GUAM-Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Assateague, a 110-foot patrol boat home ported in Apra Harbor, Guam, completed a cleanup of eight beaches on the remote island of Tinian Thursday.

The crew managed to walk, wade and swim around the sharp-edged reefs that separate each beach, successfully collecting over 850 cubic feet of marine debris, equivalent to the waste generated by an average U.S. household in a two-week span according the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The multi-beach cleanup was undertaken to remove marine debris that affects endangered sea turtles nesting in the area. Sea turtles are at risk from accidental ingestion or deadly entanglement. The amount of garbage littering the beaches also complicates the turtles’ ability to lay eggs.

The majority of the trash collected was plastic and glass washed ashore by the driving currents. Several kayaks were used to create makeshift catamarans, allowing the crew to more easily transport trash.

Acting Mayor Antonio SN. Borja and other dignitaries were present at Unai Donkulu Beach and extended warm welcome and appreciation to the crew. “On behalf of the people of Tinian, I would like to say thank you and Si Yu’us Ma’ase to our friends from the Coast Guard Cutter Assateague who traveled from Guam to spearhead the community service event. We are truly grateful for their help and we welcome them back to our beautiful island anytime soon,” said Borja.

Lt. Jared Silverman, commanding officer of Assateague, shared his enthusiasm for the event and the outstanding cooperation between the parties involved. “This was an outstanding opportunity for the crew to experience Tinian’s history, culture and community while making positive strides to help maintain its beautiful beaches and waters. The support we received from local organizations and the public was invigorating, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the great people of Tinian.” 

The Assateague and Naval Base Guam Public Works Department Environmental Division coordinated the event in conjunction with Tinian Mayor’s Office, Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Lands and Natural Resources. The joint effort was also made possible with the assistance of Tinian Municipal Council, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Department of Public Safety, Marianas Visitors Authority and the Tinian Public School System.

Tinian is a member of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, and is located 100 miles north of Guam. The island is home to approximately 3,100 residents.

Assateague is a 110-foot Island-Class patrol boat. Its assigned missions include search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, ports waterways and coastal security and national defense. The Assateague has an area of responsibility equivalent to the size of the continental United States.

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center suspended the search Wednesday for a 40-year-old male who reportedly fell overboard from a fishing vessel near Christmas Island Sunday.

The man overboard was the master of the 163-foot South Korean flagged fishing vessel Panalox. Panalox, and its sister vessel, Shin Yung, began searching after discovering Sunday that the man was missing. They later notified the Korean Coast Guard, who contacted the U.S. Coast Guard Monday.

The U.S. Coast Guard was notified 27 hours after the man reportedly fell overboard. Initial reports from the Korean Coast Guard stated incorrect coordinates, directing efforts toward a search area near Guam. As Coast Guard personnel prepared their response, the Korean Coast Guard corrected the coordinates and the search area was found to be 305 miles northwest of Christmas Island.

Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft crews conducted searches Tuesday and Wednesday covering approximately 1,690 square miles.

Two other fishing vessels assisted with the search Tuesday and throughout Tuesday night, but suspended their roles in the search by Wednesday morning.

On-scene conditions: waves at 6 feet, 12 mile-per-hour winds with visibility at 8 miles.

"We offer our thoughts and prayers to the family during this difficult time," said Lt. Cmdr. Pete Zauner, command duty officer at JRCC. "Suspending a search is never an easy decision and is only made after we have exhausted search efforts."

For more information, contact the Coast Guard’s 14th District Public Affairs Office at (808) 535-3230.

SEATTLE — A Coast Guard aircrew from Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., and a boatcrew from Station Bellingham, Wash., assisted an overturned kayaker near Birch Bay, Wash., July 31, 2013.

A concerned citizen on shore contacted watchstanders at Station Bellingham at about 8 p.m., after seeing the man’s kayak flip over. 

The air and boatcrews were already underway conducting scheduled training, and diverted to the scene. A second individual on shore was able to direct the rescue crews to kayaker’s location. The aircrew was able to safely hoist the kayaker into the helicopter and transport him waiting Emergency Medical Services at Bellingham Airport. The kayaker was reportedly exhibiting signs of mild hypothermia.

The Coast Guard urges all paddlesport enthusiasts to take proper safety precautions and dress for the water temperature as opposed to the air temperature. Paddlers should also wear a brightly colored life jacket to increase their visibility and the chances of being found in the event of an emergency.

For more information contact the 13^th District Public Affairs Office at 206-220-7237.

