Wildlife Conservation Commission News

A U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement boat and a 23-foot pleasure craft with five people aboard were involved in a collision Saturday near Manatee Pocket, in Florida.As a result of the collision, the pleasure craft began taking on water and became submerged in the channel.The people aboard the pleasure craft were embarked by the Coast Guard boat crew and taken to Sandsprit Park.One person from the pleasure craft was reported to be injured and was transported to Martin County Memorial Hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported.

Shipbuilder Metal Shark reports it has seen increased business from law enforcement agencies, with 20 new law enforcement customers recently added and more than 35 welded aluminum law enforcement vessels either recently delivered or currently in production.Among its new builds, Metal Shark is producing five custom 23-foot Relentless center console patrol boats for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, while continuing to deliver 26-foot and 28-foot Relentless center console…

As the novel coronavirus and its impacts continue to spread across America, U.S. shipbuilders, by and large, continue to build. While most yards have been deemed essential to marine transportation and/or national security and have been able to maintain operations, the situation at and around every shipyard is different, and there are several builders across the country that have had to temporarily suspend activity. In either scenario, it’s far from business as usual for America’s…

Emerging spill response trends fit into two big categories: technology and a combination of economic and social forces. Both will shape what comes next.Florida’s stunning Tampa Bay stands out as exactly the kind of place where you have to think about hazardous materials emergencies. It was 25 years ago, on August 10, 1993, that a freighter collided with two barges near the entrance of Tampa Bay, causing a fire and spilling over 32,000 gallons of jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline and about 330,000 gallons of heavy fuel, devastating beaches, wildlife and habitat.

At least 15 people were injured when a fire engulfed a boat off the coast of Florida on Sunday, causing the 50 people aboard to jump into the Gulf of Mexico and swim to shore, local officials said. A preliminary investigation showed the fire broke out at about 4:17 p.m. EST from an apparent engine issue, said Shawn Whited, division chief with Pasco Fire Rescue. “The captain of the boat said there was an issue with the engine. He said he noticed smoke coming form the engine room and turned the boat around,” Whited said.

Brunswick Commercial & Government Products (BCGP) has promoted Jeff Hubert to director of sales, responsible for product development initiatives and worldwide business development. Hubert joined BCGP in 2016, and has been serving as the company's regional sales manager for the Eastern U.S. Recently retired as Lt. Colonel of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Hubert is a graduate of the FBI National Academy with over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Originally from New York, Hubert began his public service career as a lifeguard in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Search efforts for a missing Olympic sailor, Trevor Moore, in Biscayne Bay, Florida, were suspended Saturday evening at sunset. The Coast Guard and partner agencies covered more than 510 square nautical miles and completed more than 29 search patterns before suspending the three day search. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones affected," said Capt. Michael Long, Coast Guard Sector Miami deputy commander. "Despite the tireless search efforts by multiple agencies and good Samaritans, we were unable to find Mr. On Thursday, Moore, a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic sailing team, was reported missing when security personnel at Dinner Key Marina, Miami, found his unmanned 16-foot boat at the marina just before 6 p.m.

Maritime security experts are gathering this week at Maritime Security 2015 East in Jacksonville, Florida, to exchange information and ideas, as well as learn about and see emerging technologies and operational concepts in action. Presentations were made by speakers from the Navy and Coast Guard, along with state, city and local organizations with maritime security and law enforcement responsibilities. The event is taking place at the Jacksonville JAXPORT Cruise Terminal. A dramatic on water demonstration was led by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Coast Guard search-and-rescue crews are searching for a missing diver five nautical miles south of Key West, Florida, Saturday afternoon. Missing is Jim Bakazan, 50, wearing a black wet suit. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West received the report from the motor vessel Dream after Bakazan went missing while diving on the wreck of the USS Vandenburg. Sector Key West issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a Coast Guard Station Key West response boatcrew and an Air Station Miami HC-144 aircraft to search. A Monroe County Sheriff's Office dive team and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is assisting with the search.

Vessel traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway near Bal Harbor, Florida is restricted following an incident involving a yacht and the Broad Causeway bridge. Due to the incident, only the bridge's west leaf is able to open. Restrictions on vessel traffic limit movement of large vessels with a width of 40 feet or less as only one half of the bridge is operational. Vessels with a height of less than 16 feet in height can transit as normal. Vessels with a height greater than 16 feet must have a width less than 40 feet to navigate through the waterway. The bridge connects North Miami to Bay Harbor Islands and Bal Harbor. The 161-foot yacht, Rockstar, was being towed by two tug boats Tuesday when the incident occurred.

