Flames Consume Rhode Island Fishing Vessel

BOSTON, MA, July 22, 2007 (The Boating Channel)

The Coast Guard and the Jamestown, RI Fire Department responded to a burning fishing boat four miles south of Newport, R.I. last Thursday morning

Chris Lutyens, the only person aboard the Lucy when it burst into flames, was taken aboard a 25-foot response boat from Station Castle Hill, transported to the Jamestown pier and transferred by awaiting Jamestown EMS to Newport Hospital for follow-up treatment.

The Jamestown Fire Department arrived on-scene around 7:30 a.m. and fought the fire until the vessel sank in about 100-feet of water.

Lutyens escaped in a life raft and called Coast Guard Station Castle Hill by cell-phone, reporting the Lucy, a Jamestown-based boat, on fire south of Lands End, R.I. around 6:20 a.m.

The crew of another fishing vessel, the Odyssey, observed the fire and took Lutyens aboard.

Coast Guard Station Castle Hill responded with a 25-foot-response-boat crew and a 41-foot-utility-boat crew, who arrived on-scene around 6:35 a.m.

"Since Mr. Lutyens had a life raft aboard and the knowledge of how to use it, he was able to safely evacuate the vessel and call for help. We strongly urge all boaters to ensure they have operable emergency equipment when planning to be at sea," said Petty Officer Jason Ronin of Station Castle Hill.

Coast Guard Rescues Sailboat Crashing Against Rocks (Story w Video)

(SEATTLE, WA, June 2, 2007) - The Coast Guard assisted four people on a sailing vessel that ran aground at the south end of Lopez Island, Wash. on May 27th. Coast Guard Group Port Angeles received a call from the 36-foot sailing vessel, the Shekinech, that they had ran aground and needed assistance. A Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles and a Coast Guard 33-foot small response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham also launched to the scene. Upon arrival the 33-foot small response boat pulled the Shekinech off of the rocks while the helicopter hovered in case of further complications. A commercial assitance vessel arrived at the scene and established a tow enroute Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, Wash. No injuries were reported.

Video: Dramatic Rescue of Sailboat Crashing Against Rock Cliff

If It's On The Water, It's On The Boating Channel! www.BoatingChannel.com

Coast Guard Rescues NJ Pleasure Boaters

OFFSHORE OF OCEAN CITY, NJ, May 29, 2007 (USCG) - Coast Guard and commercial salvage crews de-watered a 27-foot pleasure craft on Sunday, May 27, 2007.

The Coast Guard received a call for assistance from four people aboard the vessel, taking on water about five nautical miles east of Ocean City at 11:23 a.m.

Boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Townsends Inlet, N.J., and Coast Guard Station Great Egg, in Ocean City, responded to assist.

After the pleasure craft was successfully de-watered, it was towed into port by the crew of the commercial salvage boat while the four crewmembers were transported to Somers Point, N.J., by the Station Great Egg boatcrew

After the pleasure craft was successfully de-watered, it was towed into port by the crew of the commercial salvage boat while the four crewmembers were transported to Somers Point, N.J., by the Station Great Egg boatcrew

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If It's On The Water, It's On The Boating Channel!
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Coast Guard Issues Alert for Wayward Whales

RIO VISTA, CA, May 17, 2007 (The Boating Channel) The Coast Guard has issued a safety marine information bulletin over channel 16, advising all mariners that the Coast Guard will be enforcing a 100-yard safety zone around the whales.

Audio Text of Message:

Securite 3: Hello all stations this is United States Coast Guard Sector San Francisco

break

Securite 3: This is United States Coast Guard Sector San Francisco out.

Coast Guard Issues Alert for Wayward Whales

RIO VISTA, CA, May 17, 2007 (The Boating Channel) The Coast Guard has issued a safety marine information bulletin over channel 16, advising all mariners that the Coast Guard will be enforcing a 100-yard safety zone around the whales.

Audio Text of Message:

Securite 3: Hello all stations this is United States Coast Guard Sector San Francisco

break

Securite 3: The Coast Guard has received a report of two humpback whales 10 miles south of West Sacramento. All vessels in the area are requested to transit the area with caution and be advised there is a 100-yard safety zone around each of the whales

break

Securite 3: This is United States Coast Guard Sector San Francisco out.

Empress of the North Runs Aground in Alaskan Strait

JUNEAU, Alaska, May 14, 2007 (The Boating Channel)

The 360-foot paddelwheel cruise ship Empress of the North ran aground 49 miles west of Juneau near Hanus Reef in Lynn Canal, Alaska this morning at about 2a.m. local Alaska time.

According to Petty Officer Christopher D. McLaughlin at the Coast Guard base in Kodiak, the ship was listing 6 degrees and was taking on water.

Coast Guard and other good samaritan vessels, including some fishing boats and other cruise ships in the area, coordinated efforts to evacuate the 281 passengers on board. No injuries have been reported. The evacuated passengers have been taken to Juno.

The weather on scene is calm. The Coast Guard is working with other state and federal agencies to ensure the safety of everyone on board and to mitigate any potential environmental damage. The vessel is owned an operated by Majestic America Line of Seattle, Washington.

The Empress of the North contacted the Coast Guard via VHF radio on Channel 16 reporting they were aground with 281 passengers on board.

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak launched a C-130 crew and a pre-deployed HH-60 helicopter crew from Cordova, Alaska to the scene.

The Coast Guard is still investigating the cause of the grounding.