CLEVELAND – The Coast Guard rescued a dog that was in the Sturgeon Bay, Wis., ship canal Friday afternoon.

There is no Coast Guard imagery.

At 1:45 p.m., members of Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay noticed three people who were trying to assist a dog out of the canal near the station.

Members of the ice rescue team from the station launched aboard the station’s ice rescue craft and rescued the dog, transported it to shore, and returned it to its owner.

This rescue occurred near where the Door County Sheriff’s Department rescued five people Thursday who fell through the ice, and the Coast Guard warned residents and visitors of weakening ice due to warming temperatures.

In March, the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay rescued a dog off the ice, and a member of the crew was able to document the rescue with photographs.

TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Coast Guard is assisting a man and his cat Friday after the man’s sailboat lost its mast about five miles east of Normandy Beach.

The man aboard the sailboat Tardus used his cell phone to contact Coast Guard watchstanders at approximately 5:20 p.m. and reported his sailboat lost its mast, was taking on water and he was in need of assistance. Communication with the boater was lost.

A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew and a 25-foot Response Boat – Small crew, both from Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet and an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City responded to the distress.

Once on scene, Coast Guard boat crews confirmed the sailboat's mast was hanging over the side of the sailboat but determined the sailboat was not taking on water. Petty Officer 3rd Class William Torpie, one of the rescue boat crewmembers, went aboard Tardus and is assisting the man by driving the sailboat to shore.

"This man was lucky to have cell phone service and was able to call for help," said Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Frantz, a crewmember from Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet. "We highly recommend all mariners have a working VHF-FM radio aboard their boat. It is the most reliable, direct way to reach the Coast Guard during an emergency."

The man was reported to be sailing from Connecticut to Florida. 

No injuries were reported. 

Capt. John Bingaman, Coast Guard 9th District chief of staff, displays his certificate of retirement, presented to him by Rear Adm. Fred Midgette to his left and retired Rear Adm. Michael Parks to his right. Bingaman retired after 30 years of military service at a ceremony held at Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, Ohio, Friday. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Auxiliarist Mark Galan)

CLEVELAND — The Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard 9^th District retired Friday at a ceremony held at Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, Ohio, after serving over 30 years in the Coast Guard.

Capt. John Bingaman, originally from Norfolk, Va., oversaw 6,000 Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary men and women serving at 77 subordinate units and on the District staff from the District Headquarters at the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building in Cleveland.

Bingaman is a Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Professional. His prior assignments include Commander of Sector Ohio Valley, Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Office, Louisville, Ky., and Executive Officer of Marine Safety Office Wilmington, N.C. Prior to being stationed in Cleveland, Bingaman served as the Director of Staff for the Force Readiness command in Alameda, Calif., which ensures Coast Guard forces are ready to meet current and future operational requirements.

Born in Norfolk, Va., and raised in Greensboro, N.C., Bingaman graduated from the Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science in 1984 and later earned a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Maine, Orono in the early 1990s. 

Bingaman plans to reside in Bay Village, Ohio.

His wife is Heather, and they have two daughters, Heather Kristine and Savannah Jo.

Capt. John Bingaman, Coast Guard 9th District chief of staff, displays his certificate of retirement, presented to him by Rear Adm. Fred Midgette to his left and retired Rear Adm. Michael Parks to his right. Bingaman retired after 30 years of military service at a ceremony held at Bay Village Presbyterian Church, Friday. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Auxiliarist Mark Galan)

CLEVELAND — The Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard 9^th District retired Friday at a ceremony held at Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, Ohio, after serving over 30 years in the Coast Guard.

Capt. John Bingaman, who grew up in Greensboro, N.C., oversaw 6,000 Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary men and women serving at 77 subordinate units and on the District staff from the District Headquarters at the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building in Cleveland.

Bingaman is a Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Professional. His prior assignments include Commander of Sector Ohio Valley, Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Office, Louisville, Ky., and Executive Officer of Marine Safety Office Wilmington, N.C. Prior to being stationed in Cleveland, Bingaman served as the Director of Staff for the Force Readiness command in Alameda, Calif., which ensures Coast Guard forces are ready to meet current and future operational requirements.

