Coast Guard working dog retires after eight years of service during ceremony in Chesapeake, Va

Coast Guard working dog, Senior Chief Petty Officer Tin, was honored at a retirement ceremony held by the Maritime Security Response Team in Chesapeake, Thursday morning.

The ceremony marked Tin’s retirement from the Coast Guard after eight distinguished years of service.

Tin served as an explosive ordnance detection canine for the Coast Guard from 2011 to 2019. He was named after Santos Valentin, a New York Police Department officer who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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Coast Guard Academy celebrates Eclipse - the annual event designed to stimulate community dialog and promote a culture of respec

Eclipse, the annual event designed to stimulate community dialog and promote a culture of respect took place at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy April 5-6. Eclipse sessions embracing identity-related topics and encompassing race, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation were spread across the campus.

One of the main events was a keynote address by Dr. Beverly Tatum, former president of Spellman College and author of best-selling book, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Other Conversations About Race.”

Before introducing Tatum, Academy Superintendent Rear Adm. James Rendón spoke to the large group of cadets, faculty, staff and visitors in attendance.

“We are in a position to shape our Coast Guard culture and I tell you truly, we must each do our part to help drive this institution and our Coast Guard to a place of greater equity and inclusion,” said Rendón.

“To be certain we will encounter setbacks, and we have encountered setbacks, along the way. We have and will confront difficult truths both past and present. And we will be confronted by tough questions as we examine our Academy and our service culture. We have started on this path, this journey, but it is oh so very necessary.”

Tatum began her address speaking about the cycle of racism and what happens when people from some groups are not included or represented in a given community.

“When you’re missing from the picture it has an impact on you different from people who are regularly included,” said Tatum.

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San Francisco Boaters: Bring Your Expired Flares to the Collection Event, Sunday, April 14, at East Marina Green Triangle

What to do with old marine flares? Bring them to a special collection event on Sunday, April 14, in the Marina District at East Marina Green Triangle.

SF Environment pilot event helps address proper disposal of marine flares

The Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is urging San Francisco boaters to take advantage of a marine flare collection event held by the San Francisco Department of Environment (SF Environment) on Sunday, April 14, at East Marina Green Triangle in the Marina District of San Francisco. Boat owners are encouraged to drop off old, damaged, or expired hand-held flares, aerial flares and smoke signals to ensure safe and proper disposal.

“There probably isn’t a Bay Area boater who hasn’t had to store old, expired flares aboard their boat because there is simply no way to safely dispose of them,” said BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Edmonston. “We applaud the San Francisco Department of Environment for helping to address this age-old boater’s dilemma through this pilot collection event.”

Marine flares are carried aboard recreational boats in the event a vessel may need to signal for emergency response. Because of a mandated 42-month expiration date from the date of manufacture, marine flares need to be replaced about every three seasons of boating. Yet, there are currently only two collection sites in California that will accept and dispose of outdated flares. This presents a safety hazard and disposal challenge for Bay Area boat owners.

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U.S. Coast Guard enforces North Korea sanctions in the East China Sea

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf pulled into Sasebo March 3 following a deployment in the East China Sea where the crew assisted in United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) enforcement against illicit ship-to-ship transfers that violate North Korea sanctions. 

The Bertholf’s patrol is a part of the United States’ ongoing contribution to international efforts in combatting North Korea’s maritime sanctions evasion activity. Ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and goods, like coal, going to and from North Korea are prohibited under UNSCRs.

As both a federal law enforcement agency and an armed force, the Coast Guard is uniquely positioned to conduct defense operations in support of combatant commanders on all seven continents. The service routinely provides forces in joint military operations worldwide, including the deployment of cutters, boats, aircraft and deployable specialized forces. 

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Processing Applications for National Officer/Rating Endorsements that Expire on March 24, 2019

The Coast Guard amended regulations to qualify for national officer and rating endorsements in a final rule titled Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, and Changes to National Endorsements (78 FR 77796).  The rule was published on December 24, 2013.  The portions applicable to national endorsements became effective on March 24, 2014.

The final rule provided grandfathering provisions for mariners who began the service and/or training for their endorsement before March 24, 2014.  Under these grandfathering provisions, mariners who began service or training for a national endorsement may qualify for the endorsement under the regulation and polices existing before March 24, 2014, provided they apply for the endorsement before March 24, 2019.

