PORTLAND, Maine – Maine’s second annual Open Lighthouse Day will take place on Sept. 18, 2010. The Coast Guard, in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism and the American Lighthouse Foundation will open 25 ocean, river and island lighthouses for the public to visit and tour.
An event will kick off with lighthouse authors and historians William Thomson and Jeremy D'Entremont speaking at Portland Head Light at Cape Elizabeth, Maine, during an opening ceremony at 10:00 a.m.
Most light houses will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to check www.lighthouseday.com for specific details about each light including information regarding parking and light house accessibility. Open Lighthouse Day is an opportunity to visit many of Maine’s historic lights not normally open to the public. A full list of accessible light houses can be found at the Web site.
The Coast Guard, the Maine Office of Tourism and the American Lighthouse Foundation are very proud to support and preserve Maine’s renowned maritime legacy through Open Lighthouse Day 2010.
For more information about Open Lighthouse Day, contact Charlene Williams at (207) 623-4177.
For more information on this release, contact 1st District Coast Guard Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.
]]>BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. — U.S. Coast Guard Station Block Island will officially conduct the annual seasonal closure for the summer boating season on Tuesday, September 7th 2010.
During the winter, Block Island closes due to reduced marine traffic and transfers its response capabilities back to the parent command at Station Point Judith, Rhode Island. Point Judith is located 12 nautical miles north of Block Island and provides search and rescue assets to Rhode Island Sound, Block Island Sound and waters offshore up to 50 miles south of Rhode Island.
Mariners within Block Island Sound are reminded to report all marine emergencies to the Command Center at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England using VHF-FM radio channel 16 or by calling (508) 457-3211.
It will reopen on Memorial Day weekend 2011.
For more information on this release, please contact 1st District Coast Guard Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.
]]>GLOUCESTER, Mass. — U.S. Coast Guard crews airlifted a 51-year-old man from a charter fishing boat 18-miles east of Gloucester, Mass., Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010.
Coast Guard Sector Boston watchstanders received a report of a man experiencing heart-attack symptoms while fishing on the vessel Yankee Clipper at 10 a.m.
A Station Gloucester 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew transferred Gloucester Fire Department emergency medical service crews to the fishing vessel to aid the man at 11:14 a.m. He was hoisted to an HH-60 Jayhawk Rescue Helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod shortly after.
The rescue helicopter crew transported the man to emergency medical services at Massachusetts General Hospital at 12:10 p.m.
The man was reported to be in stable condition.
His name is not being released.
For more information on this release, please contact 1st Coast Guard District Public Affairs at (617) 406-9011.
Click the following link for video: http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=990795
]]>PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - U.S. Coast Guard crews suspended their search for a mariner who was reported missing Friday near White Island in Portsmouth Harbor at sunset, 7:12 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010.
A multi-agency search was initiated for Robert Schultze on Friday afternoon when his 20-foot powerboat was discovered anchored with nobody onboard in an area about a mile east of New Castle Island, known as Kitts Rocks.
Search efforts were focused at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor and surrounding coastal, offshore and shoreline areas. A total of 105 search miles were covered by numerous air and marine resources over approximately 29 hours. Search boat crews from Station Portsmouth Harbor, a HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a HU-25 Falcon Jet crew, from Air Station Cape Cod, conducted several sorties covering the area. Maine and New Hampshire Marine Patrols, Maine State Police and several other local agencies also contributed to the effort on the water and with shoreline searches.
"The considerable effort put forth by the marine patrols and various police and fire departments to assist with the search was outstanding," said Captain James McPherson, Commander of Sector Northern New England. "We are fortunate to have such fantastic partnerships, which greatly add to the overall coordination and quality of searches on the water."
Weather during the search effort was a challenge for crews. Seas were 4-7 feet and winds were 15-25 knots with 68-degree water temperature. Heavy fog and near-zero visibility conditions ahead of Tropical Storm Earl put water searches on hold for several hours overnight Friday. Coast Guard crews resumed the search at first light and searched throughout the day Saturday with favorable search conditions but found no sign of Mr. Schultze.
"The decision to suspend a search and rescue case such as this is always a hard decision to make," said McPherson. "Despite the challenging weather conditions, the Coast Guard was still able to coordinate an effective search of the area. Our sincere condolences go out to Schultze's family and friends during this difficult time."
