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COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO CARGO SHIP AGROUND
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Posted by Dawg on Thursday, February 28, 2008 @ 06:15:48 EST (249 reads)
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COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO CARGO SHIP AGROUND
Update
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BALTIMORE - The Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel Japan has re-floated after five hours of being aground in the Chesapeake Bay today.
The vessel re-floated under its own power and was assisted by two tugs and the incoming tide.
The vessel Japan, a 796-foot Panamanian flagged cargo ship, ran aground near Sandy Point Light approximately one mile north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge this afternoon.
A Coast Guard inspection team from Coast Guard Sector Baltimore is aboard the vessel conducting safety checks to ensure the vessel is safe to transit to an anchorage in Annapolis, Md., where an inspection of the hull must be completed prior to it being released. The hull will be inspected tonight by divers once the vessel is at the anchorage. An internal survey by the crew of the Japan has been completed and no damage was found. The Japan will be assisted by two tugs to its anchorage location to ensure safe transit.
A 25-foot Coast Guard response boat crew from Station Annapolis is on scene to enforce a safety zone around the vessel.
There is no report of injuries or pollution.
The Japan was in route to Port Elizabeth, N.J.
This incident is currently under investigation
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COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO CARGO SHIP AGROUND
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Posted by Dawg on Thursday, February 28, 2008 @ 06:13:58 EST (274 reads)
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COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO CARGO SHIP AGROUND
Corrected Copy
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BALTIMORE - The Coast Guard is responding to a cargo ship that ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay this afternoon.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel Japan, a 796-foot Panamanian flagged cargo ship, ran aground near Sandy Point Light approximately one mile north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The initial notification to the Coast Guard was received at about 4:15 p.m.
A Coast Guard inspection team and boarding officers from Coast Guard Sector Baltimore were deployed to the grounded vessel. Additionally, a 25-foot Coast Guard response boat crew from Station Annapolis, Md., is on scene to enforce a safety zone around the vessel.
There is no report of injuries or pollution.
Two tugs hired by the shipping company are in route to the vessel to help free it. High tide in that area will be at 9:45 p.m. and will help re-float the vessel.
The Japan was in route to Port Elizabeth, NJ.
This incident is currently under investigation.
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SLUG LINE
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Posted by Dawg on Thursday, February 28, 2008 @ 06:12:55 EST (253 reads)
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SLUG LINE
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| BALTIMORE - The Coast Guard is responding to a cargo ship that ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay this afternoon.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel Japan, a 37,000-ton cargo ship from Panama, ran aground between Sandy Pt. Light and Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Md. after a loss of power at 4:30 p.m.
A 25- foot Coast Guard response boat crew is on scene to investigate the cause of the grounding. The vessel has regained power and will try to re-float itself. Two tugs are in route to assist in re-floating the MSC Japan. There is no report of pollution or injuries and container soundings are normal. Vessel was in route to Port Elizabeth, NJ.
This incident is currently under investigation.
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North Carolina Coast Guard Station Responds to Two Rescue Calls Five Miles Apart
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Posted by Dawg on Thursday, February 28, 2008 @ 06:06:11 EST (252 reads)
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North Carolina Coast Guard Station Responds to Two Rescue Calls Five Miles Apart
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| PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Rescue crews from Coast Guard Station Hobucken, N.C. responded to two MAYDAY calls in the Pamlico Sound within minutes of each other this evening.
The first case began at 4:45 p.m. when the Coast Guard received a call for help from the two person crew of the 30-foot fishing vessel, LIL OUTRIGGER, reporting that their vessel had begun taking on water near the mouth of the Pungo River in the Pamlico Sound.
Rescue crew's onboard a 23-foot Coast Guard search and rescue boat from Station Hobucken and a search and rescue helicopter crew from Marine Corps. Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., were dispatched to the scene.
After arriving on scene, the rescue crews escorted the LIL OUTRIGGER to the Northwest Creek Marina, where it moored safely.
Minutes later the Coast Guard received a second MAYDAY call from the four-person crew of a 20-foot pleasure craft , reporting that their vessel was also taking on water and sinking five miles northeast of Pamlico Point, also in the Pamlico Sound and five miles from the scene of the first rescue.
Coast Guard rescue crews, onboard a 25-foot rescue boat from Station Hobucken and a MH-60 Helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., were sent to the second vessel's location.
Upon arriving, the Hobucken crew discovered that the vessel had sunk and rescued the four people from the water.
