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

“The primary goal of every man and woman who serves in the Coast Guard is to rescue those in need and save lives,” said Marcus Gherardi, chief of response at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. “This is why we serve. It is extremely disheartening anytime we are unable to accomplish this goal."

In total, the Coast Guard searched more than 350 square nautical miles over 30 hours. 

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 aircrew 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 searched for the man.

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

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.

OMAHA, Neb. – Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Gasconade rescued a woman from the Missouri River near the I-680 Bridge, Monday.

While at homeport, a crewman working late to mow the grass heard screaming and saw the woman floating down the river.

Chief Petty Officer Matthew Avery, the Executive Petty Officer, and Petty Officer 1st Class Austin West had the cutter’s small boat in the water to save the woman less than ten minutes after spotting her.

The boat crew located the woman approximately 500 yards down river from the bridge, nearly submerged, unconscious. She began breathing after crewmembers lifted her head out of the water.

The woman was transferred to the Omaha Fire Department’s boat and brought to Douglas County EMS waiting on shore. 

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard 13th District commander, working in conjunction with the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River captain of the port, has established a temporary safety zone and a Voluntary First Amendment Area associated with the arrival of the drilling support vessel Fennica to Portland, Oregon.

The zone, which will remain in effect until the vessel departs, is necessary to allow maximum use of the Columbia and Willamette River waterways by all users consistent with safe navigation and to ensure special interest groups and other mariners are not at risk of injury in the active and dynamic maritime transit areas.

“The Coast Guard is responsible for ensuring the safety, security and environmental stewardship in our navigable waterways,” said Capt. David Berliner, deputy commander, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River and alternate captain of the port. “Everyone’s safety is our top priority.”

A safety zone extending 500-yards in front of the vessel and 100 yards to the port, starboard and astern of the vessel will be in place around the Fennica while the vessel is transiting, and a 100-yard safety zone will be in place around the vessel while moored, at anchor or in dry dock.

Whether intentional or unintentional, interference with deep-draft and other vessels, particularly those with limited ability to maneuver, has the potential to result in collision, grounding, serious injury, death or pollution in the highly sensitive ecosystem of Columbia and Willamette Rivers.  The safety zone provides ample space for any vessel to operate near the Fennica’s transit without disrupting safe navigation.

The Voluntary First Amendment Area is a regulated navigation area in the Swan Island Basin from the public boat ramp to a line extending from North Ensign Street southwest across the basin to Vigor Industrial. This location is where the Coast Guard recommends, but does not require, those desiring to express their views on Arctic drilling to freely assemble. It is a no wake area where individuals can congregate without compromising their personal safety or jeopardizing the safe navigation of maritime traffic around them.

The Coast Guard supports freedom of speech and peaceful assembly upon domestic waters as well as ashore.  None of the Coast Guard's actions are aimed at restricting the lawful exercise of these rights.  The Coast Guard's involvement helps ensure safety of those using the waterway both as a forum for self-expression and as a mode of transportation. 

The Coast Guard's focus is on waterway safety. Any action, which disrupts safe navigation, will be appropriately responded to, investigated, and violators may be subject to civil penalties and/or criminal prosecution under applicable Federal law.  All persons are required to adhere to federal laws and regulations and violations may result in penalties.

The signed temporary final rule establishing the safety zones and Voluntary First Amendment Area will be published in the Federal Register at www.federalregister.gov and will be searchable using key words safety zone + Columbia River.

A rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock rescued three people after their vessel capsized near Shinnecock Inlet, New York, Wednesday. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

NEW YORK — A rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock rescued three people after their vessel capsized near Shinnecock Inlet, New York, Wednesday.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound Command Center received a distress call at approximately 3:30 p.m. from a good Samaritan reporting a 23-foot center console vessel had capsized with three people in the water, two miles south of Shinnecock Inlet. 

A rescue crew from Station Shinnecock immediately launched aboard their 25-foot response boat small and arrived on scene at 3:45 p.m.

Upon arrival, two people were located sitting on the hull of the capsized vessel with lifejackets on and a third person was recovered by a good Samaritan. All three people were safely transferred to the Coast Guard smallboat with no reported injuries. 

