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Sector Southeastern News

25 Nov 2020

Three Rescued from Barge After Tug Sinks off Rhode Island

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three mariners from a disabled 108-foot barge off Point Judith, R.I., November 25, 2020. (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Three mariners were rescued from a disabled barge Wednesday after their tug sank off the coast of Point Judith, R.I.At 8:17 a.m., watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, in Woods Hole, Mass., received a call via VHF Channel 16 from the tug Warthog, reporting their vessel was taking on water, and had a barge in tow. A Coast Guard Station Point Judith 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew immediately launched to assist, and when they arrived on scene, the tug was completely submerged, and all three Warthog crewmembers were on the 108-foot barge.

06 May 2020

Cellphones Are Helping the USCG Locate Distressed Mariners

File photo (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station New London)

First Coast Guard District command center crews, from Maine to Northern New Jersey, have a new tool to help distressed mariners come home to their families after being out to sea.The i911 program allows for watchstanders to use a mariner’s cellphone number to assist in finding their location for Coast Guard rescue crews to locate them faster. Once the number is entered, the mariner receives a text message authorizing them to share their location with the U.S. Coast Guard. Once shared…

20 Aug 2019

Ed LeBlanc Joins Ørsted

Ørsted US Offshore Wind has hired former U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officer Ed LeBlanc as Manager of Marine Affairs.The company operates Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm said that  LeBlanc has over 40 years of experience in the USCG, most recently serving as the Chief of Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England since 2003.“We are thrilled to add such an accomplished veteran of the USCG to our team. Ed’s breadth of experience will be a significant addition to the Marine Affairs department,” said John O’Keeffe Head of Marine Affairs U.S. for Ørsted.In addition to his experience with waterway management, Mr.

09 Aug 2019

Fishing Company hit with $500K Fine

This is the Vila Nova do Corvo II moored up in Leonard's Wharf on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The company Vila Nova do Corvo II, Inc., company managers Carlos Rafael and Stephanie Rafael DeMello, and vessel captain Carlos Pereira agreed to pay a total of $511,000 in civil penalties and to perform vessel improvements after the United Station filed complaints alleging to violations of the Clean Water Act, discovered during Coast Guard boarding operations. (U.S. Coast Guard

New Bedford, Massachusetts-based Vila Nova do Corvo II, Inc., company managers Carlos Rafael and Stephanie Rafael DeMello, and vessel captain Carlos Pereira agreed to pay a total of $511,000 in civil penalties and to perform vessel improvements.This was to ensure compliance measures to resolve federal Clean Water Act claims stemming from oily bilge discharges from the commercial fishing vessel Vila Nova do Corvo II, a related discharge of fuel oil filters, and violations of pollution control regulations.The United States filed the complaint in this action in April 2019 in the U.S.

10 Sep 2018

Disabled Cruise Ship Regains Power off US East Coast

The cruise ship Star Pride after it lost power in Buzzards Bay, Mass. on Friday, September 7, 2018. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

The cruise ship Star Pride has regained power after becoming disabled about two miles off the coast of Cuttyhunk, Mass. last week.The ship’s captain reported to U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England at about 3:20 p.m., Friday that the vessel had lost power and was disabled.Coast Guard crews and the Buzzards Bay Task Force launched and surrounded the 440-foot, 9,975-grt cruise ship to ensure the safety of 191 passengers and 160 crewmembers on board the ship.

08 May 2018

Fishing Companies to Pay $400,000 for Pollution Claims

Challenge Fisheries LLC, Quinn Fisheries Inc., Charles Quinn II, and Charles Quinn III have agreed to pay a total of $414,000 in civil penalties and to perform fleet-wide improvements and other compliance assurance measures to resolve federal Clean Water Act claims stemming from oily bilge discharges from the commercial fishing vessel Challenge, and a related fuel oil discharge in August 2017 in New Bedford Harbor, Mass., the Department of Justice and the Coast Guard announced.In its complaint filed Monday, along with the lodging of a consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the United States alleges…

15 Feb 2018

Four Rescued from Sinking Vessel Off Martha's Vineyard

(Screenshot from U.S. Coast Guard video)

A U.S. Coast Guard aircrew rescued four people from a sinking fishing boat Wednesday, about 18 miles south of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. The captain of the vessel Sea Star radioed watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at about 6:20 p.m., reporting their vessel was taking on water, listing heavily, and they were donning their immersion suits. Diverting from a training flight, aircrews from an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and HC-144 Ocean Sentry arrived on scene.

19 Jun 2017

Dozens Rescued from High-speed Ferry Accident

The U.S. Coast Guard and local responders have rescued 55 people stranded aboard a high-speed ferry that hit a jetty while entering Hyannis Harbor, Mass. The local fire department notified Coast Guard watchstanders at about 9:30 p.m. Friday and reported that the Massachusetts Steamship Authority Ferry Iyanough, which serves Nantucket to Hyannis, struck the jetty and grounded on the rocks. A Coast Guard helicopter crew medevacd five injured passengers and airlifted 10 uninjured people who were unable to navigate the jetty’s rocks to get aboard the response boats. The remaining passengers and ferry crewmembers were rescued by Coast Guard response boat crews. Multiple units from the Cape Cod Mutual Response System assisted with the rescue efforts.