The four people were taken to Station Hobucken where they were turned over to local EMS crews for treatment.
Coast Guard Petty Officers Bryce Adams and Jeff Moberly, the coxswains on today's cases said that the teamwork at the unit played a huge part in the success of today's cases.
"We had great communication between everyone here today. Everybody came together as a team and we were able to quickly launch the boats and get on scene," said Adams.
"The leadership here at the station played a big part in today's cases, our command set us up for success," said Moberly.
Chief Petty Officer Jeremy McConnell, Station Hobucken's Officer in Charge, said he was extremely proud of the professionalism of and dedication that his crews showed on this evening's rescues.
"This was an extremely rare occurrence for us having to respond to two cases happening so closely together in such a short period of time. My crew's train together constanly for situations like this and I am extremely proud of how quickly they were able to adapt and respond today," said McConnell.
"Not everybody in the Coast Guard has the opportunity to save a life during their career. It's a great feeling knowing that my crew's were able to put all of their training to use and save six more today," said McConnell.
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Coast Guard to Reinstate Trent River Safety Zone
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Posted by Dawg on Thursday, February 28, 2008 @ 06:04:58 EST (259 reads)
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Coast Guard to Reinstate Trent River Safety Zone
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NEW BERN, N.C. - Coast Guard Sector North Carolina will reinstate a safety zone on the waters of the Trent River between New Bern and James City, in the vicinity of the U.S. Route 70 Highway Swing Bridge from Jan. 25 until Feb. 28, 2008.
This safety zone will remain in effect from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during this time period unless terminated sooner by the Captain of the Port, North Carolina.
This zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the movement of bridge construction equipment from the southern end of the bridge construction project to the northern end of the project.
Entry into or movement within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or a designated representative.
For further information, contact CWO4 Stephen Lyons, at (252) 247-4525, or email Stephen.W.Lyons2@uscg.mil.
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NOAA Fisheries Announces White Marlin ESA Biological Review Results
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Council to Hold Series of Public Scoping Meetings in February
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Posted by Dawg on Thursday, January 17, 2008 @ 06:56:39 EST (315 reads)
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Council to Hold Series of Public Scoping Meetings in February
Topics include allocations, Annual Catch Limits, Limited Access Privilege Programs, and mackerel quotas
From Marathon to Manteo, fishermen who fish in federal waters along the South Atlantic coast should plan to attend one of a series of public scoping meetings/workshops being held by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council in February. These informal scoping meetings/workshops provide the public an opportunity to weigh in on several fisheries issues before the Council determines if management actions are warranted.
These issues include options for determining allocations of fisheries between recreational and commercial sectors, as well as allocations within these sectors. For example, recreational allocations may be considered between for-hire (charter and headboats) and private recreational fishermen. For the commercial sector, allocations may be considered based on gear types. Other issues open for scoping include possible amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan that will establish Annual Catch Limits for species undergoing overfishing as outlined in the reauthorized Magnuson Stevens Act. These ACLs may lead to further restrictions on certain fisheries. Additionally, the Council is soliciting public comment on the establishment of a Limited Access Privilege Program for the commercial snapper grouper fishery as well as input on the allocation of the commercial Atlantic king mackerel quota.
While the Council has held public scoping meetings in the past, this series is unique in that several members of the Council staff and local Council representatives will be on hand to hold informal round table discussions in a workshop format, answer questions, and provide participants with information regarding the scoping topics and other issues addressed by the Council. The meetings/workshops will be open from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM and again from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Council staff and members will be available during these hours for informal discussions and members of the public can provide formal comments for Council consideration during these time periods.
The Council is also accepting written comments on these issues until5:00 p.m. on February 22, 2008. Copies of the public scoping documents with details on how to submit written comments on each topic are available by contacting the Council office and will be posted on the Council’s web site at www.safmc.net as they become available. The scoping documents contain additional background information on these individual issues and will be helpful in preparing for the scoping meetings.
