Editor's note: For a higher resolution version, click the image above.

HONOLULU - Coast Guard Cmdr. Bob Little, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Kukui, was relieved by Lt. Cmdr. Steven Ramassini during a ceremony at Coast Guard Base Honolulu Friday. 

Ramassini was previously the design and development chief at Force Readiness Command’s Performance Technology Center at Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, Va. Ramassini previously served as the executive officer aboard Coast Guard Cutter Alder, executive officer aboard Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay and operations officer aboard Coast Guard Cutter Sundew. 

In addition to his afloat assignments, Ramassini served as a nautical science instructor at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. and as the section chief, ship control and navigation training simulator, also at the academy. 

Little took command of Kukui in April of 2009, and led the ship through the maintenance of more than 100 aids to navigation throughout 10 waterways in the main Hawaiian Islands. He also led the cutter during two extended out-of-hemisphere law enforcement deployments that amassed over 50 boarding’s and 30 violations of laws and regulations. 

Little will continue his Coast Guard career as special assistant to the vice commandant at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. 

Capt. Timothy M. Close, 14th Coast Guard District chief of staff, was the presiding official for the ceremony. 

For more information contact Ensign John Jaskot at 808-842-2860.

Editors note: To view high resolution photos click on the images above. 

APRA HARBOR, Guam – In 2009 the Port of Guam was designated a strategic port. The new designation brings additional benefits to the port, which will expand its capabilities as well as the Coast Guard’s involvement with naval vessel protection and maritime security.

The designation of strategic port brings with it many challenges not only for the Coast Guard, but also for all those with a stake in port operations.  For this reason each strategic port is mandated to form a Port Readiness Committee which brings together representatives of the 10 federal agencies and local port stakeholders.  The PRC was established formally this past January when stakeholders met for the first time to begin dialogue on strategic concerns associated with facilitate both defense and commercial supplies through the same port.  The committee is chaired by the captain of the port and includes more than 40 local, federal, and Department of Defense agencies.

Due to the designation, the Port of Guam will have access to additional funding for federal security and port infrastructure projects. Cargo volumes will also increase during periods of military deployment. Perhaps most valuable will be the interaction between the Coast Guard, the Port of Guam, DOD and other partners.  The first meeting of the port readiness committee took place Jan. 25, 2012 in Guam with representatives from the Coast Guard, DOD, Government of Guam, and multiple federal agencies and port stakeholders. During the daylong meeting, committee members discussed the effects of the new designation to include renovations to the port, types of outload activities, maritime security response capabilities, tactics, and other government agency support.

The protection of U.S. strategic seaports is nothing new for the Coast Guard. The service was given authority to regulate the anchorage and movement of ships in 1917 following the devastating explosion of munitions at Black Tom Island in New Jersey, which all but destroyed the port. Since then the Coast Guard has been given authority under multiple acts of Congress, most recently the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, to protect the safety and security of ports and waterways. Most notable are the 16 seaports that have been designated strategic, meaning they are of critical value to the nation. Most recently the Port of Guam joined that list. To meet the requirement of the new designation Coast Guard Sector Guam is taking necessary steps with federal, state and local partners to usher in a new era of safety and security for the Port of Guam.

“Our goal is to work with our port partners to help prepare the Port of Guam to absorb increased cargo flow during a military outload operation,” explained Lt. Charlie Epperson, Sector Guam military outload liaison. “It is in everyone’s best interest to address these concerns well in advance of actual outload operations.”

For more information contact the Coast Guard Sector Guam public affairs officer Lt. j.g. Richard Russell at (671) 688-3917.

Editor’s note: For a video of the LA51 in use click on the image above.

HONOLULU - The Coast Guard is implementing the use of a non-lethal signaling and warning device to support the service’s ports waterways and coastal security mission in Hawaii.

The LA51 signal and warning device is a fired from a 12-gauge military shotgun to produce a visible signal at a range of 100 meters. Training will be conducted in a designated firing range approximately 50 miles north of Oahu.

The LA51 signal and warning device is considered a safer alternative to the current warning devices used by Coast Guard personnel. It is a shorter range round, and the flash and noise produced by the device are more prominent than a splash in the water caused by the M16 tracer round.  Additionally, the Department of Defense’s joint non-lethal weapons program has determined through their testing that the LA51 has a low risk of significant injury. 

