene until all of the fishermen and rescue swimmer had safely made it to shore and then landed on the nearby beach.

“This was a tremendous team effort that demonstrates the strength and importance of the Coast Guard’s rescue swimmer program,” said Cmdr. Robert Workman, chief of response and aviation operations officer at Sector North Bend. “Petty Officer Darren Harrity did a fantastic job pulling four fishermen, each in full survival suits, to shore through waves, surf and darkness.”

The fishing vessel was reportedly carrying 3,000 gallons of diesel and 10,000 pounds of shrimp. A sheen was reported in the area, however, it is unknown how much fuel has been released.

Pollution responders from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland are assessing the pollution threat. Officials are working with local, state and federal partners to mitigate any potential risks to the environment.

The incident is under investigation.

To learn about Harrity’s own personal experience with being rescued and how it influenced his decision to become a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, please visit the following link:

http://www.shallowwaterblackoutprevention.org/a-us-coast-guard-rescue-swimmer-tells-his-story-of-swb-survival/

Editors note: Members of the media are welcome to attend the change-of-command ceremony. Please contact Petty Officer 1^st Class Sondra-Kay Kneen at 310-521-4267 or 310-781-0619 for more information.

LOS ANGELES — Coast Guard Cutter Halibut, homeported in Marina Del Rey will receive a new commanding officer during a change-of-command ceremony Wednesday at 10 a.m.

The change-of-command ceremony will be located at 13871 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. The ceremony is intended to recognize Lt. Ryan M. Fox, who has served as the cutter’s commanding officer for the last two years. Lt. jg. James M. Hurtt will officially take command of the ship Wednesday during the ceremony from Fox, who will be attending Law School at the University of Miami next year and will complete a follow on tour as a Coast Guard JAG Officer at the Coast Guard District Seven’s legal office in Miami.

"Assuming command of Halibut will always be among my most cherished memories,” said Fox. “The challenges we overcame and the achievements we shared are a testament to the high caliber crew members that have served aboard.  I am confident that the same successes will be prevalent as the new Commanding Officer takes over."

Fox took command of Halibut in July 2013. Since that time, the crew provided boarding team members during numerous interdictions of significant amounts of narcotics and paraphernalia and assisted in the termination of a fishing vessel grossly negligent of safety violations. The crew of Halibut also enacted the first ever implementation of Operation Agua Caliente. Members of a Homeland Security Investigation team met the cutter and conducted at-sea interrogations and discussed the possibilities of conducting a controlled landing through the use of a panga. This unique case and Halibut’s exceptional team orientated attitude offered multiple agencies the opportunities to work seamlessly paving the way for future interdictions and routine operations.

During a search-and-rescue case, Halibut was diverted near Gaviota Beach. After a three hour transit in to 4-to-6 -foot seas, Halibut arrived on scene and located a missing kayaker who had been at sea for more than 14 hours. The rescue and assistance team was deployed and the member was safely brought back aboard. The cutter’s emergency medical technician provided first aid to the hypothermic kayaker. During Fox’s command, the Halibut was also able to complete an $800k depot level maintenance in Alameda, and complete a total exterior preservation from bow to stern, including the much needed mast and superstructure.

Halibut will be Hurtt’s first command afloat. He has also served as a Weapon’s officer, Deck Watch Officer, Electronics Material Officer and Boarding Officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Thetis, homeported in Key West, Fla. After leaving the Thetis, Hurtt transferred to Manama, Bahrain to serve as the Executive Officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Adak, one of the six forward-deployed Coast Guard patrol boats supporting Operation Enduring freedom.

WARRENTON, Ore. — Coast Guard rescued three fishermen off a 30-foot fishing vessel sinking 19 miles east of Tillamook Bay, Tuesday.

The fishermen were safely hoisted from their Garibaldi based fishing vessel, Flying Fish, at 2:30 p.m. and transferred to awaiting emergency medical services at Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay in Garibaldi.

Search-and-rescue watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, responded to a mayday call from the crew of the fishing vessel shortly after 2 p.m., stating their vessel was taking on water. The watchstanders diverted the crews of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Tillamook Bay.

