The Commandant's Coast Guard Day Message (from his All Hands email 8/3/10)

Shipmates,

Admiral Robert J. Papp, 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Today, as it is our custom, we celebrate on the 4th day of August, the anniversary of the establishment of our Service.

The creation of the Revenue Cutter Service closely followed the birth of our Nation. Two hundred and twenty years ago today, or only fourteen years after the date of the Declaration of Independence, President George Washington signed an act of the First Congress providing for the creation of the Revenue Cutter Service.

While I could use this opportunity to recognize the outstanding work of our Active Duty, Reserve, Civilian and Auxiliary members over the past year in Haiti, Deepwater Horizon and across our many missions, I choose instead to honor your outstanding performance by using this occasion to reflect upon what it means to be a Coast Guardsman.

As Coast Guard men and women, we share a bond of pride in our rich heritage and a common purpose to uphold our honorable traditions.

We are defined by unsung heroism and selfless service. We defend our Nation. We risk our lives to save others. We give our utmost when cold, wet and tired. Countless times, we have extended our arm down into the water to rescue those in peril from the sea. We will unhesitatingly extend that same arm to help a shipmate in need.

Coast Guardsmen are always ready. We perform our security, humanitarian and environmental response missions with an unrelenting sense of pride. When disaster strikes, whether natural or manmade, we are first on scene. We are often the last to depart.

Coast Guardsmen are agile, adaptable and multi-missioned. Born as revenue cuttermen, lighthouse keepers, steamboat inspectors and surfmen, we have expanded to meet the maritime needs of our Nation. We are still the keepers of the lights, but we also now patrol far more distant waters. We readily go wherever there are important, difficult and dangerous maritime duties to be performed.

Coast Guardsmen are shipmates; they are family. Though our Service has grown, it is still small enough that we know our shipmates by name. We follow their careers. Their successes and achievements are a matter of interest and pride to the entire Service. This reason is also why it cuts deep when we lose a shipmate. We assemble to carry out the manners of our profession, to grieve their loss and honor their service, and we collectively feel the sorrow. This year has been no exception. We know their names. We know our lost shipmates and we miss them. As the Coast Guardsman’s creed states, we revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for us to be a member of a Service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world.

This is our chosen profession. This is our way. This is what we do. We are privileged to be members of a very unique Service that, due to our collection of missions, and legacy agencies, sometimes defies logic when someone attempts to classify us, or to place a label on us. For this reason, whenever I am asked to describe what I am, I always reply with pride, I am a Coast Guardsman. We are the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, past and present.
On this Coast Guard day, and for the many that will follow, we will continue to faithfully serve. Stand a taut watch.

Semper Paratus,
Admiral Bob Papp
Commandant

Bridge Resource Management for Commercial Vessels

The purpose of this Bulletin is to increase awareness and provide general guidance on bridge resource management practices in an effort to prevent marine casualties. Recently, an alarming trend has come to the attention of local Coast Guard investigators, the results of which place vessels, passengers, crewmembers, and other vessel traffic at unnecessary risk. Operators of commercial passenger and fishing vessels are apparently circumventing federal regulations and best practices by abandoning the vessel operating station to assist with other shipboard tasks and/or failing to maintain a proper look-out. Vessel owners and operators should thoroughly review their bridge resource management procedures to determine compliance with federal regulations, and should develop best practices depending on their service, to ensure proper navigational watches are carried out by employees. The developments of such guidelines are essential to safe guarding vessel operations and are a strong deterrent against avoidable accidents.

*** Regulatory Guidelines for Safe Navigation ***

Both the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (72 COLREGS) and the Inland Navigation Rules specify that each vessel operator shall at all times maintain a proper lookout. If the master or members of the navigation team responsible for acting as the look-out are involved in other shipboard tasks, there is an increased risk of losing situational awareness of other traffic and/or navigation hazards in the area.
For small passenger vessels, Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 185.304 states that “The movement of the vessel shall be under the direction and control of the master or licensed mate at all times.” Therefore, if the master leaves the bridge to assist with other duties, and does not leave a licensed mate or designated senior deckhand on the bridge, the individual may be in violation of federal regulations. Similarly, 46 CFR Part 15 mandates that uninspected passenger vessels and towing vessels must also be also be under the “direction and control” of a licensed master.

