NEW YORK – Ted Williams, Sales and Marine Safety Coordinator with Hercules Securing Lifting and Rigging, demonstrates the proper use of a fire extinguisher during a passenger vessel safety event held at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y., Wednesday, May 17, 2012.  The event was designed to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – Ted Williams, Sales and Marine Safety Coordinator with Hercules Securing Lifting and Rigging, demonstrates the proper use of an Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon during a passenger vessel safety event held at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y., Wednesday, May 17, 2012.  The event was designed to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – Coast Guard Auxiliarist Michael Doherty reviews the procedures of a vessel safety inspection with the captains and crews of vessels during a passenger vessel safety event held at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y., Wednesday, May 17, 2012. The event was designed to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – A six-person life raft is inflated for demonstration on the grounds of Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y, Wednesday, May 17, 2012, during a passenger vessel safety event held to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK - Ted Williams, Sales and Marine Safety Coordinator with Hercules Securing Lifting and Rigging, demonstrates the life-saving capabilities of a six-person life raft inflated on the grounds of Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y, Wednesday, May 17, 2012.  The demonstration was part of a passenger vessel safety event held to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and New York Sea Grant program hosted a Safety at Sea training event today at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y.

The event, conducted by Coast Guard certified fishing vessel drill instructors and designed for vessel masters, operators and crews of uninspected passenger vessels and local charter vessels, featured an overview of safety standards and demonstrations throughout the day.  Participants were educated on a variety of safety issues including firefighting, lifesaving, CPR/first aid, drug and alcohol testing requirements, licensing and the proper use, fit and function of marine survival equipment.

“Our goal today was reaching commercial fisherman and charter boat captains.  By reviewing the safety equipment, they’ll be able to help themselves in the event of a search and rescue situation.  The life raft will help keep them safe from the elements.  The EPIRB will show us where to find them.  If we can help them, it’ll help us,” said Petty Officer 2^nd Class Brian Giunta, a machinery technician at Station Montauk.

“Today went great,” said Ted Williams, Sales and Marine Safety Coordinator with Hercules Securing Lifting and Rigging, whose survival gear demonstration included the discharge of a fire extinguisher, the deployment of a (dud) flare and the inflation of a six-person life raft on the station’s grounds.  “If what we did will help save a life, it’s worth it.  I’ll train one person if I have to.  One or one hundred, it doesn’t matter.” 

“We had a diverse group today,” said Williams, “and I got some good feedback from them.  It’s important to know what’s getting through and to bring them into the culture of safety. They’ll go back to their boatman’s association meetings and they’ll talk about what they saw today.  It opens their eyes.  The word will get out.  One guy came up to me after the event and said he was going to go home and check the batteries on his lights.”

NEW YORK – A Coast Guard law enforcement team terminated a vessel voyage in Sandy Hook Bay, N.J., Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

While performing a routine vessel safety check on a 19-foot pleasure craft with one person onboard, the crew from Coast Guard Cutter Chinook noted three violations: no life jackets, Type IV flotation device or sound-producing device.

The crew of the Chinook terminated the voyage and escorted the vessel to Atlantic Highlands Marina. The man was fishing for clams when he was boarded by the Coast Guard.

“We terminated the vessel voyage for the safety of the passenger onboard,” said Chief Petty Officer Rodger Krass, a Sector New York command duty officer. “The person was not properly equipped to be on the water.”

Although the outside air temperatures are warming up, water temperatures are still very cold, and sea conditions can present unforeseen challenges. Proper safety equipment can save your life in an emergency.

The public is invited to explore a variety of Coast Guard rescue boats and witness a Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., conduct a search and rescue demonstration with a Station New Haven Rescue boat crew.

Also at the open house:

• Local police and fire department units will offer demonstrations of their vehicles and equipment.

• Coast Guard Auxiliary and New Haven Power Squadrons will be available to discuss boating safety and “paddle smart” activities.

• Environmental organizations, such as the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, will be available to discuss issues that affect Long Island Sound.

• A U.S. Air National Guard Black Hawk Helicopter will be on display and the crew will be available to talk to the public.