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RNLI in Action – 30 years ago

30 years ago, the volunteer crew of Portrush Lifeboat launched in dreadful conditions to reports of two Spanish trawlers in difficulty - This was when the famous Portrush picture was taken by photographer Ian Watson- Crew member Mark Mitchell tells the story:

On a February afternoon in 1989, when I was 21, we were asked to go to the aid of two Spanish trawlers floundering off Donegal. Nothing unusual - except for the weather. The wind speed indicator at the top of the mast was screaming at 113.5mph. I had done several call-outs but this was the most dangerous to date.

We sat at the harbour entrance for what seemed like a lifetime as we strapped in and prepared. We were all well-experienced seafarers, but we knew this one was going to be bad.

As one mountainous wave after another surged past the harbour mouth, the Coxswain saw his chance - he was looking for a trough we could get ourselves into - and slammed the throttles forward. Almost a thousand horsepower launched us into the maelstrom. I was terrified. But we weren't allowed to say so because we were men in a man's world. In those days we couldn't show our fear.

Seconds later, the *seventh wave caught us and we were now suddenly on our side, surfing down a wall of white water towards the trough.

In a lesser boat we would have been dead, but the legendary stability of the **Richard Evans Arun Class Lifeboat pulled us back to something resembling an even keel and we turned to face the next one.

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Legislation Could Make Maine a Leader in Solving the Expired Marine Flare Disposal Problem

What to do with old marine flares? Maine may have figured out an answer to the problem (photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Safe Disposal of Expired Marine Flares Act., Hearing set for Monday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m.

Maine state representative Joyce “Jay” McCreight, Maine House District 51, has introduced an act that would establish and promote a system of safe disposal for expired marine flares, potentially solving an age-old disposal issue for the Pine Tree State’s 100,000-plus registered recreational boat owners. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) applauds the introduction of the LD 430, the Safe Disposal of Expired Marine Flares Act, and supports its passage.

A hearing to discuss the bill is slated for Monday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. in the Public Safety Committee Room at the Maine State House in Augusta. BoatUS urges recreational boaters to attend in support of the bill.

Due to the mandated 42-month expiration date from date of manufacture, most boaters need to replace their boat’s emergency flares after three seasons of boating. However, without a system to safely accept and dispose of outdated flares, they continue to present a safety and storage hazard for boat owners. In normal operation, flares can burn as high as 2,900 F, and they commonly contain perchlorates that are a groundwater contaminant and health hazard.

“If passed, the act would make Maine a national leader on an issue that has vexed boaters, government, and environmental advocates for decades,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “It solves the huge dilemma of how to safely dispose of these hazardous materials. We applaud Rep. McCreight for this smart solution and urge the Maine Legislature to move it forward to final passage.”

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Coast Guard advances scholarship program in Southern California

Coast Guard and California State University Long Beach officials signed a memorandum of understanding for a Coast Guard scholarship program to recruit highly motivated students who demonstrate academic and leadership abilities in Long Beach Friday.

The Coast Guard Pacific Area Command implemented the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative, which allows Rear Adm. Nathan A. Moore, Coast Guard Pacific Area deputy commander, to award CSPI scholarships to applicants from their Minority Servicing Institution partner school.

If accepted, students participate in a minimum of 16 hours a month of Coast Guard activities. This includes wearing the Coast Guard uniform on campus once a week and during their four weekly hours of Coast Guard duties while receiving exposure to Coast Guard missions and units.

"The Coast Guard is excited to begin this partnership with Cal State Long Beach," said Moore. "The CSPI program gives young men and women a chance to serve their country while earning their college degree, which is beneficial for the Coast Guard, the university and the community." 

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Coast Guard Foundation Provides Over $600,000 to Families Affected by the Government Shutdown

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Pendant, a 65-foot Small Harbor Tug based out of Boston, transits Boston Harbor on their way to the Weymouth Fore River to conduct ice breaking operations, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. The crew breaks ice around fuel terminals to ensure ships carrying home heating oil can safely maneuver and access the terminals. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Barresi)

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that it has distributed over $600,000 to families impacted by the partial government shutdown that ended January 25. Coast Guard families across the country – from Alaska to Florida, Hawaii and Massachusetts – have received due to an outpouring of generosity from individual and corporate supporters.