Owners and operators should be aware that if a marine casualty reveals a commercial vessel master left the helm, and it is determined to be a significant causal factor, there may be potential Coast Guard enforcement actions. Specifically, Coast Guard licensed mariners may be subject to Suspension and Revocation proceedings per Title 46, CFR Part 5. Additionally, a maximum civil penalty fine of $25,000 for “Negligent Operations” or a maximum $6500 civil penalty for “Failure to Maintain a Lookout” may be assessed to any commercial operator. The Coast Guard urges operators to diligently maintain situational awareness for the protection of the maritime domain.

If you have any questions feel free to contact LT Lauren Kolumbic at 310-521-3770.

In memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice

Tribute graphic created by Coast Guard Petty Officer Cory Mendenahll.

Have a safe holiday weekend!

United States Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Third Class Cory Mendenhall

For our daily readers, you may have noticed that there have not been as many regular postings, and for that I apologize. The delay in posting is due to the fact that I am currently transferring from Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach to a new assignment. As such, this will be my last post.


I have been postings on this blog since its conception, with contributions from other members here at Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach, since April of 2009. The experience of telling the story of our Coast Guard men and women through their efforts this past year and a half has been extremely meaningful.

Thank you to all our readers, and I hope you continue to read about the Coast Guard and our amazing missions and people through the Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach blog and the official Coast Guard blog, The Compass.

Stephanie Young, Lieutenant Junior Grade
United States Coast Guard

Rear Adm. Castillo visits Channel Islands Harbor

OXNARD, Calif. — Rear Adm. J.R.Castillo, Commander of the 11^th Coast Guard District, together with Command Master Chief, T.F. Vanderwerf, visited Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor and Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip June 22, 2010.

Station Channel Islands Commanding Officer, LT W.T. McGhee, briefed the Admiral on the station’s Area of Responsibility and recent operational events. He discussed the role and accomplishments of the Coast Guard Auxiliary including: underway operations, communication watch-standers, vessel examinations, station improvements, public outreach, and the Annual Safe Boating Expo. The Admiral was impressed with the relationship between Auxiliary and station personnel.

The Admiral and Command Master Chief concluded their visit with an all-hands session with the Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip and station crews. The Admiral discussed many issues such as Coast Guard policies, safe operations, and his command philosophy. Also discussed by the Admiral was the current response needs for the Gulf Oil Crisis, Operation Deepwater Horizon, and stated we must all be ready to rise to the challenge.

U.S. Coast Guard Story by Auxiliarist Henry A. Goldman

U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Auxiliarist Michael Brodey

Press Release: Coast Guard medevacs youth from Catalina Island

CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. — The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 17-year-old male late Tuesday from Catalina Island after he had sustained a back injury while biking on the island.

Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received a report of the incident late Tuesday and dispatched an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles to Catalina Island.

The Coast Guard crew safely transported the youth to Saint Mary's Hospital in San Pedro, Calif., where he arrived in stable condition.

Coast Guard assists in presenting at Spike TV Guys Choice Awards

This past weekend, personnel from Sector Los Angeles- Long Beach were selected to represent the Coast Guard with the other Armed Services at the Spike TV Guys Choice Awards. As part of their attendance, the personnel who attended were also able to go on stage and present with actor Robert Downey, Jr. Below are some photographs from those who attended.

The show will air June 20th so keep a look out for the show so you can see the Coast Guard personnel and other members of the Armed Services escort presenters during the awards show.

Press Release: Coast Guard, LA Fire Department transport cardiac patient from Catalina Island

LOS ANGELES – A Coast Guard crew from Air Station Los Angeles safely transported a man in need of medical attention from Catalina Island, Calif., Thursday night.

Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach received a call from Catalina Medical Clinic at 9:30 p.m., stating that a 59-year-old man was experiencing cardiac distress.

