BOATERS MUST NOT OPERATE 121.5/243 MHZ EPIRBs AFTER 31 DECEMBER 2006

In a Press Release, issued today,the Coast Guard reminds all boaters that beginning January 1, 2007, both 121.5 and 243 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are prohibited from use in both commercial and recreational watercraft. Boaters wishing to have an emergency rescue beacon aboard their vessel must have a digital 406 MHz model.

The January 1, 2007, date to stop using 121.5 MHz EPIRBs is in preparation for February 1, 2009, when satellite processing of distress signals from all 121.5/243 MHz beacons will terminate. Following this termination date, only the 406 MHz beacons will be detected by the International Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System which provides distress alert and location data for search and rescue operations around the world.

The regulation applies to all Class A, B, and S 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs. It does not affect 121.5/243 MHz man overboard devices which are designed to work directly with a base alerting unit only and not with the satellite system.

This change, in large part, was brought about by the unreliability of the 121.5/243 MHz beacons in an emergency situation. Data reveals that with a 121.5 MHz beacon, only one alert out of every 50 is a genuine distress situation. This has a significant effect on expending the limited resources of search and rescue personnel and platforms. With 406 MHz beacons, false alerts have been reduced significantly, and, when properly registered, can usually be resolved with a telephone call to the beacon owner. Consequently, real alerts can receive the attention they deserve.

When a 406 MHz beacon signal is received, search and rescue personnel can retrieve information from a registration database. This includes the beacon owner's contact information, emergency contact information, and vessel/aircraft identifying characteristics. Having this information allows the Coast Guard, or other rescue personnel, to respond appropriately.

In the U.S., users are required by law to directly register their beacon in the U.S. 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database at: http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ or by calling 1-888-212-SAVE. Other users can register their beacon in their country's national beacon registration database or, if no national database is available, in the International Beacon Registration Database at https://www.406registration.com/.

The United States Coast Guard is the lead agency for coordinating national maritime search and rescue policy and is responsible for providing search and rescue services on, under and over assigned international waters and waters subject to United States jurisdiction.

ILL CAMERAMAN AIRLIFTED FROM LOBSTER BOAT

DATE: December 07, 2006 20:52:59 EST
Document Number: 825
First District Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard





Press Release Date: December 7, 2006

Contact: Petty Officer Etta Smith
(617) 406-9011

ILL CAMERAMAN AIRLIFTED FROM LOBSTER VESSEL

BOSTON - A documentary film cameraman was medically evacuated by a Coast Guard helicopter tonight after reportedly suffering from seasickness about 161 miles east of Nantucket, Mass.

The 36-year old cameraman's condition became serious after two days of sickness aboard fishing vessel Direction of Westport, Mass.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England received a distress call over HF radio channel 2182 around 4 p.m. requesting medical evacuation for the ailing cameraman.

An HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter launched from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod and arrived on-scene around 7:45 p.m. Weather conditions at the time of the hoist were four to six-foot seas and winds from 15-20 knots.

The cameraman was hoisted from the 77-foot fishing vessel and is scheduled to be flown to Hyannis Barnstable Airport to be transferred to EMS.

USS INTREPID SETS SAIL

Well it looks as though the efforts to free the Intrepid from her berth at Pier 56 in Manhattan have been successful! We will follow up on this post later on, including, we hope, some photos.

Aircraft Carrier Intrepid to be Moved on December 5

Since November 6th, when the first attempt to move the WWII carrier failed, extensive dredging around the stern of the U.S.S Intrepid has taken place. It is hoped that on high tide , Tuesday, December 5th, she will be freed tugs and moved 5 miles downriver to Bayonne, N.J. There, she will undergo a major overhaul. A link to the Earthcam is here. The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum has issued a full Press Release .

Weymouth Fore River Dredging

CONCORD, Mass. – Maintenance dredging of the Weymouth Fore River Federal Navigation Project in Weymouth, Mass. has started and is scheduled to be completed by mid-March 2007. Maintenance dredging was scheduled to begin in November 2005; however, the project was delayed due to funding and environmental constraints, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials.

Shoaling had been identified in the 35-foot deep, 500-foot wide main channel and maintenance dredging was requested by the town of Weymouth and navigation interests.

“Approximately 350,000 cubic yards need to be removed from the channel to return it to its authorized dimensions,” said Project Manager William Kavanaugh, of the Corps’ New England District, Programs and Project Management Division.

The contract was awarded to Jay Cashman, Inc., of Quincy, Mass., on May 16, 2006 for $4.6 million.

The dredged material will be disposed of at the Massachusetts Bay Disposal Area, located about 12 nautical miles southeast of Gales Point, Mass.





All work will be accomplished under the supervision of a Corps of Engineers inspector to assure compliance with contract requirements.

COAST GUARD AIRLIFTS MAN WITH CRUSHED HANDS

COAST GUARD AIRLIFTS MAN WITH CRUSHED HANDS

BOSTON - A 29-year-old fisherman was hoisted Tuesday night from a lobster boat he was working on 90 miles south of Point Judith, R.I., after his hands were crushed.

The crew of the Mister Marco, a 74 foot boat from Point Judith, called the Coast Guard, 8:03 p.m., and stated that Henry Benitec was injured and needed medical assistance.

Benitec was taken off the Mister Marco, 10:45 p.m., by an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod, Mass.

He was flown to Stony Brook Trauma Center on Long Island, arrived at 11:07 p.m., and was treated for six broken fingers.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Click here for a link to the Coast Guard press release.

Fishing Vessel Sinks - One Survivor

The Coast Guard reported today , that the fishing vessel Taylor Emily, out of Port Clyde, ME, sank approximately 80 miles east of Portland ME. The incident took place Sunday, Nov 27th. The master of the Taylor Emily was recovered in a life raft by the fishing vessel Blue Water III, a fishing vessel from Medomack, ME. They could not locate the crewman.

