News Release

Date: Feb. 3, 2010
Contact: Lt. j.g. Tyler A. Stutin
310-521-3743

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Coast Guard is responding to an oil spill from a commercial container vessel located in the West Basin of Los Angeles Harbor.

The Coast Guard received notice of the spill today at 10:20 a.m. at the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center.  An unknown amount of oil was spilled onto the deck of vessel, with some of the spilled oil being discharged into the water. 

Commercial oil spill response organizations have been contracted to contain and cleanup the spill and are currently on scene with Coast Guard pollution investigators and personnel from the California Department of Fish & Game and the Los Angeles Port Police.   

 Vessel traffic is currently not affected by the spill or the clean-up efforts.

 There are no injuries reported.

 There is no threat to wildlife at this time.

 The cause of the spill is currently being investigated.

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

Public Affairs Detachment
[Los Angeles, Calif.]
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: February 1, 2010
Contact: (310) 521-4260

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - Two Coast Guard Station Los Angeles - Long Beach 25-foot response boat crews and a Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) K-9 unit participated in an emergency preparedness drill with the Catalina Express, Wednesday, January 27, 2010. 

U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Schofield.

CLICK HERE for photo #1

CLICK HERE for photo #2

CLICK HERE for photo #3

CLICK HERE for photo #4

CLICK HERE for photo #5

News Release

Date: 29 Jan. 2010
Contact: Lisa Novak
(202) 372-4633

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The U.S. Coast Guard will cease broadcasting the North American LORAN-C signal Feb. 8.

As a result of technological advancements during the last 20 years and the emergence of the U.S. Global Positioning System, LORAN-C is no longer required by the armed forces, the transportation sector or the nation's security interests, and is used by only a small segment of the population.

LORAN-C was originally developed to provide radionavigation service for U.S. coastal waters and was later expanded to include complete coverage of the continental U.S. as well as most of Alaska. Coast Guard men and women have done an excellent job running and maintaining the LORAN-C signal for 52 years. It is a service and mission of which the entire Coast Guard can be proud.

In the Eleventh Coast Guard District three LORAN-C stations will shut off their signal on Feb. 8 in Searchlight Nev., Fallon Nev. and Middleton Calif.

For more information on the LORAN-C termination go to the Coast Guard Navagation Center website at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/ 

For questions about the closing in the Eleventh Coast Guard District call (310) 294-0752

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

News Release

Date: 27 January 2010
Contact: Unified Command
(562) 889-2572 

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Cleanup efforts continue as a Unified Command made up of federal, state and local officials respond to an oil pollution incident at a Huntington Beach flood control channel that occured, Jan. 22, 2010, east of Beach Boulevard and south of Adams Avenue.

The County of Orange contracted with Ocean Blue Environmental Services for containment and clean-up. Containment barriers have been placed in the channel.  Power-washing, absorbent materials and vacuum trucks are being used to remove oil.  

The Unified Command consists of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish & Game, County of Orange, Huntington Beach Fire Department, Huntington Beach Public Works Department, Huntington Beach Waste Water, Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy and Ocean Blue Environmental Services.  

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is prepared to treat any affected wildlife. If the public observes any oiled wildlife they are asked  not to approach or collect wildlife, but please call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network Center at 1-877-UCD-OWCN.  

A plan by the Unified Command has been set to ensure the safety of the public and the response personnel, to monitor the contamination and maximize protection of the environmentally sensitive areas, to contain and recover spilled product, to recover and rehabilitate injured wildlife and to remove oil from impacted zones and dispose of the product effectively. 

 Observations have concluded that no contamination has passed Newland Street and no wetlands have been affected. 

Updated information on the cleanup efforts can be seen on the EPA's website for the incident at www.epaosc.org/hboil 
at the City of Huntington Beach website at www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
and at the County of Orange, OC Watershed website at www.ocwatersheds.com.

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

News Release

Date: January 23, 2010
Contact: Unified Command 
(310) 781-0288 

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - A Unified Command made up of federal, state and local officials responded to an oil pollution incident at a Huntington Beach flood control channel Friday afternoon, east of Beach Boulevard and south of Adams Avenue.

