US Coast Guard Cutter Sea Dog Damaged
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sea Dog (WPB 87373) sustained damage during the crew’s inbound transit from sea to the St. Marys River, Monday, the Coast Guard (USCG) said.The damaged cutter moored in Fernandina Beach, Fla., with assistance from additional Coast Guard assets and a commercial towing vessel, the USCG said.There were no reported injuries, damage to other vessels or environmental impact, and navigation remains unaffected, the agency added, noting the incident is under…
US Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk Decommissioned
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk (WPB 1322) was decommissioned Thursday during a ceremony held at Air Station Port Angeles that was presided over by Capt. Mark McDonnell, 13th Coast Guard District Chief of Response.Cuttyhunk was one of the Coast Guard's 37 remaining 110-foot Island-class patrol boats. The fleet of Island-class cutters is being replaced by 154-foot Sentinel-class cutters built by Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards.Built by Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, La.
Coast Guard Schedules Exercise on Hood Canal
The Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit based in Bangor, Wash., is scheduled to conduct an exercise on the Hood Canal, Tuesday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The exercise includes boat tactics, security zone enforcement, weapons capabilities and is designed to ensure the highest quality training for Coast Guard personnel. During the exercise, Coast Guard personnel will be using blank rounds and LA-51 warning munitions for live-fire training. No person will have anything shot at them. All necessary precautions will be taken to ensure discarded casings are collected for appropriate disposal, and designated spotters will monitor marine mammal activity. If any marine mammals are spotted in the vicinity, all exercise activity will cease until all wildlife depart the training area.
USCG Sea Fox Commissioned at Keyport
Northwest region military personnel and guests celebrated the commissioning of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sea Fox (WPB 87374) at the Naval Base Kitsap, Keyport pier Sept. 18. Rear Adm. Gary Blore, commander, 13th Coast Guard District, presided over the commissioning ceremony. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles Bowen provided the keynote speech accompanied by his wife, Janet, the ship's official sponsor. By tradition, the sponsor is a civilian woman with close ties to the service. She is invited to bestow good luck and divine protection over the ship and all that sail aboard. The sponsor also gives part of her own personality to the ship and becomes a permanent member of the crew.
Coast Guard to Establish MFPU
The Coast Guard will establish a Maritime Force Protection Unit (MFPU) in Bangor, Wash., Thursday. The MFPU will be a team of vigilant guardians who provide fleet security to the U. S. Navy through: deterrence by presence; protection by escort; defense by force; and terrorism prevention through strategic partnerships. The newly created MFPU will provide a dedicated force of active duty and reserve personnel that possess specialized skills, capabilities, and expertise to perform a broad range of port security and harbor defense missions.
First Maritime Force Protection Unit is Commissioned at Kings Bay
The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned the Maritime Force Protection Unit (MFPU) July 24 at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. The unit, the first of its kind, was officially activated during a formal commissioning ceremony presided over by Vice Adm. D. Brian Peterman, commander of the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area. “This is a new and unique mission,” Peterman said during his commissioning remarks. He also praised the Navy for helping develop training, techniques and specialized equipment for the new mission from scratch. The Coast Guard unit will provide enhanced security for the Trident submarines (SSBN) within their homeport transit area. Tridents generally operate on the surface during transit and the MFPU will provide additional security measures while operating under these conditions.
