Station New London News

Coast Guard Corrals Wayward Buoy in Long Island Sound

Built to guide mariners through safe waters, the Valiant Rock Lighted Whistle Buoy 11 was dangerously adrift in the Long Island Sound.When ferry operators traveling between Orient Point and Fishers Island, New York, first reported the buoy off station on Jan. 17, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oak (WLB-211) was already underway but foul weather kept the cutter from removing it.This was the beginning of a two-week saga that would involve several Coast Guard units. Like the Loch Ness monster of the Long Island Sound, the 35-foot-tall green buoy was occasionally seen but hard to catch.

Two Rescued from Sinking Fishing Vessel

Crewmembers from U.S. Coast Guard Station New London rescued two people after they abandoned their sinking fishing vessel near Fishers Island, N.Y., Sunday morning.At approximately 7:30 a.m., watchstanders at Sector Long Island Sound received a radio call from the crew of a 55-foot commercial fishing vessel stating their boat was taking on water in one of their fish holds.The command center issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Coast Guard Station Montauk…

USCG Rescues Two From Sinking FV

Crew members from Coast Guard Station New London rescued two people after they abandoned their sinking fishing vessel near Fishers Island, New York, Sunday morning.At approximately 7:30 a.m., watch standers at Sector Long Island Sound received a radio call from the crew of a 55-foot commercial fishing vessel stating their boat was taking on water in one of their fish holds.The command center issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Coast Guard Station Montauk…

Three Mariners Rescued near Cerberus Shoal

Coast Guard Station New London crewmembers rescued three mariners after their vessel caught on fire at 6:45 A.M., Sunday, near Cerberus Shoal. A father of one of the mariners notified Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound that the 50-foot long liner Long Shot was burning near Fisher’s Island. The crewmembers had abandoned ship and boarded a life raft. Watchstanders at Sector Long Island Sound launched boat crews from Coast Guard Station Montauk and Coast Guard Station New London. A helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod also responded. Station New London crewmembers in a 45-foot Response Boat Medium arrived on scene at 7:15 A.M. and recovered the mariners and life raft. The mariners were all wearing survival gear, including lifejackets, and no injuries or medical concerns were reported.

New London Station CG Officer Relieved of Command

Coast Guard Lt. Thomas Stokes was relieved for cause as the commanding officer of Coast Guard Station New London, Conn., Nov. 18, 2010, after an administrative review based on a loss of confidence in his ability to command the unit. The relief for cause is a non-punitive, internal personnel management decision. "Commanding a Coast Guard unit is one of the most vital assignments in our service," said Capt. Joseph Vojvodich, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, Conn. This administrative process was initiated by the Sector Commander in October 2010, at which time a temporary commanding officer was assigned to the station. During the review process, Lt.

USCG Admiral Testifies on Chem Facility Security

WASHINGTON - Coast Guard Director of Port Security, Rear Adm. Craig E. Bone, testified today on chemical facility security before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “Considering the vast economic utility of our ports, waterways and coastal approaches, it is clear that a terrorist incident against a facility in our marine transportation system could have a disastrous impact on public safety, the environment, our nation’s economy, and international trade. Such an incident, if it were to occur in a strategic port, could also threaten our military mobilization capabilities. An incident at one of the 350 chemical…

Coast Guard Admiral Testifies on Chemical Facility Security

Coast Guard Director of Port Security, Rear Adm. Craig E. Bone, testified today on chemical facility security before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. His written statement submitted for the record, follows. "Good morning Madam Chairperson and distinguished members of the Committee. It is a pleasure to be here today to discuss the U.S. Coast Guard’s role in securing the chemical facilities on the navigational waterways of the United States. The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security remain committed to improving maritime homeland security each and every day through continued interagency cooperation and assistance from our partners at the local, state and international levels, as well as maritime industry stakeholders.

LI Ferry Accident

Coast Guard rescue crews are searching for a missing ferry passenger after two people were reported unaccounted for, and a 65-ft. paving truck fell off the ferry Susan Anne less than one mile off Orient Point, Long Island, N.Y., 10 a.m. today. A crew from a second ferry in the vicinity responded and initially recovered one person from the water deceased. The victim was then transferred by the crew of the Susan Anne to Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport, Long Island, N.Y. Names are being withheld until next of kin can be notified. A Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew, two Coast Guard rescue boat crews from Station Montauk and a rescue boat crew from Station New London continue to search for the second passenger.