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Sector Hampton News

09 Aug 2019

USCG Assists Disabled Vessel Off Cape Henry

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Eckart

The Coast Guard assisted two people aboard a 67-foot commercial fishing vessel 149 miles east of Cape Henry, Thursday.Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads received the initial call Wednesday afternoon from the vessel, who stated its engine was excessively burning oil and would not be able to make it back to shore.The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Forward, a 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter homeported in Portsmouth, was diverted from their patrol to respond, and an HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City…

22 Apr 2019

USCG Suspends Search for 63-y/o Mariner

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard Graphic

The Coast Guard suspended its search for a 63-year-old missing mariner on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia, Sunday night.The missing 63-year-old man, Paul Youngk, was reportedly aboard his vessel when it began taking on water and eventually capsized early Sunday morning.An MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and the crews of Coast Guard Cutter Hawk and Station Portsmouth searched a total of 152 square miles in 11.6 hours.Also assisting in the search was the Virginia Marine Resources Commission…

28 Feb 2019

Lessons Learned: the Bow Mariner Sinking

A crew from the Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater approaches a capsized lifeboat from the Bow Mariner. U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO

The 570-foot Singapore-flagged chemical & oil tanker Bow Mariner sank 15 years ago when the ship caught fire and sustained two explosions, resulting in the deaths of 21 out of 27 crew members, 45-miles off the coast of Virginia, Feb. 28, 2004.The vessel was transporting over three million gallons of ethyl alcohol on a voyage from New York to Texas. It had previously carried methyl tert-butyl ether, MTBE, in its other 22 cargo tanks that were discharged in New York.The cause of…

27 Feb 2019

Coast Guard, Agencies Respond to Boat Fire

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard responded to a boat fire at Cape Charles Marina in Cape Charles, Tuesday morning.Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads received a report at 6 a.m. from Coast Guard Station Cape Charles crewmembers who stated they were observing a 73-foot vessel on fire at Cape Charles Marina.Sector Hampton Roads notified local response agencies and directed personnel from Coast Guard Station Cape Charles to respond on foot.Local fire departments are currently fighting the fire onboard the vessel. A Unified Command (UC) has been established that is comprised of the U.S.

08 Feb 2019

Two Injured in Lifeboat Mishap

A Coast Guard aircrew flew two men to the hospital after they were injured falling overboard with a lifeboat from a tanker 70 miles east of Chincoteague, Wednesday.The two engineers were reportedly working on an enclosed lifeboat when it released and they both went over with it. The crew of the tanker, Chemtrans Nova, contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads watch standers to request assistance.The Coast Guard Cutter Reliance, a 210-foot ship, was on patrol about 20 miles away and diverted to help. Their small boat crew arrived and recovered one person off the lifeboat and the other in the water. Their injuries included a stomach laceration and broken leg.A U.S.

07 Feb 2019

USCG Rescues, Medevacs 2 Who Fell Overboard from Tanker

A Coast Guard aircrew flew two men to the hospital after they were injured falling overboard with a lifeboat from a tanker 70 miles east of Chincoteague, Wednesday.The two engineers were reportedly working on an enclosed lifeboat when it released and they both went over with it. The crew of the tanker, Chemtrans Nova, contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders to request assistance.The Coast Guard Cutter Reliance, a 210-foot ship, was on patrol about 20 miles away and diverted to help. Their small boat crew arrived and recovered one person off the lifeboat and the other in the water. Their injuries included a stomach laceration and broken leg.A U.S.

10 Jan 2019

Grounded Bulk Carrier Refloated near Virginia

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Nathan Reynolds)

A 958-foot bulk carrier has refloated after running aground about 2.5 miles east of Virginia Beach, Thursday morning.Crew members aboard the vessel, JSW Salem, contacted U.S. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders in Portsmouth after the Panamanian flagged ship ran aground near Cape Henry Buoy #4.The ship's crew reported there were 120,000 metric tons of coal and 26 people aboard the ship.A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Little Creek launched and arrived on scene to assist.

14 Sep 2018

Virginia Ports See Limited Impact from Hurricane Florence

A high-definition video camera outside the International Space Station captured views of Hurricane Florence as a Category 4 storm of Tuesday (Image Credit: ESA/NASA–A. Gerst)

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Hampton Roads has reopened the ports in Virginia, which saw limited impacts after Hurricane Florence made landfall as a category 1 storm on Friday morning.“Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads is coordinating very closely with our port partners to ensure a quick and safe recovery from Hurricane Florence,” said Capt. Kevin Carroll, the commander of Sector Hampton Roads. “Our number one priority is saving lives and preventing life-endangering activities on our waterways.