Anyone with new or additional information concerning this case is asked to contact Sector Northern New England at (207) 767-0302.
For more information on this release, contact 1st District Public Affairs at (617) 406-9011.
Click the following link for the original press release. http://www.uscgnewengland.com/go/doc/778/892095/
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – U.S. Coast Guard crews are actively searching for a possible missing mariner near White Island in Portsmouth Harbor, Friday, Sept. 3, 2010.
Coast Guard watchstanders from Sector Northern New England’s command center received a report of an abandoned 18-20 foot motor vessel anchored near Kitts Rocks at approximately 2 p.m.
A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Station Portsmouth responded to find the vessel with no mariners aboard. The fishing vessel that gave the initial report found signs that the vessel was previously occupied. Boat keys, wetsuits and a license were found.
The vessel is registered to the person whose licensed was found. The suspected missing person is a Mr. Robert Schultze. According to the identification, Schultze is a 63-year old, 6-foot 6-inches tall male, who resides in Shapleigh, Maine.
Anyone with information on Schultzes whereabouts is requested to call Sector Northern New England at (207) 767-0302.
Crews from Station Portsmouth Harbor are actively searching the area.
The Coast Guard Cutter Moray, an 87-foot patrol boat moored in Portland, Maine, is en-route to the area to aid in the search.
An HH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter crew, from Air Station Cape Cod, searched the area briefly before having to return to base due to low visibility and weather conditions.
Crews are also working with local agencies to search marinas, boat launch ramps and his current address.
For more information on this release, contact 1st District Public Affairs at (617) 406-9011.
]]>WOODS HOLE, Mass. – The Coast Guard closed all ports in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island due to Hurricane Earl, Fri., Sept. 3, 2010.
With sustained gale force winds expecting to make landfall, Capt. Verne Gifford, the captain of the port of Sector Southeastern New England closed all ports in the entire Southeastern New England region, including Narragansett Bay, Mount Hope Bay, Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod Bay, Vineyard Sound, and Nantucket Sound, at 2 a.m., Friday.
All ports in this region are closed to commercial vessel traffic until Hurricane Earl passes and waterways are surveyed and determined suitable for navigation.
No commercial vessels will be permitted to enter, depart, or move within any port in the region without the permission of the captain of the port. Permission may be requested by contacting the Sector Southeastern New England Command Center on VHF Channels 16 or 22 or via telephone at 508-457-3211.
Ferry service is being conducted on case by case bases. The coast Guard recommends the public to check with individual operators to see if a specific ferry is operating.
The Coast Guard recommends that all recreational vessels seek shelter before the storm arrives.
All other ports in New England are currently open.
]]>BOSTON-- As Hurricane Earl approaches New England, the Coast Guard is actively tracking the storm’s progress and urging caution and preparedness for mariners and storm watchers. Hurricane force winds, heavy surf, strong storm surges, rogue waves, rip currents and coastal flooding are predicted.
Rogue waves near break walls and jetties are particularly hazardous to beach-goers during hurricane conditions. Sudden large waves can easily sweep storm watchers into the water or drag vessels off moorings or piers. Several individuals have been swept off of coastal rocks and jetties in New England, including one fatality that occurred in Gloucester, Mass. last week and the tragic death of a young girl that occurred in 2009 at Acadia National Park, Maine.
The Coast Guard advises mariners and beach-goers to exercise caution around heavy surf conditions and be wary of the dangers associated. Rip currents pose serious hazards to even strong swimmers and may develop in areas where they are not normally seen. Beach-goers are asked to heed posted warnings. Rip currents may not be visible from shore and may develop in advance of Hurricane Earl’s arrival.
The Coast Guard is working with local, state and federal partners to prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Earl. Air Station Cape Cod crews are conducting pre-storm flights to ensure mariners at sea are aware of the approaching storm as it moves up the eastern seaboard.
“The Coast Guard is in constant communication with our partners,” said Lt. Matthew Anderson, Sector South Eastern New England’s intelligence officer. “We are working to ensure that everyone has the best picture of where the storm is going and what impacts may be seen. It remains difficult to predict the exact track of Hurricane Earl, so we are preparing for all possibilities.”