"This case is an excellent example of what to do in an emergency on the water," said Lt. Cmdr. James Gibson, Jayhawk helicopter pilot at Air Station Astoria. "The fishermen contacted the Coast Guard in a timely manner, were prepared with an emergency beacon, a back up radio, life jackets and immersion suits. Their preparation helped ensure their safety and made it easy for us to find them.”

After the Jayhawk crew safely rescued the fishermen, the MLB crew continued to the vessel’s last known location. Upon arrival to the area at 3:15 p.m., the crew reported that the fishing vessel had sunk and a debris field and an oily sheen were all that remained.

The vessel was carrying 10,000 pounds of shrimp and an unknown amount of fuel when it sank.

The cause of the sinking is unknown at this time.

The weather and sea conditions were reported as 6 to 10-foot seas with wind speeds of 11mph and gusts up to 27mph. 

For information about the earlier rescue, visit: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2563886/

BODEGA BAY, Calif. -- A Coast Guard Incident Management team from Sector San Francisco survey the site of the grounding of the fishing vessel Sea Biscuit on Doran Beach, near Bodega Bay, Aug. 24, 2012.
The operator of the vessel made it safety to shore after the grounding. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Coast Guard responded to a report of a grounded vessel near Bodega Bay, Calif., Friday morning.

Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay received a report from a good Samaritan Friday at approximately 7:15 a.m., reporting that the Sea Biscuit, a 35-foot vessel, ran aground on Doran Beach near Bodega Bay. The operator of the boat made it safely to shore.  A rescue boat was dispatched to the scene but the crew was unable to safely approach the grounded boat due to the rocky shoreline.  The Sea Biscuit, which was reportedly carrying approximately 150 gallons of diesel fuel when it ran aground, has since broken up in the surf. 

An Incident Management team from Coast Guard Sector San Francisco is currently working with the operator of the vessel to have the debris and any pollution removed.  The cause of the incident is under investigation.

BOSTON — The Coast Guard is searching for a 64-year-old diver Wednesday who went missing while diving near the Andrea Doria wreck, about 60 nautical miles southeast of Nantucket.

Crew aboard the commercial diving boat John Jack notified Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England watchstanders Tuesday at about 1 p.m. reporting the man did not resurface from his dive. An Air Station Cape Cod HC-144 Casa air crew was immediately diverted and on scene within three minutes of the initial report.

Another diver confirmed being with the missing man at their 20-foot decompression stop, then did not see him upon reaching the surface.

In addition to the Casa aircrew, crews aboard the 225-foot Coast Guard Cutter Juniper, 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Chinook, and multiple MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod are searching for the man.

So far, the Coast Guard has searched more than 159 square nautical miles.

The Andrea Doria wreck rests in 240 feet of water. Diving in the area has resulted in 7 deaths and 4 injuries since 2005.  

“Diving is an inherently dangerous activity,” said Tim Carton, First Coast Guard District search and rescue specialist.“In addition to health hazards, here in New England, water temperatures are especially cold and there are strong currents, especially around our shores and islands.”

The ocean is unforgiving. The Coast Guard reminds everyone on the water, whether diving, snorkeling, boating, or swimming to stay vigilant, especially in unfamiliar places.

A Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless crew member assists with offloading approximately 275 pounds of cocaine that were transferred to federal law enforcement authorities in San Juan, Puerto Rico, July 22, 2015.  Four Venezuelan and two Colombian drug smugglers transporting the contraband were apprehended following the interdiction of a go-fast vessel July 17, 2015, approximately 80 nautical miles north of Aruba. The detainees and the go-fast were transferred to Venezuelan authorities for investigation.  (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

A Coast Guard Dauntless boarding team transports six apprehended suspected drug smugglers, four Venezuelan and two Colombian nationals, following the interdiction of a go-fast vessel July 17, 2015, approximately 80 nautical miles north of Aruba. During the interdiction, the crew of the Dauntless seized 275 pounds of cocaine estimated to have a wholesale value of $7.5 million. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless offloaded and transferred custody of a $7.5 million cocaine shipment to federal law enforcement special agents Wednesday at Coast GuardSector San Juan.

