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Coast Guard Underway (Video)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Coast Guard boat crew returns from Downtown Jacksonville during Tropical Storm Fay on Aug. 22, 2008.

 Click HERE to View.

Casino Ship breaks free

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A local casino cruise ship broke free of its moorings due to high winds and rough seas associated with Tropical Storm Fay Friday at 6 a.m. in Mayport, Fla.

The Sun Cruz casino ship broke free after high winds and rough seas parted the mooring lines that were securing the ship to its berth in Mayport. Only two people were aboard the vessel when it broke free. The ship grounded in the St. Johns River east of the Jacksonville Pilot’s Station.

A small tug that was moored near the Sun Cruz was able to get underway and pull the vessel free. The tug towed Sun Cruz back to its berth.

There is no reported damage to the Sun Cruz and no apparent pollution associated with the ship’s grounding.

Coast Guard crews are investigating the grounding to further determine the cause of the grounding and review the ship’s heavy weather preparations.

The Port of Jacksonville remains closed as Coast Guard crews conduct post-storm assessments of waterside facilities and the waterways to ensure they are safe for vessels to enter.

Port Canaveral ease flooding

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. - The federal government is attempting to ease flooding in the vicinity of the Banana River, Fla., by limiting the operation of the Port Canaveral lock system.

The Army Corps of Engineers will keep the Port Canaveral locks in the open position to help ease flooding. Mariners should note that the locks will only be available for vessel traffic during the following schedule:

- August 23: 12:30 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

- August 24: 1 a.m. - 3 a.m. / 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

- August: 25: 2 a.m. - 4 a.m. / 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

- August 26: 3 a.m. - 5 a.m. / 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

- August 27: 4 a.m. - 6 a.m. / 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Mariners should avoid attempting to pass through the locks while the red light is lit because a strong possibility of hazardous currents exists. All mariners are to use extreme caution when approaching the Port Canaveral locks and are requested to contact the Canaveral locks via VHF-FM channel 16 or 13 to make arrangements for passage.

USCG & Tropical Storm Fay

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Coast Guard is reminding boaters to stay off the water during Tropical Storm Fay because of several search and rescue cases during the storm in Central and Northeast Florida.

The Coast Guard has responded to four persons in the water, three grounded vessels and one possible hoax distress call Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Boaters can first help themselves by staying off the water if possible or seeking safe harbor out of the path of the storm.

The Coast Guard responded to a report of a flipped catamaran with two people aboard near the Titusville, Fla., swing bridge. The pair was able to right the vessel and return to shore safely on their own. The Coast Guard has also received a report of a 50-foot sailing vessel grounded approximately one mile north of the highway 520 bridge in the Titusville area and a 30-foot sailing vessel grounded in the Intra-coastal waterway west of the Indian River barge canal near Titusville.

The Coast Guard is preparing its own boats and cutters for the storm by removing them from the water or moving them to safe harbor; commercial and recreational boaters should do the same. People should also stay off the beaches and areas prone to flooding.

Coast Guard crews are standing by to assist boaters in distress; however, response times and capabilities may be degraded because of the storm.

Marine Safety Information Bulletin - Ports of Miami, Port Everglades, Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, Miami River

MIAMI - Effective 11:30 a.m. Monday, Hurricane Condition YANKEE (sustained Gale Force winds from a hurricane force storm are predicted within 24 hours) is set for the Ports of Miami, Port Everglades, West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce and the Miami River.

Drawbridges in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and the Miami River within Miami-Dade County are expected to be locked in the down position by 3:00 p.m. Monday. Drawbridges in the ICW and the New River within Broward County are expected to be locked in the down position by 4:00 p.m. Monday. Once a bridge is locked, it will not be opened until bridge crews are able to return after the storm passes.

All mariners are reminded that there are no safe havens in Florida and the port is safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. For planning purposes, all oceangoing vessel and barges over 500 gross tons will be required to depart Port of Miami and head out to sea when Hurricane Condition YANKEE is set. Inland vessels and barges over 500 gross tons are required to seek safe refuge in a port outside the Port of Miami.

Vessel movement will be restricted and allowed only on a case-by-case basis by approval of the Captain of the Port. All vessels expecting to conduct cargo operations during Condition YANKEE shall submit a Cargo Operations Plan to terminal owners for approval. All ship-to-shore operations must be completed six hours prior to the setting of Port Condition ZULU.