WHAT: Presentation of the United States Interdiction Coordinator Award

WHO: Michael Botticelli the deputy chief of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and Florida Coast Guardsmen.

WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Monday. Media arrive no later than 2:15 p.m.

WHERE: Brickell Plaza Federal Building, 9th floor conference room, 909 SE 1st Ave., Miami, FL 33131

MIAMI — Florida Coast Guardsmen and Customs and Border Protection officers are scheduled to receive the United States Interdiction Coordinator Award Monday during a ceremony at the Seventh Coast Guard District headquarters in Miami.

The award is scheduled to be presented by Michael Botticelli, deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, to Coast Guardsmen and CBP officers from various units in the area.

The award recognizes the superior performance of several interagency and international partners who contributed to the success of Operation Unified Resolve. Operation Unified Resolve began in Sept. 2012 to help stem the maritime flow of illicit narcotics into Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Within the last year, this joint maritime law enforcement operation has resulted in the at-sea interdiction of 19 vessels, the arrest of 51 suspected drug traffickers, and the removal of more than 10,600 kilograms of cocaine and 8,450 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated wholesale value of more than $360 million.

The Seventh Coast Guard District encompasses roughly 1.7 million square miles of the United States and Caribbean and is one of the main areas drug traffickers attempt to use in smuggling illegal narcotics into the U.S.

Media planning to attend must RSVP with the Seventh Coast Guard District Public Affairs office at 305-415-6683 and provide names of attendees to ensure admittance to the Brickell Federal Building.

Rear Admiral Karl Schultz, commander of the 11th Coast Guard District, presented the Gold Lifesaving Medal (posthumously) to the surviving family members of Kyle Hardman in a ceremony in Ukiah, Calif., July 31, 2013. 
Members of the local Ukiah government were also present for the ceremony. Coast Guard photo

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Rear Adm. Karl Schultz, commander of the 11th Coast Guard District, presented the Gold Lifesaving Medal (posthumously) to the surviving family members of Kyle Hardman in a ceremony in Ukiah, Calif., July 31, 2013.

According to the award citation, Kyle Hardman and Jarvise Shelton were working aboard the towboat Richard A. Baker on the Upper Mississippi River in the vicinity of St. Louis, MO., June 12, 2012, when they heard cries for help.

They spotted a disabled pleasure craft with three adults and two young children aboard, drifting toward their location and in danger of being dragged beneath a fleet of river barges.  Recognizing the danger, the pair launched the tug’s Zodiac work boat.  In the few minutes it took to launch the work boat, the disabled pleasure craft came to rest against the upstream end of a fleet of empty barges, where the family struggled desperately to maintain their balance and prevent their craft from being forced beneath the anchored barges.

As Shelton guided the work boat to within 20 feet of the disabled vessel, Hardman made multiple attempts to throw a rescue line to the terrified family, who were unable to secure the line to their own vessel. As their desperation mounted, one of the passengers held an infant child out to Hardman, but he was just out of reach.  Shelton maneuvered their vessel, working to close the gap between the two boats. But as the work boat advanced, the river currents pushed the work boat’s bow into an adjacent barge, causing it to capsize and ejecting both rescuers.

Shelton managed to pull himself onto the bottom of the capsized Zodiac. Once he reemerged, he spotted Hardman's body several hundred feet downstream. Using the handheld radio that remained attached to his body, Shelton called for assistance, directing the towboat Miss Shelia to Hardman's location. Minutes later, the Miss Shelia returned to rescue Shelton. Once safely aboard, Shelton performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on his fallen shipmate for several minutes, struggling to revive him. He was unsuccessful.

By this time, Miss Shelia’s crew had positioned the vessel alongside the barge fleet in an effort to render additional assistance. Realizing that he might still save the imperiled family, Shelton turned his attention back to the passengers on the pleasure craft.  Shelton joined other rescuers on the barges in a final attempt to rescue the family. Just as Shelton and the other rescuers lowered a rescue line from the head of the barge, the pleasure craft disappeared beneath the barge. Shelton and the other rescuers managed to pull one man to safety while the crew of the nearby towboat Jackie Sue moved into position to recover the remaining passengers with ring buoys attached to rescue lines.

As a result of their bravery and self-sacrifice, the Coast Guard bestowed Hardman and Shelton with the Gold Lifesaving Medal, a unique award that can be given to both civilians and members of the military. Since 1874, the U.S. Coast Guard has issued the medal less than 700 times, making it one of the rarest medals, awarded and the third oldest medal still being issued by the U.S. military.