Born in Norfolk, Va., and raised in Greensboro, N.C., Bingaman graduated from Northwest Guilford High School before earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science from the Coast Guard Academy in 1984. He later earned a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Maine, Orono in the early 1990s. 

Bingaman plans to reside in Bay Village, Ohio.

His wife is Heather and they have two daughters, Heather Kristine and Savannah Jo.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Four Mexican nationals, who were illegally fishing in U.S. waters off South Texas were rescued Friday, after their lancha began taking on water during a pursuit by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Brant.

At approximately 11 a.m. the Coast Guardsmen spotted a lancha crew recovering long-line fishing gear, 28 miles offshore and 4 miles north of the U.S./Mexico border. The Brant's crew pursued the lancha for approximately 6 miles.

During the pursuit, the lancha’s hull cracked three feet and began taking on water. The cutter crew came alongside and took the four Mexican nationals aboard.

The lancha had about 500 pounds of red snapper along with long-line fishing gear. The red snapper and gear sank, along with the lancha, approximately 36 miles off South Padre Island. 

The four Mexican nationals were transported to Station South Padre Island where they were transferred to Customs and Border Protection agents and were eventually repatriated to Mexico.

"We're going to continue to patrol and enforce the law against illicit activity along the border and this case is a great example of our pursuits," said Cmdr. Daniel Deptula, the response officer at Sector Corpus Christi. "We're here to enforce the law, but also the safety of life at sea. Although their actions in fleeing put themselves in grave danger, thankfully we were right there and were able to save them and bring them back to shore."

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are searching for a 48-year-old man after a good Samaritan came upon his boat with its throttles clutched near Victoria Barge Canal Friday.

The good Samaritan contacted Coast Guard Station Port O’Connor at approximately 7:30 a.m., notifying them of the abandoned 25-foot black-and-tan pleasure craft.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi launched boatcrews from Station Port O’Connor and Station Port Aransas aboard 45-foot Response Boat — Mediums to assist in the search. Air Station Corpus Christi crews also launched aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an HU-25 Falcon jet to search.  

"The Coast Guard and our partner agencies are committed to the search effort and we continue to saturate San Antonio Bay with a multitude of assets," said Lt. Cmdr. Kristi Bernstein, the search and rescue mission coordinator for Sector Corpus Christi.

Coast Guard crews continue to search throughout the evening with both air and surface assets. 

La Guardia Costera de los Estados Unidos ha establecido una Regulación sobre una Zona de Seguridad, según ilustrada en la carta nautica de arriba, de 9a.m. a 12p.m. en la Bahía de Flamenco, para la detonación de un explosivo de la Segunda Guerra Mundial el domingo 13 de abril de 2014 en Culebra, Puerto Rico.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — En anticipación a la detonación bajo agua de un explosivo de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la Guardia Costera de los Estados Unidos ha establecido una Regulación sobre una Zona de Seguridad desde las 9 de la mañana hasta las 12 del mediodía del domingo en la Bahía de Flamenco en Culebra, Puerto Rico.

Durante la vigencia de la Regulación, las personas y embarcaciones quedan prohibidas de poder transitar, anclar o permanecer dentro de la Zona de Seguridad a menos que cuenten con la autorización del Capitán del Puerto de San Juan.

La Regulación sobre la Zona de Seguridad es necesaria para garantizar la seguridad de las embarcaciones y el público en las aguas navegables.

Un equipo especializado de la Fuerza Naval de los Estados Unidos realizará los preparativos para la detonación.

Personas que violen las disposiciones de una Regulación sobre una Zona de Seguridad se exponen a penalidades civiles y criminales.  Dependiendo de la naturaleza de la violación las posibles sanciones no están limitadas a, pero podrían conllevar multas hasta $40,000  y la confiscación de la embarcación.

Coast Guard establishes a Safety Zone Regulation depicted in the above nautical chart from 9a.m. to 12p.m. April 13, 2014 in Flamenco Bay, during the underwater detonation of a World War II explosive in Culebra, Puerto Rico.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone Regulation surrounding the waters of Flamenco Bay in Culebra, Puerto Rico from 9a.m. to 12p.m. Sunday in anticipation of the underwater detonation of a War World II explosive.

