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National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration News

31 Oct 2023

Grounded Cargo Ship Refloated in the Caribbean

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

A cargo ship that ran aground off St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands earlier this month has been refloated and towed to a safe mooring location at the Crown Bay Sandfill dock, the U.S. Coast Guard said.Vessel owners and salvors will now coordinate further operations to remove the damaged cargo, remaining oil and conduct further salvage or repair operations for the Bonnie G.The Vanuatu-flagged vessel began taking on water and ran aground on October 4, leading the 12 people on board to be rescued after abandoning ship. No injuries were reported.To refloat the Bonnie G, DonJon-SMIT, Inc.

10 Nov 2020

Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg Tech: RDT&E's Annual Arctic Technology Evaluation

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Campbell underway during their Arctic deployment off Greenland's western coast. U.S. Coast Guard photos by SN Kate Kilroy

The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) teamed up with Coast Guard Cutter Campbell’s crew this summer to evaluate five technologies as part of the RDC’s annual Arctic Technology Evaluation. The Campbell crew conducted the evaluations during their two-month deployment supporting joint Arctic operations off Greenland’s western coast, returning to their Kittery, Maine, homeport on Sept. 29, 2020.“Testing various technologies by cutter crews for operation in cold and Arctic environments provides highlights on what works and what may need improvement…

21 Mar 2019

MOSI Anti-Fouling Coatings for Barnacles and Zebra Mussels

Test Articles Before Rinsing. Bio-film development is reduced in both D2 MOSI coating (second from right) and II PVDF (right).
Photo: Courtesy APV Engineered Coatings

Marine organisms such as barnacles and zebra mussels have been a long-standing nuisance to ship hulls, causing exterior damage, increased power and fuel consumption and environmental concerns. While anti-fouling coatings help to prevent biofouling,  a new research study suggests that an innovative approach to marine coatings may solve the problem of barnacle and zebra mussel fouling, an approach stems from the MOSI (Marine Organism Sensory Interference) concept. MOSI uses a unique coating tech to interfere with the sensory ability of juvenile barnacles…

10 Dec 2018

Crude Oil Spill Near Port Sulphur, La.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo)

The U.S. Coast Guard said on Sunday it is responding to a crude oil discharge in Rattle Snake Bayou, southwest of Port Sulphur, La.Coast Guard watchstanders in New Orleans received a report from the National Response Center that the well was reported to be leaking.It is unknown when the discharge began, and the amount discharged has not been determined. The well is rated to produce 5,476 gallons of oil per day.Responders are working to locate and secure the source of the discharge. The well's owner Hilcorp has contracted ES&H as an oil spill response organization.

01 Mar 2017

USCG, Navy Conduct Joint Maritime Security Mission

U.S. Navy photo by Daniel Kelley

The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy completed an 18-day joint mission in the Central and South Pacific under the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative to combat transnational crimes, enforce fisheries laws and enhance regional security. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 103 from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team embarked USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and conducted 16 fisheries enforcement boardings with the assistance of the ship’s visit, board, search and seizure team and law enforcement ship riders from Tuvalu and Nauru.

17 Dec 2015

Argo Response Completed

Unified Command responders perform salvage operations for the Lake Erie sunken tanker barge Argo, hot-tapping and pumping the barges tanks on November 29, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Kurt Kollar, Ohio EPA)

The response effort to remove a hazardous cargo from the 104-year-old sunken tank barge Argo in Lake Erie officially ended Monday afternoon with the demobilization of all remaining equipment. Contracted by the U.S. Coast Guard as part of a Unified Command effort, salvors T&T Salvage recovered the highly toxic cargo from the 1911-built Argo, which sank in 1937 laden with a cargo of benzol that contained a high percentage of the carcinogen benzene. A total of 33,475 gallons of cargo and water mixture were removed from the vessel.

26 Oct 2015

NOAA Orders Research RHIB from Willard

Willard Marine, Inc.was awarded a contract by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to produce a 20’08” rigid hull inflatable boat for the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) to facilitate their fisheries and marine mammal research in the Pacific region. Willard Marine will provide a slightly modified version of their SEA FORCE 730, a military-grade, aluminum, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) that is designed with a deep-V hull for maximum stability in the roughest sea conditions. The 20’08” research RHIB designed for NOAA is constructed in accordance with ABYC standards and Subchapter S requirements, and is fitted with both lift fittings and a lift sling that are designed for hoisting 6,700-pounds of weight with a 6:1 weight ratio safety factor.