The owner of the vessel stated they experienced several large waves over the stern and the engine would not start. While trying to repair the engine, a large wave hit and capsized the vessel.

"This case illustrates the importance of having lifejackets and other life saving emergency equipment aboard your vessel,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicolas Alger, a member of Station Shinnecock. “Weather and sea states can be unpredictable and it is best to ensure you are prepared for any type of emergency situation.” 

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — A man and a woman were rescued by the Coast Guard and a good Samaritan after they fell off their kayaks in the vicinity of Incline Beach on North Lake Tahoe Wednesday.
 
The kayakers were paddling near Incline Beach at approximately 3:20 p.m., when both adults fell off of their kayaks and were unable to get back on and drifted apart from each other. A Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe boatcrew launched and assisted the kayakers shortly after they were reported in the water. Douglas County Sherriff's Marine 7, Incline Battalion Fire Marine Rescue and South Lake Tahoe Police Department's Marine 1 were also responded.
 
Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard response boat located the adult male and rescued him near Incline Beach.  The female kayaker was rescued by a local good Samaritan. Neither kayaker was wearing a life jacket. Both kayakers were reunited at the Hyatt Pier reportedly in stable condition.
 
"Life jackets greatly increase the chance of survival during maritime accidents, which can occur suddenly and without warning," said Chief Petty Officer Daniel Polhemus, Officer-in-charge, Station Lake Tahoe. "The dispatched responders were able to immediately locate and rescue the persons in the water because of the excellent coordination between the local agencies."

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew hoists four fishermen from the fishing vessel Savannah Ray after they ran aground in Chiniak Bay near Kodiak Island, Alaska, Feb. 16, 2015. The helicopter crew hoisted the four fishermen from their grounded vessel and transferred them to awaiting emergency medical services in Kodiak. U.S. Coast Guard video.

KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued four fishermen from the fishing vessel Savannah Ray after they ran aground in Chiniak Bay near Kodiak Island, Alaska, Monday morning.

The helicopter crew hoisted the four fishermen from their grounded vessel and transferred them to awaiting emergency medical services in Kodiak.

Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received a 406 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon alert from the Savannah Ray early Monday morning.  Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders began making callouts for the vessel to determine if they were in need of assistance and received a broken MAYDAY from crewmembers aboard Savannah Ray stating they had run aground with four people aboard and were donning their survival suits and had deployed their liferaft. 

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak launched the Jayhawk helicopter crew to the grounded vessel, where they were able to safely hoist the fishermen. 

"This rescue highlights how critical it is to have a registered 406 EPIRB onboard when operating a vessel of any size," said Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Sheean, watchstander, Sector Anchorage. "During an emergency, especially in the cold waters of Alaska, it’s important for responders to immediately know that an event has occurred and the location of your vessel.”

The weather at the time of the rescue was reported as 51 mph winds with 11-foot seas.

To learn more about Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, visit http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2011/05/whats-an-epirb/

Editors note:  Please click on the photos below to download high resolution imagery.

KOTZEBUE, Alaska - A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew conducts a Search and Rescue demonstration in Kotzebue Sound Saturday, August 7, 2010.

The Jayhawk helicopter crew is one of three helicopters operating out of Forward Operating Location Kotzebue for Operation Arctic Crossroads 2010.

Coast Guard video taken by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeff Tuttle.

KOTZEBUE, Alaska - A team of Coast Guardsmen participate in a community service event along with the United States Public Health Service for the Boys and Girls Club in Kotzebue by painting walls, cleaning around the facility and work to widen the gate to an ice rink in order for a snow remover to drive through Saturday, August 7, 2010.

The rebuilt gate entrance that is wider allows for snow to be removed during winter months which will allow the community more time for an opportunity to ice skate.

Coast Guard video taken by Petty Officer 3rd Class Walter Shinn.

KOTZEBUE, Alaska - Chief Warrant Officer Mark Helmers, 17th Coast Guard District boat manager and a resident of Juneau, paints a wall in the Kotzebue Boys and Girls Club Saturday, August 7, 2010.

Helmers and other members deployed in support of Operation Arctic Crossroads 2010 participated in a community service event for the Boys and Girls Club by applying a new coat of paint inside and cleaning trash around the facility.

