Date: Jan. 4, 2010
Contact:
808-535-3230

U.S. Coast Guard investigators respond to grounded sailing vessel

###

Date: Dec. 10, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

U.S. Coast Guard to release investigation findings of fatal
2008 rescue helicopter crash at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 11

Rear Adm. Manson K. Brown, Commander of the 14th Coast Guard District, will read a statement to media and then answer questions. Copies of the Coast Guard Commandant's Final Action Memo (containing the investigation details), Final Decision Letter on the mishap investigation and a comprehensive press release will be provided at the press conference.

The investigations will not be available until 9:30 a.m. HST Friday.

The news conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Dec. 11, at Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point (1 Coral Sea Road, Kapolei, Hawaii, 96707). Please contact the 14th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 808-535-3230 to confirm attendance.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Date: Nov. 28, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

HONOLULU — The day after Thanksgiving, the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Kukui, home ported here in Honolulu, returned home after spending five months in San Francisco for a major maintenance overhaul.

The Kukui's crew was met at the pier late Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, by family members and fellow Guardians.

In June, the crew departed Honolulu on a 2,200-mile trip to San Francisco, beginning a 169-day effort to complete vital maintenance to the cutter and preserve its readiness to patrol the Pacific. The Kukui is one of three buoy tenders assigned to 14th District waters.

This maintenance involved more than 130 contracted work items as well as 30 projects completed by the ship’s crew. During the arduous period, the crew lived aboard the ship, frequently worked long shifts, provided "24/7 oversight" of contracted work, and completed numerous ship’s force projects.

While in San Francisco, Kukui's crewmembers integrated themselves with the local community. They participated in three major community service events while in maintenance, such as clean-ups of local beaches, volunteer work at the San Francisco Zoo, and service at the San Francisco Food Bank. Additionally, crewmembers participated in more than a dozen local activities to include half-marathons and other local sporting events. These activities provided a valuable outlet away from the daily grind of the dry-dock for the crew.

The Coast Guard wasted no time in returning the crew and the cutter back to operational status. On the first day of the journey home, while passing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, the crew of Kukui received a distress call from a disabled vessel in danger of grounding on rocks in heavy seas. 

Crewmembers located the vessel, prepared a small boat for launch, and was able to direct a nearby Coast Guard rescue boat to the distressed vessel in time to tow it to safety. 

Kukui is a 225-foot buoy tender, with a crew of 49, based at Sand Island. The crew of Kukui patrols the Hawaiian Islands, Central and Western Pacific, protecting U.S. interests by maintaining maritime aids to navigation, conducting maritime law enforcement, homeland security, marine environmental protection, and search and rescue operations.

NOTE: Still imagery of the Kukui's return to port is available for download at www.uscgd14.com. Please contact 808-535-3230 for more information about this news release.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Date: Nov. 25, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

Russell Yoshida was reported missing to HFD at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Coast Guard crews aboard an HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point and the 110-foot patrol boat Galveston Island searched all day Tuesday and until 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Air crews aboard the HH-65, HFD's Air One and a U.S. Navy SH-60 Seahawk rescue helicopter were on scene at first light this morning. Search patterns will keep the Coast Guard and Navy helicopters on scene all day today.

A search directed from the Coast Guard's 24-hour Honolulu Harbor command center has covered more than 600 square miles -- an area nearly the size of Oahu. The search area is focused on a last-known position where Yoshida launched his kayak near Waialua. Wind and sea currents have kept the search area focused in that area.

The Coast Guard and Navy helicopters are flying patterns as much as 12 miles off shore and in an area roughly between Kaena and Kahuku Points.

Searchers on scene have reported weather conditions of 10-foot seas and building and winds from the northeast at more than 20 mph. Yoshida was reported to be in a 10-foot yellow kayak and is not wearing a life jacket.

“We are confident we have developed an accurate search area," said Petty Officer 1st Class Seth Roedel, a search and rescue controller with the Coast Guard's Honolulu Harbor command center. "We will evaluate and re-evaluate throughout the day as we gather information on the weather and other conditions in order to have the best chance at finding him."

Anyone with information about the missing man or a yellow kayak is asked to contact the Coast Guard at 808-842-2600 or via VHF marine band radio channel 16.

NOTE: Media are asked to contact the Coast Guard's public affairs team at 808-535-3230 for more information about this release. Imagery is not available at this time.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Date: Nov. 24, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

The kayaker was reported missing to HFD at 7:30 p.m. Monday. It was also reported he was not wearing a life jacket. HFD launched its rescue helicopter crew aboard HFD Air One immediately but suspended the search at dark.