14 Nov 2014

USCG Transport Orphaned Baby Sea Lion

The Coast Guard worked with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to transport a baby orphaned Stellar Sea Lion from Seattle to Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, where it will be in the care of staff members from The Marine Mammal Center. At approximately 11:30 a.m., a Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento aircrew along with members from TMMC arrived in Seattle from Sacramento to pick up the pup named Leo. Last month, NOAA contacted the Coast Guard to request assistance with a transfer of the pup, which was found stranded live in Ocean Shores, Wash. “Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Mammal Investigations responded and picked up the pup for a health assessment and determined rehabilitation was necessary…

04 Sep 2014

Fugawi Aboard Combines US, Canada Raster Charts

Fugawi Aboard

Fugawi Aboard, a newly launched product from Northport Systems Inc., combines U.S. and Canadian raster charts, based on National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) nautical charts, into quilted regions for use on compatible chartplotters. Fugawi Aboard combines more than 2,000 NOAA and 600 CHS raster navigation charts on one quilted product. Packed with coastline detail for the entire United States and Canada, Fugawi Aboard delivers the look and feel of vector charts with the unmatched detail and familiarity of paper charts.

28 Aug 2014

Unmanned Aircraft Makes USCG Icebreaker Landing

Coast Guard and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration researchers report the successful landing of an unmanned aircraft system on the flight deck of Coast Guard Cutter 'Healy', marking the first time a UAS has completed a take-off and landing aboard a Coast Guard icebreaker. UAS operators from AeroVironment, designers of the Puma All Environment UAS, working alongside researchers from the Coast Guard Research and Development Center and NOAA made necessary adjustments following several unsuccessful attempts to land the Puma AE on the icebreaker’s flight deck. High winds, heavy fog, and icing conditions delayed further attempts until Monday night when skies cleared enough for another attempt.

17 Jul 2014

US Hearing to Review Arctic Policy

Photo: Kitty Mecklenburg, RUSALCA

The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, chaired by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), will hold a hearing next week to review U.S. policy in the Arctic and how the agencies with the largest presence in the Arctic intend to implement such policy. It is declared U.S. policy, relative to the Arctic region, to meet national security and homeland security needs, protect the environment, ensure sustainable natural resource management and development, strengthen institutions for cooperation among Arctic nations…

19 Jun 2014

Sunken Barge Near State Marine Reserve Removed

The Coast Guard says it has completed clean up and removal efforts of a barge that sank earlier near Point Conception State Marine Reserve, California. Around 12:15 p.m. on 8, June 2014 the Coast Guard received a distress call from the tugboat Calvin, reporting that the 260-foot barge Nash was sinking. The barge had a cargo of 3,900 metric tons of magnesium chloride, a non-hazardous derivative of sea water. The barge sank stern first leaving the bow extended above the water. During the sinking, air spaces in the aft cargo tanks were crushed and the hull breached. The barge rested approximately 1/2 mile south of the oil and gas pipelines extending from the Freeport-McMorRan Hermosa Platform to the shore near Point Conception.

04 Feb 2014

America's Tall Ship to visit Morehead City

USCG photo

The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, America's Tall Ship and seagoing classroom for future officers in training, is scheduled to arrive March 26 in Morehead City, N.C. From its homeport in New London, Conn., the cutter will sail along the eastern seaboard and transit through Morehead as part of its spring training for Coast Guard and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officer candidates. Eagle's spring deployment is the first underway training for 2014 after the cutter…

24 Jan 2014

USCG Tall Ship Returns from Repair

USCG photo

Coast Guard Barque Eagle returned to New London, Conn. yesterday after spending the last three and a half months undergoing dockside maintenance and a foremast overhaul at the Coast Guard Yard facility in Baltimore. The Eagle will be inport in New London during February and early March conducting crew training and continuing all required annual maintenance. In mid-March, the Eagle will sail along the eastern seaboard conducting training for the Coast Guard and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Officer Candidates.

14 Aug 2013

Tug and Barge Allision Near Cape Cod

The Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it responded to an allision between a tug and barge taking on water near the Cape Cod Canal Wednesday. At 11:28 p.m. Tuesday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England were notified from the crew of the 112-foot tug Doris Morian, homeported in Wilmington, Del., that they had reportedly lost power while towing the 410-foot barge Alexander and the two allided. The Doris Morian crew was able to tow the Alexander outside of the Canal into Buzzards Bay to an anchorage approximately two miles east of West Island. The barge is taking on approximately five-feet of water and pumps are keeping up with the water. The barge is carrying cement and was en route to New York. There has been no reported impact to the environment.

