U.S., Spain, Morocco rescue 103 migrants at sea. The United States, Spain, and Morocco collaborated to rescue 103 migrants 40 nautical miles west of the Moroccan coast in the Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 5. The Spanish center coordinated rescue efforts with the vessels closest to the reported location of the rafts. Three U.S. Coast Guard cutters – the Cutter Thetis, Cutter Glen Harris, and the Cutter Emlen Tunnel – as well as a nearby Royal Moroccan navy frigate answered the call. Working together, the crews rescued 103 migrants and recovered two deceased migrants by early morning. Once safely aboard and stabilized, the Coast Guard crews transferred all migrants to the Moroccan navy. "While we are on an escort currently, the Coast Guard will always conduct our core mission of search and rescue and observe the international law of the sea and maritime custom to assist any mariners in distress," said Cmdr. Justin Nadolny, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Thetis. "This demonstrates the capability of Thetis to work with partners and our ability to respond rapidly to any situation. I'm very proud of the team." Read more.
Coast Guard Cutter Stone returns to homeport after 61-day patrol. The Coast Guard Cutter Stone returned to its homeport of Charleston, S.C., Jan. 7, following a 61-day patrol to the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The cutter’s deployment supported the Coast Guard's Joint Interagency Task Force South, the Pacific Area (PACAREA), and the Coast Guard’s 11th District. Stone's crew successfully interdicted two suspected drug smuggling vessels, recovering approximately 2,246 pounds of cocaine and 4,870 pounds of marijuana with an estimated combined street value of $57.1 million. The cutter's crew subsequently transferred 20 suspected narcotics smugglers to the Seventh Coast Guard District and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration personnel, signaling the culmination of a successful joint interagency effort in the Eastern Pacific. Read more.
Coast Guard rescues six hunters from Cape Cod marsh, Mass. After receiving a report of six hunters in distress, reporting their boat grounded, Jan. 16, Barnstable County 911 dispatchers requested Coast Guard assistance. A Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter rescue crew was launched to search for the hunters. All six hunters were hoisted aboard the helicopter and were transported to Sandy Neck where they were evaluated by local emergency medical services. There were no injuries reported. Read more.
Coast Guard rescues 2 jet skiers near Atkinson Island, Texas. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston issued an urgent marine information broadcast, Jan. 17, diverting a Station Houston 29-foot Response Boat-Small (RB-S) crew from training to respond. The RB-S crew arrived on scene, embarked the two people aboard the Coast Guard boat, and brought the jet ski into tow. The two people and jet ski were transported to Sylvan Beach. No injuries were reported. Read more.
Coast Guard partners with SailPlan to monitor marine infrastructure, increasing port efficiency and helping achieve climate goal. SailPlan, the maritime cleantech company that helps ports and ship operators reduce emissions and improve air quality, announced its partnership with the Coast Guard Jan. 18, to monitor marine aids to navigation (ATON) in the Chesapeake Bay. By using SailPlan’s technology, the Coast Guard can easily monitor real-time high-resolution weather, air quality, and other data affecting navigation and make it available to mariners while reducing the cost of ATON maintenance to the Coast Guard. “The U.S. Coast Guard is pleased to join SailPlan in this project as this work supports the worldwide ‘Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet’ effort led by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA),” said Dave Lewald, program analyst, Navigation Systems, Coast Guard. Read more.