* Affected ports are closed to inbound traffic.

* Coast Guard Port Survey teams will conduct Port Condition YANKEE validation.

Tropical Storm Fay may develop into a stronger storm. All marine interests must take early and substantial action to ensure safety of the port and vessels. Future port conditions cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, but provided the storm remains on the projected course and track, port stakeholders can expect the following progression of port conditions.

Sustained Gale Force winds from a hurricane force storm are predicted within 24 hours.

For additional information please call Coast Guard Sector Miami at 305-535-4472.

Coast Guard Sets Port Condition YANKEE For The Ports Of Tampa, St. Petersburg And Manatee

TAMPA, Fla. - The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port has set Port Hurricane Condition YANKEE for the ports of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Manatee. Gale-force winds from Tropical Storm Fay threatens to impact the Tampa Bay area within 24 hours. (Gale-force winds 32-63 mph).

As Tropical Storm Fay nears West Florida, the Coast Guard urges recreational and commercial mariners to prepare now. Boaters are urged to move boats from the projected path of the storm to ensure their safety and the safety of their vessels. Both recreational and commercial mariners should be aware of the following measures that may take place before the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay.

Bridges:

Drawbridges will be closed and locked in the down position within eight hours prior to the arrival of gale-force winds.

Closed: A bridge closure means the bridge will remain in the down position unless there is an emergency situation, such as a vessel removing hazardous cargo away from an area a storm is anticipated to affect.

Locked: Once a bridge is locked, it will not be opened until bridge crews are able to return after the storm passes. Crews may not be able to immediately return to a bridge or may not be able to re-open it depending on available access to the bridge, damage to the area and power outages.

Ports:

A 24-hour alert has been issued for Tropical Storm Fay at 10 a.m. Aug. 18. At this time, waterfront facilities should continue removing potential flying debris, hazardous materials and oil pollution hazards from dockside areas. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port may require additional precautions to ensure the safety of the port and waterways.

Preparation/Vessels in the storm:

Assistance from Coast Guard and other crews may be severely degraded or unavailable immediately before, during or after a storm. Mariners are urged not to “ride out,” a hurricane or tropical storm at sea. Owners of smaller pleasure craft are urged to seek a safe haven for their boat prior to the approach of Tropical Storm Fay. The only anchorages allowed in Tampa Bay are only for vessels waiting to load or unload explosives. If unable to avoid the storm, mariners should ensure they are wearing lifejackets and know how to activate distress signaling devices.

After a storm:

Navigational aids may be moved or destroyed by heavy weather. Mariners should not completely rely on the position of the aids after a storm, until Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Teams and cutters are able to verify and reposition them. All methods for determining position should be used following a storm to ensure safety.

Mariners should also check with local authorities before entering a storm-damaged area and should be alert for debris or pollution in the water while transiting damaged areas after a storm and report any sightings of such to the Coast Guard or local emergency agencies.

At the present time, the U.S. Coast Guard further anticipates the setting of Port Hurricane Condition ZULU on or about 10 p.m. Aug. 18, recognizing that this timeline may change.

For additional information please call Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 727-824-7506.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The body of a missing diver was located Friday at 1:30 p.m. by fellow divers underwater after an extensive search by the Coast Guard and Navy crews 38-miles east of St. Augustine, Fla.

The crew of the commercial fishing vessel Animal Control sent a second diver in the water who located the missing man's body. The crew radioed the Coast Guard rescue coordinators at Sector Jacksonville for help after the missing diver did not resurface from what was supposed to be a 45-minute dive.

The diver's body is being transported by a Coast Guard rescue boat crew to Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville where it will be turned over to the Duval County Medical Examiner later this evening. The fishing vessel Animal Control is headed back to St. Augustine.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the accident.

A rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Mayport, Fla., a rescue crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., a helicopter crew from Naval Station Mayport, a airplane crew from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, and the USS Halyburton (FFG 40) all participated in the search for the missing diver.

Coast Guard urges mariners to stay informed for changing weather conditions

MIAMI - Tropical Storm Fay is constantly changing and quickly approaching Florida and the Seventh Coast Guard District wants the maritime community and boating public to prepare early for the impending storm. Those in the path of an approaching storm have an individual responsibility to stay alert, heed warnings and ensure the safety of themselves and their families. 

