The U.S. Coast Guard is scheduled to make major changes to waterways: Around the second week of June, the Coast Guard plans to change 25 aids to navigation (ATON) near Shackleford Banks and Harkers Island, North Carolina. The intent of the changes is to make the lateral aids more readily comply with the “Red, Right, Returning” direction of travel in an area where there are several converging channels from sea and around various barrier islands. Learn more.
The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies respond to sunken vessel: On May 27, the Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and other partner agencies cautioned mariners and recreational boaters while transiting in the James River, Virginia. This was due to a sunken vessel causing a hazard to navigation on James River. Currently, there are no correlating search and rescue incidents, no known missing persons, or any signs of distress in the area. Efforts are ongoing. Learn more.
Patrol Forces Southwest Asia received two new Sentinel-class U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters: Sentinel-class fast response cutters (FRC) U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) arrived at their new homeport May 25 at the Naval Support Activity in Manama, Bahrain. The FRCs are designed to patrol coastal regions and perform expeditionary operations. They feature advanced command, control, and communications systems and improved surveillance and reconnaissance equipment. They are also capable of launching and recovering small boats from the stern. "The addition of the FRCs to our task force has been highly anticipated, and the team here is excited to work with these outstanding crews," said Capt. Christopher Gilbertson, commander of Destroyer Squadron 50 and CTF 55. Learn more.
Coast Guard crews rescue diver in distress: The Coast Guard rescued a distressed diver off Dutchcap Cay in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, May 24.The Coast Guard boat crew returned the diver to the sailing vessel Divine, after he declined to receive any medical assistance. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone’s face of relief knowing that they are safe in Coast Guard hands after believing they were not going to survive,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Koelle, Boat Forces St. Thomas coxswain for the case. “The efficient teamwork and coordination between Coast Guard responding units and our watchstanders at Sector San Juan achieved a successful outcome in this case.” Learn more.