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Coast Guard releases audio from probable hoax distress call

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120612-G-TG089 Vessel Blind Date search and rescue audio

                                                                    Click above to listen to audio

Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service New York received a distress call on VHF channel 14 at approximately 4:20 p.m., Monday, June 11, 2012, reportedly from the master of the yacht Blind Date, stating the vessel suffered an explosion and was taking on water.

This call prompted a Coast Guard search with multiple aircraft and surface vessels, joined by aircraft and surface vessels from other agencies. The search was suspended at approximately 10 p.m. Monday, and the Coast Guard made the determination that the call was a probable hoax.

On this call to the Coast Guard, and another, the caller in reported distress gave varying numbers for people aboard the yacht and varying numbers for dead and injured.

The reporting source stated that he was going to stay by the radio as long as he could, but the vessel lost power so he had to move to a solar-powered radio. He gave a position of 17.5 miles east of Sandy Hook, N.J.

The probable hoax call is under investigation. The Coast Guard is offering a $ 3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for making the false distress call. Anyone with information regarding this probable hoax is encouraged to anonymously contact the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service at 212-668-7048 or 646-872-5774.

Recent Updates for HQ (use “U.S. Coast Guard Digital Newsroom”)

CBP and Planet BASC Organization Sign Joint Statement

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Herndon, Virginia – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Planet Enterprise Alliance for Secure Commerce Organization (Globe BASC) signed these days at CBP’s National Targeting Center a Joint Statement which recognizes the mutually advantageous working relationship of promoting and enhancing provide chain security throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. (a lot more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases

CBP Reminds Travelers What to ‘Know Ahead of You Go’

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Washington – Summer is one particular of the busiest international travel instances in the U.S. and with the start off of the travel season this Memorial Day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reminding travelers of some important tips. With growing passenger volumes due to a nine percent enhance in travel and tourism because February 2011, there are factors returning U. (much more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases

CBP Announces Sector Day

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Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announces today CBP Industry Day scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC. The one day event, “Evolving Border Security and Trade Missions: Insights and Discussions with Industry,” will provide industry an opportunity to gain a better understanding of CBP’s operating environment and how it shapes the agency’s near and long-term strategies.

Hosted in response to industry request, Industry Day will provide a venue for members of industry to engage with CBP leadership. The event is not a “how to” procurement event – it is industry’s opportunity for an open dialogue with CBP decision makers.

Industry Day will include moderated panel discussions with question and answer periods in the areas of Border Security, Expediting Trade and Travel, and Intelligence and Targeting. The day will conclude with a session focusing on future opportunities.

The event will feature a same day webcast for companies unable to attend in person. There is no fee to attend the event. For more information and to register go to the Industry Day website. ( Industry Day )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

UPDATE: Rescue crews suspend search for missing Kailua diver

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HONOLULU – U.S. Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department and Ocean Security and Lifeguard Services Division, Honolulu, crews suspended their search for a missing 50-year-outdated male free of charge diver near Kailua Bay, Oahu Sunday.

Christopher Nee was reported missing by his diving partner at roughly 8 p.m. Saturday night. Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department and ocean safety rescue crews conducted land, sea and aerial searches.

Ocean security lifeguards dove in twenty feet of water to recover the submerged entire body located at around 400 feet offshore Castle Seashore, Kailua at approximately 10:20 a.m. Nee was brought to shore in which he was confirmed to be the missing diver and pronounced deceased by EMS at approximately 10:45 a.m.

“The efforts of Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department and Ocean Security demonstrate the efficiencies obtained via a standing Search and Rescue Memorandum of Comprehending in between Honolulu County and the Coast Guard,” Lt. Leigh Cotterell, public affairs officer for Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “In the interest of safety, the Coast Guard advises divers to use the buddy program, dive flags and all other safe and sound diving protocols.”

“Moreover, members of the public are asked to continue to be vigilant when utilizing island waters and to promptly contact the authorities in cases of distress or other uncommon incidents,” mentioned Cotterell.

For much more information about this press release, make contact with Lt. Leigh Cotterell at 808-292-3692.

Demonstrating the Require for the Cybersecurity Legislation

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Posted by Secretary Janet Napolitano

Combating cyber threats is a shared responsibility that requires broad engagement – from government and law enforcement to the private sector and most importantly, members of the public. No nation, sector, neighborhood or individual is immune to cyber dangers. DHS plays a crucial function in this work, the two in guarding federal networks and assisting owners and operators of crucial infrastructure to secure their networks by way of chance evaluation, mitigation, and incident response capabilities.

