Date: Jan. 20, 2010
Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class James Rhodes
(617) 223-8515

BOSTON — The Coast Guard was notified at 10:56 a.m., Wednesday Jan. 20, 2010, of a fire on board the ferry Aurora near Spectacle Island in Boston.

The crew of the Aurora notified the Coast Guard of the fire on VHF-FM channel 16 before they used the boat’s installed CO2 fire extinguishing system to put out the fire.

Coast Guard Station Point Allerton responded with a 41-foot utility boatcrew and were on scene at around 11:21 a.m.

At around 11:34 a.m., the five crew members from the Aurora were accounted for and safely ashore. There were no passengers aboard.

The Aurora is currently moored at Spectacle Island where the fire has been put out and the engine compartment is being vented.

The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the situation and will ensure repairs are made before the vessel returns to service.

“Because of the crew’s swift action, they were able to control the situation and arrive safely ashore,” said Ensign Warren Rivera, operations controller at Coast Guard Sector Boston. “We are glad everyone is safe and we will continue to monitor the situation.”

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Date: Jan. 19, 2010
Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class James Rhodes
(617) 223-8515

BOSTON —The Coast Guard is monitoring the clean up of an oil spill near the Weymouth Fore River Bridge in Weymouth, Mass., Tuesday Jan. 19, 2010.

The source of the oil is the sunken tug Jenkins, which was refloated and removed from the water at around 6:29 p.m., Monday Jan. 18, 2010.

The Coast Guard received notification from the Braintree Fire Department at 6:45 p.m., Monday, that they were on scene with the tug and there were about 25-50 gallons of oil between two barges on either side of the tug’s location.

Currently RDA, the owner of the tug, is in the process of booming off the spill and has assumed responsibility for the clean up. The tug has been removed from the water and there is about a 100-yard sheen inside the Weymouth Fore River Bridge and about a 10-yard sheen outside the bridge. The Coast Guard has a response team on scene and will continue to monitor the clean up.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation,” said Chief Petty Officer Lisa Machon, situation unit controller at Coast Guard Sector Boston. “It is our goal to ensure that the spill is cleaned up in a timely manner with little impact to the environment.”

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Date: Jan. 12, 2010
Contact: Public Affairs
(617) 223-8515

BURLINGTON, Vt. — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Tues., Jan. 12, 2010, that Coast Guard Station Burlington is scheduled to receive a new air boat Tues., Jan. 19, 2010, to assist in ice rescues on Lake Champlain. 

The new airboat will be one of the many tools that Station Burlington uses to increase its response and on-scene times. The importance of the new rescue equipment was highlighted last weekend when a tragic snowmobile accident on Lake Dunmore claimed three lives. 

In addition to unusually thin ice this year, ferry operations, due to the demolition of the Crown’s Point Bridge between Crown’s Point, NY, and Chimney Point, Vt., may create a hazard by loosening ice in areas that have traditionally been frozen solid.

“We hope to prevent tragic outcomes on Lake Champlain like the recent tragic snowmobile accident on Lake Dunmore,” said Cdr. Phillip Thorne, the chief of response for Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. “The new airboat will significantly enhance the station’s ice rescue response time on Lake Champlain, but we are also urging people to stay off the ice.”

“People need to be extra careful whenever they go on frozen lakes and ponds,” said U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). “With potentially treacherous conditions on the ice each winter, I am very pleased that the Coast Guard is sending Burlington this new air boat that will provide a quicker response to winter emergencies.”

Leahy advocated for the Coast Guard to obtain an airboat in Burlington last summer upon learning of the value it would add to search and rescue responses in Vermont.

Station personnel will receive training on the new boat prior to responding to search and rescue cases with the new airboat on Lake Champlain. The training will focus on the safe operation of the boat and proper maintenance.

Currently, Coast Guard members must walk carrying all of their equipment to any ice rescue scenes, which can take valuable time in rescue efforts. With the airboat, which goes over ice and water, the Coast Guard will be able to reach more incidents and get there faster. 

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Date: Jan. 8, 2010
Contact: Al Johnson
(617) 223-8464

BOSTON — Recreational boating and paddling fatalities on waters of the Northeast’s First Coast Guard District have decreased for the second year in a row.

The First Coast Guard District recorded a preliminary total of 50 deaths during 2009. There were 55 fatalities in 2008 and 58 fatalities in 2007. Capsizing or falling overboard while not wearing a life jacket was the main factor.

Similar to past years, fatalities were evenly divided between motorized and non-motorized vessels with 25 deaths in each category. Twelve canoe and five kayak fatalities accounted for 34 percent of total fatalities.

Due to the tremendous growth in kayaking over the past decade and the long-standing interest in canoeing, Northeast paddlesport fatalities are typically double the national average.

