USCGC Walnut arrives at new homeport in Pensacola: The CGC Walnut just arrived at its new homeport in Pensacola, Fla., from its previous home in Honolulu. The Walnut crew performed a major maintenance availability project to enable the 225-foot Seagoing Buoy Tender to reach the end of its 30-year planned life service. “The Walnut crew looks forward to our arrival in Pensacola, Florida, and values our role in supporting Coast Guard District Eight’s continued efforts to maintain a safe and effective maritime transportation system,” said Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Bonner, commanding officer of CGC Walnut. “As evidenced by the historic hurricane season of 2020, the Coast Guard and its buoy tender fleet played and will continue to play a critical role in responding to devastating natural disasters and reconstituting waterways in and around this nation’s most critical maritime ports.” Click here for the full article.
USCG terminates voyage of two small passenger vessels in SoCal for safety violations: The USCG temporarily prevented two United States-flagged small passenger vessels from operating in commercial service on March 26 after discovering substandard safety issues while conducting routine inspections aboard the vessels in San Diego and Los Angeles, Calif. When vessels that are not in substantial compliance with applicable laws or regulations are identified, the Coast Guard imposes controls until the substandard conditions have been rectified and the vessels are brought into compliance. Learn more.
USCG and Navy rescue overdue boater off Oahu: On March 26, 2021, Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a report from a family member stating the boater departed Waianae in the morning to go fishing and did not return. The aircrew hoisted the “Size No Matter” boater from 26-miles west of Ka'ena Point and transported him to Queens Medical Center due to having symptoms of hypothermia. “I am extremely proud of the way my sailors and the entire ‘EasyRider’ team worked together to render aid during this search and rescue,” said Navy Cmdr. Matthew Martin, HSM-37’s Commanding Officer. “Working side-by-side with the Coast Guard was key in our ability to locate and rescue the fisherman.” Read the full story here.
USCG Air Station New Orleans and CG Sector New Orleans rescue two mariners: On April 1, two mariners were rescued from a vessel taking on water near Lake Pontchartrain. The recreational vessel was located half-submerged with two mariners aboard waving their arms for assistance. The helicopter crew arrived on the scene, hoisted one mariner suffering from hyperthermia and transported that mariner to University Medical Center New Orleans LCMC Health in reportedly stable condition. The boat crew transported the other mariner to Station New Orleans for medical care. Read more here.