Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Station Mayport News

13 Jan 2023

New Shiplift Will Expand Capacity & Flexibility at BAE Systems Jacksonville

BAE Systems will install a new modern Pearlson shiplift, said to be the largest of its kind in the Americas. (Image: BAE Systems)

BAE Systems announced it will spend $200 million for upgrades aimed at increasing capacity and flexibility at its Jacksonville, Fla. ship repair yard. The investment covers the preparation, construction, procurement and installation of a modern Pearlson shiplift and land-level ship repair facility, giving the yard the capability to service a greater number of vessels more efficiently.Located two miles from the Atlantic Ocean, at the intersection of the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway…

09 Aug 2022

USS Farragut Deploys with George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group

Credit: US Navy

US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) deployed as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) from Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Aug. 6.According to the U.S. Navy, this is a routine deployment for Farragut and the first after a dry-dock maintenance period in 2021.Farragut returned to operational capability in the summer of 2021 and has completed a rigorous training cycle, including a visit from the Congressional Board of Inspection and Survey…

11 Jan 2021

Great Lakes Announces $60.9 Million in Dredging Contracts

(Photo: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation)

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation on Monday announced the receipt of several major dredging awards in Georgia and Florida totaling $60.9 million which will be included in the year-end 2020 backlog number.The awarded work includes:North County Comprehensive Shore Protection Project (Coastal Protection, Florida, $21.2 million)U.S. Naval Station Mayport and Jacksonville Harbor Maintenance Dredging Project (Maintenance, Florida, $21.2 million)U.S. Naval Station Kings Bay Entrance Channel Maintenance Dredging Project (Maintenance…

05 Jun 2020

Explosion Injures Firefighters Battling RoRo Blaze in Jacksonville

A fire broke out on board the 600-foot vehicle carrier Hoegh Xiamen, at Blount Island in Jacksonville, Fla. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Jessica Maldonado Gonzalez)

An explosion injured several firefighters battling a blaze on board car carrier Höegh Xiamen at berth in Jacksonville, Fla. Thursday.The eight responders have been transported to the hospital for serious injuries, including two taken by air and two by ground to to Shands Gainesville burn unit. They are all in stable condition.All of the ship's 21 crew members are off the ship, uninjured and accounted for, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) said.The U.S. Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Jacksonville were notified at 3:53 p.m.

26 Aug 2018

US Navy Adds Sioux City and Wichita to its Fleet

Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) delivered the future USS Sioux City, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 11, and future USS Wichita, LCS 13, to the U.S. Navy.LCS 11 is the sixth Freedom-variant LCS designed and built by the Lockheed Martin-led industry team and will be commissioned at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Nov. 17. LCS 11 will be the first combat ship ever commissioned at the Naval Academy.LCS 13 is the seventh Freedom-variant LCS designed and built by the Lockheed Martin-led industry team, and will be commissioned this winter."We look forward to the day the future USS Sioux City and USS Wichita join the fleet.

24 Apr 2018

Three rescued near Blount Island

The U.S. Coast Guard and good Samaritans came to the rescue of three people Monday after their vessel capsized near Blount Island.  Coast Guard watchstanders in Jacksonville were notified via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 at 6:03 p.m. by a good Samaritan aboard the motor vessel Grand Mercury reporting three people in the water and a capsized 15-foot boat. A Coast Guard Station Mayport 29-foot Response Boat – Small boatcrew launched, arrived on scene at 6:25 p.m. and rescued one person from the water while the crew of the tugboat Sewells Point rescued two others. The Coast Guard boat crew transferred the three people to EMS at Blount Island and no injuries were reported. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department towed the capsized vessel to the Arlington Road Public Boat Ramp.

28 Mar 2018

Navy, Coast Guard Rescue Fishermen Offshore Georgia

The U.S. Navy, along with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, rescued three fishermen from a raft 63 miles southeast of Brunswick, Ga. The Coast Guart received a 406 megahertz emergency position indicating radio beacon alert from the 42-foot fishing vessel Barbara Lynn at approximately 3:30 a.m. Tuesday and released an enhanced group calling (EGC) message and launched a  helicopter crew and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma crew to the vessel’s last known position. The crew of the USS Hue City received the EGC and, when within approximately 1 mile of the last known position of the distress, reported seeing orange flares, flashing lights and located a raft with three fishermen aboard surrounded by debris.