Persons and vessels are prohibited from transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the Safety Zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan.

The Safety Zone is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels, and the public on the navigable waters.

A U.S. Navy specialized team will carryout preparations for the detonation.

Persons found in violation of a Safety Zone Regulation may be subject to civil and criminal penalties, which comprise but are not limited to fines up to $40,000 and seizure of vessel.

Editor's note: for high resolution image, click the thumbnail above

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Coast Guard and crews from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office are searching for a possible person in the water Saturday, in the vicinity of the Mathews Bridge, near downtown Jacksonville, Fla.

Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation at approximately 6 a.m., Saturday by JSO. The report from JSO stated that Vernon Stephens, a 39-year-old African American man, was doing a minor repair on his vehicle when it was struck from behind by another car at approximately 11 p.m., Friday. He was reported as last seen wearing a pink T-shirt and brown pants.

Two JSO Marine units conducted searches around the bridge along with a JSO helicopter crew.

Coast Guard crews involved in the search include a boat crew from Station Mayport and a helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Ga. The Station Mayport crew arrived on scene at 7:04 a.m., Saturday. The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 8:30 a.m. Both Coast Guard crews are searching a one square mile area from the Mathews Bridge to Trout River.

For more information contact the Coast Guard Seventh District Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 305-318-1864.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Coast Guard suspended its search for a possible person in the water at approximately 3:15 p.m., Saturday, pending any new developments.

The Coast Guard and crews from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office searched for the person throughout Saturday morning. A Coast Guard Station Mayport boat crew and Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Ga., helicopter crew searched an area totaling 11 Square miles. The search area extended from the Mathews Bridge to the Brills Cut.

Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation at approximately 6 a.m., Saturday by JSO. The Station Mayport crew arrived on scene at 7:04 a.m., Saturday. The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 8:30 a.m. Both Coast Guard crews concentrated their morning searches in an 11 square-mile area from the Mathews Bridge to the Brills Cut.

For more information contact the Coast Guard Seventh District Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 305-318-1864.

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Click here for video of CGC Stratton homecoming

Members of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, who returned to their homeport of Alameda April 13, 2014, after a 97-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean, work together to move a electrical shore tie into place. Since departing Jan. 6, Stratton completed a 22,000-mile patrol in support of joint counter-drug operations off the coast of California and in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie)

Members of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, who returned to their homeport in Alameda April 13, 2014, after a 97-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean, work together to move a electrical shore tie into place. Since departing Jan. 6, Stratton completed a 22,000-mile patrol in support of joint counter-drug operations off the coast of California and in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie)

Friends and family wait to greet their loved ones aboard the Coast Guard Stratton as it returns to homeport in Alameda, April 13, 2014. Since departing Jan. 6, Stratton completed a 22,000-mile patrol in support of joint counter-drug operations off the coast of California and in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie)

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Coast Guard MH-65 helicopter crew located a body, Sunday, which fits the description of a man missing since Friday morning, in San Antonio Bay.

At 3:50 p.m., a Coast Guard aircrew spotted a body on the west side of San Antonio Bay, then guided a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department boatcrew to the location. TP&W recovered the body.

The Coast Guard in conjunction with TP&W, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and numerous good Samaritans searched more than 46 square miles from Sun Down Bay to Port O’Connor utilizing surface and air assets from Station Port O’Connor, Station Port Aransas and Air Station Corpus Christi before locating the body Sunday afternoon.

“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the family," said Lt. Cmdr. Kristi Bernstein, the search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Corpus Christi. "We are deeply saddened by the outcome today. The circumstances of this case are unclear, but boaters need to always be prepared for any situation when out on the water. Wearing a lifejacket and having a marine band radio will greatly assist in our search efforts if something does go wrong."

The body will be turned over to the local sheriff's office for a positive identification. The body was identified by next of kin at the coroner's office. TP&W continues to investigate the accident. Anyone with information can contact TP&W at 281-842-8100.  

PHILADELPHIA — Coast Guard and Philadelphia Police Department personnel are scheduled to hold an active-shooter response exercise at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia Wednesday beginning at noon.

