Coast Guard Station Humboldt Bay rescue crew members, from left, Seaman Noah Perry, Petty Officer 2nd Class Torre Taylor, Seaman Jacob Roberds, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Louis Ciccoli, pause for a photo after saving two fishermen from the surf after a wave overturned their 16-foot boat off a jetty near Samoa, Calif., Thursday, May 23, 2013. Station Humboldt Bay has two 47-foot Motor Lifeboats and a 25-foot response boat to assist distressed boaters. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/940125/coast-guard-rescue-crew#.UZ-nZuBspm0#ixzz2UEX1X6Qx

ALAMEDA, Calif. - A Northern California Coast Guard boat crew rescued two fishermen from the surf yesterday when their 16-foot recreational vessel was overturned by a wave.

The two men were clinging to the hull of the boat in 12-14 feet of breaking surf when the Station Humboldt Bay rescue crew arrived on scene and threw them a life line.

"One of the men was able to swim to the line and grab hold, but the other was too cold to let go of the boat," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Torre Taylor, the coxswain on the rescue boat. "He swam back and grabbed him and the crew pulled them to the boat."

"It was my first time seeing everything come together," said Seaman Noah Perry, a newly-qualified crewman. "And even though it was really intense, and we took a few breakers, everyone fell back on their training. It felt really good." 

The Coast Guard received the report from a good Samaritan who witnessed the event, and he stayed on scene to help vector the Coast Guard crew to the rescue. Thanks to his efforts, the Coast Guard was able to take the two men to shore, where one of the survivors was transferred to local emergency management services and treated for hypothermia. The two men were wearing life jackets, and the Coast Guard would like to remind everyone of the importance of a properly-fitting life jacket. Other safety equipment includes, hypothermic kits or first aid kits, flares, survival knife and strobe lights.

This case is a good reminder of the importance of boating safety. A small-craft advisory is in effect for much of the California coast. Boaters are strongly encouraged to monitor the weather conditions before heading out and while underway. For marine weather forecast click here. (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/)

While many boaters rely on cell phones for emergency communications on the water, VHF-FM radios are the most reliable forms of communication in the marine environment and work in areas where cell phones sometimes may not.  Additionally, when a mayday is broadcast over VHF-FM channel 16, the international hailing and distress frequency, response agencies and other nearby boaters can hear the distress call and offer immediate assistance. It is also a good idea for a boater to carry a cell phone in a waterproof container as a backup form of communication.

The Coast Guard also highly recommends all mariners equip their boats with emergency position-indicating radio beacons or personal locator beacons. EPIRBs and PLBs may be activated manually by the push of a button or automatically when coming in contact with water, depending on the model.

"Anyone can purchase an EPIRB at a marine supply store," said Rear Adm. Karl Schultz, commanding officer for the 11th Coast Guard District. "When a vessel in distress, the EPIRB will float free automatically sending a signal which will be picked up by satellite and rescue coordination center worldwide will know the exact location."

If there are any signs of distress, never hesitate to contact emergency crews for help. Call for help at the first signs of distress, and the Coast Guard is always standing by on marine channel 16. 

Coast Guard Rear Adm. Karl Schultz, 11th District commander, speaks about the importance of being prepared for National Safe Boating Week, at Coast Guard Base Alameda, Calif., Friday, April 12, 2013. The purpose of NSBA, which runs from May 18 - 24, is to educate individuals about the importance of boater safety and life jacket use. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Barry Bena. Also available in high definition

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/video/290434/rear-adm-karl-schultz-safe-boating-week-2013#.UZ-moeBspm0#ixzz2UEWCqTym

Capt. Mohammad Nazmul Karim Kislu heads a formation of Bangladesh navy sailors during the transfer and decommissioning ceremony of the Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis held on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Thursday, May 23, 2013. The Jarvis was commissioned in 1972 and will be transferred to the Bangladesh navy as the BNS Somudra Joy. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Pamela J. Boehland

U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, Pacific Area commander, and Vice Adm. Muhammad Farid Habib, Chief of Naval Staff for the Bangladesh navy, sign the official paperwork to transfer the Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis to the Bangladesh navy during a decommissioning and transfer ceremony held on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Thursday, May 23, 2013. The Jarvis was commissioned in 1972 and became the BNS Somudra Joy. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Pamela J. Boehland

Crew members of the BNS Somudra Joy, a Bangladesh navy ship and the former U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, hoist the Bangladesh flag on the stern of the ship following the official transfer ceremony held on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Thursday May 23, 2013. Commissioned in 1972, Jarvis is the fourth in its class of High Endurance Cutters to be decommissioned. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Pamela J. Boehland

Crew members of the BNS Somudra Joy, a Bangladesh navy ship and the former U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, march to the ship during the official transfer ceremony held on Coast Guard Island, Alameda, Calif., Thursday, May 23, 2013. Commissioned in 1972, the Jarvis was the fourth in its class of High Endurance Cutters to be decommissioned to be replaced by National Security Cutters. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Pamela J. Boehland

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, a 378-foot High Endurance Cutter homeported in Alameda, was decommissioned and transferred to the Bangladesh navy as the BNS Somudra Joy during a ceremony on Coast Guard Island in Alameda Thursday. 