Coast Guard photo taken by Petty Officer 3rd Class Walter Shinn.

KOTZEBUE, Alaska - A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew hoists a rescue swimmer after conducting a Search and Rescue demonstration in Kotzebue Sound Saturday, August 7, 2010.

The Jayhawk helicopter crew is one of three helicopters operating out of Forward Operating Location Kotzebue for Operation Arctic Crossroads 2010.

Coast Guard photo taken by Petty Officer 3rd Class Walter Shinn.

KOTZEBUE, Alaska – Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeff Tuttle, a resident of Palmer, Alaska, uses a hammer and crowbar to help remove a section of a gate to an ice rink Saturday, August 7, 2010.

Tuttle is deployed with a team of Coast Guardsmen who provided community service along with the United States Public Health Service to the Boys and Girls Club in Kotzebue to widen the gate to an ice rink in order for a snow remover to drive through.

Coast Guard photo taken by Petty Officer 3rd Class Walter Shinn.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard cutter crews caught four Mexican nationals illegally fishing in U.S. Waters off Texas Wednesday.

Tuesday at 10:53 p.m., the Coast Guard Cutter Amberjack’s crew sighted a potential lancha, or Mexican fishing boat, approximately 15 nautical miles north of the U.S./Mexican maritime border.

The lancha was tracked north until the crew stopped to set their fishing gear. The Coast Guard Cutters Cypress and Amberjack’s small boat crews interdicted the lancha and the four men approximately 18 miles north of the maritime border and 33 miles offshore.

The men were transferred to South Padre Island for processing. Approximately 2 miles of illegal longline fishing gear was recovered along with 32 red snapper (19 alive) and 16 sharks (8 alive). All catch was released back to the sea.

“We have been very successful in discouraging lanchas from entering the Exclusive Economic Zone this year,” said Master Chief Petty Officer David Allen, the officer in charge of the Amberjack. "Today’s operation is an outstanding example of teamwork between several Coast Guard units for another successful interdiction.

Since Oct. 1, 2014, there have been 210 exclusive economic zone incursions; 1174 fish and 343 sharks seized and 89,450 yards of illegal fishing line recovered.

“This illegal activity depletes precious natural resources and has a huge negative impact on our fish stocks," said Capt. Tony Hahn, the commanding officer of Sector Corpus Christi. "The Coast Guard is fully dedicated to pursuing these criminals."

If you witness suspicious or illegal fishing in state waters (out to 9 miles offshore), please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Operation Game Thief” at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). For all suspicious or illegal fishing occurring in federal waters (out to 200 miles offshore), please contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-6393.

SEATTLE — Coast Guard officials are scheduled to present a Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award to two Bainbridge Island residents at a ceremony being held at Coast Guard Base Seattle, Friday.

Sean Meek and his daughter, Grace Meek, are receiving the award for their rescue of seven adults, a child and a dog from a capsized vessel in Eagle Harbor near Bainbridge Island on August 31, 2014.

Capt. Joe Raymond, commander of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, and members of the small boat crew from Coast Guard Station Seattle that responded to Sean Meek’s mayday call on the day of the rescue are scheduled to present the award.

The Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award is the second-highest public service award given by the Coast Guard to recognize unusual courage in advancing a Coast Guard mission, substantial contribution to the Coast Guard that produced tangible results, or specific individual accomplishments that provide unique benefits to the public.

Media wishing to attend must contact Lt. Steven Smith at Steven.M.Smith2@uscg.mil or 206-217-6019 before Thursday at 3 p.m. to ensure access to the base.