WHO: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound and partnering agencies

WHAT: Annual open house, admission is free. Participants include: CG Station New Haven, Conn., Air National Guard, New Haven and West Haven Fire Dept., New Haven, Milford and Branford Police Dept., Conn. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, International Ice Patrol, Sea Cadets, USCG Auxiliary and the TSA.

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound

             120 Woodward Ave, New Haven, Conn.

WHY: National Safe Boating Week.

Hot dogs, burgers, chips, sodas and a variety of baked goods will be for sale.

This is a great opportunity for the public to ask questions and learn about the various Coast Guard missions within the Connecticut and Long Island area.  There will be plenty of information to help educate people on how to stay safe on the water this summer.

It is important to note that the Coast Guard does not work alone in its efforts to rescue people in distress and protect the environment.  The open house also serves as a way to maintain and highlight important relationships federal, state and local agencies that participate in search and rescue efforts in the area.

NEW YORK - A Coast Guard rescue boat crew medically evacuated two men from a tanker anchored at Stapleton Anchorage in New York Harbor, Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

The crew of the tanker Aztec called the Coast Guard requesting medical assistance at 11:28 a.m. for a 60-year-old man reportedly suffering from symptoms of a heart attack.

The Coast Guard rescue crew from Station New York, with an emergency medical technician onboard, evacuated the man from the Aztec to provide medical attention and transportation to shore. The man was transferred to local emergency medical services personnel waiting on Staten Island.

In a second call shortly after the first rescue, the crew of the Aztec again radioed the Coast Guard requesting medical assistance for a 58-year-old-man reportedly suffering from symptoms of a seizure.

The Station New York rescue boat crew returned to the Aztec and safely evacuated the second man from the vessel. He was transferred to local emergency medical services personnel waiting on Staten Island.

Both men were taken to Staten Island University Hospital.

"It was unusual to have two medevacs from the same vessel," said Lt. Cmdr. Jason C. Aleksak, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station New York. “Fortunately we were able to provide the attention both patients needed and get them to further medical care."

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and New York Sea Grant program will host a no-cost Safety at Sea training event Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y.

The event, conducted by Coast Guard certified fishing vessel drill instructors, will feature demonstrations throughout the day and is designed for vessel masters, operators and crews of uninspected passenger vessels.

The program will offer training on a variety of safety issues including firefighting, lifesaving, CPR/first aid, drug and alcohol testing requirements, licensing and more.

Passenger vessel exams will be conducted dockside at the station, but must be pre-scheduled through Antoinette Clemetson, New York Sea Grant coordinator. Call (631) 727-3910 to reserve a spot for the event and make an appointment for vessel exams. Space is limited.

Please dress appropriately (no sandals, wear full length pants, cap)

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Coast Guard Station Montauk
69 Star Island Road
Montauk, NY  11954

NEW YORK - The search effort to locate a reported person in the water near West Haven, Conn., has been suspended after rescue crews were unable to locate any signs of distress this morning.

The search was suspended at approximately 10 a.m. after Coast Guard air and boat crews along with local agencies, searched throughout the night and into the morning and were unable to find any debris.

At 10 p.m., Friday, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound watchstanders in New Haven, Conn., received a distress call on VHF-FM channel 16 from a male caller reporting he had struck a reef off of West Haven and his boat was taking on water. The caller advised he was shooting flares and abandoning ship. No further contact with the boat was made.

“Coast Guard and local agencies conducted an extensive searched for 12 hours covering more than 500 square miles based on the information we received,” said Peter Winters, the search and rescue coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. “We have decided to suspend our active search pending the development of new information.

The Coast Guard received no reports of any vessel being overdue or unaccounted for.

Agencies involved in the search:

• HU-25 Falcon rescue jet crew from Air Station Cape Cod, Mass.
• MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod, Mass.
• 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Chinook, homeported in New London, Conn.
• 45-foot rescue boat crew from Station New Haven
• West Haven Fire Dept.
• Branford Fire Dept.
• East Haven Police Dept.
• Branford commercial salvage company

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard is searching for a possible person in the water near West Haven, Conn., Saturday.