The total collected included a single $100,000 donation from Walmart which helped in the Coast Guard Foundation’s outreach to Coast Guard members across the country.

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Port Facility Security Assessments & Port Security Assessments 01/07/2019 - 30/06/2024

Marine Notice No. 03 of 2019

Notice to Port Authorities, Port Security Officers and Port Facility Security Officers, Recognised Security Organisations (Ports)

The Department wishes to inform Port Authorities, Port Security Officers and Port Facility Security Officers of the procedure and arrangements in place for the completion and review of security assessments required for the period 2019 -2024 as per the requirements of Directive 65/2005/EC and Regulation 725/04/EC (ISPS).

Port Security Assessment

A new Port Security Assessment (PSA) template has been developed pursuant to the European Communities (Port Security) Regulations 2007 (transposing Directive 2005/65/EC). See PSA template.  The port authority or the entity responsible for the port will organise the PSA to be carried out by a Recognised Security Organisation (Ports).   A single PSA document must be completed for each port and is to be submitted by the Port Authority / Company to the SafeSeasIreland (SSI) portal.  (This is to be submitted in SSI using the page corresponding to the “Main Facility” in each port).

Port Facility Security Assessment

A new Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA) template has been developed pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 725/2004 (ISPS).  See PFSA template.  This is to be completed for every port facility. The port facility security officer will organise the PFSA to be carried out by a Recognised Security Organisation (Ports). This template also includes the waterside assessment of the port facility area.  The PFSO should liaise with the Port Security Office / Harbour Master, to ensure as far as possible, that the waterside assessment for the facility is complementary to the waterside assessment for the wider port area contained in the PSA.  The completed PFSA is to be submitted by the Port Authority / Company to the SafeSeasIreland (SSI) portal.

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Coast Guard Academy named a Best Value College

The Academy was recently included in the Princeton Review's "The Best Value Colleges: 200 Schools with Exceptional Return On Investment for Your Tuition Investment” publication which recommends institutions considered the nation's best for academics, affordability, and career prospects.

According to the publication the colleges were selected based on a return on investment rating score that includes institutional data from 658 institutions, student surveys, and alumni surveys covering starting and mid-career salaries as well as career social impact.

The publication states, “With a student body of about 1,000, it’s easy to see why graduates of the Coast Guard Academy form such a lifelong dedication to the school and each other.”

A student survey quotes a cadet saying, “I will have a guaranteed job once I graduate. And I am now part of the military family that takes care of its own.”

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National Maritime Center (NMC) and Regional Examination Center (REC) Operating Status Update

•      The NMC reopened January 28, 2019, and is implementing measures to address increased levels of application inventory.

•         Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) and Medical Certifications (National Endorsements only) set to expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 remain valid until May 31, 2019.  (See Update 3 – Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown.)

•         Additional Information (AI) letters, Qualified Assessor (QA) letters, Designated Examiner (DE) letters, Proctor Approval letters, Approval to Test (ATT) letters, and mariner training completion certificates set to expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 remain valid until April 30, 2019.  (See Update 3 – Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown.)

•         Mariners seeking to operate on STCW endorsements that expired on or after December 1, 2018, may request continued service STCW dispensations via e-mail at STCWDispensations@uscg.mil.  (For application details, see STCW Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown.)

•         All RECs will be fully operational and open to the public by Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

•         The scheduling system for REC examinations, application drop off, and other credentialing business will be active beginning Thursday, January 31, 2019.

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Coast Guard Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown

This is still valid at this time

To mitigate the impact caused by the partial lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center (NMC) operations, the following updated actions are being taken:

• Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates that expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 are extended as valid until April 30, 2019. Print the attached letter and carry it with your credential.

Additional Information (AI) letters, sent to mariners that expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 are extended to April 30, 2019.

Approval to Test (ATT) letters and mariner training course certificates that expire in the months of December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 are extended until April 30, 2019.