View the initial press release about the rescue here: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2233162/

WHO: Seattle-area Coast Guard officials and crewmembers

WHAT: Presentation of meritorious public service award to Sean Meek and Grace Meek; media availability to interview Coast Guard crewmembers who responded on the day of the rescue

WHEN: Friday at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Coast Guard Base Seattle, 1519 Alaskan Way South, Seattle

CONTACT:  Lt. Steven Smith at 206-217-6019

A Coast Guard crew member from Station Sheboygan assesses passengers aboard a 29-foot vessel after it ran up onto the Sheboygan breakwall, July 22, 2015. The operator of the boat mistook lights on land for a marking near the entry to a river leading to the Sheboygan marina. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Anthony Valeri)

A 29-foot vessel rests on top of a breakwall near the entrance to the Sheboygan River, July 22, 2015. The operator of the boat mistook lights on land for a marking near the entry to the river leading to the Sheboygan marina. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Anthony Valeri

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – The Coast Guard and local agencies rescued three people after their 29-foot vessel ran up onto a breakwall ouside the Sheboygan River as they were heading into the Sheboygan Marina, Wednesday.

The Coast Guard is not releasing the names of the passengers.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m., a Watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan received a call from a good Samaritan stating he had witnessed a vessel run into the breakwall.   

The Watchstander diverted a rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Sheboygan, already underway on routine patrol aboard a 45-foot response boat, to the scene. When the crew arrived, they found the boat resting high on the breakwall with the three people still aboard. None of the passengers was wearing a lifejacket.

One of the Coast Guard crewmembers was transferred to the vessel to assess the situation and to tend to a passenger who suffered a head injury. Meanwhile, a crew aboard a Sheboygan County Sheriff marine unit arrived on scene and later transported the passengers back to the marina and waiting EMS. The passenger who sustained the head injury was taken to Sheboygan Memorial Hospital.

Coast Guard personnel will be back near the scene today to determine any potential for pollution.

The Coast Guard reminds boaters to be familiar with the surroundings and adjust operating speed at night.

“Lights on shore can sometimes be mistaken for aids to navigation or other markings into a harbor or marina,” said Chief Petty Officer Anthony Valeri, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Sheboygan. "People should adjust their speed in an unfamiliar situation.

In addition, passengers are urged to wear lifejackets at all time.

“This case could have had a totally different outcome if the passengers were thrown overboard," reiterated Valeri. “People need to understand that they won’t have time to locate a life jacket, let alone put one on, when they’re in the water. Without a lifejacket on, a person who is unconscious in the water will not survive.”

Click image for video

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City hoisted and transferred a beached buoy Thursday from Fortescue to Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. The buoy will be serviced by Aids to Navigation Team Cape May. U.S. Coast Guard video by Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen and Petty Officer 3rd Class David Micallef

An Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew hoists an ailing passenger from a cruise ship approximately 70 miles east of Kodiak Island, July 22, 2015. The 83 year-old man, along with a nurse from the ship, was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services at Air Station Kodiak.  U.S. Coast Guard video.

An Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew transfers a patient to emergency medical personnel after hoisting him from a cruise ship, July 22, 2015. The 83 year-old man was suffering from symptoms of a heart attack aboard a Holland America cruise ship requiring a medevac for immediate medical attention. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Lauren Steenson.

KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew medevaced an 83 year-old man experiencing symptoms of a possible heart attack aboard a cruise ship approximately 70 miles east of Kodiak Island, Wednesday.

The Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted the man, along with a nurse from the ship, and transferred them to awaiting emergency medical services at Air Station Kodiak.

Watchstanders at the 17th District command center in Juneau received a report from the captain of the cruise ship Statendam of a passenger suffering a possible heart attack and requested assistance. The duty flight surgeon recommended medevac and the helicopter crew was dispatched to the scene.

"The Coast Guard is routinely called upon to conduct medevacs from cruise ships in Alaska," said Lt. Joey Schlosser, a Coast Guard 17th District operations unit watchstander. "Our hoist-capable helicopters allow us to transport patients and reduce the time it takes for them to receive medical care."

The weather at the time of the medevac was reported as 15 mph winds with 5-foot seas.

WARRENTON, Ore. — A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria assisted Tillamook County emergency responders with the medevac of an injured woman on the Elk Creek Campground trail near Tillamook, Thursday.

The 49-year-old woman, who had reportedly suffered leg injury, was safely hoisted and brought to Tillamook County General Hospital for further medical care.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Command Center received the request for assistance from Tillamook County dispatch after emergency responders could not safely transport the woman down the trail due her injury and the ruggedness of the terrain.

