Coast Guard Cutter Stratton returns to homeport following 97-day South Pacific patrol. The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Stratton returned to their homeport of Alameda, Calif., March 19, after supporting Operation Blue Pacific Patrol in the South Pacific. While underway, Stratton’s crew worked with Pacific partner nations, including Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the United Kingdom on an array of missions. They prioritized combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the high seas or in partner nations’ exclusive economic zones. In the effort to combat IUU fishing, Stratton teams boarded 11 vessels during the 20,348-mile patrol and found 21 violations. “Our collaboration with our partners and [using] of our shiprider agreements gave us the ability to accomplish our mission of combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in order to maintain regional stability and protect the fishing industry,” said Capt. Steve Adler, Stratton’s commanding officer. “By bringing aboard shipriders from Fiji, we were able to patrol their exclusive economic zones to better assist them in enforcing their maritime laws.” Read more.
Coast Guard hosts Community Day in Houston. Coast Guard members from Sector Houston-Galveston and surrounding units displayed equipment and discussed various Coast Guard missions during a community day event March 19. Attendees interacted with Coast Guard air crews, rescue swimmers, boat crews, law enforcement members and K9 officers, drone operators, watchstanders, search and rescue coordinators, pollution responders, Auxiliarists, recruiters, and more. "Helping our community better understand what we do and showcasing our astounding Coast Guard members was a special opportunity for us all," said Capt. Keith M. Donohue, deputy sector commander, Sector Houston-Galveston. "We'd like to extend our appreciation to everyone who visited Sector Houston-Galveston and thank all our local units and partner agencies for participating in this memorable community day." Read more.
Coast Guard medevacs injured man from fish processor near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The Coast Guard medevaced a man from a fish processing vessel approximately 92 miles northwest of Dutch Harbor March 17. A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew deployed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley hoisted the injured man from the 262-foot fish processor, America’s Finest. The patient was flown to Dutch Harbor and placed in the care of LifeMed personnel. “So many people contributed to the success of this case,” said Petty Officer First Class Jeffrey Dickey, a watchstander at the 17th District Command Center. “Thanks to the communication and continuous cooperation between America’s Finest, Alex Haley, command center personnel and the aircrews, we were able to get this individual to a higher level of care.” Read more.
Coast Guard medevacs crew member from tanker vessel off Galveston, Texas. The Athina M, a 600-foot tanker vessel, contacted watchstanders at the Coast Guard’s Eighth District command center March 13, requesting a medevac for one of their crewmembers who had sustained a serious finger injury. Due to the vessel's position 200 miles offshore and the patient's stable condition, the duty flight surgeon recommended medevacing the crew member in the morning once the vessel was closer to shore. An Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rendezvoused with the Athina M in the Galveston Fairway anchorage, hoisted the injured crew member and transferred him to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in stable condition. Read more.
Coast Guard responds to vessel collision in Pascagoula, Miss. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report from the National Response Center of a collision between two vessels March 12. The Valaris, a 752-foot drillship, reportedly broke free of its moorings due to high winds and collided with the Akti, a bulk carrier ship. The Valaris is reported to have had approximately 580,000 gallons of diesel onboard the vessel. The drillship is currently still up against the Akti and is anchored while being held in place by three tug vessels. Both vessels reportedly have minor damage, with some damage to the pier. Coast Guard Sector Mobile has sent three prevention team members to monitor the situation. There have been no reports of injuries or pollution as of yet. Read more.