A Coast Guard flight surgeon recommended a medical evacuation to get the man advanced medical attention.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles, with a Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedic aboard, launched to conduct the transport.

The man was transported from Catalina Island to Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance, Calif., at 11:15 p.m.

A Memorial Day message from Admiral Papp

Our new Commandant, Admiral Robert Papp passed the below message on to the men and women of the United States Coast Guard earlier this weekend. No matter where you are at today, or what you are doing, please take time to reflect and remember those who have served and are currently serving.

1. Shipmates, Memorial Day is the day we remember the sacrifice of our fellow Coast Guardsmen who gave their lives in service to our nation. By taking time today to attend to the manners of our profession, we show respect to our shipmates and honor those brave men and women who have gone before us. Their service is part of our heritage.

2. The Coast Guard has served honorably in every war in which the United States has been engaged as part of or with the Navy. As former Commandant ADM Frederick C. Billard said at the dedication of the Coast Guard Memorial in Arlington Cemetery, the Coast Guard is twice blessed. It has not only its own rich heritage and history to be proud of, but it can be equally proud of the splendid heritage and history of the Navy. Therefore, we have two lofty standards to guide us, which we should strive to uphold.

3. If you have not been to Arlington Cemetery, or one of our other national cemeteries, I encourage you to visit one this weekend, or to observe the day by attending one of the many Memorial Day parades or tributes held throughout the nation. Master Chief Leavitt, VADM Brice-O’Hara and I will attend the Memorial Day observance at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and my family and I will have the honor of representing the Coast Guard at the National Memorial Day Concert.
4. I am immensely proud of all Coast Guardsmen standing the watch performing our many maritime missions throughout the year, but especially on Memorial Day. Your dedication to duty continues to ensure that our nation remains safe and secure. On this Memorial Day, let us reflect upon our heritage and the proud legacy bequeathed to us by our fallen shipmates. Let us never forget these heroes.

5. Admiral Bob Papp, Commandant, sends.

Coast Guard Emphasizes Boating Safety for National Safe Boating Week and Memorial Day Weekend

LOS ANGELES — With Memorial Day weekend here, and in recognition of National Safe Boating Week 2010, the Coast Guard wants boaters to remember to be fully prepared and think about their safety as they spend time on and around the local southern California waters.

The National Safe Boating Week campaign, which this year runs from Saturday May 22 through May 28, is designed to help reduce boating fatalities and accidents by generating an awareness of operator and passenger behavior on the water and to encourage boaters to take personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their passengers by following four key tenets of safe boating:

Always wear your life jacket.
Never boat under the influence.
Take a boating safety course.
Get a free Vessel Safety Check.

To help kick off National Safe Boating Week throughout southern California, the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be conducting free Vessel Safety Checks . Auxiliary personnel will check your vessel confirming it meets both federal and state safety requirements. These checks give you a risk-free way to check that you meet the legal safety requirements and help to potentially avoid a citation later.

There will also be National Safe Boating Week activities taking place at various marinas and lakes throughout southern California. In Fullerton, the second annual Fly and Float Show at the Fullerton Airport will take place on Saturday, May 22 from 9:00 to 4:00 pm. In addition to boating safety information and exhibits, this event will feature a static display of a rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles and a MH-65C rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles as well as equipment from other agencies. There will also be a fly over by the Good Year Blimp and other aircraft.

Also on Saturday, May 22, the annual "Safe Boating Expo" will take place at Channel Islands Harbor. This event will feature planned air and sea rescue demonstrations and free harbor rides aboard Coast Guard vessels.

The Coast Guard encourages boaters to enjoy their time on the water, but boat responsibly and be prepared for the conditions. Remember…even the most experienced boaters fall victim to boating accidents!

For more information, please visit these websites:
Register an EPIRB or PLB: www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov
Coast Guard Auxiliary safe boating class: www.cgaux.org/boatinged
Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel safety exams: www.safetyseal.net/
Life jackets: www.uscgboating.org
Float Plans: www.floatplancentral.org