The Coast Guard on Friday exercised its contract options with Eastern Shipbuilding Group to start construction of the lead offshore patrol cutter (OPC) in Panama City, Florida. Eastern Shipbuilding has also received the go-ahead to acquire long lead-time materials for the second OPC. The Coast Guard in October 2016 awarded ESG the contract to design and construct the … [Read more...]
Four Rescued, Two Missing After Boat Collides with Oyster Barge and Tug in Virginia
The U.S. Coast Guard and other state and local agencies are searching for two people missing after their recreational boat, with six people aboard, collided with an oyster barge being pushed by a tug on the James River near Newport News, Virginia. Good Samaritans recovered four of the people in the water and they were taken to a local hospital where they are … [Read more...]
Adm. Karl Schultz Becomes 26th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard
Admiral Paul F. Zukunft was relieved as commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard by Admiral Karl Schultz during a military change-of-command ceremony held Friday at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. Zukunft also retired from the Coast Guard after 41 years of service to the nation as part of the same ceremony, in addition to receiving the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal … [Read more...]
America’s Only Heavy Icebreaker Experienced Flooding, Engine Failure During Annual Antarctic Supply Mission
The United States' only operational heavy icebreaker suffered both flooding and engine failure during this year's icebreaking mission to Antarctica. Despite these challenges, however, the USCGC Polar Star completed its Antarctic mission this week in support of National Science Foundation (NSF) after cutting a resupply channel through 15 miles of ice in the Ross Sea and … [Read more...]
U.S., Canadian Coast Guard Renew to Icebreaking Partnership on Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway
The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard have renewed an icebreaking partnership in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway marine transportation system with the signing last month of an updated Memorandum of Understanding between their agencies. The renewed United States/Canadian Coast Guard MOU strengthens the mutual commitment for ensuring vital icebreaking operations in the … [Read more...]