The public is encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn first hand about current federal fisheries issues, discuss details with Council members and staff, and provide comments. The information and recommendations provided by the public will be instrumental in determining the future course of fishery management decisions.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Public Scoping Meeting Dates and Locations
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Mutiny Hotel
2951 South Bayshore Drive
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
Phone: 305-441-2100
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Boulevard
Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920
Phone: 321-784-0000
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Quality Inn – Stellar Conference Center
125 Venure Drive
Brunswick, Georgia 31525
Phone: 912-265-4600
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Sheraton New Bern
100 Middle Street
New Bern, North Carolina 28560
Phone: 252-638-3585
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Hilton Garden Inn
5265 International Blvd.
North Charleston, South Carolina 29418
Phone: 843-308-9331
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Council Begins New Year with Meetings of Public Interest
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Posted by Dawg on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 @ 06:28:25 EST (320 reads)
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Council Begins New Year with Meetings of Public Interest
If you fish in federal waters more than three miles off the South Atlantic coast, chances are there is a meeting being held by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council in the coming weeks that will be of interest to you. These actions are required in large part by the Reauthorized Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Council begins the New Year with a long list of fisheries issues under consideration and it is soliciting public input on many of these.
Meetings scheduled for early 2008 include:
January 15-16 and February 12-13 – Limited Access Privilege (LAP) Program Exploratory Workgroup Meetings Established at the beginning of 2007, the Workgroup will continue its work to develop recommendations for the Council regarding a possible LAP Program for the commercial snapper grouper fishery. The Workgroup will present its final report to the Council’s LAP Program Committee during the Council’s March 3-7, 2008 meeting in Jekyll Island, GA. LAPP Workgroup Meetings will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Charleston Airport, 5265 International Blvd., N. Charleston, SC 29418, phone 877/782-9444 or 843/308-9331.
January 16 – Public Scoping Meeting for Shrimp Amendment 7– The final meeting in a series to address current landings requirements for South Atlantic endorsements for rock shrimp fishermen. Meeting location: Hilton Garden Inn, Charleston Airport, 5265 International Blvd., N. Charleston, SC 29418; phone 877/782-9444 or 843/308-9331. 6:00 PM.
January 24 – Public Scoping Meeting for Spiny Lobster Imports –The Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Councils will receive comments on measures to address the importation of spiny lobster products that do not meet U.S. conservation standards. Meeting location: Islander Hotel, 82100 Overseas Highway., Islamorada, FL; phone 800/753-6002 or 305/664-2031. 6:00 PM.
January 27-29 – Meeting of the Council’s Deepwater Shrimp and Golden Crab Advisory Panels– The APs will provide recommendations on the potential impacts of proposed deepwater coral habitat areas of particular concern on their respective fisheries. Meeting location: Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920; phone 800/333-3333 or 321/784-0000.
January 29 – February 1 – SEDAR (Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review) 15 Review Workshop (greater amberjack, red snapper, and Florida mutton snapper)–The SEDAR stock assessment program will conduct the last of three workshops to review updated stock assessment data. Meeting location: Holiday Inn Brownstone Hotel, 1707 Hillborough St., Raleigh, NC 27605; phone 800/331-7919 or 919/828-0811.
February 4-8 and February 20 – Public Scoping Meeting Series -Topics include a proposed Comprehensive Allocation Amendment outlining how fisheries resources will be distributed between fishing sectors; draft Amendment 17 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan to set Annual Catch Limits that may reduce harvest of some species, extend regulations through the Mid-Atlantic Council’s area of jurisdiction, and address bycatch; Amendment 18 to establish a Limited Access Privilege Program for the commercial snapper grouper fishery; and allocation of the commercial king mackerel quota in the South Atlantic. Meetings will be held February 4th in Coconut Grove, FL, February 5th in Port Canaveral, FL, February 6th in Brunswick, GA, February 7th in New Bern, NC, and February 20th in Charleston, SC. Meeting details will be publicized and posted on the Council’s web site within the next week.
February 11-15 – SEDAR 16 Data Workshop (king mackerel) –The SEDAR stock assessment program will conduct the first of three workshops to address updated stock assessment data for king mackerel. Meeting location: Holiday Inn Airport, 5265 International Blvd., N. Charleston, SC 29418; phone 800/holiday or 843/576-0300.
February 19 – Public Hearing for Gulf of Mexico Draft Aquaculture Amendment– This is a joint hearing with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council on a proposal to allow permits to construct and operate aquaculture facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. Meeting location: Islander Hotel, 82100 Overseas Highway., Islamorada, FL; phone 800/753-6002 or 305/664-2031. 6:00 PM.
February 19-20 – Allocation Committee Meeting– The South Atlantic Council recently formed the Allocation Committee to review options for the allocation of fisheries resources. Meeting location: Hilton Garden Inn, Charleston Airport, 5265 International Blvd., N. Charleston, SC 29418, phone 877/782-9444 or 843/308-9331.
