ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Coast Guard responded to a capsized vessel approximately 24 miles off San Francisco Saturday morning.

At approximately 10 a.m., Coast Guard 11th District watchstanders received a personal locator beacon activation in the vicinity of the Farallon Islands. A Coast Guard aircrew from Air Station San Francisco and a boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Golden Gate were launched and an urgent marine information broadcast was relayed over VHF channel 16.

The vessel Kitty Kat, on a whale charter trip, diverted to the search area. Once on scene, the crew of the Kitty Kat discovered a capsized 28-foot vessel with two people clinging to the hull and another floating nearby and immediately pulled them aboard. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, a Coast Guard medical evacuation could not be conducted though the aircrew remained on scene.

Under the escort of the Coast Guard boatcrew, the Kitty Kat brought the three persons, one of which was unresponsive, and transferred them to awaiting Southern Marin Fire Department personnel at Coast Guard Station Golden Gate.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Budrejko. 
Photos courtesy Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. 

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard rescued a mariner aboard the damaged sailing vessel Hula Hoop off Kauai, Sunday. 

A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Kauai towed the 28-foot sailing catamaran to Port Allen after it was located by an HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point. 

“This case illustrates the importance of carrying survival equipment aboard your boat and being prepared for emergencies,” said Chief Petty Officer Jerrod Sneller of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “An emergency position indicating radio beacon can be very useful during long distance transits. Unlike VHF radios with limited range the EPIRB connects to satellites and delivers its signal in seconds, alerting emergency responders to possible distress very quickly and providing your location."

At 5:08 p.m. Saturday Coast Guard watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received a mayday call from the master of the Hula Hoop, over VHF-FM Channel 16, reporting that the vessel’s mast had been destroyed in a storm and he had been adrift for five days. He had finally drifted close enough to land to establish communications. Additionally he reported he was the only one aboard and was running low of water and power. 

The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of the Hercules and RB-M crews. The Hercules crew located the vessel about 23 miles south of Port Allen and vectored in the RB-M crew who arrived ons scene about 33 minutes after departing the station and took the vessel in tow. 

The master of the vessel did not require medical attention. After reaching port roughly 30 minutes past midnight Sunday, prior to turning the vessel back over to the master, the crew conducted a post search and rescue boarding and found everything to be in order. 

Weather conditions on scene at the time of the tow were reportedly 15 mph winds and seas up to 5 feet. 

A Royal Canadian Air Force CH-146 Griffon helicopter taxis past a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City MH-65D Dolphin helicopter after joint training operations in Barrie, Ontario, May 4, 2015. RCAF and USCG crews work closely together both in training and during actual emergencies. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Traverse City)	A Royal Canadian Air Force CH-146 Griffon helicopter sits on the tarmac during a joint training exercise with the U.S. Coast Guard in Barrie, Ontario, May 7, 2015. The RCAF and USCG work and train together often due to their proximity in the Great Lakes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City)

A Royal Canadian Air Force CH-146 Griffon helicopter conducts hoist evolutions during joint training operations with the U.S. Coast Guard in Barrie, Ontario, May 5, 2015. The RCAF and USCG crews conducted the joint training to share search-and-rescue and other training techniques. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Traverse City)	A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130 Hercules is inspected prior to flight by a crew member before taking part in joint training operations in Barrie, Ontario, May 5, 2015. The RCAF aircraft participated in the joint exercise with crews from the U.S. Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Traverse City)

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - The crew of Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City is hosting an international joint search-and-rescue exercise with members of the Royal Canadian Air Force beginning Tuesday in and around the Traverse City area.

The Royal Canadian Air Force's 424th Transport and Rescue Squadron based at CFB Trenton, Ontario, will be flying a CC-130 Hercules aircraft and a CH-146 Griffon helicopter during the search-and-rescue exercises taking place from October 13 to October 15th.

U.S. Coast Guard units participating include MH-65D Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Traverse City and vessels from Coast Guard Stations Charlevoix, Michigan, and Manistee, Michigan.