Mariners and beach-goers are asked to keep a watchful eye. If something is out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to call Coast Guard watchstanders or 911.
Below are Coast Guard emergency numbers according to state regions.
Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts:
Sector South Eastern New England (508) 457-3211
Northern Massachusetts:
Sector Boston (617) 223-3201
New Hampshire and Maine:
Sector Northern New England (207) 767-0302
For more information about this release contact 1st District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.
]]>BOSTON – Labor Day weekend, for many boaters and paddlers, signals the end of the summer boating season. It’s also one of the busiest boating weekends of the year. The U.S. Coast Guard, along with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons and state boating agencies from New Jersey to Maine are working together to stress the importance of recreational boating and paddling safety.
This year, boaters should be especially cautious, as rough seas are expected following the passage of Hurricane Earl.
Coast Guard crews will be patrolling, conducting safety checks, watching for people Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and operating in an unsafe manner.
“Although we take the opportunity during holiday weekends to remind boaters to be particularly careful, there are common-sense safety precautions that we urge boaters and paddlers to consistently follow regardless of the date,” stressed Walt Taylor, the First Coast Guard District’s Recreational Boating Safety Specialist
For example, boaters and paddlers should:
Boaters are reminded to observe safety and security zones while on the water, and are highly encouraged to have a working VHF radio. With Hurricane Earl forecasted to affect the New England area this weekend, boaters should carefully monitor the storm’s progress and heed all associated warnings. The National Weather Service (NWS) broadcasts marine weather forecasts and current storm advisories regularly. Forecasts can be heard by tuning in to weather channels on a VHF marine radio or by checking the NWS website at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/.
For many, the boating season is now gearing down and Taylor strongly recommends that all boaters utilize the off-season to take a recreational boating safety course. Courses are offered either through their respective state, with the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadrons, both of which can be accessed through http://uscgaux.org or http://usps.org. Additional course information is available through the BOAT/U.S. Foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT.
For additional boating safety tips, and the recently released Recreational Boating Statistics 2009, boaters can access the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Web site at www.uscgboating.org.
For more information, please contact 1st District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.
]]>GLOUCESTER, Mass. – Rescue crews from Station Gloucester recovered two persons in the water near Normans Woe Cove and Eastern Point, Mass., Aug. 31, 2010.
Crews received a 911 call from a witness reporting a man who was knocked off the rocks and swept to sea at 4:36 p.m., near Normans Woe Cove.
A 25-foot rescue boat crew was on scene within minutes to find a man struggling in the water. Crews picked the man from the water and delivered him to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at 4:49 p.m. at Station Gloucester.
Crews also received a call earlier at approximately 3:15 p.m. reporting a similar incident near Eastern Point. Rescue crews responded and picked a 67-year old man from the water. Rescue crews began to conduct life saving techniques until he was transferred to EMS due to the man being unresponsive.
“With the upcoming holiday weekend, we would like those with plans that involve time on or near the water to be aware of the potential dangers associated with it,” said Lt. Garrett Meyer, Chief of Incident Management Division Boston. “Accidents can occur quickly so please take note of your surroundings. Know the local forecast, utilize the buddy system and contact the Coast Guard or 911 immediately if you observe an incident.”
For more information on rip currents and Hurricane Earl click the following link: http://www.uscgnewengland.com/go/doc/778/889307/
For more information about this release, contact 1st District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.
]]>CARIBOU, Maine – The Coast Guard is holding a decommissioning ceremony for its Long Range Aids to Navigation (LORAN) Station in Caribou, Maine, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010.
The LORAN-C station was commissioned in November of 1974, marking 35-years of service.
The Station transmitted the American northeast 9960 and Canadian East Coast 5930 navigation and timing signals. It has a crew of four active duty Coast Guard members.
Termination of the LORAN-C program was supported through the enactment of the fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Transimission of the American signal ended on February 8, 2010, and the Canadian signal was terminated on August 3, 2010.
LORAN Station Caribou has the distinction of being the last station to transmit an American Loran signal, thus ending the 67-year LORAN-C program.
The decommissioning ceremony will be held at Loran Station Caribou, 68 Greenridge Road, Caribou, Maine, at 10 a.m.
For more information about this release, contact 1st District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.
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