BOSTON – The media are invited to Coast Guard Station Boston, Thurs., Sept. 2, 2010, for a boat ride-along and interviews regarding Hurricane Earl.

A Coast Guard 45-foot boat is scheduled to take media around Boston Harbor and a crew member will be available to discuss safety tips for the hurricane as well as what the Coast Guard is doing to prepare for the storm.

The boat ride is expected to last about half an hour.

Media must show proper identification to gain access to the base.

WHERE: 427 Commercial St. Boston

WHEN: 9 a.m., Thurs., Sept. 2, 2010

WHO: Coast Guard Station Boston personnel

WHY: Interviews will discuss the Coast Guard’s role in preparing mariners and swimmers for Hurricane Earl as well as safety precautions.

Media are encouraged to RSVP by calling Petty Officer Connie Terrell at 617-223-8515.

BOSTON — The Coast Guard is holding a media availability for media regarding the Massachusetts running around about a mile and a half off the coast of Deer Island, Sat., July 3, 2010.

WHEN: 2:30 p.m., July 3, 2010

WHERE: Coast Guard Sector Boston

427 Commercial St., Boston

WHO: Cmdr. Thomas Morkan, Sector Boston chief of response

BOSTON - The Coast Guard will conduct search and rescue training exercises Monday, June 14 in the inner harbor in downtown Boston at 10 a.m.

Who: U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., Coast Guard Sector Boston

What:  Search and Rescue Training

Where: Boston's Inner Harbor near the North End

When: 10 a.m., Monday June 14

BOSTON – The Coast Guard is offering interviews to the media regarding the recent surge in deaths in New England and Memorial Day weekend safety, here, Friday, May 28, 2010.

WHO: Petty Officer 3^rd Class Connie Terrell

WHEN: May 28, 2010 at 3:30 p.m.

 WHERE: Captain John Foster Williams Coast Guard Building

            408 Atlantic Ave.

            Boston, MA 02110

Interested media must RSVP before 3 p.m. at 617-223-8515

The original release can be found here: http://www.uscgnewengland.com/go/doc/778/571891/

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Media are invited to attend a kayak safety demonstration and mock boarding at the Coast Guard Station in South Portland, Maine, Saturday, May 29, 2010.

Ernie Forgione, a member of the Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors, will discuss kayak safety and demonstrate safety gear.

This will be followed by a media ride-along on a 47-foot boat to view a mock boarding onboard an auxiliary boat to demonstrate recreational boating safety.

WHAT: Kayak safety and boarding demonstrations

WHO: Coast Guard Station South Portland and Ernie Forgione

WHEN: Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Coast Guard Station South Portland

            259 High Street

            South Portland, Maine 04106

EDITOR'S NOTE: Media interested in attending is encouraged to call Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles Dawkins at 207-767-0363.

BELFAST, Maine- Media are invited to attend a safety workshop Thursday for small passenger vessel operators in Maine hosted by Coast Guard Sector Northern New England and the Rockland Fire Department.

Attendees will receive classroom instruction and practical training on ship-board firefighting techniques and the operation of lifesaving equipment including life raft deployments, flare demonstrations and a live-fire trainer.  

• What: The emergency preparedness workshop was designed to reinforce the importance of operating safely on the water by providing hands-on experience to small passenger vessel operators.
• When: 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.,  May 20, 2010.
• Where: Belfast Armory, U.S. Route 1, Belfast, Maine.
• Who: Hosted by personnel from Coast Guard Sector Northern New England and the Rockland Fire Department.

 Click here to link to an itinerary for the event

*Editors note- media interested in covering the workshop should RSVP to Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Ferrie at (207) 899-6294.

BOSTON - Media are invited to attend the change of command ceremony for the Commander of the First Coast Guard District at Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall Friday, at 10:30 a.m.

What: Rear Adm. Daniel A. Neptun will assume responsibilities from Rear Adm. Joseph L. Nimmich as Commander of the First Coast Guard District.

When: May 14, 2010, at 10:30 a.m.

Where: The ceremony will be at Faneuil Hall, Sq. 1, followed by an opportunity for interviews at the Coast Guard base at 427 Commercial St., Boston.

Who: Rear Adm. Neptun and Rear Adm. Nimmich will be available for interviews immediately following the ceremony at the Coast Guard base.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition, which formally restates that the continuity of command will be maintained. It is a formal ritual, conducted before the assembled company of the command. It conveys to the officers, enlisted personnel, civilian employees, and auxiliarists of the Coast Guard that although the authority of command is relinquished by one person and is assumed by another, it is still maintained without interruption.