“Looking back to last year and as we do every year, our primary message is simply wear your life jacket,” said Al Johnson, the recreational boating specialist for First Coast Guard District. “Whether you listen to the Coast Guard, our state partners, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons or other boating and paddling safety organizations, the message is the same – wear your life jacket.”

Johnson said more likely than not, wearing a life jacket could’ve made a difference for the majority of this past year’s boating and paddling fatalities.

“As I always say,” said Johnson, “a life jacket isn’t guaranteed to save your life but it does guarantee a better chance to survive. And, realistically speaking, if you aren’t prepared for what can go wrong on the water and practice proper procedure, if you’re called upon to save yourself or render aid to others, it can easily be with great difficulty or tragic consequence.  Plain and simple - a life jacket can make a difference.”

With boaters and paddlers need to be properly prepared and attired for sudden coldwater immersion, said Johnson.

“Cold water kills,” Johnson said. “Regardless of the activity, with water temperatures between 40-degrees and frozen, it is imperative to dress to get wet. If you’re not wearing a dry suit or a wet suit and a Coast Guard approved life jacket, you shouldn’t be on the water.”

Over the past several days, three duck hunters capsized in New Hampshire, two capsized in Connecticut and a southern New York man capsized a canoe while attempting to rescue a dog – fortunately, all survived, Johnson said.

Johnson reminds paddlers that life jacket wear is mandatory on Massachusetts and Connecticut waters through mid-May, in Maine on the Saco River between the Hiram Dam and the ocean through June 1st and in New York on all vessels under 21-feet through May 1st.

Johnson recommends that boaters and paddlers who have not yet taken an approved boater education course to utilize the winter months to do so. Courses are available through the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons or with state, private or Internet providers. Additional course information can be found at the following websites or by calling the BoatUS course line at 1-800-336-BOAT:

            U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary – www.cgaux.org

            U.S. Power Squadrons – www.usps.org

            U.S. Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety – www.uscgboating.org

            National Association of State Boating Law Administrators –  www.nasbla.org 

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Date: Jan. 7, 2010
Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell
(617) 406-9011

BOSTON — The Coast Guard is urging mariners currently using United States Long Range Aids to Navigation (Loran-C), to ensure they have a GPS navigation system aboard their vessels and become familiar with it prior to Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, when the Coast Guard will cease transmission of the Loran-C signal.

Once the signal transmission is terminated, mariners will not be able to rely on the Loran-C stations, including those in Caribou, Maine, and Nantucket, Mass., for navigation.

As a result of technological advancements during the last 20 years and the emergence of the U.S. Global Positioning System, Loran-C is no longer required by the armed forces, the transportation sector or the nation's security interests, continued funding is no longer a prudent use of taxpayer money.

The Canadian-American Loran Chain is bound by a bilateral agreement, and will continue to transmit for a longer period.  It is currently estimated that this signal will cease transmission in June of 2010.

The Loran-C system was not established as, nor was it intended to be, a viable systemic backup for GPS. If a single, domestic national system to back up GPS is identified as being necessary, the Department of Homeland Security will complete an analysis of potential backups to GPS. The continued active operation of the 52-year old Loran-C system is not necessary to advance this evaluation.

President Barack Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget supported the termination of outdated systems and specifically cited the terrestrial-based North American Loran-C system as such an example. The president did not seek funding for the Loran-C system in fiscal year 2010. Termination was also directed through the enactment of the 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.

The notice may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov, docket number: USCG-2009-0299. For more information on terminations, reductions and savings contained in the fiscal year 2010 budget, including Loran-C, visit www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/TRS/.

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Date: Dec. 31, 2009
Contact: Public Affairs
(617) 223-8515

PORTLAND, Maine — In 2009, Sector Northern New England responded to 660 cases and saved countless lives. The August rescue of two off Acadia National Park highlights the level of commitment and professionalism that Coast Guard men and women demonstrate every day to rescue those in peril.

As Hurricane Bill sped up the East coast of the United States, Acadia National Park visitors viewed the massive swells generated by the storm near Thunder Hole inside the park. A large sell knocked dozens of people to the ground, many of which suffered injuries. Seven people were swept off a ledge into the ocean. Four of those people were able to swim to safety but a man and two children were carried out into the surf.

A Coast Guard 47-foot motor lifeboat crew was training in the area and responded to the rescue call. A rescue controller from Sector Northern New England’s Command Center in Portland coordinated the boat crew’s efforts and Coast Guard jet and helicopter crews from Cape Cod, Mass.

Through the coordinated effort, Peter Axilrod, 56 of New York, N.Y, and Simone Pelletier, 12, of Belfast, Maine, were rescued after about an hour in the surf. Seven-year-old Clio Axilrod, who had no vital signs when she was recovered, could not be revived despite the efforts of the rescue crew and a medical team at a nearby hospital.

Coast Guard Sector Northern New England is proud to protect and serve the people, mariners, and communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. 2009 was a busy year as Coast Guard personnel from the region rescued and responded to many dramatic scenes.