05 Nov 2015

Chinese Naval Ships Dock in US

Three Chinese naval vessels have arrived at a US Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville,  in the US state of Florida, reports Xinhua. The "goodwill" visit will help build trust and increase understanding, according to the Mayport Public Affairs Office. Their friendly visit is part of a world tour showcasing the advances in China's maritime capabilities. It comes at a time of tensions between the two countries over the South China Sea, but it is aimed at uniting rather than dividing. The trip itinerary includes visiting each other's ships, attending cultural events around the area and participating in Mayport's fall sports week. The Jinan missile destroyer…

23 Oct 2015

Chinese Navy Ships to Visit Mayport

Three People's Liberation Army-Navy ships are scheduled to visit Naval Station Mayport as part of a routine goodwill port visit, Nov. 3-7. Three vessels are on an around-the-world deployment and will conduct the goodwill visit after completing port calls in Europe. The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) will serve as the host ship. In Mayport, Sailors from both navies will participate in sporting events and interact during ship tours. Goodwill visits by ships from foreign navies help build trust and foster shared understanding. Foreign navy vessels routinely visit the United States; Chinese navy ship Zheng He (Type 679, Hull 81) visited Hawaii earlier this month.

14 Aug 2014

Panama Canal Simulated Defence Exercise PANAMAX

Leaders of the maritime component of PANAMAX 2014 have paused about halfway through the exercise, to assess its benefits so far, informs U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs. Rear Adm. Benjamin Calle of Colombia is the Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jon Matheson, the deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, is deputy CFMCC for the exercise, which began Aug. 4 and is scheduled to continue through Aug. 15. "This PANAMAX exercise is a huge event," said Calle. Sources say that 38 to 40 ships transit the canal daily between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, carrying some five percent of world maritime trade.

09 Jun 2014

W&O Appoints Duffy Regional Manager

Bill Duffy

W&O, a global supplier to the marine and upstream oil and gas markets for pipe, valves and fittings, valve automation and engineered solutions, announced new leadership in its Northeast region with the promotion of longtime employee Bill Duffy to Northeast regional manager. In this new role, Duffy will serve as W&O’s market leader in the Northeast, working closely with customers, pursuing new business opportunities and actively engaging with industry organizations. The W&O distribution locations in Philadelphia…

17 Apr 2014

USCG Responds to Vessel Fire

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reported it is responding to a report of a vessel that caught fire and became disabled with two men and a dog aboard south of the McCormick Bridge in the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., Thursday. A boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Mayport, Fla., is currently on scene with the vessel, the fire is extinguished and there are no injuries reported, the USCG said. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department notified watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center of the situation at 7:54 a.m. The men were reportedly transiting from Palm Cove Marina in Jacksonville aboard the 33-foot sport fisher Day Tripper when the boat caught fire.

10 Apr 2014

USCG Responds to Sailing Vessel Allision

Coast Guard Station Mayport crewmembers responded to a report of a sailing vessel that allided with the Main Street Bridge Thursday in Jacksonville, Fla., in the St. Johns River. Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the incident at approximately 12:06 p.m. Station Mayport crewmembers were launched to respond at approximately 12:20 p.m. Jacksonville Fire Rescue crews were also on scene and helped tow the sailing vessel, Celer, to the boat landing at the River City Brewing Co. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission crews were also on scene. The two mariners aboard the Celer did not report any injuries.

03 Apr 2014

USCG Tows Disabled Yacht into Jacksonville

Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback are towing a 70-foot motor yacht Wednesday and are scheduled to arrive at the entrance to the St. Johns River at approximately 9 p.m. There, the tow will be transferred to a 45-foot Response Boat - Medium from Station Mayport, Fla., and the Belle Amie will be brought to St. Johns Boat Company. Five people aboard the Belle Amie were in distress approximately 50 miles east of Fernandina Beach, Fla., while the yacht was taking on water following a fire aboard Wednesday morning. Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation at 8:47 a.m. Wednesday. At 9:40 a.m., the five adults aboard extinguished the fire but the vessel continued to take on water.

02 Apr 2014

USCG Responding to Vessel Taking on Water

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said its crews are responding to a report of five mariners in distress aboard a vessel taking on water following a fire aboard the 70-foot boat, approximately 50 miles east of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Wednesday. According to a USCG news release, watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation at approximately 8:47 a.m. Wednesday. The mariner stated there was a fire aboard the vessel Belle-Amie, which had five people aboard. As of 9:40 a.m., the five adults aboard extinguished the fire but the vessel continues taking on water. All five people have reportedly donned life jackets as a precaution. The mariners report the vessel has lost all power and is currently dead in the water.

