The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay hoists three mariners from grounded vessel near Cape May, New Jersey. On July 11, watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Cape May received a relayed call from Cumberland County 911 dispatch regarding a 16-foot pleasure craft with three people aboard which ran aground near Back Creek. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay diverted an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City to the scene. Once on scene, the aircrew was able to safely hoist the three mariners and transport them to Millville Executive Airport. No injuries were reported. Learn more.
Coast Guard offloads $15 million in seized cocaine, transfers custody of two smugglers in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos crew offloaded nearly $15 million in seized cocaine and transferred custody of two male smugglers at Coast Guard Base San Juan July 13, following the interdiction of a go-fast vessel in Mona Passage waters near Mona Island, Puerto Rico. The interdiction resulted from multi-agency efforts in support of U.S. Southern Command's enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Western Hemisphere and coordination with the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force. The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico is leading the prosecution for this case. “The Caribbean Air and Marine Branch values its partnerships that result in successful seizures like this one,” said Hector Rojas, Director of the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch. “Our agents will continue to use our advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities to detect and interdict smuggling attempts throughout our coastal borders.” Learn more.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Liberty crew holds change-of-command ceremony. On July 13, the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Liberty hosted a change-of-command ceremony in Juneau, Alaska. Capt. Darwin A. Jensen, Sector Juneau commander, presided over the ceremony where Lt. George T. Greendyk relieved Lt. Cmdr. Christopher S. Marquis as the commanding officer of the Liberty. Homeported in Auke Bay, the Liberty is the 34th of the Coast Guard’s 110-foot Island-class fast patrol boats. Learn more.
DHS Science and Technology Directorate and USCG solicit innovative tech solutions to respond to mass-casualty events at sea. On July 12, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, recently released the “Mass Rescue Operations Lifesaving Device Broad Agency Announcement” solicitation seeking innovative technology solutions to respond to mass-casualty events at sea. Innovators, industry, academia, and laboratories are invited to submit solutions for a large capacity-floating device to keep survivors out of the water during mass rescue operations. “The Coast Guard is excited to work with industry to develop this cutting edge, mission-critical, lifesaving capability,” said Tom Gorgol of the Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue. The service is looking for an effective solution to provide short-term lifesaving and rescue assistance in disasters that render existing systems such as onboard lifeboats inoperable or infeasible. Learn more.