03 Jun 2013

Shipping Lanes Re-routed off California Coast

Effective June 1, 2013, West Coast shipping lanes are being adjusted to protect endangered whales, & OceanGrafix's new charts incorporate those changes. OceanGrafix, the first and only company to offer NOAA print-on-demand nautical charts, today announced the availability of updated nautical charts that reflect imminent changes to shipping lanes. Effective June 1, 2013, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is amending vessel traffic separation schemes in an effort to enhance navigational safety and to protect endangered whales. The IMO adjustments to shipping lanes, which are backed by National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research…

18 Nov 2012

NOAA Ship Speed Restrictions Flouted off US E. Coast

Chartlet Image courtesy of NOAA

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are increasing their vigilance to protect the seasonal whale calving grounds. Despite NOAA advertising the speed restrictions it seems vessels are continuing to flout the speed limitation. Vessels in these areas are continually seen to be breaking these speed restrictions, in particular in the Delaware Bay entrance area are therefore being fined by NOAA. Fines levied by NOAA amount to $5,750 per incident. NOAA are using locally sourced AIS data to monitor and record the speeds of approaching vessels and using this data as evidence.

25 Apr 2012

Mid-Atlantic Waterways Conference 2012 Meets

USCG , other concerned authorities, commercial interests, meet for annual Mid-Atlantic Waterways Conference in Norfolk, Va. The Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, towing industries, passenger vessel industries, and various maritime industrial facilities along the mid-Atlantic coast  join for the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Waterways Conference in Norfolk. “What makes this conference different is that it provides a forum,” said John Goodwater, executive director of the Passenger Vessel Association. The conference, hosted by the Passenger Vessel Association, includes high ranking officials from the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, and Virginia Department of Transportation as speakers.

06 May 2010

Unified Command, West Coast of Florida

In response to the possibility of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill affecting the West Coast of Florida, representatives from BP, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are meeting to plan a multi-agency response. Working together, the agencies have reviewed the area contingency plan and ensured all partners have access to, and are familiar with the plan. In meetings over the last couple days, the Coast Guard and Florida DEP have spoken with trustees from various national and state wildlife refuge areas, along with every county emergency management office on the West Coast of Florida. The agencies also met with over 30 members of non-governmental environmental organizations including Tampa Bay Watch…

01 Nov 2009

CG Reminder, Slow for Right Whales

The Coast Guard reminds operators of vessels 65 ft or greater in length that the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule takes effect Nov. 1, requiring those vessels to slow down while operating in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic waters where North Atlantic Right whales are known to migrate, calve and nurse. The Coast Guard has worked closely with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and National Marine Fisheries Service division during the past decade to further both agencies’ shared goal of conserving and rehabilitating the North Atlantic right whale population. “The Coast Guard, in coordination with NMFS, has a long history of protecting living marine resources and will continue to take action to protect the right whale from ship strikes and other threats…

21 May 2009

New USACE Contracts

Dutra Dredging Co., San Rafael, Calif., was awarded on May 15, 2009 an $18,224,915 firm-fixed-price contract for Harbor Improvements Phase III, St. Paul, Alaska, St. Paul, Alaska Dredging approximately 150,000 Cubic Yard (CY) for the entrance channel, maneuvering area, mooring area, and the intertidal beach area, dredging approximately 27,000 CY for the breakwater berth dredge area (optional item), demolish an existing rubblemound breakwater, construct a 435-foot long rubblemound breakwater (attached) in the existing harbor, construct a 160-foot long rubblemound breakwater (detached) in the existing harbor, construct a 485-foot long rubblemound circulation berm in the existing harbor. Work is to be performed in St. Paul Island, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 25, 2012.

16 Mar 2009

Kvichak Marine Delivers Catamaran to NOAA

Kvichak Marine Industries recently constructed and delivered the R/V Bay Hydro II, a 54 ft foil-assisted catamaran, to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which will be based at NOAA’s facility in Solomons, MD. The contract was awarded early last year following a competitive tender process. The catamaran is fitted with a 3 ft x 7 ft moon pool cut through the main deck amidships. The moon pool is closed by a sliding structural hatch in the bottom of the tunnel and a top-mounted deck grate when not in use.

08 Jan 2009

CA Files Suit Against Cosco Busan

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. filed a lawsuit today on behalf of the California Department of Fish and Game Office of Spill Prevention and Response, State Lands Commission and State Water Boards against the owners, operators and pilot of the M/V Cosco Busan, the shipping vessel that spilled more than 53,000 gallons of oil into San Francisco Bay. “This was a preventable accident that had tragic consequences,” Attorney General Brown said. On November 7, 2007, the Cosco Busan, piloted by John Cota, hit the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge’s Delta Tower. The crash caused approximately 53,569 of gallons of oil to spew into San Francisco Bay and spread to the Pacific Ocean and along Bay Area shorelines.