SEATTLE — In recognition of National Safe Boating Week, May 19-25, 2012, the Thirteenth Coast Guard District is emphasizing boating safety and will be reminding Pacific Northwest boaters throughout the week and year with a series of boating safety messages.

In conjunction with the North American Safe Boating “Wear it! Always wear your life jacket!” campaign, the Coast Guard will reinforce the following boating safety messages:

• Take a paddler education course. Paddlesports are the fastest growing segment of recreational boating, with more than 300,000 paddlecraft (primarily kayaks) now being sold annually. Paddlecraft are an extremely affordable entry point to recreational boating.  Like any other watercraft, paddlers should seek out paddler education before heading out on the water.  CLICK HERE to obtain more information on paddlesport safety.
• Wear a personal floatation device/life jacket at all times.  The law states you must have a PFD for every person on board, but the Coast Guard suggests you go one step further and wear your PFD at all times when boating.  It is much more difficult to locate, access, or don a PFD at the moment the accident occurs.  CLICK HERE for more information on personal floatation devices/PFDs.
• File a float plan and leave it with someone who is not recreating on the water.  A float plan is a lifesaving device on paper and can assist emergency responders with locating a distressed mariner. To learn more about a float plan CLICK HERE.  For a blank float plan CLICK HERE.
• Have a marine band radio and visual distress signals.  All of these devices will greatly assist you if you are in distress.  CLICK HERE for more information on visual distress signals.
• Have a registered 406MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon.  CLICK HERE to learn more about EPIRBs and registering your EPIRB.
• DO NOT boat under the influence of alcohol.  Alcohol affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination.  Factor in boat motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray and a drinker's impairment is accelerated.  CLICK HERE for more information on boating under the influence.    
• Start the season off right with a thorough boat inspection, including the hull and propulsion equipment. Pay particular attention to through-hull fittings and hoses that may have cracked or become brittle over the winter.
• Obtain a free boat inspection from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Boating safety courses are also available.

For additional boating safety tips, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/default.aspx. Click on the “REGULATIONS” tab to get additional information on federal laws, federal regulations, state boating laws and navigation rules.

For media inquiries, to arrange a boating safety interview with a Coast Guard member or to obtain additional boating safety information, contact the Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard, Washington Dept. of Ecology, Dept. of Health, and Dept. of Natural Resources continue to monitor the sunken fishing vessel Deep Sea, Monday, located in Penn Cove near Whidbey Island, Wash.   

The Deep Sea is discharging approximately one to two gallons of diesel fuel per minute. A boom deployment vessel and an oil recovery vessel are working to contain the leak. In addition, a Ballard Diving and Salvage dive team is siphoning diesel from the vessel's fuel tanks.

Two layers of containment boom have been placed around the vicinity of the sunken vessel with a third layer due to be in place. Approximately 550 gallons of fuel and 30 bags of absorbent pads have been recovered.

Coast Guard pollution investigators are on-scene and will continue to monitor the cleanup operation until it is complete.

Dept. of Ecology scientists are collecting water samples for laboratory analysis and are inspecting shore areas for possible spill-related damage to the habitat and wildlife.

The Dept. of Health is working with the shellfish harvester and local, state, and federal partners to monitor the situation. Fuel from the boat has been contained away from shellfish growing areas, so there's no need for harvest limitations based on the incident. The state health Shellfish Program supports the company's immediate voluntary decision to suspend harvest as a precaution.

The Dept. of Natural Resources is working in cooperation with the Coast Guard and Ecology to determine the best course of action for removing the vessel that will protect the environment and the shellfish resources.

For additional information on the response, respectively contact:

13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs office at (206) 220-7237

Larry Altose, Dept. of Ecology at (425) 649-7009; cell: (206) 920-2600

Donn Moyer, Dept. of Health at (360) 236-4076; cell: (360) 280-0487

Toni Droscher, Dept. of Natural Resources at (360) 902-1523

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard and Everett Fire and Rescue Dept. are responding to a missing person in the water near Everett, Wash., Monday.

The Coast Guard received a report, at approximately 1:30 p.m., that a good Samaritan located a person in the water. The rescued person stated that his 12-foot dingy sunk and a second person that was aboard the vessel was still missing.

The missing person in the water is not believed to be wearing a lifejacket.  

Two response boat crews from Coast Guard Station Seattle and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., are conducting a search of the area. Everett Fire and Rescue are assisting with the search.

Weather conditions are clear skies, calm seas and calm winds.  

For additional information contact the 13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs office at (206) 220-7237.

ILWACO, Wash. — The Coast Guard invites the public to attend an open house and canned food drive at Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Saturday, May 19, 2012, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Station Cape Disappointment, the National Motor Lifeboat School, as well as the motor lifeboats and Homeland Security 25-foot response boat will be open for tours. A newly upgraded Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter will be on display, then flown by a crew to join a search-and-rescue demonstration with a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew.

A Coast Guard recruiter will be available to discuss career opportunities and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be on scene to take vessel safety check appointments. Other local search-and-rescue agencies including fish and wildlife, fire and police will attend as well.

Canned food donations will be collected to benefit the Ilwaco Food Bank.

For more information, please contact Station Cape Disappointment at (360) 642-2382.

WHO: Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Washingon Dept. Fish and Wildlife, local police and fire, general public

WHAT: Coast Guard open house and canned food drive

WHERE: Coast Guard Station Cape Disappoinment, 322 Coast Guard Rd., Ilwaco

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

SEATTLE — Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound is monitoring the 128-foot fishing vessel Deep Sea, which sank in Penn Cove, Sunday, as a result of an onboard fire.