Training operations will start Tuesday when Canadian and U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews will begin classroom and ground-rescue briefings. Aircraft and vessels will then showcase search-and-rescue skills operationally during a number of mock rescue scenarios.

Crews from the RCAF and U.S. Coast Guard routinely work together on search-and-rescue incidents across the Great Lakes.  Canadian CC-130 aircraft are often requested by U.S. Coast Guard search planners as long-range search platforms in U.S. waters, capable of covering large search areas with more than 8-10 hours of unrefueled flight time. U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 helicopters are routinely requested by the Canadian Joint Rescue Coordination Center Trenton as rescue aircraft during Canadian search-and-rescues cases in Lake Superior and Lake Erie.

The public can expect to see an increase in air traffic including Canadian parachute operations & over-water boat-helicopter hoist operations in the vicinity of Manistee, Charlevoix and Grand Traverse Bay.

U.S. Coast Guard and RCAF crews work together across the Great Lakes responding to search-and-rescue incidents throughout the nearly 95,000 square miles and 10,000 mile shoreline, the largest surface area of fresh water in the world.

Questions regarding the joint search-and-rescue training exercises can be directed to Lt. Cmdr. Pablo Smith at 231-922-8273.

BOSTON — The Coast Guard rescued two people from a burning sailboat Monday afternoon about a mile south of Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island.

At approximately 4 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England watchstanders received a distress call via VHF-16 radio from the two-person crew aboard the 24-foot sail boat Northern Phoenix, from Ottawa, Canada, saying it was on fire.

A 45-Foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Castle Hill launched and arrived on scene at approximately 4:30 p.m. By this time, the Northern Phoenix crew had abandoned ship and boarded an 8-foot life raft. The Coast Guard crew quickly located the raft and brought the two people aboard.

No injuries were reported.

The Rhode Island Department on Environmental Management, North Kingstown Fire Department, and Warwick Fire Department marine units responded to the burning boat, and extinguished the flames. The owner then arranged with commercial salvers to tow the vessel to port.

“The crew of the sailboat was well prepared with a life raft and a handheld marine radio,” said Petty Officer 1^st Class Andrew Stokes, the operations unit controller at Sector Southeastern New England’s command center. “Having those tools available ensured a safe rescue.”

SHARK RIVER, N.J. — The Coast Guard rescued a 16-year-old girl Monday after she went missing in Shark River Inlet.

Belmar Water Rescue notified the Coast Guard of a missing girl at approximately 5 p.m. after her dive group reported her missing from their group.

Coast Guard Station-Small Shark River launched a 25-foot Response Boat — Small crew to assist in the search. Approximately 40 minutes later, the Coast Guard boat crew located the missing girl one mile from her dive group.

"It's always important to remember that even a simple dive can go wrong," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Cavallo, the coxswain for the response boat. "Implementing the buddy system when diving makes the experience that much safer."

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard air and boat crews rescued two men from their sinking boat offshore off San Jose Island Beach Sunday evening.

At approximately 11:45 p.m. Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders received a distress call from one of the men on board stating their boat was taking on water approximately 100 yards offshore and 10 miles north of the Port Aransas Jetties.

Watchstanders launched an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter air crew from Air Station Corpus Christi and a 45-foot response boat crew from Station Port Aransas, to conduct the rescue.

Once the helicopter crew arrived on scene, the boat had washed ashore and the men were on the beach. The rescue helicopter landed on the beach and then flew them to Mustang Beach Airport where the Station Port Aransas boat crew met the helicopter and transported the men to their vehicle.

“This is a great example of why it is so important to have an operational marine VHF radio. It provided effective communication between the vessel in distress and the Coast Guard,” said Lt. Cmdr. Osvaldo Vera, search and rescue mission coordinator for Sector Corpus Christi.

Boaters are reminded to always check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly with appropriate personal protective equipment, always have enough life jackets for everyone aboard, have sufficient and appropriate medical supplies, always carry a marine VHF radio capable of calling for help and have a boating plan and communicate it with friends and family.