“This case illustrates the cohesive partnership between the Coast Guard and other local agencies,” said Petty Officer 2^nd Class Hannah Silverman an operations specialist at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. “Working together we were able to come up with a plan to safely get this injured woman off the trail and to the care she needed.”

Weather on scene at the time of the time of the incident was reported clear with 13 mph winds.

MIAMI — More than 570 baby sea turtles are scheduled to be released back into the Atlantic Ocean Monday in a joint effort between the Coast Guard and the Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center.

In support of the Coast Guard’s commitment to protecting endangered species and the marine environment, crewmembers from Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will transport marine scientists and volunteers from the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center offshore to assist in the release of the hatchlings.

Media interested in attending aboard the Coast Guard vessel to cover the release will be welcomed on a first-come first-served basis.  Space aboard the Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale boat being used in the evolution is limited. 

The sea turtles hatchlings come from turtle nests located along beaches throughout Florida, which are the primary nesting grounds for Loggerhead sea turtles.  In addition to the more than 570 baby sea turtles being released, four turtles between the ages of 6-months and 1-year will be released back into the wild following rehabilitation at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. 

In all, an expected 581 sea turtles will be released:

• 568 Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings
• Nine Green sea turtle hatchlings
• Three rehabilitated Loggerhead post-hatchling sea turtles
• One Hawksbill post-hatchling sea turtle

Media must RSVP with the Coast Guard 7^th District Public Affairs Office no later than 12 p.m. Sunday by calling 305-415-6683 before 4 p.m. Friday or 786-367-7649 after 4 p.m. Friday.

Media confirmed for the ride-along will meet at the Silver Palms Boat Ramp located at 600 East Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, Florida, 33432, and must arrive no later than 9:45 a.m. to guarantee attendance. 

Media are encouraged to wear appropriate attire to include closed-toe shoes and sun protection, and to bring adequate food and water for the trip.

MORGAN CITY, La. – The East Wax Lake Spill Unified Command will be conducting an in-situ burn on a section of marsh affected by 1,050 gallons of oil near Belle Isle, St. Mary’s Parish, July 25.

In-situ burning is the process of burning oil on the water. Any burn operation includes careful air monitoring to ensure smoke or residue resulting from the burn does not adversely impact people or wildlife.

The spill originated from a submerged pipeline, owned by Texas Petroleum Investment Company, and discharged a 1,050-gallon mixture of crude oil and produced water into a privately owned floating marsh, July 14, 2015.

A unified command comprised of the Coast Guard, Texas Petroleum Investment Company, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was formed to respond to the spill.

Initial cleanup efforts focused on cutting and raking dead vegetation and using sorbent materials. While some oil and oiled vegetation has been recovered, the methods have not proven to be effective.

In-situ burning was discussed by the Unified Command and was determined to be the most effective method of removal. T&T Salvage, a recognized marine fire-fighting company, will be brought in to plan, manage, and conduct the burn. Technical advice will be provided by Mr. Chris LeRouge, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Fire Ecologist.

The Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team will be on-hand to conduct air monitoring.

For additional information or concerns, contact Paige Doelling with NOAA at (206) 549-7819 or Margulies Communications at (214) 368-0909.

KEY WEST, Fla. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Thetis returned home to Key West, Florida, Sunday after an exciting and eventful 65-day patrol operating off the coast of Central and South America.

Thetis, a 270 foot cutter based out of Key West, Florida, is a multi-mission platform. Over the last 65 days the cutter and her crew transited through the Panama Canal in order to conduct operations supporting diverse Coast Guard missions, primarily drug interdiction, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Coast Guard drug interdiction accounts for nearly 52 percent of all U.S. government seizures of cocaine each year. The Coast Guard has a long history of drug interdiction, dating back to 1890 when the Revenue Cutter Wolcott seized opium on board the steamer George E. Starr.

As the Coast Guard nears its 225th anniversary of drug interdiction, Thetis takes pride in carrying out these missions. Early in the patrol, Thetis intercepted a go-fast vessel transporting approximately 700 kilograms of cocaine. Over the next several days the crew of the Thetis stopped three more go-fast-vessels and a fishing vessel seizing an additional 3,280 kilograms of cocaine. Towards the end of its patrol Thetis intercepted another fishing vessel carrying 670 kilograms of cocaine.