Above the past numerous weeks, we have mentioned the Administration’s cybersecurity legislative proposal and how the recently launched bill by Senators Lieberman, Collins, Rockefeller and Feinstein would provide the comprehensive resources we need to have to successfully deal with the total assortment of cyber threats facing our nation, whilst preserving privacy and civil liberties and respecting freedom, openness, and innovation.

This week, I participated in a cyber demonstration for senators hosted by Majority Leader Harry Reid to display how the federal government would respond to a main cyber incident and how legislative reform would increase that response. Together with leaders from across the federal government, I discussed how a cyber attack on America’s critical infrastructure could have broad impacts by disrupting crucial resources, resulting in billions of dollars in economic loss and even potential reduction of life.

This Administration believes in the innovation and experience of the private sector. We will function with critical infrastructure owners and operators to make certain the adoption of cybersecurity practices and technologies that function best on their networks in order to achieve a baseline level of cybersecurity. As component of this proposed legislation, DHS will conduct targeted risk assessments in consultation with the private sector and others to establish which techniques and assets are topic to the best and most immediate cyber threats. We will collaboratively define cybersecurity overall performance needs for these nationwide security, economically important, or life-sustaining services.

This week’s cyber demonstration also illustrated how a more powerful legal framework paired with stiffer penalties for cyber crimes and the removal of legal barriers to sharing information will guard the American public and the American financial system.

All sides agree that federal and private networks ought to be much better protected, and that details really should be shared much more easily, however nevertheless securely. Each the Administration’s proposal and the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 (S. 2105) would supply DHS with clear statutory authority commensurate with our cybersecurity responsibilities, although getting rid of legal barriers to the sharing of information. As the Secretary of Homeland Security, I strongly support S. 2105 since it addresses the need to have, the urgency, and the methodology for guarding our nation’s crucial infrastructure.

The time to act is now: we ought to improve cybersecurity coordination, strengthen our cybersecurity posture, and safe all components of our economic climate against this severe and growing threat, even though guarding privacy, confidentiality, and civil liberties. We appear forward to continuing our engagement with Congress in the days ahead to attain agreement on a bill that will move the Nation forward.

Examine about how the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 would enhance protections for the American public, advance government network security, and boost protection of crucial infrastructure.

Published by the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety, Washington, D.C.

The Weblog @ Homeland Security

The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Companies

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Posted by: Mary Mullusky, Chief, Hydrologic Providers Branch, NOAA’s Nationwide Climate Service

This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and FEMA are once again partnering for Nationwide Flood Security Awareness Week. &nbspEach day of Nationwide Flood Security Awareness week, we will give key info connected to flood hazards, and techniques to shield yourself and your residence.

The influences of weather, water and climate on our day-to-day lives and financial properly becoming are manifold, and at occasions profound. A fact highlighted by the devastating and heartrending occasions of the previous couple of many years.

NOAA’s Nationwide Climate Service (NWS) gives weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings to shield lifestyle and home and increase the nationwide financial system. &nbspTo fulfill this important mission, skilled NWS meteorologists and hydrologists use state-of-the-art science and technology to keep track of and predict climate, water and climate impacts for our nation and its citizens 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Floods are our nation’s most costly natural disaster and, on average, is the top lead to of serious climate-related deaths. &nbspFloods have claimed an common of 94 lives a year and $ 10.two billion in economic damages in the decade 2001-2010 alone. View The Water’s Fury (Quicktime file) to see the energy of water.

Whilst floods are not preventable, the reduction of daily life and property can be reduced substantially with more timely and precise forecasts and warnings. &nbspAn critical signifies by which the NWS generates and distributes flood and water resource forecasts and data is via the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, acknowledged as AHPS (pronounced A-Haps).

AHPS is an ongoing energy by the NWS to carry on modernizing its hydrologic companies and offers new details and products by means of the infusion of new science and technology. &nbspIt is a net-based mostly suite of precise and info-rich forecast products in graphical type that permits government companies, private institutions, and men and women to make far more informed, threat-based mostly decisions to mitigate the dangers posed by floods and droughts.

Some examples of the products and details from AHPS consist of: hydrographs combining current water level observations from the U.S. Geological Survey with NWS river forecasts extended array (i.e., 90-day) probabilistic forecasts conveying the chance a river will exceed minor, moderate, or major flood amounts inundation maps for water ranges from flood stage via the flood of record, depicting in which and how deep the flood waters will be in a neighborhood or neighborhood thereby enabling emergency managers and other decision makers to preposition folks and sources to most successfully mitigate the impacts of a flood historical floods impacts, and a lot far more.