All meetings are open to the public. Additional information regarding these meetings, including public scoping documents, comment opportunities, meeting agendas, and briefing book materials will be posted at www.safmc.net as they become available.
The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for
March 3-7, 2008 in Jekyll Island, GA.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida.
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CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP
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Posted by Dawg on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 @ 06:25:03 EST (295 reads)
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CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP
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The National Transportation Safety Board today
determined that the probable cause of an accident involving
the cruise ship Crown Princess was the second officer's
incorrect wheel commands, executed first to counter an
unanticipated high rate of turn and then to counter the
vessel's heeling.
Contributing to the cause of the accident were the
captain's and staff captain's inappropriate inputs to the
vessel's integrated navigation system while it was traveling
at high speed in relatively shallow water, their failure to
stabilize the vessel's heading fluctuations before leaving
the bridge, and the inadequate training of crewmembers in
the use of integrated navigation systems.
"We see from this accident the importance of having
adequate training," said NTSB Mark V. Rosenker. "Had the
crew been better trained in the equipment they were using,
this accident may not have occurred, and implementing our
recommendations is one way to help ensure this."
On July 18, 2006, the cruise ship Crown Princess,
which had been in service about a month, departed Port
Canaveral, Florida, for Brooklyn, New York, its last port on
a 10-day round trip voyage to the Caribbean. About an hour
after departing, the vessel's automatic navigation system
caused the ship's heading to fluctuate around its intended
course. Alarmed by a perceived high rate of turn, the second
officer attempted to take corrective action that resulted in
the ship heeling to a maximum angle of about 24 degrees to
starboard. This caused people to be thrown about or struck
by unsecured objects, resulting in 14 serious and 284 minor
injuries to passengers and crewmembers. The vessel incurred
no damage to its structure but sustained considerable damage
to unsecured interior components, cabinets, and their
contents.
The report adopted by the Board today states that the
Crown Princess was operating at nearly full speed when the
second officer took the controls. Because of instabilities
in the automatic steering system, the officer faced the
problem of navigating a vessel that exhibited both
increasing course deviations and high rates of turn. The
second officer took manual control of the steering and
steered back and forth between port and starboard in
increasingly wider turns. Rather than remedying the problem,
the second officer's actions aggravated the situation,
resulting in a very large angle of heel. The captain quickly
returned to the bridge and brought the vessel under control
by centering the rudder and reducing speed. The Safety Board
concluded that the incident occurred because the second
officer initially turned the wheel to port, when he should
have turned it to starboard to counteract the turn.
The Safety Board also stated that the captain and
staff captain made errors with regard to the ship's
integrated navigation system. These errors included:
* Failure to recognize that the integrated navigation
system could be unpredictable at high speed in shallow
water.
* Failure to recognize that the rudder economy and
rudder limit settings on the integrated navigation
system were inappropriate for the vessel's speed and
operating conditions.
The Board concluded that these errors stemmed from
inadequate training and lack of familiarity with the
integrated navigation system.
As a result of its investigation, the Safety Board
made recommendations regarding integrated navigation system
training to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Cruise Lines
International Association, and to SAM Electronics and Sperry
Marine, manufacturers of integrated navigation systems.
A synopsis of the Board's report, including the
probable cause and recommendations, is available on the
NTSB's website, www.ntsb.gov, under "Board Meetings." The
Board's full report will be available on the website in
several weeks.
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Today In History One Day like Today... 1862 William Henry Bragg, English physicist, was born 1862 U.S.S. Western World, Acting Master Samuel B. Gregory, captured blockade running British schooner Volante in Winyah Bay, South Carolina, with cargo of salt and fish.
1877 Hermann Hesse was born 1908 Thurgood Marshall was born 1922 Dan Rowan was born 1930 Carlos Saul Menem was born 1937 Richard Petty was born 1942 Vincente Fox was born 1964 JosT Canseco was born 1980 The CGC Cape Horn saves all six crewmen of the F/V Hattie Rose in a dramatic night-time rescue. The crew was forced to abandon their 75-foot fishing vessel in 25-foot seas and 45-knot winds, 15 miles east of Provincetown. The fishing vessel Paul and Dominic also aided in the rescue by directing the Cape Horn to the men in the water. 1983 Michelle Branch was born 1986 Lindsay Lohan was born
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