Click image below for video footage of Coast Guard helicopter lowering dewatering pump to the 81-foot Gloucester, Mass. stern trawler Captain Joe

Click on image below for interviews with the crew of the Captain Joe and Coast Guard marine inspectors

Click images below for caption information

Click on the image above to download and play video of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle's arrival into Boston

BOSTON — The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, "America’s Tall Ship," arrived at the Charlestown Navy Yard, next to the USS Constitution, Friday morning, as part of their 2011 trans-Atlantic cruise celebrating the 75th anniversary of Eagle’s commissioning.

Family and friends of Eagle's crew eagerly waited on the pier as the ship pulled in with its complement of permanent crew and cadets from the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn.

Rear Adm. Daniel Neptun, commander of the First Coast Guard District, embarked the ship at anchor this morning to accompany Eagle for the transit through the harbor.

"I'm very proud of the work our crews accomplish here in the northeast," said Neptun. "Having Eagle visit Boston is an opportunity for all of us to enjoy and take pride in our enduring maritime legacy."

More information about this weekend's free public tours of Eagle is available here.

To help celebrate their 75th anniversary, Eagle's crew is hoping to reach 7,500 fans on their Facebook page. Support the ship by visiting their page here.

To view the videos and high resolution photos, please click the thumbnails.

U.S. Coast Guard members aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle transit through Boston Harbor during their 2011 Summer Training Cruise, July 22, 2011. This cruise commemorates the 75th anniversary of the ship. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rob Simpson.

U.S. Coast Guard members aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle transit through Boston Harbor during their 2011 Summer Training Cruise, July 22, 2011. This cruise commemorates the 75th anniversary of the ship. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell.

Petty Officer 1st Class Terry Crawford, a yeoman aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, hugs his daughter Selah, 5, and his son Jamieson, 8, after arriving in Boston at the Charlestown, Mass., Navy Shipyard from a three-month trip aboard the cutter, July 22, 2011. The cutter stopped in Boston for a port call during its 2011 Summer Training Cruise that commemorates the 75th anniversary of the ship. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell.

BOSTON — The U.S. Coast Guard is looking for a hoax caller that made a false distress call earlier this month in the Gloucester, Mass., area.

On July 7, 2011, Coast Guard Sector Boston received the Mayday call via VHF-FM radio channel 16 around 10p.m., stating a 24-foot pleasure craft was taking on water with two people aboard roughly 20 to 40 minutes outside Gloucester Harbor. Before losing communication with the Coast Guard, the caller stated both boaters were going to put on their life jackets. No other communications were received.

The Coast Guard launched boats and aircraft in response to the call and searched the waters of Gloucester throughout the night. The cost of the search totaled approximately $132,000.

The search was suspended the following day after no additional information was found and no missing persons were reported to the Coast Guard and local authorities.

Authorities are now utilizing advanced technologies in search and rescue missions. Rescue 21 is a system the Coast Guard utilizes to locate positions when a distress call is received. This technology helps the Coast Guard locate distressed boaters and has helped locate hoax callers.

When the Coast Guard dispatches its vessels and aircraft in cases of false distress, it not only drains limited resources, but needlessly puts our personnel at risk. Making a false distress call is a federal felony with a maximum penalty of five to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, $8,000 civil penalty and the possible reimbursement to the Coast Guard for the cost of performing the search.

Boaters are reminded that they are responsible for the safety and actions of their passengers and are encouraged to educate them about the proper use of emergency equipment including a marine VHF radio. Oftentimes passengers, especially children, may not understand the consequences of playing on the radio and reporting a false distress.

In response to the high number of calls, the Coast Guard offers a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone responsible for making a false distress or hoax call to the U.S. Coast Guard. Anyone with information regarding false distress calls is encouraged to contact the U.S. Coast Guard at (617) 557-9091.

Click here for audio of hoax Mayday call

Click here for Coast Guard responses to hoax Mayday call

Click here for CGIS hoax pamphlet

To view and download video, please click HERE

To download high resolution images, click the images below.

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, a crewman mans a weapon on the bow of a 25-foot response boat from Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team New Orleans during the annual turn around of the USS Constitution, Monday, July 4, 2011. The ship left its mooring at the Charlestown Navy Yard, transited to Castle Island, Mass., where the crew rendered a 21-gun salute at Fort Independence and fired a 17-gun salute at the Coast Guard base in Boston’s North End before returning to the navy yard. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell.

