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Little Sand Island News

26 Aug 2020

New Unit Will Support Coast Guard Research and Development Center

(U.S. Coast Guard Photo courtesy of Research and Development Center)

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will stand up its first unit dedicated to supporting the Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) in New London, Conn. today.The new Auxiliary unit will support the RDC mission by coordinating requests for assets and skills in three focus areas: subject matter expertise, field research activities and public affairs. The new Auxiliary unit coordinator, Bruce Buckley, will develop a skills bank that matches Coast Guard research priorities to Auxiliary skill sets across the nation.

27 May 2020

Coast Guard Auxiliary Supports Research Efforts

Photo courtesy USCG RDC.

Unique among the nation’s armed services, the Coast Guard’s missions include national defense, law enforcement, natural disaster incident management, recreational boating safety and environmental protection. This diversity of mission scope presents opportunities for the Coast Guard at the strategic, operational and tactical levels as the service works to make their efforts as effective and efficient as possible.Contributing to the service’s overall execution effort is the Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC), based in New London, Connecticut.

04 Oct 2018

USCG Conducts Successful Oil Spill Test Burn

In-situ test burn in progress with members of the fire safety team, Mike Hering and MK1 Darrel Boyles, on watch. September 19, 2018, on Little Sand Island (Photo: Coast Guard Auxiliarist Sarah Canatsey)

The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) conducted a successful test burn of oil using the purpose-built burn pan on Little Sand Island in Mobile Bay, Ala. during the week of September 17, 2018.Controlled, pre-planned burns conducted using the Joint Maritime Test Facility allow researchers to gather critical data to help oil spill responders determine best practices for operational use of in-situ burning, develop new equipment with procedures, and to refine training…

01 Aug 2017

Oil Spill Response: USCG Testing Evolves

Coast Guard R&D Center’s JMTF is a big part of the nation’s environmental research efforts. In 1972, the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) established the Fire and Safety Test Detachment (FSTD), which later became the Joint Maritime Test Facility (JMTF), at Coast Guard Sector Mobile in Mobile, Alabama. As part of the unit’s establishment, test facilities were also built on nearby Little Sand Island in Mobile Bay. Since its inception, multiple retired commercial vessels were used as test platforms ending with the State of Maine, which was removed in 2010.

10 Aug 2006

Donjon Marine Removes Grounded Vessels

Donjon removed the Navy research vessel Shadwell from Mobile Bay, after it was grounded as a result of the recent hurricanes. Donjon Marine, Co., Inc., recently removed from strand the Ex-Troop Carrier State of Maine and the Navy research vessel Shadwell, which were grounded on Little Sand Island in Mobile Bay, Ala., as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The operation was planned, and directed by Donjon, but performed with the use of local subcontractors for dredging, crane barge, and towing services. A U.S. Navy Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) also was deployed for diving and support labor. This project also offered an opportunity for the MDSU team to use and train on its hydraulic pulling equipment, which was specifically designed for grounding operations.