This exercise will involve a simulated active shooter, takedown and building sweep followed by training for first responders. The simulated shooter will use blanks to realistically replicate the noise of a weapon discharge.

“The most effective way to prepare for an emergency like an active-shooter situation is through training and exercises,” said Capt. Benjamin Cooper, the deputy commander of Sector Delaware Bay. “Training with our local, partner law enforcement officers from the Philadelphia Police Department is a valuable way to prepare people from both agencies to react and respond to an active shooter and prevent loss of life.”

Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Legare offload approximately 3,300 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated wholesale value of $110 million Tuesday at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, Fla. The offload is a result of two separate drug interdictions. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina Laberdesque.

On the evening of March 19, crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Legare pursued a go-fast vessel in the southwest Caribbean Sea. An embarked, armed Coast Guard helicopter crew launched and fired disabling fire at one of the engines prompting the suspected smugglers to jettison 900 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated wholesale value of $30 million, into the water. U.S. Coast Guard video.

Cmdr. Kevin King, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Legare, conducts an interview at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, Fla., April 15, 2014. The crew aboard the Legare seized 900 kilograms of cocaine during a patrol in the southwest Caribbean Sea. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.

A crewmember aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Legare offloads a bale of cocaine at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, Fla., April 15, 2014. The crew of the Legare offloaded a total of $110 million of cocaine that was seized in the southwest Caribbean Sea as a result of two interdictions. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.

A crewmember aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Legare stacks seized cocaine at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, Fla., April 15, 2014. The crew of the Legare offloaded 3,300 kilograms of cocaine seized during two cases in the Caribbean Sea in March. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney.

This offload is a result of two separate drug interdictions.

On March 15, a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment aboard Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Glace Bay, assigned to Joint Interagency Task Force South, patrolling the Caribbean Sea, identified a vessel suspected of smuggling drugs.

The vessel was boarded by the LEDET, but no drugs were found.  During the boarding, the fishing vessel caught fire and sank.  All passengers aboard the vessel were safely disembarked.  A subsequent search of the general area located approximately 97 bales containing approximately 2,400 kilograms cocaine floating in the water worth an estimated wholesale value of $80 million wholesale.

On March 19, crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Legare pursued a go-fast vessel in the southwest Caribbean Sea. An embarked, armed Coast Guard helicopter crew launched and fired warning shots in attempt to get the suspects to stop.  The helicopter crew then fired disabling fire at one of the engines prompting the suspected smugglers to jettison 900 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated wholesale value of $30 million.  A law enforcement team from the Legare boarded the vessel and verified it was Colombian-flagged, with five Colombian nationals aboard.  The five suspects were transferred to Colombian forces for further processing.

Since Oct. 1, 2013 the Coast Guard has seized 14,756 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value $492 million.

These interdictions were part of Operation Martillo, which is one component in the United States government's whole-of-government approach to countering the use of the 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 nation agencies to counter illicit trafficking.

The Coast Guard Cutter Legare is a 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Va.

HOUSTON — The Coast Guard is overseeing response efforts, Tuesday, for an offshore drilling rig that began taking on water into a ballast tank after a large wave hit them in heavy seas more than 100 miles south of Galveston. 

Tuesday morning the Coast Guard received a report that the ENSCO 8506, an offshore semi-submersible drilling rig, had been damaged causing one of the rig’s column ballast tanks to take on water. The capacity of the ballast pumps onboard are keeping up with the ingress of water in the column ballast tank.  The rig is maintaining an even keel and remains in a stable position without resorting to using the emergency pumps, or performing an emergency disconnect from the riser.

There are no reports of injuries or pollution.

The rig was conducting exploratory operations and did not have any oil product onboard from drilling operations. The drilling rig is operating in an area with a 3,800-foot water depth and was not conducting actual drilling operations when the incident occurred. All rig operations have been suspended and preparations are being made for normal disconnect procedures if necessary to make repairs.

The Coast Guard has deployed the Coast Guard Cutter Skipjack, homeported in Galveston, and an aircrew aboard an HU-25 Falcon airplane from Air Station Corpus Christi to provide on-site intelligence and to assist if necessary.