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, sailors aboard the USS Constitution climb up the ship’s rigging during the annual turn around of the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, Monday, July 4, 2011. The ship left its mooring at the Charlestown Navy Yard, transited to Castle Island, Mass., where the crew rendered a 21-gun salute at Fort Independence and fired a 17-gun salute at the Coast Guard base in Boston’s North End before returning to the navy yard. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell.

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, a Coast Guard crew from Maritime Safety and Security Team New Orleans approaches a sailboat that was getting close to a security zone the Coast Guard and several other agencies were enforcing around the USS Constitution during the annual turn around in Boston, Monday, July 4, 2011. There was a 300-yard security zone during the Constitution’s, world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, transit from its mooring at the Charlestown Navy Yard to Fort Independence on Castle Island, Mass., and back to its mooring. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell.

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the USS Constitution fires a 17-gun salute with its cannon in front of the Coast Guard base in Boston’s North End during its annual turn around, Monday, July 4, 2011. The ship left its mooring at the Charlestown Navy Yard, transited to Castle Island, Mass., where the crew rendered a 21-gun salute at Fort Independence and fired a 17-gun salute at the Coast Guard base in Boston’s North End before returning to the navy yard. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell.

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the USS Constitution transits through Boston with a security escort made up of Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and several state and local agencies during the ship’s annual turn around, Monday, July 4, 2011. The ship left its mooring at the Charlestown Navy Yard, transited to Castle Island, Mass., where the crew rendered a 21-gun salute at Fort Independence and fired a 17-gun salute at the Coast Guard base in Boston’s North End before returning to the navy yard. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell.

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine –U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England’s crew will receive a new commander during a change of command ceremony at 11:00 a.m., June 24, 2011 at the Portland Head Light in Fort Williams Park.

Rear Adm. Daniel Neptun, commander of the 1st Coast Guard District, will preside over the ceremony.

Sector Northern New England's current commander, Capt. James McPherson of Bradley Beach, N.J., will be assigned as chief of staff for the First Coast Guard District in Boston.

Capt. Christopher Roberge will assume command of Sector Northern New England. Roberge previously served as chief of prevention for Coast Guard Atlantic Area in Portsmouth, Va.

Sector Northern New England is the regional operational command overseeing all Coast Guard activities across Maine, New Hampshire, and the whole of Lake Champlain, an area that includes more than 5,000 total miles of coastline.  The sector includes 19 field units and more than 1,100 personnel.  The sector annually prosecutes more than 700 search and rescue cases, completes 2,000 recreational and commercial vessel safety and law enforcement boardings, conducts 750 U.S. and foreign vessel inspections, monitors more than 1,300 deep draft and cruise ship arrivals, and maintains 1,000 aids to navigation.  Sector units also oversee and conduct annual ice breaking operations along critical northeast waterways to facilitate commerce and to prevent dangerous and costly river flooding.

The change of command is a time-honored tradition that ensures the continuity of command.  It is a formal ceremony conducted before the entire crew.  The ceremony marks the transfer of total responsibility, authority, and accountability for the unit and the accomplishment of its assigned mission.  It is conducted according to a formally prescribed ritual, to honor and maintain traditions of the service.

Media representatives are invited to attend the change of command ceremony.  Please RSVP with Lt. Nick Barrow at (207) 767-0318 by Thursday June 23, 2011.

Technical Media Details:   A pre-fader audio feed will be provided for all media via passive XLR audio distribution press box.  Microphones will not be allowed to be mounted on podiums or speakers.

Media will be required to be set up no later than 10:30 a.m. on June 24th.  

Throw (from audio feed to camera platform): 100 ft.

Cable run (from media truck, if necessary): 400 ft.

Live truck parking available only in the vicinity of Portland Head Light Parking. Live truck operators must bring cable ramps.

Media Vehicles: Parking will be located approximately 500 yards from location of ceremony.  Drop off location within 100 yards is available.

For more information about this release contact 1^st Coast Guard District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.

PORTLAND, Maine — Four Coast Guard cutters broke ice on the Kennebec River in Maine, March 12, 2011, to prevent ice jams from forming and causing coastal flooding.

Coast Guard cutters Tackle, Bridle, Shackle and Thunder Bay conducted ice-breaking operations from Merrymeeting Bay, Maine, to the Richmond Bridge in Richmond, Maine.

Ice breaking is scheduled to continue March 14, 2011.