Editor's note: Media interested in attending the ceremony or conducting interviews are asked to RSVP  by 9:30 a.m. Friday with the Public Affairs office at 617-406-9011.

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine- Media are invited to attend a safety workshop for small passenger vessel operators in Maine hosted by Coast Guard Sector Northern New England and the Portland Fire Department, Thursday.

Attendees will receive classroom instruction and practical training on ship-board firefighting techniques and the operation of lifesaving equipment including a life raft deployment, flare demonstrations, and a live fire trainer. 

• What: The emergency preparedness workshop was designed to reinforce the importance of operating safely on the water by providing hands-on experience to small passenger vessel operators.
• When: 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., May 13, 2010.
• Where: Stevens Avenue Armory, 772 Stevens Ave., Portland, Maine.
• Who: Hosted by personnel from Coast Guard Sector Northern New England and the Portland Fire Department.

Click here to link to an itinerary for the event

*Editors note- media interested in covering the workshop should RSVP to Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Ferrie at (207) 899-6294 

Host:  USCG Sector Northern New England 

 When:  Saturday, April 17th 10:00 am to 3:00 pm 

               Where:  Coast Guard Base, 259 High Street, South Portland, ME 04106   

View: Exhibits of kayaks and canoes, safety gear, weather protective clothing, in-the-water demonstrations of self and assisted rescue techniques, flare demonstration, and a Search and Rescue demonstration by a Coast Guard helicopter if operations permit.  

Learn: Trip planning strategies from Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety Specialists, the US Power Squadron, the CG Auxiliary, Maine Marine Patrol, professional kayak instructors, professional guides and other experts.  Bring your kayak and receive a FREE voluntary paddle craft inspection from the CG Auxiliary outside the base perimeter.

Tour:  USCG Cutters, CG Rescue Boats, CG work boats, Maine Marine Patrol vessel.

Kayaking along the Maine Coast can open the door to a whole world of adventure and new experiences.  However, given Maine’s frequent weather changes and cold water temperatures, are you prepared for an unexpected emergency?  Could you get back into a kayak if you fell out? What safety gear should you take with you?  Do you know what a Float Plan is or how to file one? 

Sponsors:  USCG, USCG Auxiliary, U. S. Power Squadron, Maine Marine Patrol, Cape Elizabeth Water Extraction Team, Maine State Police Dive Team, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Maine Association of Sea Kayaking Guides and Instructors, Maine Island Trail Association, Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network, Maine Island Kayak Company, Castine Kayak,  Seaspray Kayaking, Midcoast Kayak, and Maine Guide Supply and area retailers

For more information contact: LT Bryan Hollis at (207)767-0383 or robert.b.hollis@uscg.mil or ENS Mark Allen at (207)741-5445 or mark.r.allen@uscg.mil or Al Johnson at (617)223-8464 or alfred.e.johnson@uscg.mil

Schedule of Events

10:00 -12:00:   View of Displays/Booths, Mini – Instructional sessions at Booths, Unit Tours, Presentations in the Rusty Scupper.

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Schedule for Presentations in the Rusty Scupper:

Time                 Topic                                                              Presenter                               

10:30 – 11:00   Paddle Safety, Gear and Search & Rescue        LT Bryan Hollis

11:00 – 11:30   Paddling Along the Maine Coast                       Karen Francouer          

11:30 – 12:00  Preparing for and Surviving Cold Water              Paul Travis

Break during 12:00 to 1:45 time frame due to on water portion of events

Time                 Topic                                                              Presenter

1:45 – 2:10       Paddling the Maine Island Trail                          Paul Travis     

2:10 – 2:35      Near Shore Rescues                                           Cape Elizabeth WETeam         

2:35 – 3:00      Planning a Trip:  You Are the Captain                 Maine Island Kayak

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On/In Water – Presentations/Demos – Port side of West Pier

12:00 -12:20     Visibility of boats, PFDs & paddles (colors, contrasts and flares) – MASKGI

12:20-12:40      Loss of Paddle, Paddling in Wind/Waves, Boat Control, Self and Assisted       Rescues – Maine Island Kayak

12:40-1:00        “Why Bulkheads Matter” – Rescues with and without bulkheads – Castine Kayak

1:00 -1:15         Water Rescue Scenario Demonstration – Cape Elizabeth WETeam

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Off the front of West Pier:

1:15 – 1:35:     Coast Guard Helicopter/ Rescue Swimmer Demonstration

1:45 – 2:30:      Flare Demonstration – Pier

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1:30 – 3:00:     View of Displays/Booths, Mini – Instructional sessions at Booths, Unit Tours,      Presentations in the Rusty Scupper

3:00:                 Tours end, presentations end, booths closed.