The Coast Guard has been using the LA51 as a warning signal during alien migrant interdiction operations and counter-drug operations. The LA51 warning device will now be used during security zone enforcement and the execution of the ports waterways and coastal security mission.

Local media are invited to view the LA51 signal and warning device during a media event at Coast Guard Station Honolulu, Thursday at 1 p.m. Subject matter experts will be available to discuss how and why the device would be used in Hawaiian waters. The LA51 will not be fired during the media event. Video of the LA51 is available at the link above.

Media interested in attending are asked to be at Coast Guard Base Honolulu on Sand Island no later than 12:45 p.m. Questions may be directed to the 14th Coast Guard District public affairs office at 808-535-3230. 

For hi-resolution imagery and interview, click on link above.

APRA HARBOR, Guam – The Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue partners, coordinated in the rescue of 9 crewmembers forced to abandon ship due to a shipboard fire 700 miles west of Guam Saturday.

Coast Guard Sector Guam watchstanders received an initial alert from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon from the Hsin Man Chun, a 70-foot Taiwanese fishing vessel, at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Watchstanders then received a call from rescue coordination center Taipei, China reporting that a sister ship of the Hsin Man Chun received a radio call indicating the crew was planning to abandon ship.

A Navy P-3 Orion long-range search aircraft from Patrol Squadron 1 stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, overflew the vessel and reported eight crewmembers in a life raft and two more on the bridge of the burning vessel. The P-3 crew deployed two life rafts to assist the crewmembers that remained behind. They passed the location of the distressed crewmembers to the Semirio, a Marshallese flagged bulk carrier diverted to the area by the Coast Guard.

The Semirio was only 40 miles away from the distressed vessel and was asked to assist. Once on scene, the 950-foot bulk carrier launched a small boat and successfully rescued all 10 crewmembers. The Semirio is one of many foreign flagged vessels operating in the Pacific that voluntarily participate in the AMVER System.

AMVER, sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, is a unique, computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. With AMVER, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.

For more information about AMVER visit www.amver.com.

For more information on this rescue contact the Coast Guard Sector Guam public affairs officer Lt. j.g. Richard Russell at (671) 688-3917.

APRA HARBOR, Guam – The Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue partners, coordinated in the rescue of 10 crewmembers forced to abandon ship due to a shipboard fire 700 miles west of Guam Saturday.

Coast Guard Sector Guam watchstanders received an initial alert from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon from the Hsin Man Chun, a 70-foot Taiwanese fishing vessel, at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Watchstanders then received a call from rescue coordination center Taipei, China reporting that a sister ship of the Hsin Man Chun received a radio call indicating the crew was planning to abandon ship.

A Navy P-3 Orion long-range search aircraft from Patrol Squadron 1 stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, overflew the vessel and reported eight crewmembers in a life raft and two more on the bridge of the burning vessel. The P-3 crew deployed two life rafts to assist the crewmembers that remained behind. They passed the location of the distressed crewmembers to the Semirio, a Marshallese flagged bulk carrier diverted to the area by the Coast Guard.

The Semirio was only 40 miles away from the distressed vessel and was asked to assist. Once on scene, the 950-foot bulk carrier launched a small boat and successfully rescued all 10 crewmembers. The Semirio is one of many foreign flagged vessels operating in the Pacific that voluntarily participate in the AMVER System.

AMVER, sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, is a unique, computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. With AMVER, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.

For more information about AMVER visit www.amver.com.

For more information on this rescue contact the Coast Guard Sector Guam public affairs officer Lt. j.g. Richard Russell at (671) 688-3917.

APRA HARBOR, Guam – A fisherman missing 16 miles northwest of Ritidian Point, Guam is safe after ashore after a search coordinated by the Coast Guard led a Navy aircrew to find the missing man Monday.

Yi Hong Ji, was on his jet ski when he contacted 911 by cell phone to report he was experiencing engine problems and was not going to be able to make it back to shore.

Ji had departed approximately 6 a.m. Monday from Tanguisson Beach on a white and yellow jet ski, planning to fish north between Guam and Rota.