The Dauntless seized the 275-pound cocaine shipment and detained six suspected drug traffickers, four Venezuelan and two Colombian nationals, following the interdiction of a go-fast vessel July 17 in the Caribbean Sea.

The Cutter Dauntless, along with the assistance of a Netherlands Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft, initially detected the suspicious vessel in international waters 80 nautical miles north of the Netherlands Antilles Island of Aruba. During the pursuit, the crews of the aircraft and the Dauntless observed people aboard the suspicious go-fast vessel jettisoning packages overboard.

After interdicting the vessel, the Dauntless crew successfully recovered five of the suspicious packages that were jettisoned from the go-fast vessel that later tested positive for cocaine.

The six suspected smugglers, a representative sample of cocaine, and the go-fast were transferred by the Dauntless to the Venezuelan Navy, while the rest of the abandoned drugs were transported to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“Once again, the crew of the Dauntless, along with our Dutch partners, proved to be a worthy opponent,” said Cmdr. Fritz Kuebler, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless. “We take great satisfaction in knowing that our efforts are helping to secure not only American streets but also the streets of our Caribbean neighbors.”

The Dauntless is a 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter homeported in Galveston, Texas.

The ship and crew execute maritime law enforcement, homeland security and search and rescue missions in support of Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg recognized the crew of the research vessel Weatherbird II for their heroism in the rescue of three people last month.

A Coast Guard award ceremony was held, which recognized the heroism of the crews involved in the June 20 rescue of three people in the water.

Good Samaritas helped rescued three people from the water between Egmont Key and Passage Key, Florida, June 20, after Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a 911 transfer call from Manatee County Sheriff’s Office of a woman stating three people from her boat were in the water and missing.

The crew of the research vessel, Weatherbird II helped rescue the missing people.

SEATTLE – Over the past 10 years, more than 19,000 gallons of pollution has been spilled into Puget Sound with 75 percent coming from recreational boaters and commercial fishing vessels.

As part of a summer long education and awareness campaign to prevent small oil spills, a partnership between Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, Washington Sea Grant, Washington Dept. of Ecology and Washington’s Clean Marina Program, is providing boaters with the oil spill kit, which will be distributed for free by Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas during free vessel examinations in Western Washington.

From 2005 to 2014, 1,710 separate individual spills were reported or investigated. Of these, 812 or 47 percent were from recreational vessels and 477 or 28 percent were from commercial fishing vessels. Oil tankers and bulk commercial carriers accounted for 13 total cases or 1 percent of all oil spills during that time.

“Based on oil spill data over the last decade we have learned oil tankers and heavy bulk carriers, on average, spill quantities of pollution measured in mere ounces, however, we have found commercial fishing vessels and recreational vessels to be the largest contributors of oil pollution in our waterways,” said Capt. Joe Raymond, commander Sector Puget Sound and captain of the port. “Because of the large number of vessels in Puget Sound, we have been working with our state and local partners to develop these oil spill kits to increase awareness about oil spills and notification requirements among commercial fishing vessel and recreational boating community.” 

The partnership hopes to distribute more than 1,000 free kits throughout Western Washington this summer. Each kit contains two oil-only absorbent pads, one 15” bilge sock, a pair of protective gloves, a trash bag for disposal and literature on reporting and preventing spills. Interested boaters should call John Milczewski at (360) 739-1310 to schedule a free vessel safety examination and receive a free small oil spill response kit from the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Washington Sea Grant is based at the University of Washington and provides statewide marine research, outreach and education services. The National Sea Grant College Program is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Visit www.wsg.washington.edu for more information or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/WaSeaGrant.

Washington Sea Grant can be contacted through: Aaron Barnett, aaronb5@uw.edu, 206-616-8929 or MaryAnn Wagner, maryannb@uw.edu, 206-616-6353.

WHO: Coast Guard, Washington Sea Grant and Washington Dept. of Ecology
WHAT: Oil Spill Kit assembly and interview opportunities
WHEN: Thursday at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Coast Guard Base Seattle, 1519 Alaskan Way South, Seattle, Building 4, Rainer Room
CONTACT:  Lt. j.g. Trevor Siperek, 206-217-6258

View the initial multimedia release here.