The onscene weather Tuesday afternoon was 20 knot sustained winds and 12 foot seas.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard rescued three crewmembers aboard an uninspected towing vessel on Lake Pontchartrain, Tuesday.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans command center received a report the UTV Todd Michael was taking on water and reportedly grounded on the rocks near the Lakefront Airport on Lake Pontchartrain with three people aboard.

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a response boatcrew from Coast Guard Station New Orleans. The aircrew hoisted two crewmen from the ship, the boatcrew removed one member from the barge attached to the towing vessel. Both Coast Guard crews transported the three to emergency medical services.

"Once on scene, it was apparent that the grounded vessel offered many hazards for retrieving the survivors safely," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ari Markle, an aviation survival technician at Air Station New Orleans. "Due to our diligent training and a dedicated crew, we overcame the hazards to help get them immediate medical attention."

Their condition was unknown.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard medevaced two crewmembers aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Oceanic Explorer 264 miles southwest of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico, Tuesday.

Watchstanders at the 8^th Coast Guard District received a report of two injured crewmembers aboard the NOAA vessel Oceanic Explorer. One crewmember reported a dislocated shoulder, the other crew member severed the tip of his finger. 

The 8th District launched a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala., HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraftcrew.

The helicopter crew conducted the hoist of the injured crewmembers, refueled at the Magnolia rig and transferred the patients to a local hospital for treatment.

Their condition was unknown.

MIAMI — Coast Guard crewmembers are responding to a report of a fuel spill in the vicinity of Government Cut, Fla., Tuesday evening.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami received a report from the motor vessel Neptune that a fuel tank holding approximately 7,800 gallons of diesel fuel aboard the vessel has leaked approximately 2,000 gallons into the water. The leak was discovered by the crewmembers aboard the 95-foot tug after detecting the rupture in the tank.

Sorbent boom was deployed to contain the spilled fuel.

An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami is on scene alongside a crew from Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, Fla., and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

There were no reports of any injuries. 

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard federal on-scene coordinator (FOSC) for the Deepwater Horizon Response completed the transition to the “Middle Response” (“Middle R”) process today and opened active National Response Center (NRC) cases for three miles of coastline in Louisiana.

“Our response posture has evolved to target re-oiling events on coastline segments that were previously cleaned,” said Capt. Thomas Sparks, the FOSC for the Deepwater Horizon Response.  “But let me be absolutely clear:  This response is not over---not by a long shot.  The transition to the Middle Response process does not end clean-up operations, and we continue to hold the responsible party accountable for Deepwater Horizon cleanup costs.”

The term “Middle R” is used to describe an enhanced NRC process of responding to reports of oiling across the Gulf with (1) dedicated Coast Guard teams pre-positioned for rapid response to residual oil; and (2) pre-stationed Oil Spill Removal Organizations on standby, ready to clean when directed.  This process is fully functioning on more than 3,200 miles of Louisiana shoreline as well as along the Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi coasts.

According to Sparks, the “Middle R” process requires continued but more focused response equipment and personnel.  This makes it not only a more nimble tool for targeted responses across a wide geographic area, but also reduces the impact on the coastal environment.

“Whenever an NRC case is initiated anywhere in the Gulf—which happens virtually every day—active clean-up operations are undertaken, and we go out and clean up the oil,” Sparks added.

Across the Gulf Coast, dedicated Coast Guard personnel have responded to 1,082 suspected Deepwater Horizon NRC reports and overseen the cleanup of more than 5,500 pounds of oily material since June 2013.

This transition is the latest in various process evolutions that account for changing oiling conditions and scientific data.  The Coast Guard also surges personnel to address potential re-oiling caused by extraordinary events such as hurricanes, severe storms, and unusual tidal conditions.

"We are absolutely committed to continuing the clean-up of Deepwater Horizon oil along the Gulf - for as long as it takes, and to surge as necessary and as the situation dictates," Sparks emphasized.

If you have any questions, please contact the Gulf Coast Incident Management Team Public Information Officer, PA1 Michael Anderson at (251) 545-1112 or Michael.a.anderson@uscg.mil.

For more information on the transition to the Middle Response process, please visit http://www.restorethegulf.gov/release/2014/04/15/fosc-update-deepwater-horizon-response.