To download photos and video, click on the images below

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard cutters Tackle, Shackle, and Bridle break ice along the Kennebec River near the Richmond Bridge in Maine, March 12, 2011. Due to recent heavy precipitation and melting of snow and ice, the cutters broke ice in the river to prevent ice jams that could cause coastal flooding. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Nicholas Barrow.

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay breaks ice along the Kennebec River near the Richmond Bridge in Maine, March 12, 2011. The cutters Thunder Bay, Tackle, Shackle and Bridle broke ice along the river to prevent ice jams from forming and causing coastal flooding. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Nicholas Barrow.

In this video released by the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard cutters Thunder Bay, Tackle, Shackle, and Bridle break ice along the Kennebec River near the Richmond Bridge in Maine, Saturday, March 12, 2011. Due to recent heavy precipitation and melting of snow and ice, the cutters broke ice in the river to prevent ice jams that could cause coastal flooding. Coast Guard video by Lt. Nicholas Barrow.

BOSTON – U.S. Coat Guard Cutter Seneca crews towed the fishing vessel Meridian safely back to Boston, Feb. 22, 2011.

Rescue crews brought the Meridian crew to President Roads deep-water anchorages at 7:30 a.m., concluding a 35-hour operation.

The Meridian contacted Coast Guard watchstanders after becoming disabled 40-mile east of Rockland, Maine, Feb. 19, 2011. Coast Guard Cutter Grand Isle, a 110-foot patrol boat, arrived on scene and deemed the sea conditions too dangerous to take the 80-foot fishing vessel in tow.

The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca, a 270-foot High Endurance Cutter, arrived on scene February 20^th and took the vessel in tow at 8:10 p.m. for the transit to Boston.

Click Here for video

ROCKLAND, Maine – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca crewmembers monitor the tow line leading to the disabled fishing vessel Meridian during transit towards Boston, Feb. 21, 2011. The Meridian’s captain reported that the generator was having mechanical issues and the vessel was without power.  U.S. Coast Guard photo

ROCKLAND, Maine – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca tows the disabled fishing vessel Meridian towards Boston, Feb. 21, 2011. The Meridian’s captain reported that the generator was having mechanical issues and the vessel was without power. U.S. Coast Guard photo

ROCKLAND, Maine – A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca crewmember hands over a crate of supplies including food and water to the disabled fishing vessel Meridian crew during a tow towards Boston, Feb. 21, 2011. The Meridian’s captain reported that the generator was having mechanical issues and the vessel was without power. U.S. Coast Guard photo

ROCKLAND, Maine – A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca crewmember hands over a crate of supplies including food and water to the crew of the disabled fishing vessel Meridian during a tow towards Boston, Feb. 21, 2011. The Meridian’s captain reported that the generator was having mechanical issues and the vessel was without power. U.S. Coast Guard photo

For more information about this release contact 1^st District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.

PORTLAND, Maine – U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews, Scarborough Marine Patrol and good samaritans successfully worked together to rescue three mariners near Biddeford Pool, Maine, Jan. 3, 2010.

Attached below are the audio links between the Coast Guard and the captain of the Misty Dawn II.

For more information on this release, contact 1st Coast Guard District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.

Audio file One

Audio file Two

Audio file Three

To view high resolution photos, click on images below

Sea World Orlando turtle expert, Dan Conklin, unloads 20 sea turtles from a US Coast Guard Ocean Sentry before taking them to Sea World for intensive and hands-on care, Sun., Dec. 12, 2010. The Kemp’s Ridley were flown to Orlando from the New England Aquarium where they had been treated for severe hypothermia. The endangered turtles were rescued from the frigid waters of Cape Cod Bay in November. Sea World veterinarians, will care for the turtles until they are strong enough to be returned to the wild. Photo courtesy of Sea World.

Sea World Orlando turtle expert, Clay Williams, places a Kemp’s Ridley into a rehabilitation pool after 20 sea turtles arrived at the park, Sun. Dec. 12, 2010. The turtles were rescued from the near-freezing waters of Cape Cod Bay in November and have been rehabilitating at the New England Aquarium. Sea World’s experts will provide hands-on care until the turtles are strong enough to be returned to the wild. Photo courtesy of Sea World.

To view and download video click on image below

Twenty endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles arrive at an airport in Orlando, Fla., after they were flown from Hanscom Air Force Base in Lincoln, Mass., by a Mobile, Ala., based aircrew, Sun., Dec. 12, 2010. The turtles were found on beaches in Cape Cod, Mass., and will continue their rehabilitation at Sea World in Orlando before potentially released back into the wild. Video courtesy of Sea World.