At 10 p.m., Friday, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound watchstanders in New Haven, Conn., received a distress call on VHF-FM channel 16 from a male caller reporting he had struck a reef off of West Haven and his boat was taking on water. The caller advised he was shooting flares and abandoning ship.

The command center issued an emergency broadcast requesting assistance from any vessels operating in the area to lend assistance in the search. The Coast Guard launched a rescue boat crew from Station New Haven and a MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod, Mass.

Another vessel in the area reported seeing a red flare in the vicinity of the distressed vessel.

NEW YORK – A Coast Guard rescue boat crew medically evacuated a crewmember from a fishing vessel near Shinnecock, N.Y., May 10, 2012.

The crew of the fishing vessel Good News II notified the Coast Guard requesting medical assistance for a 63-year-old crewmember, who was suffering from a medical illness.

A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted and determined the crewmember’s condition needed medical attention and recommended he be transported off the vessel, which was directed to transit inbound to Shinnecock.

A Coast Guard boat crew from Station Shinnecock transferred the crewmember off the vessel to their boat and transported him to shore to awaiting emergency medical services

“We quickly transited out to meet the fishing vessel and safely transferred the patient to our boat,” said Petty Officer­­­­­ 2^nd Class Patrick Rogers, the rescue boat coxswain. “We assessed the patient’s condition and administered basic first-aid treatment while we headed back to the station.”

NEW YORK – Coast Guard Station Shinnecock rescue boat crewmembers prepare for a medical evacuation of a fishing vessel crewmember. The ill crewmember was transferred from the fishing vessel onto the rescue boat and transported to emergency medical personnel ashore. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nicholas Kurian

NEW YORK – New London, Conn., area residents need not be concerned if they see Coast Guard law enforcement members boarding vessels in Long Island Sound, near the mouth of the Thames River, Tuesday.

Coast Guard boat and helicopter crews are scheduled to conduct training operations south of New London Tuesday afternoon.

The training is part of the bigger Frontier Sentinel exercise, which began in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and concludes in Groton and New London.  It is limited to specific areas in New London Harbor and on the Thames River, and should not significantly impact vessel traffic or harbor and river operations.

The focus of Frontier Sentinel is the maritime homeland security of both the U.S. and Canada.  The exercise will allow Coast Guard, Navy and Canadian forces to train together to handle a security-related drill during a full-scale live event and may include mine counter measures and migrant vessel scenarios.  Participants will include a number of U.S. and Canadian military personnel and units, as well as other government department organizations.

As always, the Coast Guard urges coastal residents, seafarers, boaters, and regular beach-goers to continue their public awareness of the indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats, and to report suspicious activity to the proper authorities.

Any questions on U.S. Navy Exercise Frontier Sentinel activities in New London Harbor may be referred to U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs, at (757) 836-4421/4420

View Coast Guard terminates vessel voyage due to safety concerns in a larger map

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard terminated the voyage of a vessel due to safety concerns in New York Harbor today.

Around 1 a.m., the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service was notified of a vessel, possibly disabled and adrift, displaying no navigational lights approximately one mile south of Governors Island, N.Y.

Coast Guard Sector New York’s command center contacted the operator who confirmed the vessel was a 36-foot pleasure craft with 11 people aboard, and that vessel’s battery was dead.  A commercial provider was contacted for  assistance, but it was determined that their estimated time of arrival was approximately 90 minutes.  Based on the stricken vessel’s location in a busy shipping channel, the number of people aboard, the time of day and the condition of the vessel, the Coast Guard launched a rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station New York.

The rescue boat crew arrived on scene and took the vessel in tow to Liberty Landing Marina.  During a routine safety boarding, it was determined that the vessel had an inadequate number of board lifejackets, only four for 11 people aboard. The vessel’s voyage was terminated for insufficient lifesaving equipment. 

The vessel was towed by a commercial provider to a marina in Hoboken, N.J.

“The Coast Guard urges mariners to ensure they have Coast Guard approved life jackets for each person aboard their vessel, in addition to the proper safety equipment on board,” said Thomas McKenzie, Coast Guard spokesperson.  “Knowing how to use the gear could save their life if an emergency were to occur.”