Boaters are reminded drawbridges along the coast may deviate from normal operating procedures prior to a storm. Bridge tenders are generally authorized to close bridges up to eight hours prior to the approach of gale force winds of 34 knots or greater and/or whenever an evacuation is ordered. All bridges in the Florida Keys are currently open but mariners can expect them to close once the storm gets closer to the area.

Due to the uncertainty of storm movements and related bridge closures, mariners should seek early passage through drawbridges well in advance of the arrival of gale force winds. Mariners are advised to check with the local Coast Guard Sector.

• Sector Key West (305) 292-8727
• Sector Miami (305) 535-8701
• Sector St. Petersburg (727) 824-7506

In the event the storm approaches a mariner's area, take necessary action to ensure personal safety. Extremely high seas, heavy rains and damaging winds that accompany tropical storms and hurricanes present serious dangers to mariners. If unable to evade a storm, mariners should ensure they are wearing a lifejacket at all times and know how to activate distress signaling devices. Rescue and assistance by the Coast Guard and other agencies, however, may be severely degraded or unavailable immediately before, during and after a devastating storm.

Aids to navigation, particular lighted and unlighted buoys, may be moved from their charted positions, extinguished, destroyed or otherwise made inoperative as a result of severe storms. Mariners should not rely completely upon the position or operation of a navigational aid but should employ all other methods of determining position as may be available.

Remember, the adverse weather effects generated by a hurricane can cover an area hundreds of miles wide. Even boaters and maritime industry who fall outside the direct path of a storm are advised to be cognizant of these dangerous weather conditions and take appropriate precautions to stay safe and minimize damage.

Some tips from the Coast Guard on preparing for a hurricane:

• There are no designated safe harbors in the state of Florida.
• Do not go out to sea in a recreational boat to "ride out" a hurricane.
• Contact local marinas to seek advice for securing vessels. Marina operators are knowledgeable and can advise on the best methods for securing boats.
• Take action now. The effects of a hurricane can be felt well in advance of the storm itself and can prevent the safe completion of preparations.
• Check with local authorities before entering any storm-damaged area. Do not rush to check on vessels. Boaters should not place themselves in danger to check on a boat.
• Do not try to reach boats forced into the water and surrounded by debris. Wait until authorities have made safe access available. Do not try to board a partially sunken boat. Seek salvage assistance from a professional.

USCG Remove Freighter that Ran Aground

MIAMI - Coast Guard Sector Miami personnel and marine salvage contractors are making arrangements to remove the 279 foot freighter Island Intrepid that ran aground near Government Cut, in Miami, on Wednesday.

Salvage crews plan to dewater the freighter, Island Intrepid, before high-tide Thursday, when tug boats are scheduled to attempt to remove it from its current position.

Government Cut is still open to inbound and outbound traffic, however, mariners are asked to proceed with caution and produce no wake while transiting the area. Government Cut is scheduled to close to maritime traffic from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for removal operations.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines flagged ship, Island Intrepid, was transiting Government Cut while en route the Port of Miami Wednesday, when the ship reportedly suffered a steering casualty and ran aground.

As a preventative measure, crews set approximately 1200-feet of boom around the Island Intrepid. There are no reports of pollution with the exception of a slight sheen off the stern, which is being contained by the deployed boom.

Maritime security exercise to begin in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -Agency and industry partners are conducting a full-scale maritime security exercise Tuesday and Wednesday in the ports of Jacksonville and Port Canaveral, Fla.

The exercise, named Operation Argus, is part of the Northeastern and Eastern Central Florida Area Maritime Security Plan, which is a required and critical step in protecting the port and marine transportation systems. The Northeast and Eastern Central Florida Maritime Security Committee developed the exercise plan and will facilitate the exercise.

Operation Argus will emphasize prevention, preparedness for response, crisis management and recovery, resource management, and information sharing during a simulated security incident in the ports of Jacksonville and Port Canaveral. The exercise will test and hone the response capability of decision makers in the private sector, MTSA-regulated entities, and law enforcement officials and emergency responders at the federal, state, and local levels.

The Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, FBI, JAXPORT, the Canaveral Port Authority, the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and numerous maritime cargo facilities are some of the port stakeholders that will participate in Operation Argus.