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Sector Baltimore News

09 Dec 2020

Great Ships and The Ship Designer’s Curse

USS Iowa (BB-61) Fires a full broadside of nine 16/50 and six 5/38 guns during a target exercise near Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, 1 July 1984. Photographed by PHAN J. Alan Elliott. Note concussion effects on the water surface, and 16-inch gun barrels in varying degrees of recoil. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the the Department of Defense Still Media Collection.

For the Design issue Greg Trauthwein asked me to write about a favorite ship design. I have no favorite ship design, or should say there are simply too many that are truly worthy of mention. But when considering favorite designs, ship designers (and builders) do carry a strange curse. Unique among engineers (and artists, architects, and industrial designers) their creations only live for about 30 years. With very few exceptions, in their own life time, ship designers get to see the disassembly of most of their creations. I am not aware of any other creations that are so readily tossed aside.

19 Jun 2015

4,000 Gal. Oil Spill in Baltimore

USCG photo

The U.S. Coast Guard informs its continues tp oversee a response to an oil spill Friday at CP Crane Generating Station in Baltimore. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore received a report from the National Response Center Thursday of approximately 3,000 gallons of lubrication oil in the discharge canal at CP Crane Generating Station in Baltimore. It is now believed approximately 4,000 gallons were discharged. Personnel from Maryland Department of the Environment, Clean Venture Inc.

23 Feb 2015

USCG Crews Work to Break Ice In Mid-Atlantic

The crews of the Coast Guard Cutters Capstan, Cleat and Chock are working this winter to break ice and maintain navigable waterways from the Delaware River, through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, down to Tangier Island, Virginia. The crew of the Baltimore-based Chock traveled to Tangier Island to break ice and aid residents by delivering groceries and medical supplies. While assisting Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads, another crew was needed to take over the Sector Baltimore ice-breaking mission. The crew of the Cleat left Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay to assist Baltimore during the Chocks’ deployment to Tangier Island. “As the Coast Guard, we’re pretty limited in our ice-breaking assets,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer A. J. Pulkkinen, the officer-in-charge of Cleat.

20 Oct 2014

Smith Brothers Chrtisten New Tug

Capt. Kenneth

Smith Brothers, Inc., Chesapeake Bay-based barge and marine equipment charter company, recently added the tug Capt. Kenneth to its fleet of inland and truckable tugs. With the 99-year-old namesake looking on alongside his son, Jeffrey Smith, company president, Eleanor Smith christened the vessel after her grandfather, Kenneth. "This boat reflects the hard work and commitment of the Smith Brothers team," said Jeffrey Smith. The Capt. Kenneth  is 50' x 19' x 7.5" with an operating draft of 6'. The shallow draft enables the boat to move barges anywhere in the Chesapeake and its tributaries.

23 Sep 2014

Mariner's 'Command Bridge' Helps Keep Baltimore Celebration Safe

The Mariner Group informs that it augmented the security efforts of Maryland's Natural Resources Police and other federal, state and local agencies for Baltimore's recent Star-Spangled Spectacular and Sailabration. Mariner provided CommandBridge situation awareness support to the Incident Command Center at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. The CommandBridge displays and on-site staff helped maintain safety and security during several high-profile maritime events, including a Parade of Ships into Baltimore Harbor and the Navy's Blue Angels air show performances. "The Maryland Natural Resources Police partnered with CommandBridge to create a command and control system for managing emergencies and significant planned events," said Col. George Johnson, superintendent of the Maryland NRP.

24 Mar 2014

USCG Aids Grounded Boat Taking on Water

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said it assisted two boaters Monday by transferring them off a grounded boat approximately 200 yards from the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Baltimore received notification at approximately 1 a.m. from boaters aboard their 30-foot sailboat, asking about weather conditions. Upon further questioning, the watchstanders were informed the boat was grounded and taking on water while anchored. Sector watchstanders dispatched a crew aboard a 29-foot Response Boat - Small II from Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes to assist. “When we arrived on scene, the captain informed us the bilge pumps were keeping up with the flooding…

28 Jan 2014

USCG to Establish Security Zone for Republican Conference

The U.S. Coast Guard will establish a temporary security zone Wednesday to Friday in designated waters of the Choptank River for the Republican Issues Conference. The security zone will be in effect from 3 a.m. Wednesday until 1 p.m. Friday, which may limit or prohibit navigation by commercial and recreational waterway users. The security zone will include a 500-yard perimeter surrounding the waterfront of the Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Choptank River in Cambridge. The security zone will also impact waterway traffic under the Route 50 Bridge for various periods of time. Entering or operating in the security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the captain of the port of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore.

24 Jan 2014

USCG to Establish Security Zone for State of the Union Address

The Coast Guard will establish a temporary security zone Tuesday in designated waters in the National Capital Region for the State of the Union address. The security zone will be in effect from 4 p.m. Tuesday until 2 a.m. Wednesday, which may limit or prohibit navigation by commercial and recreational waterway users. The security zone will include the Potomac River from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, south to approximately two miles north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The security zone will also include the Georgetown Channel Tidal Basin as well as the Anacostia River from the 11th Street Bridge to its confluence with the Potomac River. Entering or operating in the security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the captain of the port of Baltimore.