The Coast Guard suspended its search Wednesday at 3 p.m. for two missing Cuban migrants in the vicinity of Caesar Creek, Florida, to Haulover Inlet, Florida. "Our Coast Guard men and women worked tirelessly looking for the two missing Cuban migrants; however, despite our best efforts we have been unable to locate them, and have decided to suspended the search," said Capt. Austin Gould, commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami. "This illegal migrant venture demonstrates just how dangerous taking to the sea in unseaworthy vessels can be. In total, 11 lives were saved by Coast Guard and partner agency rescue crews. Search and rescue crews completed 27 search patterns covering approximately 3,145 square miles over a 55 hour period.

The Coast Guard is searching for a missing boater 50-miles south of St. Marks, Florida, Sunday. Missing is George Taylor, 60, from Tallahassee, Florida, who was reportedly sailing his 27-foot Catalina sailboat from St. Marks to Carrabelle Florida. A friend of Taylor’s called Coast Guard Sector Mobile to report him overdue at 4.p.m.Saturday. The caller’s last contact with Taylor was Thursday morning via social media; he reportedly stated his intentions were to be in Carrabelle Friday evening. Sector Mobile issued an urgent marine information broadcast, dispatched a MH-60 Dolphin Helicopter and a C-130 Hercules Fixed Wing Aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, as well as a 45-foot Response Boat - Medium from Coast Guard Station Panama City, Saturday at 5 p.m.

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.

U.S. Coast Guard crewmembers are responding to a fuel spill in the vicinity of Government Cut in Miami Wednesday, following a leak discovered aboard the 95-foot tug Neptune Tuesday night. Upon further investigation, it has been determined that an estimated 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel have entered the water. A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Miami is conducting an overflight to monitor the progression of diesel fuel in the water. Coast Guard shoreline cleanup assessment teams have been deployed to local areas that may be impacted to monitor possible shoreline pollution and commence cleanup efforts if necessary. As of 9:30 a.m. 950 feet of sorbent boom have been deployed by cleanup crews to contain pollution and minimize local impact.

U.S. Coast Guard crewmembers are responding to a report of a fuel spill in the vicinity of Government Cut, Fla., Tuesday evening. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami received a report from the motor vessel Neptune that a fuel tank holding approximately 7,800 gallons of diesel fuel aboard the vessel has leaked approximately 2,000 gallons into the water. The leak was discovered by the crewmembers aboard the 95-foot tug after detecting the rupture in the tank. Sorbent boom was deployed to contain the spilled fuel. An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami is on scene alongside a crew from Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, Fla., and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The cause of the incident is under investigation. There were no reports of any injuries.

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.

OceanGate Inc. to host a 3-day event to promote awareness and gauge impact of Lionfish on ocean habitat and economy. The global provider of deep-sea manned submersible solutions, OceanGate, is helping to raise awareness of the widespread invasion of lionfish, a non-native predator known for its venomous spines and increased numbers in the waters of Florida, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. From June 27 to 29, 2013, the five-person manned submersible Antipodes will take scientists on a series of dives off the Florida coast to study the growing lionfish population.

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…

What is the duty of a vessel owner when his vessel sinks and becomes a hazard? What is a facility’s duty when it comes to vessels at their docks? On top of the oil, wreckage, and loss of use, there are legal duties and penalties for parties associated with the vessel – under relevant federal and state statutes – after it sinks. It’s the call that most owners/operators do not like to get: their vessel is partially submerged at a dock or in some navigable waterway and poses a threat to navigation.

Brunswick Commercial and Government Products (BCGP) recently delivered a fleet of seven Impact rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) to the state of Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The group of RHIBs is a mix of 750, 850 and 1000 Impacts, ranging in size from 24 ft, 7 inches to 32 ft, 10 inches in length. Each boat has an air collar system made of heavy-duty polyurethane with separated chambers, and a hand-laid fiberglass hull. The seven Impacts will be deployed in various locations throughout the state of Florida.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reminded mariners to keep a sharp lookout for North Atlantic right whales in southeast US waters from November 15 through April 15. North Atlantic right whales are among the most endangered marine mammal populations in the world. Vessel strikes and entanglement in fixed fishing gear are the two greatest threats to their recovery. This species is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972…

Just as ACB has done for agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and many other customers requiring safety critical applications, we used our experience, technology, and engineering expertise to build a superior line of vessel that will change the paradigm in the maritime protection industry. The new LEVs are available with multiple engine configurations in 23 ft., 26 ft. or 30 ft. - in a full cabin or center console model.

Travis R. Short, President of Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc. announced that the U.S. Coast Guard Maintenance Command, Norfolk, Virginia recently awarded a five-year contract for maintenance of 41-ft. utility vessels stationed on the Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana. This is the second multi-year contract awarded to Horizon by the Coast Guard for maintenance and refurbishment of its vessels; a five-year contract for major overhaul of 30-ft and 40-ft fiberglass boats was awarded in 2003.