A Coast Guard HH-65 rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point arrived on scene at 9 p.m. and searched throughout the night. 

As of this morning, on scene are crew members aboard a C-130 long-range search plane and an HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point and the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Galveston Island, a Honolulu-based 110-foot patrol boat.

HFD launched its rescue helicopter and boat crews at sunrise today and on scene are crews from Engines 11 and 14 to conduct shoreline searches with paddleboards and jet skis. The search will continue throughout the day.

Weather reported Monday night by searchers was light winds and swells of five to six feet. Weather this morning on scene is reported as scattered clouds and fair winds with a possibility for increasing swell through the day. The Coast Guard asks anyone with information of any sightings of a yellow kayak near Waialua to call 808-842-2600. 

NOTE: No imagery is available at this time. Please contact 808-535-3230 for more information about this news release.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Date: Nov. 23, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

CHUUK, Federated States of Micronesia — Search and rescue controllers with the U.S. Coast Guard in Honolulu and Apra Harbor, Guam, have determined that seven people reported missing in a skiff near Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia over the weekend have been reported safe on another island.

The seven had been reported missing Friday in a 19-foot fiberglass skiff from Chuuk, but turned up in the Hall Islands approximately 70 miles away.

A C-130 long-range search plane air crew from Air Station Barbers Point and a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion crew from Guam searched Monday and Tuesday for the skiff and seven people. The Coast Guard first received notice the seven were missing at noon Friday.

A Good Samaritan vessel bound for Fananu had located the missing boat at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday. The "Good Sam" towed the distressed vessel and seven people until that vessel encountered engine problems of its own and was unable to continue towing. 

When the "Good Sam" was able to restart his engine, he reported the distressed boat was nowhere to be seen. The missing 19-foot vessel was last seen at approximately 1 a.m. Sunday.

Coast Guard Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam coordinated a multi-agency search to include the U.S. Navy P-3 Orion dispatched from Anderson Air Force Base on Guam and organized a search that covered more than 2,500 square nautical miles.

The Coast Guard C-130 from Hawaii arrived on scene at 7:30 a.m. Monday, and a twin-engine aircraft from Caroline Island Airlines also assisted with the search. An additional Coast Guard C-130 search plane from Hawaiiwas expected to join the search this afternoon before the seven were reported safe in the Hall Islands. 

Weather on-scene was reported to be 25-knot northwest winds with waves up to 10 feet.   

NOTE: Imagery of this case is not  available. Media may contact the U.S. Coast Guard’s Honolulu public affairs office at 808-535-3230 for more information about this news release or Guam personnel at 671-564-8724.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Date: Nov. 22, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

The joint maritime search and rescue exercise included a demonstration of a maritime search for persons in distress, the rescue of drowning victims, transportation of personnel, and emergency medical treatment using helicopter and small boat recovery efforts. 

The Coast Guard and crewmembers from the Rush worked closely with the various Shanghai maritime agencies to create a professional, cultural and social bond through sharing operational tactics of maritime search and rescue. All organizations successfully demonstrated readiness and efficiency throughout the exercise. 

This joint demonstration is just one example of the ongoing positive, cooperative, and comprehensive relationship between the U.S. Coast Guard and China’s civil maritime agencies.

The Rush, homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii, visited Shanghai for a four day international exchange where the crew participated in numerous activities with Shanghai’s maritime services, such as a seamanship competition and professional information exchanges.

NOTE: For high-resolution images, paste the following links into your browser:

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=717939

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=717942

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=717948

###

Date: Nov. 15, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

  U.S. Coast Guard suspends the search for missing Big Island fisherman, Nov. 15, 2009

HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for Devin Johnson, a 23-year-old fisherman last seen early Friday morning approximately 60 miles west of the Big Island.

The Coast Guard notified the family and officially suspended the search at 7:30 p.m. pending any further developments.

Air crews aboard a Coast Guard C-130 long-range search plane and HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter were on scene at first light Sunday morning and searched throughout the day.

Also searching today were air crews aboard a Navy P-3 Orion fixed-wing aircraft and SH-60 Seahawk rescue helicopter from the Navy's HSL Squadron 37. Both aircraft are based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe.

A search directed from the Coast Guard's 24-hour Honolulu Harbor command center covered more than 8,000 square miles -- an area nearly twice the size of the Big Island.

“It’s always difficult to suspend a search,” said Capt. Barry Compagnoni, the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Honolulu, and the senior-most Coast Guard officer responsible for directing the search.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Devin Johnson’s family, friends and loved ones during this tragic time. We saturated the search area with as many assets as we could bring to bear and it is extremely unfortunate we were unable to find any sign.”