30 Oct 2013

Clean Marine’s EGCS First to Operate Inside ECA

MV Balder, equipped with Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) from Clean Marine, is reported to be the first vessel in the world to operate this type of system in the U.S. Emission Control Area (ECA). Upon arrival in Baltimore recently, the vessel’s Master sought approval from the coast guard to enter and exit the ECA Zone using High Sulfur Fuel Oil with EGCS, rather than burning the more expensive Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (1% sulfur content). Clean Marine invited USCG and EPA to observe the EGCS in operation for compliance with the ECA. Officials from the U.S.

16 Sep 2013

U.S. Coast Guard Responds to Navy Yard Shooter

U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard captain of the port has established a temporary safety and security zone Monday in response to a report of a shooter at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. The safety and security zone will be in effect for an undetermined amount of time and will limit all navigation on the Anacostia River from Haines Point to the John Philip Sousa Bridge. Entering or operating in the security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the captain of the port of Baltimore. Vessels already at berth, mooring or anchor are not required to depart the security zone.

04 Sep 2013

Clean Marine’s EGCS First to Operate Inside ECA

MV Balder leaving Croatia after installation of ECGC inside new funnel

MV Balder, equipped with Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) from Clean Marine, is reported to be the first vessel in the world to operate this type of system in the U.S. Emission Control Area (ECA). Upon arrival in Baltimore last week, the vessel’s Master sought approval from the coast guard to enter and exit the ECA Zone using High Sulphur Fuel Oil with EGCS, rather than burning the more expensive Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (1% Sulphur content). Clean Marine invited USCG and EPA to observe the EGCS in operation for compliance with the ECA. Officials from the U.S.

17 May 2013

Coast Guard Patrols with New RB-S II Vessel

Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico, tests out one of four new Response Boat-Small (RB-S) II, delivered April 8–11. The new RB-S II gives Coast Guard operators upgraded electronics and communications, improved crew comfort to reduce fatigue, and improved visibility. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Nicholas Schellman.

Most people who encounter the Coast Guard near shore will get a good look at a Response Boat-Small (RB-S). With more than 400 boats in operation, the RB-S is the largest vessel class in the Coast Guard’s fleet. The boats are in constant use, from life-saving to law enforcement and homeland security missions. But the redoubtable RB-S is approaching the end of its service life and the the Coast Guard’s Acquisition Directorate has launched an ambitious project to replace this important asset. The RB-S II will be one of the largest boat buys of its kind.

12 Jul 2010

Irika Shipping $4M Penalty for Concealing Pollution

Irika Shipping S.A., a ship management corporation registered in Panama and doing business in Greece, pleaded guilty on July 8, 2010 before Maryland U.S. District Court Judge Frederick J. Motz, to felony obstruction of justice charges and violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships related to concealing deliberate vessel pollution from the M/V Iorana, a Greek flagged cargo ship that made port calls in Baltimore, Tacoma, Wash., and New Orleans. According to the multi-district plea agreement arising out of charges brought in the District of Maryland, Western District of Washington, and Eastern District of Louisiana, Irika Shipping has agreed to pay a $4m total penalty…

21 Jan 2013

Coast Guard Ramps up Security for Presidential Inauguration

Members from various Coast Guard units throughout the United States joined together Sunday in support of the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington Monday. Members of the Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team from Coast Guard Regional Dive Locker East, located in Portsmouth, Va., and Coast Guard Regional Dive Locker West, located in San Diego, Calif., patroled areas of the Potomac River for possible security threats. Members of a Vessel Boarding Security Team from Coast Guard Sector Baltimore conducted initial safety inspections aboard the cruise ship Odyssey III.

20 Jan 2013

Coast Guard Secures Potomac River for President's Inauguration

Inauguration Patrol: Photo credit USCG

Coast Guard conducts security patrols along the Potomac River safeguard the 57th Presidential Inauguration, 21, January 2013. The Coast Guard has combined efforts with local, state and federal agencies to provide security in the Washington area in support of the 57th Presidential Inauguration. Agencies are conducting security patrols along the Potomac River, and air assets enforce security zones within the National Capitol Region. "Inter-agency partnership is paramount in a national-security event such as this," said Lt. Cmdr. Randall Brown, Chief of Response at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore.

20 Aug 2010

Rescue 21 System for Baltimore-Washington Region

Coast Guard hosts Rescue 21 ceremony in Baltimore. Donald Wilt, senior director of federal-civil programs for General Dynamics C4 Systems, speaks during a Coast Guard Rescue 21 communications system acceptance ceremony at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Aug. 19, 2010. His company was awarded the Rescue 21 production contract in September 2002. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Kendrick.