The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell was diverted from its patrol location about 60 miles away to assist in the search. An HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod searched for two hours Sunday night and an HU-25 Falcon jet began searching at daybreak today.

The crewman's body was discovered by the fishing vessel Paulo Marc, homeported in South Bristol, ME, about 9 a.m. today. He was not wearing a life jacket.

Coast Guard Saves Flooding Vessel

A Coast Guard crew aided in the dewatering of a 50-foot fishing vessel about 32 miles off the coast of Nantucket, Mass. today around 5 p.m.

Coast Guard sector Southeastern New England received a call reporting fishing vessel Susan Marie, New Bedford, Conn., taking on water and listing 32 nautical miles east, southeast of Nantucket, Mass. around 2:55 p.m.

An HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, with a dewatering pump on-board, launched from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. The helicopter arrived on-scene around 4:52 p.m. and lowered the pump to the vessel in distress.

Coast Guard Cutter Campbell, of Portsmouth N.H., arrived on-scene and sent a rescue-and-assistance team aboard the Susan Marie to investigate the source of the flooding around 6 p.m.

The flooding source was found in a storage compartment, known as a lazarette. The flooding was controlled with the de-watering pump.

Campbell escorted the fishing vessel to Great Round Shoal where a 47-foot utility boat from Coast Guard Station Brandt Pt. took over the escort. Near Hankerchief Shoal a 25-foot fast-response boat from Coast Guard Station Chatham is scheduled to continue the escort back to Stage Harbor, Chatham Mass.

Boat Fire in Braintree

Around 8 a.m this morning, I heard that there had been a boat fire at the Metropolitan Yacht Club, in Braintree, MA. Two boats, in the water, had been on fire. The fire apparently took place around 5 a.m. The local fire department, the Coast Guard and the Mass environmental police had responded. It was thought that one of the boats had sunk. Nearby boats were cut loose from the dock in the hopes of keeping the fire from spreading. At this time, the cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage is unknown.

Coast Guard to Investigate Boating Accident in New Bedford

The Coast Guard was called to the scene of the fishing vessel Sandra Lee, at the dock in New Bedford. The vessel was being cleaned with a gas powered pressure washer. There has been one death and others needed treatment. Carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected. The Coast Guard will condict an investigation.

Fishing Vessel Susan Marie Successfully Dewatered

In this dramatic photo, we can see the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Dependable assist in saving the F.V Susan Marie. Earlier, an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter out of Air Station Cape Cod, in reponse to the distress call, had been on scene and had lowered two dewatering devices.

Coast Guard Rescues From Maine To Nantucket

Once again, our Coast Guard is ready for it all. Whether a flooding vessel, a boat fire, or an injured fisherman, their motto is Semper Paratus!

Coast Guard posts press release on Rescue

The Coast Guard has just issued a press release on the rescue of 5 persons from the waters off Nauset Cove, Massachusetts. To get all the details click here.

FIVE RESCUED FROM CAPSIZED VESSELS

This just in! BOSTON - Five boaters were rescued after their vessels capsized near Nauset Cove, Mass. around 4:30 p.m. today.
Coast Guard Sector South Eastern New England recieved several radio and 911 calls around 3:45 p.m. reporting two overturned vessels near Nauset Cove, Mass. An HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter lauched from Air Station Cape Cod and Coast Guard Station Chatham responded with a 32-foot utillity boat. Both units arrived onscene about 4:24 p.m. All five individuals were pulled from the 51-degree water with no reported injuries.
The four individuals from the 17-foot capsized vessel were wearing wet suits and dive gear. The fifth individual from the 14-foot vessel was not wearing cold-water protective gear or a life jacket.
The 14-foot vessel sank but the 17-foot vessel could to be towed back to Coast Guard Station Chatham.
The Coast Guard is working with the area harbormaster to determine the precise location of the sunken 14-foot vessel and the cause of the accident.

More details to follow

KEEP OUR OCEANS AND SHORELINE CLEAN

As reponsible boaters, we can take efforts to keep the ocean as well as the shoreline free. Not only does this provide a better environment for us, but also for the marine life. Careless disposal of containers and wrappers, not only polute, but also endanger animals and plant life that help to make our world, what it is. In an interesting article, published by the Coast Guard, they vividly show the effects of carelessness, as well as providing links to educational programs.

Boater User Fee Amended in Braintree, MA

This past Monday, the Braintree, MA Board of Selectmen voted to amend the 'waterway user fee' from $4/foot to a flat fee of $25 per boat, for every boat greater than 12 feet in length. The penalty of $50 per day, for every day the fee is late could not be changed as this requires a town meeting! For a full story, read the article in the Braintree Forum on Townline.com

Some more comments on ethanol and marine gas:

There are many references online to what's happening with E-10, gas with 10% ethanol in the marine environment. From the Wall Street Journal , to another Blogger , and even an article in the Gloucester Daily Times and in Worcester, in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette . Since this fuel has already been in use in New York and elsewhere in boats for at least 1+ years, why can't we get a definitive response to some of the most basic questions? Must all the 'old" gas be used up before switching to E-10? Do any of the additives really work, and what do they do? And, should we store our boats with the tanks near full or near empty?

We need some knowledgeable, reliable answers.

ETHANOL GAS

This is the first boating season where anyone with a gas engine in Massachusetts has had to worry about ethanal gas in their boat. As we are approaching the end of the season, with haul out and winterization ahead, there are concerns about doing the right thing. If you have anything other than a small portable tank, you must decide now what is going to be your strategy. Fill up or leave the tank empty? What kind of gas stabilizer should I use? And this is fun?