A 20-member team from the Bangladesh navy, led by prospective commanding officer Capt. Mohammad Nazmul Karim Kislu, arrived in Alameda in March to begin preparations to receive the Jarvis. An additional 70 members of the Bangladesh crew arrived in May. Until the BNS Sumudra Joy's departure from California later this year, 26 former Jarvis crew members will serve as advisors and assist the Bangladesh crew.

Commissioned in 1972, the Jarvis was the fourth in its class of High Endurance Cutters to be replaced by the National Security Cutters.

The National Security Cutters, compared to 378-foot cutters, is designed to provide better sea-keeping and higher sustained transit speeds, greater endurance and range, and the ability to launch and recover small boats from astern, as well as aviation support facilities and a flight deck for helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. For more information click here.

LOS ANGELES - Nearly 250 first responders participated in a National Preparedness Response Exercise Program in Los Angeles including U.S. Coast Guard, Chevron, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, NOAA, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Los Angeles County Fire Department, El Segundo Fire Department, Oiled Wildlife Care Network, Marine Spill Response Corporation, National Response Corporation, The Response Group, CardnoEntrix, Clean Harbors, Environmental Science Services, and Gallagher Marine. Several other local first responders attended the exercise as observers, May 14, 2013.  

The National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) is designed to test oil spill response plans of certain vessels and facilities. The PREP was developed to provide a mechanism for compliance with the exercise requirements, while being economically feasible for the government and oil industry to adopt and sustain. The PREP is a unified federal effort and satisfies the exercise requirements of the Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety, and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Completion of the PREP exercises will satisfy all OPA 90 mandated federal oil pollution response exercise requirements.

The outcome of the exercise resulted in improved communication and multi-agency response capabilities in the event of an actual incident of this type.

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- A Coast Guard helicopter aircrew rescued an injured paraglider off a Daly City, Calif., cliff Tuesday night.

At approximately 9 p.m., Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders received notification of a paraglider sailing into the side of a cliff at Mussel Rock. Due to the nature of the terrain, and the extent of his injuries, San Mateo County Fire Rescue personnel ashore requested Coast Guard air assistance.

A Coast Guard aircrew from Air Station San Francisco was diverted from nighttime training to assist. Once on scene, the aircrew hoisted the injured paraglider and transferred him ashore to an awaiting civilian medical transport helicopter.

For video of the rescue, click HERE.

SAN FRANCISCO — A 100-yard safety zone has been established around an America’s Cup Team Artemis vessel that capsized in San Francisco Bay today.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco command center were notified at approximately 1:00 p.m. of the vessel capsizing near Treasure Island while practicing.

The Artemis 72, a Swedish-flagged vessel, had 12 people aboard when it capsized. All 12 people were taken out of the water by the America’s Cup support vessels. One of the crewmembers was transported to the Saint Francis Memorial Hospital.  

Crews from two 45-foot response boat – mediums from Coast Guard Stations Golden Gate and San Francisco along with the Coast Guard Cutter Pike, an 87-foot coastal patrol boat, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station San Francisco responded to the incident. Crews from the San Francisco Fire Department and Police Department also responded.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Coast Guard rescued 14 passengers after their tour boat caught fire near San Francisco Bay, Sunday, May 5, 2013.

At approximately 5:27 p.m., the Coast Guard received a call from a San Francisco Duck Tour boat after smoke was spotted coming from the engine compartment while underway along the San Francisco waterfront. The Coast Guard launched a 45-foot response boat from Station San Francisco, and a Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station San Francisco. The San Francisco Fire Department also launched a fire boat to assist.

When the Coast Guard and fire department assets arrived on scene, all passengers were wearing personal flotation devices. The fire suppression system onboard the tour boat had been activated by the vessel's operator. The rescue boat crew took 14 of the passengers to Pier 52, and a vessel salvage company, West Star Marine, towed the tour boat back to Pier 52.

There were no reported injuries. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of fire.

A warden with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife assists the Coast Guard with a series of fisheries boardings near Morro Bay, Calif., Friday, May 3, 2013. The boardings were a mix of recreational boating safety and fisheries to coincide with Near Shore Rock fish season, a state fishery that opened on May 1. Coast Guard photo by ENS Brandon Earhart

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Coast Guard is partnering with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and state law enforcement agencies to conduct fisheries and recreational safety boardings near Morro Bay and Port San Luis this weekend.

