U.S., Canadian partner agencies complete joint maritime law enforcement, security operations throughout Puget Sound. Multiple agencies planned and executed four large-scale interagency, binational operations throughout the summer in Washington State including Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca focused on a variety of maritime law enforcement and security missions. “Despite the challenges of protecting a vast and geographically diverse region like the Pacific Northwest during the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitment of U.S. and Canadian partners to the continued safety and security of the public, our natural resources, and the economic prosperity of both nations remain resolute,” said Capt. Patrick Hilbert, commander of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. “These joint operations are a testament to the strength of our shared resolve as we continue to engage and collaborate on important issues moving forward.” At the conclusion of operations, U.S. and Canadian partner agency personnel conducted more than 1,000 vessel checks resulting in issuance of 35 violations for safety, illegal fishing, and boating under the influence. Read more.
Coast Guard, partners searching for missing kayaker off Saipan. On Oct. 1, the Coast Guard, Navy, and the Saipan Department of Safety Boating Safety Division responded to a report of a missing kayaker off Garapan. The kayaker is described as being a 60-year-old man and was last seen fishing. Waterway users are requested to keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress and to report any information to Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam (CGFMSG). CGFMSG issued an urgent information broadcast notice to mariners and deployed the Coast Guard Cutters Munro and Oliver Henry in response. Read more.
Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to oil spill near Gaithersburg, Maryland. On Oct. 4, approximately 10 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from a transfer line owned by Buckeye Terminals. Coast Guard pollution investigators dispatched to the scene estimated the leak to be approximately 300 gallons. The source of the discharge has been secured, and boom has been deployed to prevent the product from further impacting the environment. Miller Environmental, the contracted oil spill response organization for the event, is using a vacuum truck and other sorbent materials. The cause of the discharge is under investigation. Read more.
Coast Guard rescues 199 Haitians. The stranded individuals were safely transferred to Haitian authorities. During a routine patrol, a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew located and notified Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders of a 50-foot sail freighter, southeast of Pointe de la Plateforme, Haiti. Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C Webber's crew arrived on scene and handed out personal flotation devices to the Haitians. They were brought aboard the cutter, due to the vessel being grossly overloaded. It was later destroyed as a hazard to navigation. No injuries or significant medical concerns were reported among the people rescued. Read more.
Unified command continues response to oil spill off Newport Beach, California. The unified command continues its response Sunday to the oil spill off the coast of Orange County. Fourteen boats conducted oil recovery operations Sunday afternoon. Three Coast Guard boats enforced a safety zone off 1,000 yards around oil spill boats. Four aircraft were dispatched for overflight assessments. Shoreside response was conducted by 105 government agency personnel. Approximately 3,150 gallons of oil have been recovered from the water and 5,360 feet of boom has been deployed. The investigation continues into the cause of the spill. Read more.