LOS ANGELES—The Coast Guard responded to an entangled dolphin Monday afternoon approximately 3 miles west of Channel Islands.

At 12:37 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach command center received a report from a Good Samaritan that a dolphin was seen entangled in fishing gear near Channel Islands.

A rescue boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands, along with a member from Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Santa Barbara immediately diverted to assist the mammal in distress.

The Coast Guard crews successfully disentangled the dolphin. Please click here, here and here to see photos.

Inspections guaranty the fulfillment of a required specification. Some, like skydiving, are easily seen as a necessity for safe operation and safety of the consumer. So do you think to look for an inspection sticker when you board a ferry, cruise around in a sailboat, take a water taxi, or charter a fishing boat?

When it comes to boats in the U.S., the responsibility falls on Coast Guard marine inspectors to conduct the inspections of boats used for commercial purpose.

“Basically there are two different sides to marine inspections,” said Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Studie, a marine inspector with Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. “There are the foreign vessels, which are handled by the Coast Guard’s port state control department. The other side encompasses domestic vessels, which is what I currently do.”

Domestic vessels are handled by the Coast Guard’s inspections department and are further divided into two groups: small passenger vessels and deep-draft vessels.

Now a very structured system, the history of marine inspections is fraught with challenges and disasters. From the introduction of steam engines to sailing ships in the 1800’s there were very few regulations in place. From the 1820’s on, the loss of life during boiler explosions started becoming more evident.

In 1837 the explosion of the steamboat Pulaski, off the coast of North Carolina, claimed 100 lives. In response, a commercial vessel inspection act was passed a year later that would demand the installation of fire-fighting and life-saving equipment.

Congress passed the Steamboat Act of 1852 following the death of 700 people in seven disasters within the eight-month period between December 1851 and July 1852. This act expanded the Act of 1838 and affected steamships carrying passengers by controlling inspections and licensing.

“Following the Civil War there were a couple of serious accidents that killed a lot of people,” said Studie.

During the Civil War commercial vessel safety efforts were less regulated leading to the largest commercial maritime disaster in U.S. history. Somewhere between 1,500 and 1,800 passengers died aboard the sternwheeler Sultana while carrying the 376 allowed passengers and approximately 2,000 Union veterans on a trip from Memphis, Tennessee, to Cairo, Illinois.

The deaths aboard the Sultana lead to the creation of the Steamboat Inspection Service in 1871.

The Steamboat Inspection Service was a predecessor and our first branch of inspections, said Studie.

“Unfortunately all the regulations that we have stem from some tragedy,” added Studie.

“I'm proud of the strides the maritime industry has made and the partnership that exists between the mariners, operators and regulators,” added Lt. Cmdr. Eddie Lesane, chief of the inspection division at Sector Baltimore.  “The ultimate goal is to ensure a safe, secure and environmentally sound commerce and there's plenty of examples of maritime partnerships that were established with the same goals in mind. “

Today, marine inspectors check the ship’s electrical, engineering and pollution prevention equipment. Inspectors also check life jackets and other survival equipment.

“We check the hulls of the vessels,” said Studie. “Whether they’re made of wood, fiberglass, steel or aluminum, we check that they are in great shape and seaworthy.”

The Coast Guard issues a fiver-year certificate of inspection, which requires an annual inspection.

“That’s something boaters can look for,” added Studie. “The inspected vessels all get stickers saying the vessel is inspected and when the expiration date is.”

The evolution of marine inspection has lead to regulations that protect the environment, provide a standard for the seaworthiness of the vessel and reliability of emergency equipment.

“What we provide is another set of eyes to ensure everyone is safe,” said Studie. “We look to keep the boating public safe, to keep the playing field level for everyone and that everyone is held to the same standards.”

###

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard, Washington State Department of Ecology and Global Diving and Salvage are scheduled to remove petroleum products from the tug Vigorous at Ballard Oil in the Lake Washington Ship Canal, Tuesday.