The broad reach of AHPS extends the range of forecasts from brief-term (up to six hours) to extended-term (out to weeks and months) and gives the public with far more detailed and accurate answers to the following concerns:

  • How higher will the river rise?
  • When will the river reach its peak?
  • Where will the flooding occur?
  • How lengthy will the flood last?
  • How prolonged will the drought carry on? and
  • How certain is the forecast?

AHPS forecast goods and info support selections with regards to the operation and management of flood-control structures. &nbspEmergency management officials at the Federal, state, territorial, tribal and regional and state ranges use these forecasts to fight floods, evacuate residents, and to take other measures to mitigate the impact of flooding. &nbspAlso, these goods are utilized by a broad variety of men and women, this kind of as barge and dam operators, power organizations and municipal water provide officials, recreational consumers, farmers, households, corporations, and environmentalists. Anybody and everyone who makes water-based decisions advantages from AHPS.

Get prepared, be ready and be FloodSmart ahead of the flood begins.

Stay latest with flood threat in your place with the most recent official watches and warnings at climate.gov. For thorough hydrologic circumstances and forecasts, click the “water” tab.

FEMA Blog site

What We’re Viewing: three/9/twelve

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Posted by: Alexandra Kirin, Public Affairs

At the finish of every single week, we post a “What We’re Watching” weblog as we seem ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We inspire you to share it with your pals and household, and have a risk-free weekend.

Climate Outlook

A new storm in the Pacific Northwest will generate valley rain and mountain snow across western Washington. Snow melt resulting from a sturdy warming trend could bring flooding this weekend to considerably of the Northern Rockies and Intermountain West. Winds from 15-30 mph are expected across a lot of Montana, with gusts above 40 mph in the Chinook regions. These robust winds, mixed with reduced relative humidity, will outcome in essential fire climate situations right now across significantly of north-central Montana.

A clipper-like technique in the Midwest is expected to bring snow from the upper peninsula of Michigan off into a lot of the northeastern U.S. A Red Flag Warning is in effect these days for western and north-central Nebraska as a outcome of strong winds and very low relative humidity.

Update on Tornado Response

FEMA continues to help efforts of state, tribal and neighborhood officials in states impacted by severe storms and tornadoes Feb. 28 – March three. President Obama declared a main disaster declaration, on Tuesday, for the Commonwealth of Kentucky making federal disaster aid available assist to supplement commonwealth and regional recovery efforts in the location affected by the recent storms. Residents and company owners in the designated Kentucky counties who sustained losses can apply for support by registering on the internet at www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile gadget at m.fema.gov or by calling one-800-621-FEMA(3362) or one-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

Joint Preliminary Harm Assessments are ongoing in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia.

National Flood Security Week

We’re teaming up with NOAA once more to bring you Nationwide Flood Security Awareness Week 2012. Starting up following week, March twelve -16 we’ll share information on flood risks, how people, households, and organizations can take precautions to shield their households and households in the occasion of flooding and safety guidelines on what to do ahead of, for the duration of, and after flooding.

Floods are one of the most typical hazards in the United States, but there are basic steps citizens can take today to lessen their danger to all types of floods. Head over to www.prepared.gov/floods for details on floods and make certain to test back following week for the commence of Flood Security Awareness Week.

Clocks Spring Forward on Sunday

Don’t forget, on Sunday we spring forward an hour for Daylight Financial savings – it’s also a fantastic reminder to make sure you have a operating smoke alarm in your home. Smoke alarms considerably increase your chances of surviving a deadly property fire, so we motivate everyone to take these easy methods to be prepared:

  • Test and clean your smoke alarms nowadays and on the 1st of each month
  • Substitute the batteries at least as soon as a year
  • Spot smoke alarms on each level of your residence and in every bedroom
  • Examine the manufacture/expiration date on the smoke alarm (yes, smoke alarms have expiration dates)
  • Practice your family’s fire escape strategy

For a lot more data about property smoke alarms and fire sprinklers, check out www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms.

Watches &amp Warnings – What’s the Variation?

As we head into spring, and extreme weather and storms turn into a lot more active, we wished to make sure that absolutely everyone understood the variation in between a serious climate watch and warning. Watch this video from our close friends at NOAA explaining the difference between serious climate watches and warnings.

FEMA Website