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Coast Guard

Private Sector Preparedness and Response in Boston: DHS for a Day X

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By Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector Douglas A. Smith

The Private Sector Office hosted the tenth DHS for a Day on August 1st, in Boston, Massachusetts.  This ongoing initiative is one example of DHS’ commitment to collaborating with the private sector to share best practices and build valuable partnerships to keep our communities and businesses safer.  The event highlighted opportunities for our private sector partners to support efforts to make our nation more prepared and resilient through programs like the Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification (PS-Prep) Program and trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry or TSA Pre✓™ .
DHS for a Day X The day began at U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston, where participants received briefings on the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection Protective Security Advisor program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s, Emergency Management Institute (EMI).  Founded over 60 years ago, EMI provides emergency response training to over two million public and private stakeholders each year on topics ranging from how to build public private partnerships, to how to develop and manage volunteers.  Following these presentations, participants were briefed on the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission and role in emergency response and port security.
In the afternoon, participants traveled to Conley Terminal at the Boston Seaport, where Customs and Border Protection officials briefed them on the role DHS plays in border security, travel and trade facilitation.
Finally, participants went to Logan International Airport to observe several TSA risk based security initiatives, including TSA Pre✓™.   
It is our hope participants left the tenth installment of DHS for a Day with a better understanding of the Department’s mission.  As we plan the next event, we will look for new ways to continue to strengthen our partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders. 
Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

The Blog @ Homeland Security

Marine environmental, wildlife assessments of post-Isaac pollution continues

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NEW ORLEANS – Wildlife teams recovered three oiled birds, Monday and were out on the water searching for any other impacted wildlife. 

Coast Guard and State of Louisiana response workers continued assessments of the areas affected by Hurricane Isaac, searching for signs of pollution or impacted wildlife. 

So far, Coast Guard and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality assessment teams have investigated about 90 separate reports of pollution throughout the impacted areas. Facility owners are taking steps to clean up the majority of these. Six sites require further assessment and environmental response crews are taking steps to clean up or contain any oil.

“We respond to every pollution report that comes in and send teams to see what’s out there and try to identify the responsible party so they can get it cleaned up,” said Lt. Cmdr. Lushan Hannah, the Coast Guard incident commander for the pollution response. “Pollution following a hurricane is to be expected, especially with a slow-moving storm like Isaac.” 

The Coast Guard, EPA, NOAA, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries are working together to safeguard public safety and minimize wildlife and environmental impacts resulting from Hurricane Isaac.

Coast Guard and state officials are asking residents to avoid any contact with chemicals or pollution they come across and to report it to the Sector New Orleans Operations Center at 504-365-2200 or the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

 

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

Oiled wildlife recovery, pollution assessment surveys continue following Hurricane Isaac

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NEW ORLEANS – One dead oiled brown pelican, one dead oiled clapper rail, one dead oiled common moorhen, and three live oiled wildlife were recovered near Myrtle Grove, Sunday. 

Affected wildlife are taken to a rehabilitation center in Belle Chaisse, La. Necropsies will be performed to determine the cause of death. 

Pollution assessments continued at multiple sites impacted by Hurricane Isaac and a wildlife recovery team deployed to Myrtle Grove to recover wildlife and to look for signs of other impacted animals. 

Assessment teams in the field discovered oil in Bayou St. Denis, Myrtle Grove and near Port Sulphur.  Teams are also investigating reports of sheening in Breton Sound.  Responders are in contact with facility owners and operators and have taken steps to contain and clean up any product.

Overflights of Lake Pontchartrain revealed no signs of spilled or leaked oil, however, there are multiple displaced drums and containers. 

Coast Guard representatives along with state officials and Stolthaven representatives are on scene to assess the chemicals stored at the Stolthaven facility in Braithwaite, La., which was heavily damaged and flooded during the storm. There is no immediate public health concern and Mississippi River traffic is not affected. A half-mile exclusion zone is in effect around the facility.

“We are conducting overflights, ground assessments, airboat and small boat operations to seek out and recover any impacted wildlife and to find any oil or hazardous materials so we can recover them as quickly as possible to minimize the impact to residents and the environment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Lushan Hannah, incident commander at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans.  

Coast Guard and state officials are asking residents to avoid any contact with chemicals or pollution they come across and to report it to the Sector New Orleans Operations Center at 504-365-2200 or the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

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

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”)

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.

Photo Accessible: Coast Guard responds to sunken vessel in Chenega Boat Harbor

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After the Cape Kasilof&rsquos owner indicated his inability to respond to the sinking

VALDEZ, Alaska &mdash Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez personnel responded to the sinking of the fishing vessel Cape Kasilof in the Chenega Modest Boat Harbor Tuesday and continue to monitor pollution response efforts.

The Coast Guard received a report Tuesday afternoon the 33-foot Cape Kasilof sunk in its berth in the Chenega Little Boat Harbor due to extreme snow load. Two 55-gallon fuel drums on the vessel&rsquos deck had been utilised in location of the vessel&rsquos fuel tanks and a mild sheen was reported all around the vessel.

The Coast Guard federalized the situation and hired Alaska Marine Response to remove all pollutants on board and include discharged oil following the Cape Kasilof&rsquos owner indicated his inability to respond to the sinking.

AMR arrived on scene Thursday and deployed containment boom around the vessel. Sorbent pads were positioned inside the boom to recover fuel. Divers inspected the vessel, plugged fuel vents and removed a single drum of fuel which was punctured and leaking. Sheening appeared to quit when the drum was removed from the water.

Complete quantity of fuel discharged is estimated to be approximately ten gallons of diesel and bilge slops. All fuel on the vessel was recovered with the exception of about 7 gallons of hydraulic oil in the engine space which could not be safely accessed by the divers. Containment boom is at the moment anchored in location. MSU Valdez and AMR personnel continue to monitor the scenario.

“The Coast Guard would like to remind mariners of a handful of methods to make sure vessel safety in the course of winter months,” mentioned Lt. j.g. Allie Ferko, MSU Valdez public affairs officer. “Eliminate snow and ice accumulation and keep the scuppers clear of blockage verify shaft packing for excess leakage perform regimen checks for indicators of loose or deteriorating planks on wooden hulled vessels conduct a routine inspection of automatic bilge pumps visually examine all thru-hull fittings for injury or loose connections take away all needless fuel from the boat if away for an extended period of time and organize dependable snow elimination for the vessel and finger pier.”

For much more information contact Lt. j.g. Allie Ferko at [email protected] or 907-835-7209 or cell 972-533-8185.

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