The lifesaving medals were first authorized by the 43rd Congress on June 20, 1874. The secretary of the treasury was directed to create "medals of honor", to be distinguished as “life-saving medals of the first and second class, and bestow them upon any persons who endanger their own lives in saving, or endeavoring to save lives from perils of the sea.”

The lifesaving medal is issued in two grades, silver and gold.  Through the years the lifesaving medals have undergone three design changes however, the lifesaving medals remain unique among U.S. decorations.  They are actually struck from the precious metals, silver or gold.

Shelton was presented with the award on May 24, 2013, at the Great Rivers Museum in Alton, IL.

LOS ANGELES - In honor of the Coast Guard's 223rd birthday, we have taken black and white snapshots of the past and breathed new life into them by hand coloring, August 2, 2013.

Click photos for high res

ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard detained the motor vessel Great Success, Tuesday,  requiring the vessel remain in Longview, Wash., until numerous safety violations are corrected by the ship’s crew.

Port State Control officers from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River’s Marine Safety Unit in Portland, Ore., discovered the discrepancies during routine inspections of the 553-foot Hong Kong-flagged vessel in Kalama, Wash., Monday and Longview on Tuesday.

Most safety discrepancies were related to fire danger and included excessive oil and oily water mixture in the bilges, excessive oil in the engine room, and oil-saturated lagging insulation throughout the engine room.

The emergency fire pump was found to be leaking water and flooding the emergency fire pump room.

The condition of the incinerator posed a significant fire hazard and could not be tested safely due to oil-saturated lagging insulation on the incinerator and pooling of oil in the immediate vicinity.

All three generators and the boiler burner had active lube oil leaks, causing pooling of lube oil beneath the equipment.

A fire door within the purifier flat could not be opened from inside the space creating an unsafe egress situation for crewmembers.

No pollution has been reported in connection with Great Success.

The Great Success will remain at anchor in Longview until the violations have been corrected.

"The purpose of Port State Control detentions is to mitigate and remove safety and environmental hazards,” said Lt. Ben Russell, chief of Port State Control, MSU Portland.  “For vessels operating under a foreign flag entering a U.S. port, Port State Control becomes the primary means of marine safety enforcement.”

Great Success crewmembers have been working to correct the violations.

The vessel, owned by Rich Target Shipping LTD, was loaded with grain and scheduled to depart for Japan prior to its detention.

For additional information, please contact Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Littlejohn at 503-861-6132.

KODIAK, Alaska — Coast Guard Station Ketchikan boatcrews responded to two vessels in distress near Ketchikan Thursday and Friday.

While conducting training in the Tongass Narrows, two Station Ketchikan 25-foot Response Boat-Small crews assisted the  disabled Ketchikan Airport ferry Oral Freeman Thursday afternoon.

The ferry's crew was transiting from the airport terminal on Gravina Island to the terminal on Revillagigedo Island when they became disabled and issued a request for assistance on VHF-FM channel 16.

Upon arrival the RBS crews found the ferry in tow by their sister ship, the 112-foot Ken Eichner 2. The RBS crews tied off to the Oral Freeman to assist the Ken Eichner's crew in maneuvering the vessel to the terminal and preventing them from drifting onto the nearby rocks. The passengers and cars safely disembarked upon reaching the terminal and the tug Jenny B towed the 116-foot ferry safely to its permanent moorings.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a report Thursday evening over VHF-FM channel 16 from the crew of the 58-foot fishing vessel Sarah B stating they were grounded on the southern tip Revillagigedo Island, 8 miles southeast of Ketchikan, with six people aboard.

The watchstanders dispatched the station's 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew to assess the situation. Upon arrival they confirmed the fishermen were no longer in distress. The MLB crew returned to the vessel Friday morning to assist the fishermen with their refloat on the high tide and towed the vessel to Ketchikan. No injuries or pollution have been reported. Damage was sustained to the fishing vessel's rudder and both propellers.

"We are here to ensure the safety of the boating public and mariners in Ketchikan," said Senior Chief Kevinn Smith, officer-in-charge Coast Guard Station Ketchikan."The crew conducts a lot of training and sometimes work long hours. That paid off yesterday when we responded to these two cases and ensured the safety of the passengers on the ferry and the fishermen on the seiner."

The Coast Guard is investigating the causes of both incidents and Coast Guard marine safety personnel will attend and inspect both vessel prior their return to service.

MOBILE, Ala. — Coast Guard Sector Mobile celebrated Coast Guard Day by partaking in a cake-cutting ceremony at Sector Mobile, Friday.