In a series of releases beginning Dec. 22, 2009, ten of the most interesting Coast Guard moments from the past year in Northern New England will be recapped. For additional information please contact the on call Public Affairs representative at the number listed above.

* Please Click the below images for video.  Video is courtesy the Associated Press and the U.S. Coast Guard *

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Date: Dec. 30, 2009
Contact: Public Affairs
(617) 223-8515

PORTLAND, Maine — Sector Northern New England personnel face a variety of environmental challenges, especially during search and rescue operations. The rocky shoreline and severe weather strengthens the cooperation the Coast Guard has with other federal, state and local agencies to perform dangerous and complex rescues of injured people.

In mid July, Coast Guard Station Southwest Harbor, Maine, joined with the National Park Service to rescue an injured rock climber off Otter Cliffs in Acadia National Park. It was determined that a waterside rescue was the safest and quickest option. The woman climber was safely removed from the rocks and transported to land by a Coast Guard rescue boat.

Coast Guard Sector Northern New England is proud to protect and serve the people, mariners, and communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. 2009 was a busy year as Coast Guard personnel from the region rescued and responded to many dramatic scenes.

In a series of releases beginning Dec. 22, 2009, ten of the most interesting Coast Guard moments from the past year in Northern New England will be recapped. For additional information please contact the on call Public Affairs representative at the number listed above.

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Date: Dec. 29, 2009
Contact: Public Affairs
(617) 223-8515

PORTLAND, Maine — Every year 174 million barrels of oil come into the Sector Northern New England area making environmental protection paramount. As seen in this case, the men and women of Sector Northern New England demonstrate a high level or readiness on a day-to-day basis in support of that mission.

June 2, 2009 – The tanker Asphalt Seminole reported the accidental discharge of PG 64-28 Asphalt from the Sprague Energy Terminal in South Portland. The discharge size was only 20 bbls due to the quick response efforts. The potential for discharge was 40,000 bbls.

Coast Guard Sector Northern New England is proud to protect and serve the people, mariners, and communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. 2009 was a busy year as Coast Guard personnel from the region rescued and responded to many dramatic scenes.

In a series of releases beginning Dec. 22, 2009, ten of the most interesting Coast Guard moments from the past year in Northern New England will be recapped. For additional information please contact the on call Public Affairs representative at the number listed above.

* Click the image below to link to video of asphalt recovery operations. *

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Date: Dec. 28, 2009
Contact: Public Affairs
(617) 223-8515

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Coast Guard personnel along with state and local officials monitored and maintained a safety zone around the Lake Champlain Bridge that was brought down at 10 a.m. Monday.

The historic bridge was over 80 years old and had been closed to traffic for months leading up to today’s demolition.

Personnel from Coast Guard Station Burlington, Vt., worked closely with both New York and Vermont state agencies to enforce a 1,500-foot safety zone that surrounded the bridge.

“Coast Guard crews on a station 25-foot response boat maintained the safety zone on the north side of the bridge that had open water,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Zahn, executive petty officer at Station Burlington. “Coast Guard crews augmented state officials in airboats on the south side of the bridge where Lake Champlain was covered in ice,” said Zahn.

Mr. Ed Green, Sector Northern New England marine inspector, has been coordinating resources with other state and local agencies for months leading up to today’s demolition. He participated in the joint incident command that controlled the safety zone, demolition project and other security measures.

Now with the bridge down, regular ferry service will begin transporting both passengers and vehicles between New York and Vermont, a trip that should take about five minutes. Two ferry boats and temporary docks on both sides of the lake will be in place by the end of January. The ferry service will run until the new bridge is complete, which is scheduled for sometime in 2011.

The Coast Guard wants to remind people using Lake Champlain for recreation purposes that the ferry service will compromise ice thickness and safety to some degree in the area where the ferry is transiting. People should stay well away from the area where the ferry is transiting to ensure their safety. While the Coast Guard does maintain ice rescue teams on the lake, they can be up to an hour away from where the ferry is located, making a sudden emersion in the freezing waters life threatening.

                                         *High resolution images of Coast Guard operations can be found by clicking the linked images below*

*Please click the image below to be linked to video of the bridge demolition*

Video provided by New York State Department of Transportation

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Date: Dec. 28, 2009
Contact: Public Affairs
(617) 223-8515

PORTLAND, Maine — Ice breaking in the Northeast is a unique mission that is critical for local commerce as the Kennebec River is used by barges year round transporting goods. If the ice is not tended promptly, the entire shipping lane is completely shut down until late spring. In addition, breaking ice on the Kennebec River is crucial for flood relief because it frees the flow of water allowing the Kennebec River to act as a large drain for the spring run off.

 * Click the image below to link to video of Coast Guard ice operations on the Kennebec River. *

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