Searchers on scene today reported weather conditions of seas of five feet and winds from the southeast at 25 mph.

Anyone with further information about the missing man is asked to contact the Coast Guard at 808-842-2600 or via VHF marine band radio channel 16 or the Hawaii Police Department on the Big Island.  

NOTE: Media are asked to contact the Coast Guard's public affairs team at 808-535-3230 for more information about this release. Imagery is not available at this time.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Date: Nov. 14, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

Air crews aboard a Coast Guard C-130 long-range search plane and HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter were on scene at first light Saturday morning. The 18-member crew of the Hilo-based Coast Guard cutter Kiska has been on scene searching continuously since Friday afternoon.

Also searching today are air crews aboard a Navy P-3 Orion fixed-wing aircraft and SH-60 Seahawk rescue helicopter from the Navy's HSL Squadron 37. Both aircraft are based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe.

A search directed from the Coast Guard's 24-hour Honolulu Harbor command center has covered more than 6,000 square miles -- an area nearly 10 times the size of Oahu. Also on scene searching are friends and relatives aboard at least five private vessels.

Searchers on scene have reported deteriorating weather conditions with seas of 12 feet and winds from the southeast at 25 mph. Johnson was last seen wearing an olive green sweater and black shorts, but no life jacket.

Anyone with further information about the missing man is asked to contact the Coast Guard at 808-842-2600 or via VHF marine band radio channel 16 or the Hawaii Police Department on the Big Island.  

NOTE: Media are asked to contact the Coast Guard's public affairs team at 808-535-3230 for more information about this release. Imagery is not available at this time.

###

Date: Aug. 31, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230

SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — A Taiwanese-flagged fishing vessel was seized and escorted into port here this past weekend by the crew of a U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat for suspected fisheries violations within the boundaries of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (U.S. EEZ).

The crew of the 22-meter, 56-ton Te Hung Fa is alleged to have been illegally fishing for sharks, tuna and other types of fish with its long line gear deployed well within the U.S. EEZ surrounding the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, approximately 400 miles north-northwest of Guam.  U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam is responsible for monitoring and enforcing applicable laws in the U.S. EEZ around Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The Te Hung Fa was met by officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement for investigation into alleged violations of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act.

“Our maritime domain awareness command center ‘watch’ spotted what looked to be behavior consistent with long line fishing activity in U.S.waters,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jay Caputo, fisheries enforcement officer with the 14^th Coast Guard District in Honolulu.

“We informed NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and NOAA General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation of the situation and worked together to determine the best course of action. Ultimately, it was decided that the crew of our patrol boat would seize the vessel and escort it to Saipan.”

The crew of a long-range C-130 aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Honolulu documented the alleged violations at a position 34 nautical miles within the U.S. EEZ on Aug. 26. The crew of the 110-foot Coast Guard cutter (CGC) Washington based at Sector Guam arrived on scene in time to intercept the fishing vessel 17 nautical miles within the U.S. EEZ on Aug. 27.

The fishing vessel crew appeared to be heading west to exit the U.S. EEZ after the initial over flight of the C-130 air crew, said Caputo. He added that the crew of the CGC Washington arrived on scene before the Te Hung Fa could exit the U.S. EEZ and contacted the fishing vessel on VHF marine band channel 16 in both English and Chinese while the C-130 air crew monitored the situation from above. At that point, the Te Hung Fa was 17 nautical miles within the U.S. EEZ.

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement will conduct a full investigation, gather evidence, including that captured by the Coast Guard and work with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Guamand NOAA’s Office of General Counsel to pursue a case against the owners of the Te Hung Fa. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act authorized the imposition of civil penalties up to $140,000 per violation and full forfeiture of the vessel and its catch.  In a similar case of a 2006 violation of the U.S. EEZ of Howland and Baker Islands, a Marshalls Island-flagged fishing vessel owner paid a fine of $500,000 US in U.S. federal court in Guam in June.

“The Coast Guard prides itself on its fisheries conservation mission,” Caputo said. “Enforcement in the waters around Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islandsas well as other U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas is essential to the management and sustainability of fish and other ocean resources throughout the Pacific. This is an inter-agency success for the protection of fisheries resources in the region.”

NOTE: Imagery of this case is available at www.uscghawaii.com. Media may contact the U.S. Coast Guard’s Honolulu public affairs office at 808-535-3230 for more information about this news release. 

###