The USCG 13th District medevacs man from fishing vessel near Newport, Ore. On July 19, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend command center received a call from the vessel operator at 1:15 p.m., who reported that a 70-year-old man aboard had passed out and lost consciousness. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Sector North Bend, already airborne conducting training in the area, diverted to the scene. The rescue crew arrived on scene, hoisted the injured man, and proceeded to the Coast Guard Air Facility in Newport. The patient was transferred in stable condition to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at the air facility. EMS brought the patient to a local hospital for a higher level of care. The patient’s current medical condition is unknown. Learn more.
The U.S. Coast Guard participated in Exercise Argus, strengthened Arctic partnerships. From June 21- 25, the Coast Guard participated in the Danish Joint Arctic Command's annual joint large-scale Exercise Argus in Southern Greenland. Deployed forces demonstrated U.S. Coast Guard capabilities to build partner capacity and expertise in search and rescue, incident management and marine environmental response. These efforts solidified key strategic relationships while achieving mutual Danish, Greenlandic and U.S. goals in the North American Atlantic Arctic and Northwest Atlantic Ocean. "This exercise recognizes the importance of cooperation between our nations in conducting maritime and aeronautical search and rescue operations,” said Lt. Cmdr. Peter Howard, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Maple commanding officer. “Joint efforts in harsh environments save lives and improve our collective effectiveness in assisting mariners in distress." Participants conducted a post-sail conference to discuss the exercise, its difficulies and successes, and ways to improve future operations. Learn more.
The Coast Guard First District responds to report of dielectric fluid leak in New Rochelle, N.Y. On July 17, Coast Guard and partner agencies responded to a report of a dielectric fluid leak in New Rochelle, New York. Coast Guard Sector New York investigators and a Coast Guard Station Kings Point boat crew were dispatched to the scene to assess the situation, with the New York City Fire Department and Con Edison. The leak has been secured and a containment boom has been placed in Wright Island Marina. Oil Spill Response Organization crews contracted by Con Edison are conducting clean-up operations using a skimmer vessel, vacuum truck and absorbent boom. The Coast Guard and partner agencies will continue monitoring clean-up operations and assessing any potential impacts. Learn more.
Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew rescued three individuals from Chilkat River in Kodiak, Alaska. On July 18, Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew arrived on scene at 10:20 p.m. aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and safely hoisted and transported two adult females and one adult male to awaiting local emergency medical services personnel at the Haines airport. “The three kayakers were very well prepared,” said Lt. Erik Oredson, an Air Station Sitka pilot. “They were dressed for the water temperature instead of the air temperature, which means they were all wearing dry suits when we made the rescue. They had a solid communication plan and a reliable GPS device to relay their position and call for help and we were able to locate them easily because of these factors. They were in good spirits after we picked them up despite being submerged in near glacial waters and it all boils down to preparing for the worst possible situation.” No medical injuries were reported. Learn more.
Coast Guard searching for two overdue mariners off Santa Rita, Guam. On July 22, two mariners - Xiao Wei Quin and Yun Liu Red - are reported as missing after their 14-foot black Kodiak skiff was reported overdue during their voyage from Saipan to Guam. It is possible they made it safely to shore on Guam. Sector Guam watchstanders received a report from CNMI Department of Public Safety notifying them that the spouse of one of the individuals had called concerned for the mariners’ wellbeing. The spouse reported the mariners left Saipan for Guam on July 18 and the last text she had received from her husband stated they could see Guam. Learn more.