21 Jun 2016

US Coast Guard Tows in Disabled Fishing Boat

The 86-foot fishing boat Buzzards Bay is pictured prior to being towed by Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane, Tuesday, June 21, 2016, 50 miles northeast of Cape Cod. Buzzards Bay became disabled due to a main engine failure. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

The 86-foot fishing vessel Buzzards Bay, which became disabled with five people aboard 50 miles northeast of Cape Cod, was towed in by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane on Tueday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England were notified by the captain of the Buzzards Bay at around 3:30 a.m. that the boat was disabled due to a main diesel engine failure. Harriet Lane, a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Va., was diverted to assist and arrived on scene at around 8:30 a.m. The crew was able to safely put Buzzards Bay in tow at around 9:30 a.m.

25 Oct 2015

Man Rescued from Fishing Boat Near Nantucket

A Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew medically evacuated a man from a fishing boat Saturday about 20 miles east of Nantucket. The master of the 67-foot fishing boat Sassy Girl, homeported in Virginia, contacted Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England watchstanders at about 3 p.m. reporting a crewmember suffered a hand injury and needed medical attention. The Coast Guard flight surgeon recommended a medevac and a helicopter rescue crew from Air Station Cape Cod launched. "The boat's master took action and provided first aid until the Coast Guard crew arrived on scene," said Petty Officer 1st Class Andy Case, the search and rescue coordinator at Sector Southeastern New England.

24 Aug 2015

USCG Aid Disabled Fishing Boat Off Nantucket

Crews aboard two Coast Guard cutters brought an 83-foot fishing vessel safely to anchorage at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday. Watchstanders at the First Coast Guard District Command Center, were notified at 11:30 a.m. Saturday that the scallop fishing vessel Chaz’s Toy lost propulsion during a living marine resource boarding by the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba crew 120 miles southeast of Nantucket. The crew of the 270-ft Escanaba issued a marine assistance request broadcast for Chaz’s Toy soliciting commercial or good Samaritan assistance for the vessel, which went unanswered. The cutter took the vessel in stern tow at approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The following morning, the crew of the 110-foot Tybee relieved the Escanaba crew and continued to bring the vessel toward shore.

17 Aug 2015

Disabled Fishing Vessel Rescued Off Nantucket

Coast Guard crews aboard cutters Escanaba and Hammerhead brought the disabled fishing vessel Challenge to shore August 16. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

U.S. A disabled fishing vessel was brought in safely to shore early Monday by U.S. Coast Guard crews aboard the cutters Escanaba and Hammerhead. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England Command Center in Woods Hole, Mass. received a phone call from the captain of the vessel Challenger Sunday morning, stating a line had fouled their propeller, and they were disabled and adrift 70 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass. Search and rescue coordinators from the Sector Southeastern New England command center diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba and Hammerhead to assist.

19 Jun 2015

Fishing Vessel Sinking Under Investigation

The U.S. Coast Guard informs it is investigating the sinking of the fishing vessel Robert C that occurred near Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Monday. The sole person aboard fishing vessel Robert C radioed Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England's Command Center at 12:08 p.m Monday, stating the vessel was taking on water 1.5 miles northwest of Menemsha following a collision with another the fishing vessel, Pedlar, both home-ported in Fairhaven. Coast Guard Station Menemsha immediately issued a Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a 47-foot Motor Life Boat. While the boat crew was in route, the fishing vessel Robert C sank. Fishing vessel Shearwater, home-ported in New Bedford Harbor, recovered the person in the water and delivered the person to Menemsha Harbor.

24 May 2015

USCG Assists Sinking Vessel East of Nantucket

The Coast Guard is responding to a fishing boat taking on water 130 miles east of Nantucket, Massachusetts, Saturday. At about 12:45 a.m., the fishing vessel Athena’s crew reported to Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England watchstanders in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, that the Miss Shauna, a 51-foot fishing boat with seven people aboard, was taking on water through a hole in the boat’s engine room. The Coast Guard established communications with the crew of the Miss Shauna, and they reported their pumps were keeping up with the flooding, but the rate of flooding was increasing. An HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft crew and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts, launched with pumps for the boat.

19 May 2015

USCG Terminates Charters Boat Voyage In Buzzards Bay

The Coast Guard terminated the trip of a 23-foot charter vessel today in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, due to an expired operator's license and evidence of illegal fishing. During a random safety boarding, a crew from Coast Guard Station Woods Hole, Massachusetts, boarded the vessel and discovered the master's license had expired in 2008. Upon further inspection, the crew found black sea bass which were illegally caught during the off season. Black sea bass season does not open until May 23rd in the State of Massachusetts. The Station Woods Hole crew escorted the vessel and its five passengers back to the dock. Upon arrival at the dock, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection found more than 100 black sea bass aboard and seized the catch.