The Coast Guard Incident Management Division from Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received notification Thursday of a possible sinking and presumably derelict vessel after Ballard Oil personnel noticed the tug was sitting abnormally low in the water.

Sector Puget Sound IMD crew members conducted a pollution assessment of the vessel and found a significant amount of oily water in the engine room, however, the vessel was determined not to be in danger of sinking.  Containment boom was placed around the vessel.

"Our first priority is to remove all of the hazardous materials from the vessel," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Nick Debrum, marine science technician with the IMD. "Doing so will prevent any pollutants from leaving the vessel and decrease the risk of any harm coming to the environment."

The Vigorous has an estimated 20,000 gallons of oily bilge waste and an unknown amount of product in the fuel tanks.

Coast Guard personnel were unable to contact the owner of the vessel. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is being utilized to cover all costs associated with recovery efforts.

College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative offers unique scholarship opportunity

Written by Petty Officer 1st Class Melissa Leake

Headlines today are full of concerns for recent college graduates.  In today’s society, it’s no longer enough just to have a college degree.  More and more of America’s workforce is pursuing higher education and obtaining college degrees, and every year the pool of formally educated workers is growing.

But how can they distinguish themselves from the rest? How can they ensure they’ll find a fulfilling and challenging career with a foundation to be built on for the rest of their lives?

The Coast Guard’s College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative, a scholarship and leadership training program for future Coast Guard officers, offers the opportunity to earn a college degree, a position in officer candidate school after graduation and real-life work experience.

Under the CSPI program, students become active-duty enlisted members of the Coast Guard and have up to two years of college tuition, books and fees paid for by the government.  Other benefits include full E-3 pay, a housing allowance, medical and dental coverage.

The program, aimed at motivated sophomores and juniors who demonstrate high academic aptitude and a desire to serve their country in the Coast Guard, must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a full-time bachelor degree program at an accredited college or university that is designated as a minority serving institution; a historically black college or university; a Hispanic serving institute; a tribal college or university; or the University of Guam; University’s of Hawaii at Manoa, Hilo, and West Oahu; Argosy University, Hawaii; or the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture. 

“The great thing about the program is that you can pick any college you want as long as it’s a qualifying school,” said Seaman Brittney Webb, an officer trainee currently enrolled in the CSPI program at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina.  “I chose ECSU because they have an exceptional business program, and also, it allowed me to be closer to home.” 

Once accepted into CSPI, students must attend and pass Coast Guard basic training in Cape May, New Jersey.

“Boot camp is no joke. You have to be mentally and physically prepared for a grueling eight weeks of training,” said Petty Officer 1^st Class Jenna Coffey, the executive petty officer of Recruiting Office Hampton Roads.  “It’s not enough to just submit your CSPI application. You have to constantly prepare for the next step of the program. It’s designed to set you up for success, but you have to work for it. Everything you do in CSPI is earned.”

Coffey said after boot camp CSPI students, also called officer trainees or OTs, report to their local recruiting office where they are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours per month of Coast Guard duty.

“We supervise the OTs and make sure they maintain their readiness and also stay up-to-date with any mandated training.  We try to get them out to other Coast Guard units to gain as much experience and exposure to the Coast Guard as possible, which will help prepare them for OCS and beyond,” said Coffey.

After completing their junior year in college, CSPI students attend a three-week leadership training course in New London, Connecticut, followed by full-time summer training at a new unit.

“The summer training is awesome.  You meet all the other OTs and build a rapport with them. There’s a real sense of camaraderie and teamwork within CSPI. You get to travel to areas of the country you’ve never been to before, and you learn something new every day,” said Webb. “The mentorship during the officer candidate indoctrination is just amazing. You just don’t get that at your ordinary, everyday job. That’s what makes this opportunity so special, so great.”