The most senior and junior Coast Guardsmen partook in cutting the cake together to symbolize the passing of knowledge, experience and wisdom onto the coming generations of the nation's oldest continuous naval service.

Sector Mobile hosted Marvin R. Carpenter, retired Master Chief Engineman. Carpenter joined the Coast Guard during WWII in September 1943 at the age of 16. After boot camp in St. Augustine, Fla., he went to Camp Lejeune, N.C., for amphibious training. He then served on the USS Bayfield during four invasions: Normandy, Southern France, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. 

Master Chief Carpenter re-enlisted in July 1947 and went on to serve for 26 years and retired from the Cutter Burton Island  in Long Beach, Ca., on Dec. 1, 1970 to Mobile.

Coast Guard day commemorates 223 years of continual service when it was born as the Revenue Cutter Service when George Washington signed an act calling for the construction of ten cutters “to be employed for the protection of the revenue.”

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CHARLESTON, S.C. - A Coast Guard helicopter crew assisted with communications as a Charleston, S.C., County Sheriff’s Office boat rescued a man from his vessel, which struck the Charleston Harbor jetties and began taking on water Friday morning.

The operator of the 21-foot pleasure craft used his VHF-FM marine radio to call for help at 8:46 a.m., reporting that he was going down and needed immediate assistance.

Boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Charleston, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan's Island Fire Department, Isle of Palms Fire Department, North Charleston Fire Department and Sea Tow responded, and a Coast Guard helicopter crew launched from Air Facility Charleston.

The helicopter crew assisted with communications on scene while sheriffs transferred the man for evaluation and treatment by EMTs. He was reportedly in good condition with minor cuts.

The Coast Guard urges all mariners to use VHF-FM marine radios as a primary means of distress communication since radio transmissions are broadcasts, which may be heard by other nearby boaters. VHF-FM radios are also more reliable than cell phones in the marine environment, especially in remote areas where cell phone strength may vary.

BOSTON — Coast Guard crews responded to three person-in-the-water cases within approximately one hour in Southeastern New England Friday evening.

At 5:32 p.m. crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Tybee witnessed a woman overturn her 10-foot sailboat in Little Harbor in Woods Hole, Mass. A Coast Guard Station Woods Hole 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew launched and safely rescued the woman. She suffered no injuries.

At 6:20 p.m. watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England received a report via VHF channel 16 from the 45-foot fishing vessel Lorio of a 36-year-old male crew member that fell overboard approximately two miles southeast of Wood End near Provincetown, Mass. A Coast Guard Station Provincetown 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew launched, safely rescued the crewman and transferred him back to the Lorio. He had no medical concerns.

At approximately 6:45 p.m. watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England received notification from 911 dispatch of a possible person in the water near Chilmark, Mass. A Coast Guard Station Menemsha 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew launched along with a Massachusetts Environmental Police crew and a local police marine unit. The Massachusetts Environmental Police arrived on scene, located and rescued two distressed snorkelers and transferred them to awaiting EMS in Menemsha Harbor.

"These cases are great examples of the Coast Guard's ability to respond quickly and work with partner agencies to achieve positive results," said Lt. Bryan Swintek, Sector Southeastern New England command center chief. "As the Coast Guard celebrates its 223rd birthday this Sunday, we continue to work diligently to uphold our longstanding lifesaving tradtition."

KODIAK, Alaska — Coast Guard personnel from the United States and Canada and good Samaritans are searching for two people reportedly in the water off Cape Ommaney on Baranof Island following the sinking of their vessel Thursday night.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka and the good Samaritan crews of five fishing vessels are currently searching for the two people east of Cape Ommaney. The Coast Guard Cutter Chandeleur crew and a Canadian coast guard DeHavilland Dash 8 airplane operated by a Transport Canada crew are en route.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Juneau received a report of the people in the water from a survivor of the sinking over VHF-FM radio Friday morning. The watchstanders immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting the assistance of mariners in the area and directed the launch of the Jayhawk helicopter and cutter crews.

"We are working with our Canadian partners to place essential rescue crews in the area and maximize our ability to locate these two people," said Lt. Ryan Erickson, a command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Juneau. "It's good news they were reportedly wearing lifejackets but the conditions in Alaska are harsh. We are attempting to locate them as quickly as possible as they may have been in the water for as long as 15 hours."

The survivor was rescued from the beach at Cape Ommaney by good Samaritans aboard the fishing vessel Otter Friday morning. They are currently en route to Sitka. The survivor reported his recreational landing craft sank at about 8 p.m. Thursday night while returning from a camping trip and that all three people had attempted to swim to shore wearing lifejackets.