24 Mar 2014

Passenger Medevaced from Cruise Ship

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Michael Reggio

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reported that its boatcrew from Station Mayport in Atlantic Beach medically evacuated an injured Carnival Fascination cruise ship passenger near Atlantic Beach Saturday evening. According to the USCG, one of the cruise liner’s onboard doctors requested a medevac after the 56-year old man was reportedly experiencing stroke symptoms. A discussion with a Coast Guard flight surgeon then led to the decision to transport the man to shore via Coast Guard small boat. A boatcrew launched from Station Mayport and arrived on scene minutes later.

13 Feb 2014

Injured Freighter Crewman Medavaced

A U.S. Coast Guard aircrew from Savannah, Ga., medically evacuated a freighter crewman who was injured on the motor vessel New Pacific more than 200 miles east of Atlantic Beach Wednesday. The man was hoisted from the vessel, flown to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., and transferred by EMS to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., in stable condition. Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified Tuesday night the man suffered a puncture wound to the neck and was in need of medical assistance. Wednesday morning a medic from a nearby U.S. Navy vessel, which was in the area at the time, was transferred to the freighter to assess the injured man’s condition and administer triage and medication.

27 Sep 2013

Towed RoRo Too Tall, Hits Florida River Bridge

Matthews Bridge: Photo CCL

The U.S. Coast Guard has closed a portion of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Fla., after the 'USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. The RoRo vessel was being towed from its home pier in Jacksonville to the North Florida Ship Yard for normal dock and maintenance work. There were no injuries reported. Boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Mayport and other law enforcement agencies are currently enforcing a 200-yard safety zone on both sides of the bridge. Florida Department of Transportation bridge inspectors are en route to determine the extent of damage.

25 Feb 2013

Mystery Wreckage Sighted Off US Coast

Debris off Atlantic Coast: Photo USCG

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter located the debris and a male body about 22 east of the entrance to the St. Johns River. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission aircrew reported the debris, including two large pieces of a vessel; 10 life jackets; flares; and an oil sheen. It is unknown if additional people are in the water or otherwise in distress, but the Coast Guard is responding as though there are. Continuing to search the area surrounding the debris field are a…

04 Jan 2011

USCG Photo: New 45-ft Response Boat-Medium

Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Mayport, Fla., prepare to moor up to a pier in Jacksonville aboard their new 45-ft Response Boat-Medium Wednesday, December 29, 2010. Replacing the Coast Guard’s 41-ft Utility Boats (UTB), the 45-ft RB-M's improved design, new ergonomics, and enhanced safety features will make Station Mayport boatcrews more effective in performing their multiple missions. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Evanson.

08 May 2012

Naval Port Makes a Case for Expansion

The numbers of both ships and sailors in the naval base have been dwindling since budget constraints put on hold the dreams of local leaders to get an aircraft carrier transferred to the base near Jacksonville, which hasn’t had one since the John F. Kennedy was decommissioned in 2007. As of March 28, just 19 ships called the base home with a total of 5,017 sailors. In the 1980s, the base boasted two aircraft carriers, 28 combatants and nearly 30,000 sailors. Since 2000, the Navy has sent only one ship to the base, the destroyer Farragut in 2006. With the promise of an aircraft carrier gone for now, both the base’s future and the local economy hinge on attracting new ships. “On the East Coast, this is a prime place to put a carrier,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm.

15 Oct 2012

Submarine, Cruiser Collide Off US East Coast

Aegis cruiser USS San Jacinto: Photo credit USN

'USS Montpelier' arrives at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay & 'USS San Jacinto' at Naval Station Mayport to assess collision damage. There were no injuries reported after a U.S. Navy submarine and an Aegis cruiser collided earlier off the coast of the Eastern United States .
 The propulsion plant of the submarine was unaffected by this collision, and both vessels made it to port under their own power. 

 The two warships were conducting routine training at the time of the accident. An investigation into the accident is underway.

18 Feb 2010

Freedom’s Maiden Deployment

Photo courtesy U.S. Navy

The Navy's first littoral combat ship, USS Freedom (LCS 1), left Naval Station Mayport Feb. 16 for her maiden operational deployment to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) areas of focus. During the independent deployment, Freedom will participate in counter-illicit trafficking (CIT) operations off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Central and South America and the Caribbean Sea. A U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) is embarked aboard Freedom to facilitate CIT operations.