After graduating college, OTs attend officer candidate school, a 17-week course in New London. After OCS, graduates receive a commission as a Coast Guard ensign, and an initial assignment in one of the four main officer operational specialties, including afloat, aviation, prevention or response.

“I’m really excited for what my future holds. My goal is to be the commanding officer of a 110-foot cutter one day, and this program is going to get me there,” said Webb.  “The opportunities are endless.  CSPI allows you to stand out amongst your peers while giving you free education, experience and a competitive salary while attending college full time. A lot of kids who come out of college have no experience, and I’m going to be one step ahead of everyone else. That is crucial in today’s job market.”

The next CSPI application deadline is Jan. 4, 2016, and applicants are encouraged to meet with a recruiter at least two months prior to the deadline date.

“This is a once in a life time opportunity and the benefits are great. If this is something you think you would love to do, apply for the program, even if you don’t want a career in the Coast Guard.  You only have to commit to three years after you graduate, and if you decide to get out of the Coast Guard, you’ve built the work and leadership experience to be successful in anything you do. You’ll be prepared for the future and you have a solid foundation to build on,” said Webb.

Both active duty Coast Guard members and civilians are able to apply for the CSPI program if they meet the eligibility requirements.

“The application process wasn’t hard, and it’s great because it helps you learn personal responsibility, which you need in the real world,” said Webb. The recruiters were there to help me, but it was my responsibility to have the application package complete, ready and turned in on time.”

For more information on how to apply for the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative visit www.GOCOASTGUARD.com.



WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard rescued two people Sunday from a vessel taking on water off the North Carolina coast.


Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington received a report from two people aboard the 50-foot pleasure craft Ticker Tape VI at about 11:45 p.m. Saturday, stating the boat was disabled and taking on water about 14 miles southeast of Wilmington.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RBM) crew launched from Station Wrightsville Beach and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Air Station Elizabeth City.

The RBM crew arrived on scene at about 1 a.m. Sunday, took the two people aboard, and brought them to Station Wrightsville Beach. The flooded vessel was left adrift with the navigation lights energized.

No injuries were reported. The owner plans to contact a salvage company to attempt to retrieve the vessel.

For breaking news, follow the Fifth District on Twitter @USCGMidAtlantic .

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard is searching for a missing man Sunday near the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

Watchstanders at Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth received a report Sunday from two crew members aboard a 31-foot fishing vessel anchored just south of Fisherman’s Island and east of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, stating the captain of the vessel was believed to have fallen overboard while they were sleeping between 11:30 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RBM) crew launched from Station Cape Charles, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater launched from Base Portsmouth to search in the dark Sunday morning.

Currently searching is a 45-foot RBM crew from Station Little Creek, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City and the crew of the Shearwater. Also searching are crews with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Virginia Port Authority Maritime Incident Response Team, among others.

The approximate water temperature in the vicinity of the search is 66 degrees. Visibility is about ten miles.

For breaking news, follow the Fifth District on Twitter @USCGMidAtlantic .

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard performed multiple rescues Saturday and Sunday off South Jersey.

Several units were involved in the cases.

A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Cape May towed a disabled sailboat Saturday. The sailboat broke down in the bay with one person aboard. With a freeze warning in effect, the boat crew used a 45-foot Response Boat—Medium to tow the sailboat to safety.

Video of the tow case is available on DVIDS.

A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City launched at approximately 11 p.m. Saturday to search for two fishermen aboard a 23-foot boat, which was stuck in shallow waters off Brigantine. The helicopter crew hoisted the two mildly hypothermic men Sunday shortly after midnight and brought them to Air Station Atlantic City.

Video of the hoist is available on DVIDS.

A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Atlantic City responded to a report of the sailboat, Sovereign Subject, disabled approximately 21 miles offshore from Atlantic City with a man and a cat aboard. The man fell overboard and managed to get back on the Sovereign Subject while awaiting help. The 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew arrived on scene and brought the man and the cat aboard. An Air Station Atlantic City helicopter diverted from a training flight to hoist the man and transfer him to EMS personnel. The boat crew transported the cat and towed the Sovereign Subject to Farley State Marina in Atlantic City.