Weather conditions on scene are reportedly 12 to 23 mph winds and 4-foot seas with good visibility. The seasonal water temperature for Southeast Alaska in August is in the 50s. Anyone with information regarding the missing crewmen are asked to call the Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center at 907-463-2991.

For updates on the case please contact Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Mooers at 907-654-4112.

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard 17^th District will celebrate the service’s 223^rd birthday this weekend and will welcome the Coast Guard’s only operational heavy icebreaker to Juneau.

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, commanded by Capt. George Pellissier, completed its ice trials in the Arctic and tested the overall readiness of the icebreaker and its crew. 

“After a thorough and successful Arctic patrol, our crew is excited and looking forward to more operational missions in the polar regions,” said Pellissier. “During our patrol we were able to successfully test the ship's icebreaking capabilities and increase the crew’s experience with the ship's systems.”

As the nation’s lead federal agency for ensuring maritime safety and security in the Arctic, the Coast Guard continues to perform its statutory missions in the Arctic to ensure it remains a safe, secure and environmentally protected region.

“The Coast Guard will play an increasingly important role, as development in the Arctic accelerates,” said Fran Ulmer, the chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. “The Polar Star and other ice capable vessels are essential ingredients for our nation's preparedness.”

The extreme environment and limited infrastructure create unique logistical challenges when conducting operations in the Arctic. To overcome these challenges, Coast Guard personnel continue to work closely with federal, state, local and tribal partners to ensure the protection of our nation’s Arctic interests. Arctic Shield 2013 operations focus on Western Alaska and the Bering Strait.

“The Coast Guard has a proud history of service and willingness to evolve to meet the country’s maritime needs,” said Rear Adm. Thomas P. Ostebo, commander, Coast Guard 17^th District. “Arctic Shield is the platform we use to deploy assets such as the Polar Star to the region to fulfill our commitment to provide effective maritime safety, security and stewardship for our nation.”

To date, successful Arctic Shield 2013 operations have consisted of a Coast Guard forward operating location in Kotzebue, an international oil spill response exercise with the Canadian coast guard near Port Clarence, the Coast Guard’s historic deployment of a 110-foot patrol boat to the Arctic, Arctic domain awareness flights, cutter patrols, local government and tribal engagements, a Spill of National Significance seminar, a mass rescue operation workshop in Nome, and boating safety inspections and exams.

“As we celebrate the Coast Guard’s birthday, I’m proud that the men and women I serve with continue to protect our nation and the people of Alaska with honor, respect, and devotion to duty,” said Ostebo. 

BOSTON — A Coast Guard Auxiliary crew rescued a diver in distress in Portsmouth Harbor, N.H., at approximately 11 a.m. Saturday.

The Auxiliary crew was preparing to launch for a patrol when they heard a call for help. A diver reported that their partner was in physical distress and was having trouble breathing. A crew member swam out and brought the diver to Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor, N.H. where he was met by EMS. He was then taken by ambulance to Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, N.H.

Each year Coast Guard auxiliarists volunteer more than two million hours benefitting boaters and their families.

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COOS BAY, Ore. — The Coast Guard transferred ownership of the Cape Arago Lighthouse and grounds to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians at a ceremony held on the lighthouse grounds southwest of Coos Bay Aug. 3, 2013.

Coast Guard Capt. Mark Reynolds, commander, Sector North Bend, signed over the property comprising approximately 24 acres of land including Gregory Point Chief’s Island and the lighthouse located there.

Several lighthouses have called this area home since 1866.  The third and current lighthouse, built in 1934 and now decommissioned from service, still stands on Chief’s Island.  

“We are honored to have been able to work with the Confederated Tribes in returning this land to the tribes,” said Capt. Reynolds.  “We and honored to be able to pay respect to current local tribal heritage and their ancestors who called this land home.”

Oregon’s first lighthouse was built not far from Cape Arago at the mouth of the Umpqua River in 1856.  In 1861, the lighthouse collapsed due to erosion from the river. 

Due to the growth of the Coos Bay area, a new lighthouse was built at Cape Arago on Chief’s Island in 1866.  In 1909, a new lighthouse was built due to erosion endangering the current structure.  In 1934, the current lighthouse was built.

Chief’s Island was also the home of a U.S. Life Saving Station from 1878 to 1891, before it was relocated to the mainland. 

For more information about tribal history in the area and the significance of the land, please contact Alexis Barry, tribal administrator, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, at 541-888-7527.