The spill is fully contained as of Saturday.  

A majority of the oil within the channel has been recovered.   A plan was established Friday evening to continue oil recovery efforts until clean-up operations are complete.  

The County of Orange contracted with Ocean Blue Environmental Services for containment and clean-up. Containment barriers have been placed in the channel.  Absorbent materials and vacuum trucks are being used to remove oil.  

Huntington Beach Public Works conducted visual inspections of all manholes and storm drains that connect to the channel within the vicinity.  Oil draining in through storm drains has been eliminated as a potential source and investigations are continuing.    

The Unified Command consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish & Game, the County of Orange and the Huntington Beach Fire Department, Huntington Beach Public Works Department., Huntington Beach Waste Water, Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy and Ocean Blue Environmental Services.  

A Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles MH-65C Dolphin helicopter conducted an over-flight of the affected area and confirmed that the oil product was contained within the channel. 

Observations have concluded that no contamination has passed Newland Street and no wetlands have been affected.   

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is prepared to treat any affected wildlife. If the public observes any oiled wildlife they are asked  not to approach or collect wildlife, but please call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network Center at 1-877-UCD-OWCN.  

A plan by the Unified Command has been set to ensure the safety of the public and the response personnel, to monitor the contamination and maximize protection of the environmentally sensitive areas, to contain and recover spilled product, to recover and rehabilitate injured wildlife and to remove oil from impacted zones and dispose of the product effectively. 

To view the original news release from the Unified Command CLICK HERE.  

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

Multimedia Release

Date: January 23, 2010
Contact: Public Affairs Detachment LA - Long Beach
(310) 521-4260

Editor's note - Right-click each link to download the video. A higher resolution version will be available and released as soon as possible.

HS2 Gomez interview 1

HS2 Comez interview 2

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A Coast Guard petty officer reflects upon his time spent in Port-au-Prince aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk during the first few days after the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince. Petty Officer 2nd Class Elias Gomez is a health service technician and Los Angeles native stationed aboard the cutter Mohawk, a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter home-ported in Key West, Fla. U.S. Coast Guard multimedia by Petty Officer 2nd Class Etta Smith.

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

News Release

Date: January 22, 2010
Contact: Unified Command
(310) 781-0288 

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - The Coast Guard, in partnership with State and local officials, is responding to a pollution incident at a Huntington Beach flood control channel east of Beach Boulevard this afternoon, January 22, 2010.

Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach initially received a report Thursday evening of a brown oil substance located in the Huntington Beach flood control channel, approximately between Adams Ave. and Atlanta Ave.  Coast Guard pollution investigators were dispatched to the scene and did not observe any signs of pollution.

Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received a second report Friday morning, and again dispatched pollution investigators.  Upon initial assessment, pollution investigators identified brown oil patches with sheening intermittently along 1.5 miles of the channel. Friday afternoon, Coast Guard pollution investigators were made aware of four unidentified species of oiled birds.  The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is prepared to treat any affected wildlife. If the public observes any oiled wildlife they are asked to please call the Wetlands and Wildlife Care center at 714-374-5587 between the hours of 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

The Coast Guard, in partnership with the California Department of Fish & Game, the County of Orange and the Huntington Beach Fire Department formed a unified command and have contained the oil and have begun cleanup efforts.

Agencies currently in partnership to identify, mitigate, and treat the pollution incident include the Coast Guard, the California Department of Fish & Game, Orange County Public Works, Huntington Beach Fire Department, Huntington Beach Public Works, Ocean Blue Environmental, and the the Oiled Wildlife Care Network.

The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the situation and applauds the bold steps taken by the County of Orange and the City of Huntington Beach to mitigate the environmental impact posed by this incident.
 

Agency responders are investigating the source of the oil.