Video of the hoist is available on DVIDS.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia, as well as watchstanders from the 5th Coast Guard District in Portsmouth, Virginia, assisted with coordination efforts in these cases.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is searching for a missing man Sunday believed to have entered the water near the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

Watchstanders at Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth received a report Sunday from two crew members aboard a 31-foot fishing vessel anchored just south of Fisherman’s Island and east of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, stating the captain of the vessel was believed to have fallen overboard while they were sleeping between 11:30 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RBM) crew launched from Station Cape Charles, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater launched from Base Portsmouth to search in the dark Sunday morning.

The crew of the Shearwater, 45-foot RBM crews and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews searched through the day Sunday.

Currently searching is a 45-foot RBM crew from Station Little Creek, a C-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Elizabeth City and the crew of the Shearwater. Also searching are crews with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Virginia Port Authority Maritime Incident Response Team, among others.

The approximate water temperature in the vicinity of the search is 66 degrees. Visibility is about ten miles.

For breaking news, follow the Fifth District on Twitter @USCGMidAtlantic .

NEW ORLEANS — The Eighth Coast Guard District is scheduled to convene a general court-martial at the Hale Boggs Federal Building Monday for a Coast Guard member accused of multiple violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Chief Warrant Officer Richard M. Clark is accused of the following violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice:

• Five specifications of aggravated assault under Article 128, including assault with a loaded firearm;
• Three specifications of assault consummated by a battery under Article 128;
• One specification of sexual assault under Article 120;
• One specification of aggravated sexual contact under Article 120;
• Four specifications under Article 133, conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman
• One specification of drunken operation of a vehicle under Article 111; and
• One specification of obstruction of justice under Article 134.

The district commander for the Eighth Coast Guard District referred CWO Clark’s case to a general court-martial on June 4 following an Article 32 hearing completed April 24.

CWO Clark was assigned to Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur, Texas, when the alleged misconduct occurred. He is currently administratively assigned to Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston.

Charges are accusations against the individual and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by the military justice system. It is Coast Guard policy to withhold the identity of reporting victims.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 57-year-old woman from a cruise ship approximately 80 miles southwest of Monterey Calif., Sunday morning.

At approximately 6:30 a.m., 11th Coast Guard District and Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders received a request for assistance from the crew of the cruise ship Grand Princess for a female passenger suffering a heart attack.

The 11^th District’s flight surgeon in Alameda recommended that the patient be medically evacuated and taken to a hospital for emergency care.

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched, arrived on scene and safely hoisted the woman and the ship’s paramedic.  The helicopter crew returned to Monterey at approximately 9:15 a.m., where the woman was transferred to local emergency medical services. Upon landing, the patient was reported to be in stable condition.

“The coordinated effort between the cruise ship, Coast Guard watchstanders and the helicopter rescue crew greatly contributed to a successful and swift rescue,” said Lt. Wes Geyer, Sector San Francisco command duty officer.

LOS ANGELES — The Coast Guard provided medical assistance to a 48-year-old man aboard a 50-foot passenger vessel approximately 25 miles north of Morro Bay, Sunday.

At 12:21 p.m., Sunday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach command center received a report from the passenger vessel Endeavor, that a passenger aboard was experiencing symptoms of chest pains. The passenger was reported to have a history of heart problems.

The District 11 flight surgeon recommended that the patient be taken to a hospital for emergency care within 2-4 hours.

The Coast Guard immediately launched a 47-foot rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Morro Bay. Morro Bay Harbor Patrol also launched a boat with paramedics from Morro Bay Fire Department.

Coast Guard Station Morro Bay crewmembers provided oxygen to assist the man with his breathing until paramedics arrived. The Coast Guard safely escorted the passenger vessel back into the harbor. The patient was then transferred to awaiting EMS and taken to French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo. He is reported to be in stable condition.