08 Jun 2018

Coast Guard Removing Aids to Navigation off Virginia

Fifty-six aids to navigation will be removed in the Virginia Inside Passage on Virginia’s Eastern Shore after shoaling in the area created a significant hazard to navigation.The U.S. Coast Guard said it is overseeing the work of a contractor who is removing previously identified dayboards in waterways from Gargathy Inlet to north of Great Machipongo Inlet from June to August.As continued shoaling within these shallow-draft waterways, the areas are no longer safely marked as the aids can be misleading and unsafe for mariners. Additionally, the shoaling prevents the Coast Guard from safely accessing the aids to navigation to maintain them adequately.“When aids to navigation become a potential hazard to navigation, it is our responsibility to remove them,” said Capt.

03 Mar 2018

Coast Guard Issues Severe Weather Advisory for VA Ports

The Captain of the Port Hampton Roads has imposed restrictions due to onset of storm force winds and heavy seas at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay Friday. Effective at 3 a.m. Friday, no vessels may enter or depart Chesapeake Bay, and no vessels over 2,000 gross tons may move within the port without obtaining permission from the COTP or his designated representative. These restrictions are anticipated to last until approximately 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018, but are subject to adjustment based on conditions. Vessels under 2,000 gross tons will be permitted to move within the port, but should do so with extreme caution. If a vessel or vessel representative believes there are circumstances that require a vessel to arrive or depart during the time of this restriction…

29 Jun 2017

Cargo Ship Runs Aground off Virginia

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is monitoring a 586-foot Thai-flagged cargo vessel that ran aground off Sewells Point in Norfolk, Via., Thursday. Watchstanders at the Sector Hampton Roads Command Center in Portsmouth received a call at 12:50 p.m. that the bulk cargo ship Mallika Naree lost propulsion in the Elizabeth River, struck buoy #5 and ran soft aground outside the channel. The Mallika Naree is carrying cement and steel. 45-foot Response Boat-Medium and 29-foot Response Boat-Small crews from Coast Guard Station Portsmouth and a boat crew from Aids to Navigation Team Hampton Roads launched at about 1 p.m. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., was diverted at 1:20 p.m. to conduct an overflight assessment of the surrounding area.

09 May 2017

New Commanding Officer at USCG Sector North Carolina

Coast Guard Capt. Jerry Barnes assumed command of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington, N.C., Tuesday. Barnes reported to Sector North Carolina after serving as the 5th Coast Guard District's chief of prevention. Barnes, a specialist in marine safety, security, environmental protection and marine transportation system management, previously served at the Marine Safety Center in Washington, D.C., Sector Hampton Roads, in Portsmouth, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Fla., various staff positions at the 5th Coast Guard District, and aboard a 210-foot medium endurance cutter home ported in St. Petersburg, Fla. Barnes, a native of Raleigh, N.C., is a licensed professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He graduated from the U.S.

06 Jan 2017

Port of Virginia to Close Ahead of Winter Storm

The U.S. Coast Guard said the Port of Virginia will close Friday at midnight in anticipation of Winter Storm Helena, which is expected to bring snow and wind which will likely create particularly hazardous conditions, including zero visibility onshore and on the water. Commercial vessels will be prohibited from entering and departing the Chesapeake Bay. Additionally, movement within the Port of Virginia will be closed to vessel traffic 5,000 gross tons or greater unless permission is granted by the Captain of the Port. “There is a real danger to all vessels on the water,” said Capt. Kevin M. Carroll, Deputy Sector Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads. “Recreational vessels and casual boaters are at a greater risk during winter storm conditions.

13 Aug 2015

Search for Containership Crewman Suspended

The search for a crew member missing from a containership between Bayonne, N.J. and Ocean City, Md. was suspended, the U.S. Coast Guard reported. The crew member was last reported aboard the 600-foot, Marshall Islands flagged freight ship Ibrahim Dede after departing Bayonne. The crew discovered the man was missing while the ship was in transit to its next port, notifying Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Hampton Roads at approximately 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. A Coast Guard Station New York 45-Foot Response Boat crew, a Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City H-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an Air Station Elizabeth City C-130 Hercules airplane crew searched for the crewman from 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to 3:30 p.m.

26 Jun 2015

3 USCG Cutters Change Command

Three Coast Guard cutter crews officially changed commands Thursday during a ceremony in Portsmouth at Sector Hampton Roads. The crews of Coast Guard Cutters Shearwater, Sea Horse and Cochito, 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boats homeported in Hampton Roads, bid farewell to departing officers-in-charge and welcomed aboard the incoming, during the unique, triple change-of-command ceremony. Master Chief Petty Officer Stephen Atchley was relieved as officer-in-charge of the Shearwater by Senior Chief Joseph Orlando. Atchley assumed command of the Cochito, replacing Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher Lombard. Master Chief Petty Officer Heath Jones was relieved as officer-in-charge of the Sea Horse by Lombard. Jones will go on to work as the command master chief for Sector Hampton Roads.