On August 19, the U.S. Coast Guard officially accepted the installation of the Rescue 21 search-and-rescue system that will provide enhanced life-saving communications capabilities to the entire Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, reaching as far as Washington, D.C. Rescue 21 enables the Coast Guard to quickly respond to and assist distressed mariners, saving lives and property. It also provides a wireless communications network that the Coast Guard can use to communicate with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and other emergency first responders.

30 Jan 2008

Coast Guard Responds to Cargo Ship Aground

The Coast Guard responded to a cargo ship that ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay. The Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel Japan, a 796-ft. Panamanian flagged cargo ship, ran aground near Sandy Point Light approximately one mile north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. A Coast Guard inspection team and boarding officers from Coast Guard Sector Baltimore were deployed to the grounded vessel. Additionally, a 25-foot Coast Guard response boat crew from Station Annapolis, Md., is on scene to enforce a safety zone around the vessel. There is no report of injuries or pollution. Two tugs hired by the shipping company are in route to the vessel to help free it. The Japan was in route to Port Elizabeth, NJ. This incident is currently under investigation.

02 Sep 2008

REC Baltimore Transitions to NMC

The Regional Examination Center (REC) located in , , transitioned to become a field unit of the National Maritime Center (NMC), located in , REC was previously a division of the Prevention Department within Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. REC will now become a storefront operation, with staff focused on helping mariners ensure their applications are ready for evaluation. Mariners will still need to verify their identity, get fingerprinted and take their tests at the REC. Completed application packages will be sent to the NMC for evaluation. The NMC will conduct security, professional qualification, medical evaluations and will print and issue credentials. REC will be joining many other RECs who have already transitioned.

25 Jan 2007

PGM Sentenced for Environmental Crimes

American-based ship operator, Pacific-Gulf Marine, Inc. deliberate acts of pollution involving a fleet of four ships, in violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. U.S. District Judge William M. Nickerson sentenced PGM to pay a $1 million criminal fine, $500,000 for community service and serve three years of probation under the terms of a rigorous Environmental Compliance Program (ECP), which is subject to court approval. oil-contaminated bilge waste without the use of an oily water separator, a required pollution prevention device. Instead, the ships used secret bypass pipes, sometimes referred to as a "magic pipe," to circumvent the oily water separator.

01 Mar 2007

Bulk Cargo Ship Aground in Chesapeake Bay

Coast Guard Sector Baltimore personnel are attempting to free a 711-ft. vessel carrying coal had gone aground while transiting the Port of Baltimore, according to the Shipping Times. Coast Guard personnel were notified at on February 28 that the Liberain flagged motor vessel Montrose had gone soft aground in the mouth of the Choptank River. The Coast Guard, along with the Moran Towing tugboats April and Hariet Lane, attempted to free the vessel during high tide but were unsuccessful. The Coast Guard is continuing to monitor the situation. So far no damage or pollution has been reported T7he 3831 grt Montrose is operated by Seaarland Shipping Management Ges.m.b.H., Austria and was built in 2002 by Sanoyas Hishino Meisho, Japan. Source: Shipping Times

28 Mar 2007

Maryland Coast Guard Station Wins Award

The crew of Coast Guard Station Oxford, Md., recieved the Sumner I. Kimball Award for superior readiness Tuesday. Coast Guard Captains Neil Buschman, Fifth District chief of staff, and Brian D. Kelley, commander of Sector Baltimore, presided over the ceremony. The Sumner I. Kimball Award recognizes excellence in crew proficiency, boat and personal protective equipment condition and compliance with established training documentation requirements, and is awarded to the top 10 percent of units throughout the Coast Guard. The Kimball Award selection is the result of many hours of hard work and attention to detail by the crew. "It's an honor for the crew of a small Coast Guard station to receive such a difficult-to-achieve national award.

27 Aug 2007

Former Chief Engineer Arraigned on Vessel Pollution Charges

Patrick K. Brown, a former Chief Engineer of the M/V Fidelio was arraigned today on a six count indictment related to deliberate vessel pollution that was originally returned by a federal grand jury on July 26, 2007. The indictment was announced by Ronald J. Tenpas, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Environment & Natural Resources Division and U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. According to the indictment, Brown was a U.S. licensed Chief Engineer and was responsible for managing and supervising the engine department, including compliance with laws regulating the discharge of oil from the ship.

18 Oct 2007

Ship’s Chief Engineer Convicted in Vessel Pollution Case

Mark Humphries, the chief engineer of the M/V Tanabata, an American-flagged car-carrier ship based in Baltimore, was convicted by a jury on one count of conspiracy and two counts of making false statements, announced Ronald J. Tenpas, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and Rod J. Rosenstein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. At trial, it was proven that the M/V Tanabata had a removable bypass pipe or “magic pipe” that was used to discharge oily waste without the use of an oily-water separator, a required pollution control devise. The discharges were, however, falsely recorded as having been processed through the separator in the ship’s oil record book, a required log regularly inspected by the U.S.