The boardings will be a mix of recreational boating safety and fisheries boardings to coincide with Near Shore Rock fish season, a state fishery that opened on May 1, and salmon, which is a federally regulated fishery.

“Some boaters have had their vessels sitting under tarps for months; they're so excited about fishing season that they often forget to check their safety gear,” said Ensign Brandon Earhart of the Coast Guard’s 11th District.

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife provides a great deal of in-depth knowledge, and the Coast Guard provides the jurisdictional authority,” said Coast Guard Lt. Cody Dunagan, a living marine resources officer with the Coast Guard’s 11th District in Alameda, Calif., who also said that the end goal of the boardings is to not only keep boaters safe, but to help maintain a delicate balance in the marine ecosystem.

“There’s a certain amount of effort that can go into fishing for a specific species, based on a number of factors, and still allow the species to continue to recycle itself,” said Dunagan.

“From an environmental standpoint, we’re seeing a definite recovery of salmon and salmon stock in the California area,” said Dunagan.  “But we have to be cognizant of adherence to the regulations in order to avoid depleting stocks again now that commercial salmon is such a viable industry and recreational fishing is such a viable sport.  We want to make sure that the public is aware of what those regulations are, and that our enforcement efforts are mirroring the fishing efforts so that we don’t deplete the stocks again. That’s really what we’re trying to do.”

The Coast Guard would also like to remind inland fishermen who are used to fishing on rivers to be aware and prepared for hazardous conditions by making sure they’re equipped for open waters, versus working on a closed body such as a lake, or fishing from the edge of a river.  Dress for the water temperature. Though the air may be warm, the water is still cold.

Boaters should check all required safety equipment to be sure it is in good working order, to include radios, flares and floatation devices. The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides free vessel safety exams.  Contact the flotilla nearest you for more information.  File a float plan before getting underway, and be sure to have U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejackets aboard.

Federal fisheries regulations

National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- After the recent deaths of three abalone divers, the Coast Guard would like to remind those recreating near the water to play it safe.

These deaths are a reminder of the hazards swimmers face on the Northern California Coast; the force of the Pacific Ocean should not be underestimated.

The warm weather draws crowds to beaches, and abalone harvesting is in season until the end of June. Strong currents and rip tides can occur at any time of year and, coupled with fridgid water temperatures, the Pacific Ocean can be deadly even for strong swimmers. The constantly changing conditions along the coast mean that abalone divers need to study the water for several minutes before deciding if they should go in. Additionally, divers should never go alone and always use the buddy system. Divers need to be aware of bluff edges and cliffs, and the hazards of diving near kelp.

Abalone divers often use a weight belt to help them fish; divers should drop their weight belt at the first sign of trouble. Divers should also avoid rough surf, watch out for rogue waves, know the warning signs of hypothermia, and have a game plan in place for emergency situations.

"All too often the Coast Guard is called out to rescue people from the water, and three deaths in one weekend are especially alarming," said Rear Adm. Karl Schultz, 11th District commander. "However, with the warm weather upon us, divers, swimmers, boaters, beach goers, and everyone playing near the water need to stay safe to prevent accidents from occuring."

Water safety is everyone's responsibility. Abalone diving is a rigorous sport; divers should know the risks of abalone fishing, and strive to keep themselves and others safe.

VIDEO

ALAMEDA, Calif.— A Coast Guard aircrew flew approximately 1,000 miles to airdrop a container of life-saving blood to a cruise ship west of San Francisco, Wednesday.

Personnel aboard the cruise ship Oosterdam contacted the Coast Guard at approximately 9:45 a.m. requesting medical assistance for an ailing passenger. The ship’s onboard doctor was treating the 68-year-old woman for internal bleeding. A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted and recommended an airdrop of blood.

At approximately 5:01 p.m., Coast Guard C-130 Hercules aircrew from Air Station Sacramento, Calif., successfully dropped two units of blood, received from a local blood bank in Sacramento, via parachute, to medical personnel aboard the Oosterdam.

The cruise ship will maintain communication with the Coast Guard until it pulls into port in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday.

Coast Guard aircraft are equipped to drop lifesaving equipment to surface vessels and people. Life rafts, radios, emergency rations and medical supplies are the most common, but flexibility in operations is necessary in order to save lives at sea. 

“We just completed two weeks of standardization training and were certainly well-prepared for this mission,” said Capt. Michael Eagle, commanding officer of Air Station Sacramento. “I’m proud my crew were able to assist, and we wish only the very best for the patient.”