The crew of the 110-foot patrol boat Coast Guard Cutter Washington, a 25-foot Response Boat-Small  from Station Apra Harbor, an MH-60 helicopter from Navy squadron HSC-25 and Guam Fire Rescue Department all joined the search.

The rescue helicopter aircrew first sighted the abandoned jet ski with no sign of Ji. He was found two miles from the jet ski. 

A rescue swimmer was deployed from the helicopter and Ji was safely hoisted aboard. He was transported to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam in stable condition. 

“This successful case exemplifies the importance of our search and rescue partnerships across the island” said Capt. Casey White, Sector Guam commander. “Aside from the active participation of HSC-25, Guam Fire Rescue, Coast Guard Cutter Washington and Station Apra Harbor on the water and in the air, we gained critical assistance from a local cell phone carrier in tracking where the 911 calls came from. This support immediately narrowed down our search area and enabled us to respond more rapidly.” 

Search and rescue crews searched 640 square miles, an area roughly two times the size of Guam. 

For more information contact Sector Guam public affair's office at 671-688-3917.

Editors note: For high resolution photos click the thumbnails above. 

PACIFIC OCEAN – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia is delivering humanitarian aid and supplies to the outer Caroline Islands in the Federated States of Micronesia as part of a joint effort by the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense and civilian partners Monday. 

More than 25 pallets consisting of textbooks, teaching supplies, toys, clothing, books, paint, generators, appliances, coolers, medical supplies, basic hygiene items and 55-gallon barrels are being delivered to the islands of Ulithi, Nomwin and Murilo Atolls. These supplies will enable the reconstruction of clinics, schools and provide the Pacific Islanders essential supplies they cannot receive on a regular basis. 

The Ayuda Foundation and Oceania Community Health organization personnel in Guam helped gather and load the supplies onto the Sequoia, March 12, 2012. The Sequoia also loaded several tons of Project Handclasp supplies collected in a joint effort by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. 

The Sequoia’s first stop was Pohnpei where they conducted joint law enforcement operations to support bilateral agreements for fisheries enforcement throughout the Pacific Ocean. While in Pohnpei, they also provided boat tours for more than 300 students. After the Sequoia’s law enforcement operations, the crew visited the atolls in the Hall Islands to deliver supplies. 

The Sequoia crew also visited the atolls of Chuuk State and the islands of Nomwin and Murilo. After off-loading supplies, Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Edwards, the cutter's health services technician, administered basic first aid and provided direction on the medical and hygiene products delivered to the islands. Edwards trained residents in treating common afflictions such as sunburn and heat exhaustion, in addition to conducting CPR demonstrations.

The crew also provided training on basic search and rescue concepts and equipment. Petty Officer 1st Class Geraldine Cabrera, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jared Barnes, boatswains mates aboard the Sequoia, explained the use and importance of survival gear such as flares, signal mirrors, smoke producing devices and other common distress signals. The crew also distributed and explained the importance of filing float plans that contain critical information to assist the Coast Guard in the event of a missing boater. 

“It was very rewarding to see the islanders truly understand the importance of search and rescue and the basic things they can do to help, like wear bright clothes and file a float plan with their island,” said Cabrera.

The crew of the Sequoia will continue efforts of distributing supplies in the Caroline Islands in the Federated States of Micronesia. 

The Sequoia, a 225-foot sea-going buoy tender homeported in Guam, is manned by a crew of 54. Its primary missions are maintaining aids to navigation, search and rescue, law enforcement, marine environmental protection and homeland security. The Coast Guard works in partnership with local communities acoss the Pacific to provide them with capabilities that will enable greater safety, security and economic success.

For more information contact the 14th Coast Guard District public affairs office at 808-535-3230.

HONOLULU – One of the Coast Guard’s newest cutters will be making a stop in Honolulu and is scheduled to be open for public tours Saturday.

The ship will be open to the public Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Coast Guard Base Sand Island, 400 Sand Island Access Rd.

The Coast Guard Cutter Waesche is scheduled to arrive in Honolulu Harbor Friday. The Waesche, named for Adm. Russell R. Waesche, is the second of eight planned Legend Class cutters preceding the Coast Guard Cutter Dorothy Stratton and following the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf.

The 418-foot cutter has a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles and a crew of 110. It's equipped with a 4,000 square-foot flight deck that has the capability to recover the MH-65 Dolphin and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, and larger Naval aircraft. 