10 Apr 2015

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Station Mensemsha Boathouse

The U.S. Coast Guard held a ribbon cutting ceremony today at Coast Guard Station Menemsha to mark the opening of a new boathouse on Martha’s Vineyard in Chilmark, Massachusetts. The event unveils the new building after the old boathouse burned down on July 12, 2010. Attendees included U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, Coast Guard 1st District Commander Rear Adm. Linda Fagan, and Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England Commander Capt. John Kondratowicz. "The new boathouse has dramatically increased the readiness of Station Menemsha,” said Senior Chief Robert Riemer, the Station’s officer in charge. “The facility’s strategic design enables crews to effectively and efficiently conduct necessary boat maintenance.

24 Mar 2015

USCG Rescues 2 Fishermen near Block Island

Coast Guard crews rescued two fishermen from a sinking vessel 10 miles south of Newport, Rhode Island, Monday. At approximately noon, the two person crew of the 38-foot fishing boat More Misery notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England in Woods Hole, Massachusetts that they were taking on water and needed help. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod and two 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crews from Coast Guard Station Castle Hill and Coast Guard Station Point Judith were launched. The Station Castle Hill crew arrived on scene and successfully transferred the two fishermen aboard. Shortly after, Coast Guard crews began dewatering the More Misery and safely towed it back to Newport.

01 Mar 2015

USCG Free Boat from Ice Near Woods Hole

A Coast Guard crew responded to a fishing vessel trapped in ice in Woods Hole Passage, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Saturday. At about 3 p.m., the crew of the fishing boat Capt. RM Chase notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England that they became lodged in ice while returning to New Bedford, Massachusetts after a fishing trip. A Coast Guard aids-to-navigation team aboard a 49-foot Stern Loading Buoy Boat from Woods Hole was breaking ice nearby and diverted to assist the four-person crew. They arrived on scene, and at about 3:30 p.m., the Coast Guard crew freed the the Capt. RM Chase from the ice. “Even with today’s higher temperature…

13 Sep 2014

USCG Confirm Jelly Fish Concentration in Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts

Coast Guard pollution responders, and the Fairhaven Harbormaster responded to a report of a large oil sheen in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Friday morning. At 2:00 p.m. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England was notified by a local, experienced mariner of a possible pollution sheen in Buzzard's Bay. Response crews with a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod, a 29-foot response boat from Station Woods Hole, and a 45-foot response boat medium from Station Menemsha responded along with Coast Guard personnel from Marine Safety Detachment New Bedford and the Fairhaven Harbormaster. After Coast Guard assets arrived on-scene, they did not find any pollution; rather they discovered a large area of jellyfish.

09 Aug 2014

USCG Medevacs 70-Yr in Province Town Harbor

Coast Guard rescue crews medically evacuated a 70-year-old woman in Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts, Friday.  Watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England received notification at 9:06 p.m. from the woman's husband that she was bleeding uncontrollably from her mouth.  A Station Provincetown crew was training nearby aboard a 29-foot response boat small and diverted to assist.  The rescue crew took the woman aboard and transported awaiting EMS at the Provincetown Harbor Pier.  "We train constantly for at-sea medical emergencies," said Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Stokes, a watchstander at Sector Southeastern New England.  He said because the crew was already in the area, they were on scene immediately and able to transfer care quickly.

27 Jun 2014

USCG Assists Distressed Vessel off Massachusetts

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) rescue crews assisted a fishing vessel in distress by air-dropping de-watering pumps after the 53-foot Canadian flagged vessel Island Cruiser collided with the 120-foot converted ferry vessel Esperanza June 26, 2014. Watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England received notification that the Island Cruiser was being towed by the Esperanza and the tow broke causing the collision and resulting in a hole above the water line on its port quarter. After the collision, the onboard pumps on the Island Cruiser could not keep up with the flooding. Rescue crews from Air Station Cape Cod launched an MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter with two additional pumps aboard. The pumps were dropped and the vessel reported that the flooding was being controlled.

08 Jun 2014

USCG Responded To Disabled Tug 18 Mi East Of Block Island

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to reports of a disabled tug 18 miles east of Block Island, Rhode Island, Sunday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, were notified at approximately 3:30 p.m., Sunday, of an engine fire aboard the 126-foot tug Viking. The vessel’s on board fixed fire-fighting system was able to extinguish the fire, leaving the vessel disabled with 10 people aboard. The owner of the tug dispatched two relief tugs to the scene. The Viking was able to restore their engines and are transiting to Buzzards Bay under escort by the tug Sebine. None of the ten people aboard the tug were injured, and no pollution was released as a result of the fire.

17 Jan 2014

USCG Medavacs Fisherman

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reported that rescue crews from Air Station Cape Cod medically evacuated a 25-year-old fisherman approximately 35 nautical miles south of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. Friday. According to the Coast Guard report, Watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England received notification via VHF channel 16 at approximately 8:12 a.m. Friday from the fishing vessel Argo that the man was suffering from epileptic seizures. Search and rescue coordinators dispatched a rescue crew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter. The crew arrived on scene at 9:35 a.m. and safely hoisted the fisherman who was then transported to Rhode Island Hospital. His condition at this time is unknown.