12 Jun 2015

Sunken 48-foot Sports Fisher Vessel Salvaged

USCG photo

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) monitored the salvage of the sunken  Bigbi Thursday, two miles north of Little Creek, Va. The Bigbi sank at approximately 5:40 a.m., Saturday. The four-man crew of the Bigbi activated their emergency personal indicating radio beacon, donned lifejackets and survival suits, abandoned their boat and boarded a 12-foot Boston whaler, where they were assisted by a good Samaritan. A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Little Creek met with the good Samaritan and transported the four boaters to shore.

09 Jun 2015

Insights: Capt. Novotny, Commanding Officer, USCG National Maritime Center

Captain Jeffrey P. Novotny is Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, WV. He is responsible for all activities related to professional credentialing, training and assessments of the nation’s 215,000 merchant mariners. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. Prior to commanding the NMC, he was the Deputy Commander at the Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group. His duties included the oversight and responsibility for all personnel…

23 Feb 2015

USCG Crews Work to Break Ice In Mid-Atlantic

The crews of the Coast Guard Cutters Capstan, Cleat and Chock are working this winter to break ice and maintain navigable waterways from the Delaware River, through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, down to Tangier Island, Virginia. The crew of the Baltimore-based Chock traveled to Tangier Island to break ice and aid residents by delivering groceries and medical supplies. While assisting Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads, another crew was needed to take over the Sector Baltimore ice-breaking mission. The crew of the Cleat left Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay to assist Baltimore during the Chocks’ deployment to Tangier Island. “As the Coast Guard, we’re pretty limited in our ice-breaking assets,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer A. J. Pulkkinen, the officer-in-charge of Cleat.

22 Oct 2014

Video: USCG Medevacs Navy Sailor off Virginia

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., medevacs a man from a U.S. Navy vessel off the Virginia coast

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) medevaced a man Wednesday from a Navy vessel off the Virginia coast after watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth received a request for the medevac from the USS Barry who reported a 36-year-old crewmember was experiencing chest pains at approximately 3 a.m. A Coast Guard video of the medevac is available here. A USCG MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew was launched from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and arrived on scene approximately 40 miles east of Virginia Beach at about 5:10 a.m.

22 Oct 2014

Boater Rescued from Sailboat Blaze

USCG photo

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted with the rescue of a boater Monday after the man's 33-foot sailboat caught fire five miles west of Windmill Point in the Chesapeake Bay. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads received a VHF-FM channel 16 broadcast from Brown at approximately 10:40 a.m., stating his sailboat was on fire. Watchstanders were unable to maintain communications with Brown after the initial broadcast. A good Samaritan contacted the Coast Guard watchstanders and reported they had the burning sailboat in sight.

18 Oct 2014

USCG Rescue Two from Their Diabled Sailboats

The Coast Guard rescued two people Friday after both of their sailboats became disabled approximately five miles west of the Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel near Hampton. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads received a call from Hampton Police dispatch at approximately 3:50 a.m., who informed the Coast Guard of a 911 call from a man aboard one of two disabled sailboats. The watchstanders called the boater via cell phone and were informed that both sailboats were at anchor five miles west of the Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel. Communication was limited to cellphone, for neither of the boats had working marine radios or GPS. A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) crew from Coast Guard Station Little Creek was dispatched to search for the two boats.

13 Aug 2014

Chemical Tank Overloaded Near Elizabeth River

U.S. Coast Guard, state and local first responders are responding Wednesday to an overloaded tank containing sodium hydroxide in Norfolk along the Elizabeth River. Norfolk Fire Department contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads command center personnel at approximately 7:30 a.m., reporting a chemical tank was overloaded at a Kinder-Morgan terminal on the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River. Coast Guard pollution responders have been dispatched to the scene to work with local agencies to assess the situation…

16 Jun 2014

Bulker Fuel Oil Spill Clean-up Off Norfolk Va. Continues

The US Coast Guard says it continues to monitor clean-up efforts in the Elizabeth River at Lambert's Point in Norfolk. The National Response Center contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Command Center watchstanders at approximately 3:20 p.m. Friday reporting a fuel spill aboard the Ostria S, a 740-foot bulk carrier. Sector watchstanders dispatched a Coast Guard pollution response crew to the scene to oversee the cleanup efforts. Accurate Marine Environmental Incorporated personnel placed 3,000 feet of containment boom around the vessel and pier to contain the fuel. Personnel from Marine Spill Response Corporation, the oil spill response organization, arrived on scene Friday and began cleanup operations. Cleanup efforts are expected to continue through Sunday.

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