Waesche is also equipped with a Cutter Boat Over the Horizon IV deployed by davit from the side. It also has two Short Range Prosecutor boats deployed and recovered from the stern launch system which increases the ability to launch and recover boats quickly and in heavy seas.

Adm. Russell R. Waesche was the Coast Guard’s longest serving Commandant who presided over the greatest expansion of the service in history. Waesche ensured the integration of the U.S. Lighthouse Service into the Coast Guard and is also credited with the organization of the Coast Guard Reserve. He graduated from the Revenue Cutter School of Instruction and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1906. Waesche retired from active duty Coast Guard service and passed away shortly thereafter in 1946. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

For more information on the Cutter Waesche visit the following link:
http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/CGCWaesche/

For more information about the National Security Cutter and the Coast Guard's acquisition program, visit the following websites:
http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/nsc/projectdescription.asp
http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/nsc/features.asp
http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/nsc/default.asp

For more information contact the 14th Coast Guard District public affairs office at 808-535-3230.

For hi-resloution version click on photo above.

HONOLULU — Coast Guard air crews are searching for a man in his 40’s to 50’s that was reported swept out to sea near Hanakapiai Stream on the NaPali Coast, Kauai, Saturday. 

Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators received a call from Kauai Fire Department personnel at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday, requesting assistance locating a man last seen attempting to cross a stream when he was knocked down and not seen. The man was reported wearing a white hat and dark clothing. 

An MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew, from Air Station Barbers Point, will search through the night. Kauai Fire Department helicopter, Air 1, and Civil Air Patrol searched through this afternoon with no sightings. The Kauai Fire Department has suspended their search and will continue at first light Sunday.  

"The Coast Guard is asking anyone with any information regarding this case to contact the Sector Command Center at 808-842-2600," said Mr. Darin McCracken, search and rescue controller with Sector Command Center Honolulu.

For more information contact the 14th Coast Guard District public affairs office at 808-535-3230.

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard is advising all mariners in the Hawaiian Islands to prepare their vessels for severe weather affecting the Hawaiian Islands throughout the weekend.

Indications and models suggest thunderstorms and heavy rain are in store for the islands. A deep upper level trough is forecast to keep the weather unsettled through Saturday, while a strong high pressure system far northwest of the state maintain strong and gusty trades into early next week. All islands will be vulnerable to a line of thunderstorms producing strong winds of 39 mph or greater and possible waterspouts. Mariners can expect gusty winds, higher seas, dangerous lightning and reduced visibility in heavy rain.

 “For everyone’s own safety, we ask that boaters heed all warnings and notices regarding this storm.  The storm will produce high winds, heavy rains, and rough seas,” said Cmdr. Steven Wheeler, commander Sector Honolulu's response department. “The National Weather Service Office in Honolulu has issued a small craft advisory for all waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.  We recommend that all small vessels return to port or seek a safe harbor and that mariners begin preparations to secure vessels in port.”

Six known boats have broken away from their moorings within the past week due to severe weather and one boat sank after being struck by lightning Monday.

All mariners, vessel owners and harbor facility operators are encouraged to take steps to ensure vessels and facilities are prepared for the anticipated heavy winds and seas. Suggested measures for vessels in port include: doubling-up, lengthening and adding additional mooring lines, charging batteries to ensure proper operation of automatic bilge pumps, and removing or securing of all loose items that could possibility create projectile hazards. Prior to getting underway, the Coast Guard advises mariners to check weather and sea conditions and all essential safety equipment, including an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon, a functioning radio and flares prior to getting underway.  The Coast Guard urges boaters to wear their life jackets at all times during heavy weather events.

The Coast Guard also recommends filing a float plan with the harbormaster or a responsible adult prior to departure.  The plan should include the date and time of departure, the estimated date and time of return and the intended destination.  A detailed float plan helps to ensure that search and rescue assets are dispatched in a timely manner when boaters fail to return on schedule.  For more information on float plans and general boating safety, please visit the following website: http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/float_planning.aspx.

Mariners can stay tuned to the latest weather updates from the National Weather Service at their website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/pr/hnl/.

For more information contact the 14th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 808-535-3230