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

Public Affairs Detachment
[Los Angeles, Calif.]
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: January 21, 2010
Contact: Public Affairs Detachment Los Angeles - Long Beach 
(310) 521-4260

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The pleasure craft Northern Lights, Manu Mele and Prince Neptune broke free from their moorings and grounded on East Beach of Santa Barbara Wednesday, January 20, 2010. There have been more than 15 reports in the area of various items that had washed ashore, to include these pleasure crafts. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Reed.

CLICK HERE for photo #1 of pleasure craft Northern Lights.

CLICK HERE for photo #2 of pleasure crafts Manu Mele and Prince Neptune.

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

News Release

Date: January 20, 2010
Contact: Lt. j.g. Tyler A. Stutin
(310) 521-4260

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — The Coast Guard cautions members of the public in coastal locations around southern California to be aware of dangerous and rapidly changing weather conditions.  Storm warnings, high wind warnings and small craft advisories remain in effect in the region through late tonight, Wednesday, January 20, 2010.

A storm warning means winds of 40 to 63 nautical miles per hour are imminent or occurring.  Recreational boaters should remain in port or take shelter until winds and waves subside.  Commercial vessels should prepare for very strong winds and damaging sea conditions and consider remaining in port or taking shelter in port until winds and waves subside.

A high wind warning means that sustained winds of 40 miles per hour or greater or gusts of 60 miles per hour or greater are expected.  Strong south to southeast winds increasing through the afternoon will make navigation on the water difficult if not impossible.

Small craft advisories are issued in response to expected wind and wave conditions that can be hazardous to smaller vessels. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid getting underway in these conditions.

This powerful storm has the potential to bring some of the strongest winds associated with a frontal system in years to much of southwest California.  The Coast Guard strongly recommends that individuals avoid taking to the water until the seas subside.  If it is necessary to get underway, mariners are urged to check all of their safety equipment to ensure it is in good condition and working properly. 

The Coast Guard also encourages all vessel owners and operators to check the status of mooring and anchoring arrangements.  During strong winds and heavy seas, vessels can break free from moorings, often a result of worn lines, an insufficient number of lines, or an improperly sized anchor and/or anchor chain.  Adrift vessels pose several hazards to nearby people and vessels as they are tossed about, and can also pose environmental risks as any fluids or chemicals aboard can spill or leak. The Coast Guard urges vessel owners and operators to take extra precautions in anticipation of the forecasted storm system by addressing mooring safety and securing potential sources of marine pollution.

USCG Storm Center:  http://www.uscg.mil/news/stormcenter/

NOAA Marine Weather:  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/home.htm

USCG Safe Boating:   http://www.uscgboating.org/

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

News Release

Date: January 18, 2010
Contact: Lt. Anastacia Thorsson
(310) 508-5197

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Coast Guard responded to a distressed vessel  five miles south of Santa Barbara Monday at approximately 9:00 p.m. and completed a medevac.

An 87-foot patrol boat, the Coast Guard Cutter Blackfin, and a Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles MH-65C Dolphin helicopter were launched to assist the boaters.  Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach received a report of a 26-foot boat, the Jolly Mon, with torn sails and an inoperable engine.

One of the persons on the Jolly Mon was suffering from a medical condition that needed immediate attention.  He was pulled from the small boat by the helicopter and airlifted to Santa Barbara Airport, where an emergency medical services crew transfered him to Goleta Valley Hospital.

The Coast Guard is urging mariners and water enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution in and around coastal California waters throughout the week as a result of a series of fore-casted storm systems, hazardous surf conditions and expected coastal flooding.

Large waves approaching California have the potential to produce high surf at area beaches.  Swells with a peak fore-casted height of 30 feet could create dangerous surf conditions and strong rip currents.  Large waves have the potential to catch even the most experienced mariner or beach-goer off guard, causing disorientation or serious injury. 

The Coast Guard recommends that individuals avoid taking to the water over the next week or until the seas subside.  If it is necessary to get underway, mariners are urged to check all of their safety equipment to ensure it is in good condition and working properly.

CLICK HERE for the previous news release about the multiple search and rescue cases. 

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