Click image above for higher resolution version

In total, Thetis' crew disrupted and interdicted six vessels suspected of drug smuggling, detained 15 suspected narco-traffickers and recovered over 4,650 kilograms of illegal narcotics worth an estimated wholesale value of $140 million.

Maritime Enforcement Specialist First Class, Charles Kinnear, one of Thetis' boarding officers stated, "These high speed and highly visible boarding’s are one of the most dangerous missions we face. As a team we acted expeditiously to secure the vessels and the suspects engaged in violations of the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act."

Click image above for higher resolution version

These interdictions were carried out as part of Operation Martillo, which is one component in the United States government's whole-of-government approach to countering the use of Central American littorals as transshipment routes for illicit drugs, weapons and cash. Operation Martillo is an international operation focused on sharing information and bringing together air, land and maritime assets from the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and Western Hemisphere and European partner agencies to counter this illicit trafficking.

In addition to conducting drug interdiction operations, the Thetis' crew had an opportunity to support the Coast Guard's Living Marine Resource mission. Coast Guard objectives include promoting the recovery of marine protected species and their habitats. Thetis crewmembers worked together to free a 50 pound green sea turtle tangled in debris and fishing line. The crew was able to save the sea turtle and clean up the line preventing future environmental hazards.

Click image above for higher resolution version

This exciting and successful deployment in the Pacific Ocean was a unique opportunity for Thetis, whose crew is normally deployed throughout the Caribbean Sea in support of similar missions. "The pace of operations, mission success, Panama Canal transit and new area to explore were a welcome of change of scenery for the entire crew. This patrol was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that our shipmates will not forget," said Cmdr. Kathy Felger, Thetis' commanding officer.

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard has reopened the majority of the Illinois River to recreational vessel traffic, with one portion remaining closed, today.

The span from mile marker 50, five miles south of Florence, Illinois, to mile marker 101.9, five miles north of Browning, Illinois, will remain closed until further notice.

The river was closed due to high water levels and was deemed unsafe on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Although the majority of river has been reopened, the Coast Guard urges mariners to continue to exercise extreme caution when operating on the river due to large debris and swift currents.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Lt. Megan Willmann relieved Lt. Cmdr. Laura Miller and assumed command of the Coast Guard Pacific Regional Fisheries Training Center during a change-of-command ceremony held on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Friday.

Prior to reporting to PRFTC, Willmann served as the executive officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak, homeported in Bayonne, New Jersey. Her immediate previous assignment was as the executive officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Bainbridge Island, which was decommissioned March 2014.

Miller received orders to Coast Guard Sector Northern New England in South Portland, Maine, where she will serve as the Contingency Planning and Force Readiness Chief.

"My time in command has been an extremely rewarding experience," said Miller. "I am confident that I am leaving the unit better than I found it and in very good hands with Lt. Willmann at the helm."

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and formal ritual conducted before the assembled company of a command to confirm to the men and women of the unit that the authority of command is maintained. The ceremony is a transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.

Headquartered in Alameda, PRFTC was officially established June 1, 2012. Located on Coast Guard Island, PRFTC consists of 10 active duty Coast Guard personnel responsible for training Living Marine Resources regulations and enforcement to more than 85 units and more than 1,000 Coast Guard personnel across three Coast Guard districts.

Click here for information about the award ceremony.
Click here for the original rescue release.

MIAMI — Coast Guard search-and-rescue crews are searching for two boys reported overdue in the vicinity of Jupiter, Florida, Friday.

At approximately 5 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami received the report that both boys, 14, were aboard a 19-foot white single engine center console vessel believed to be heading towards the Bahamas on a fishing trip. They were last seen at approximately 1:30 p.m after purchasing $110 worth of fuel.

The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched an HC-144 "Ocean Sentry" airplane and an MH-65 "Dolphin" helicopter out of Air Station Miami along with boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet and Station Fort Pierce. The Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell is also searching with the assistance of the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office. 

The Coast Guard intends to search through out the night for the missing teens. For breaking news, please follow us on Twitter @uscgsoutheast