Rescue Swimmer

This Day in Coast Guard History – July 19

1883- At half past 1 in the afternoon, a boy named Frank Little, eight years old, while playing upon the Government wharf at Sand Beach, Michigan, fell overboard, and would have been drowned but for the assistance of Surfman James McCash, of Sand Beach Station (Tenth District), who hurried to the spot just in time to save him. 2001- The first set of the newly authorized Helicopter Rescue Swimmer insignia, or ‘wings’, were presented to the senior rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard, Master Chief Aviation Survival Technician (AST) Keith Jensen, at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Source: USCG Historian’s Office)

This Day in Coast Guard History – Feb. 12

1802-Revenue Marine had a total of 38 commissioned officers in service: 9 captains, 10 first mates, 9 second mates and 10 third mates. 1983-The 605-foot collier Marine Electric capsized and sank off Virginia during a gale.  Three of the 34 crewmen on board were rescued by Coast Guard and Navy assets.  This sinking and consequent loss of life contributed to the establishment of a permanent rescue swimmer program for the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Locates Capsized Vessel with EPIRB

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard responded to a mayday call at 7:40 p.m. that was sent out by a 406-megahertz EPIRB or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. The signal was positioned 3 Nautical Miles S.W. of Race Rocks in Canadian waters. The EPIRB allowed rescue personnel to quickly locate the capsized trimeran, the "Red Shift" and her crew of four. A Coast Guard HH-65A Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles and the Coast Guard Cutter Osprey were

Corpus Christi Coast Guard Members to Receive Awards

Local Coast Guard personnel from Sector Corpus Christi will be receiving personal awards for their heroism during Hurricane Katrina in an awards ceremony Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Helicopter aircrew members will be presented several awards including the Coast Guard Medal, The Air Medal and six Coast Guard Commendation Medals. Aviation Survival Technician Third Class Robert Williams is to receive the Coast Guard Medal

IMO Exceptional Bravery at Sea Awards 2012

Canadian & Chilean rescuers presented with Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2012 at IMO HQ in London. Sergeant Janick Gilbert (posthumously), Master Corporal Max Lahaye-Lemay and Master Corporal Marco Journeyman, crew members of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 424 (Transport and Rescue) Squadron, were nominated by the Government of Canada, in recognition of the exceptional bravery which was displayed by them

Bodies Found In Barge Mishap

Rescue workers discovered the body on Tuesday of the fourth of six Kentucky fisherman believed killed when their small boat was obliterated in a fog-shrouded, predawn collision with a barge tow. U.S. Coast Guard officials identified the missing men as John Beatty, Jr., 34, of Louisville, and Benny Burgan, 43, of nearby Crestwood, Kentucky. They were confident the remaining victims from Sunday's accident on the Ohio River would be found within a couple of days.

NUWC Division Newport Demos Swimmer Defense System

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division, Newport provided a demonstration on Sept. 20 of an integrated swimmer defense system currently being developed in Narragansett Bay off Newport, R.I. The system could be used to provide harbor security, protection of Navy vessels and other high value assets. Using lightweight active sonar, radar, and electro-optic and infrared sensors as detection and engagement subsystems, the system is designed

CG Urges Caution as Hurricane Bill Approaches

With Hurricane Bill expected to pass along the Atlantic coast this weekend, the Coast Guard is stressing the importance of safety for boaters and swimmers during the hurricane season. Hurricanes can create dangers in the water, such as rip currents and large waves. The following information is from the United States Coast Guard: Rip currents and undertows can drag swimmers away from their boat or the beach and lead to death by drowning when they attempt to fight the current and become

Sea Tow Presents Awards during 28th Annual Meeting

Sea Tow Services International, the world’s largest professional marine assistance organization, welcomed Rear Admiral William Baumgartner, the Coast Guard’s 7th District Commander, and Captain David McBride, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Chief of Search of Rescue, to its annual awards ceremony and dinner on Dec. 2, 2010, as part of the company’s 28th Annual Meeting held Dec. 1-3, 2010, in Delray Beach, Fla.

Captain of the Port sets Port Condition ZULU, Closing Ports

 The Captain of the Port for New York and New Jersey set port condition ZULU for all commercial waterways, effective 7 a.m., Monday,  in preparation for Hurricane Sandy. During Port Condition ZULU (sustained gale force winds from a hurricane force storm are predicted within 12 hours) the ports will remain closed to all incoming and outgoing vessel traffic until directed by the Captain of the Port.