For mariners whose 90-day testing cycles were interrupted by Regional Exam Center (REC) closures (starting on December 26, 2018), the days the RECs were closed will not count against the 90-day period. REC appointment calendars will be re-opened immediately once appropriations are restored.

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Alameda-based Coast Guard cutter and crew depart for Western Pacific patrol

On a gray and foggy morning, tears intermingled with rain as family members braved the elements to say goodbye to the 170 crewmembers of Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL-750), a 418-foot national security cutter, which departed Alameda, California, Sunday for a patrol in the Western Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. Coast Guard has an enduring role in the Indo-Pacific going back over 150 years. The service’s ongoing deployment of resources to the region directly supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the National Security Strategy.

“The United States is a Pacific nation,” said Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, commander Coast Guard Pacific Area, who was present to see the cutter depart. “We have deep and long-standing ties with our partners in the region, and more importantly, we share a strong commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, governed by a rules-based international system that promotes peace, security, prosperity and sovereignty of all nations.”

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Boat Owners Association of The United States: “Pay Our Coast Guard” - and so say all of us!

BoatUS is supporting legislation to pay members of the U.S. Coast Guard during the partial government shutdown.

With the federal government shutdown now in its fourth week, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is supporting bipartisan legislation to immediately restore pay for U.S. Coast Guard members. S. 21, “Pay Our Coast Guard Act,” recently introduced in the Senate by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), and its companion bill, H.R. 367, “Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019,” introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), aims to restore paychecks to the more than 40,000 active duty U.S. Coast Guard service members.

BoatUS is urging recreational boaters to ask their members of Congress for support of S.21 and H.R. 367 and offers a simple way to do that by going to: https://bit.ly/2AMDbJy.

In a January 15 letter to Sen. Thune and Rep. DeFazio, Vice President of BoatUS Government Affairs Chris Edmonston wrote, “While we understand the current debate over funding of the Department of Homeland Security is primarily about issues not directly related to the U.S. Coast Guard, we are concerned over the potential deterioration of its ability to fulfill its wide range of missions including search and rescue, boating safety regulation, and support for aids-to-navigation. We support your effort to ensure that USCG personnel will receive compensation notwithstanding the final passage of the DHS 2019 appropriation legislation. This will allow them to focus on their missions and help ensure the safety of recreational boaters.”

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Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown

To mitigate the impact caused by the partial lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center (NMC) operations, the following actions are being taken:

·         Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended as valid until March 31, 2019. Print the attached letter and carry it with your credential.

·         Additional Information (AI) letters, sent to mariners that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended to March 31, 2019.

·         Approval to Test (ATT) letters and mariner training course certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended until March 31, 2019.

·         For mariners whose 90-day testing cycles were interrupted by Regional Exam Center (REC) closures (starting on December 26, 2018), the days the RECs were closed will not count against the 90-day period. REC appointment calendars will be re-opened immediately once appropriations are restored.

·         E-mail any course approval extension requests to NMCCourses@uscg.mil.

The NMC understands the partial shutdown may affect our industry customers and stakeholders and we apologize for any potential inconvenience.

If you have questions, visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

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Coast Guard urges caution ahead of heavy weather conditions along California coast

A Coast Guard Station Humboldt Bay 47-foot Motor Lifeboat conducting surf training in heavy weather.

The Coast Guard encourages mariners to prepare for heavy sea conditions and high winds, which are expected to impact the California region over the next few days.

The San Francisco Bay Area is expected to experience gale-force winds up to 40 knots and seas up to 11 feet.  

The Los Angeles area is expected to experience winds up to 35 knots and seas up to 9 feet.

"We encourage boaters to avoid the incoming severe weather if possible," said Lt. Cmdr. John Suckow, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach incident management division chief. "Mariners who need to get underway in these conditions should make sure they check all their survival and safety equipment before going out."

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Coast Guard responds to over 700 false alerts in 2018, urges everyone to register epirb beacons

After responding to over 700 false alerts in 2018, the Coast Guard is urging anyone with an emergency position indicating radio beacon to properly register their device.

An EPIRB is a device that transmits a distress signal to a satellite system called Cospas-Sarsat. The satellites relay the signal to a network of ground units and ultimately to the Coast Guard and other emergency responders.

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