Ballard Diving and Salvage is scheduled to make an assessment dive, at approximately 9 p.m., to plug vents and seal the vessel’s fuel tanks to prevent any potential leakage.

Two skimmers are currently placing boom around the area of the sunken vessel. The Coast Guard Cutter Terrapin, based in Bellingham, Wash., is also on-scene providing a 200-yard safety zone.

Sector Puget Sound pollution investigators are en route to monitor the situation.

Information on the inital response to this vessel fire can be found at http://www.d13.uscgnews.com/go/doc/21/1430691/. 

For additional information contact the 13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs office at (206) 220-7237.

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard, Camano Island, Wash., and Whidbey Island, Wash., Fire Depts. have responded to a boat fire on an anchored 128-foot fishing vessel located in Penn Cove off Whidbey Island, Sunday. 

The Coast Guard received a report at 11:45 p.m., Saturday, from Island County Dispatch stating the vessel Deep Sea was completely engulfed in flames.

Attempts to put out the fire were ceased after the water from the fire fighting caused the Deep Sea to list. The concern was any additional water would cause it to sink. Meanwhile, the vessel fire resumed.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Seattle is on-scene to provide a 500-yard safety zone. The Coast Guard Cutter Terrapin is scheduled to relieve the station from the safety zone.    

Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound is working to locate the owner of the vessel. Sector investigation Dept. and pollution responders are scheduled to arrive on scene, Sunday.

For additional information contact the 13^th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.

SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard  signed a final rule for the Hood Canal floating drawbridge near Port Gamble, Wash.

The  rule modifies the drawbridge operating regulation for the Hood Canal floating drawbridge near Port Gamble. The new rule allows the draw of the bridge to not open for maritime traffic from 3:00 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. every day during the summer months; from May 22 until September 30, every year. Vessels which do not require a bridge opening may continue to transit beneath the fixed sections of the bridge during this closure period.

“This modification would relieve heavy afternoon rush hour road traffic on State Routes 3 and 104.” said Cmdr. Daryl Peloquin, 13^th Coast Guard District Waterways Manager, “The rule allows the draws of the bridge to not open for maritime traffic during afternoon rush hour in the summer months.” 

Vessels of the U.S. Navy and vessels assisting with U. S. Naval operations, as well as commercial tug and tow vessels are exempt from this regulation.

This information is published in the Thirteenth Coast Guard District’s Local Notice to Mariners.  The  rule is not yet published in the Federal Register; its publication is anticipated this week  

For more information contact U.S. Coast Guard, 13th District Public Affairs Officer at (206) 220-7237.

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard rescued three fishermen, Wednesday, after their 37-foot vessel Karanna ran aground on the Chibahdehl Rocks, approximately four miles west of Neah Bay, Wash.

The operator of the vessel stated that he had fallen asleep while transiting, which resulted in the vessel grounding.

The Coast Guard launched a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Neah Bay and an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., after receiving a report that the vessel was taking on water at 3:35 a.m.

The motor lifeboat crew arrived on scene but was unable to pull alongside the Karanna due to the shallow waters. However, the three fishermen were able to swim to the motor lifeboat where they were safely brought onboard. The members were transferred to local EMS on shore and eventually released.

"I cannot emphasize enough the importance of standing a taut and vigilant watch when you are underway,” said Capt. Scott Ferguson, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. “The alternative could result in loss of life and significant impacts to the environment. Please stay sharp out there."

A salvage operation will be conducted as soon as weather permits.

For additional information contact the 13^th Coast Guard District Public Affairs office at (206) 220-7237.

ASTORIA, Ore. — Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, located in Warrenton, Ore., has filed a Class I Civil Penalty against a man for allegedly operating a recreational vessel for commercial purposes without proper state or Coast Guard issued commercial credentials.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River’s Marine Safety Unit, located in Portland, Ore., took action after learning about an illegal charter operation from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

WDFW undercover officers responded to an advertisement for $50 salmon fishing trips aboard the 32-foot recreational vessel Sherry Ann out of Chinook, Wash., in August 2011. The vessel’s owner/operator accepted payment from the officers for a day of fishing.

Sherry Ann’s owner/operator was arrested by WDFW and charged for operating without a WDFW issued limited entry commercial charter license and his vessel and fishing gear were seized for state forfeiture proceedings. Under state law, chartering without a license is a gross misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland initially issued a notice of violation to the owner/operator for operating an uninspected passenger vessel without a Coast Guard issued master’s license. If the owner/operator is found guilty of the recently filed Class I Civil Penalty, he faces up to $27,500 in fines.

“Many state and federal regulations associated with vessel operators taking passengers for hire are intended to protect the public’s safety,” said WDFW Deputy Chief Mike Cenci. “We take this collaborative agency role very seriously.”

“Legal charter operators and their vessels receive more scrutiny and oversight than everyday recreational fishermen,” said Chief Warrant Officer Howard McCarthy, investigating officer for Coast Guard MSU. “Charter operators require additional inspections and licenses. Illegal operators not only pose a safety hazard to those aboard their vessels and the vessels around them, they cheat the system and the legal charter businesses with whom they compete.”

The Coast Guard and WDFW will continue to aggressively enforce maritime and fishery regulations and prosecute violators to the fullest extent of the law.

For more information, please contact Petty Officer Nate Littlejohn at (503) 861-6132.

ASTORIA, Ore. – In this night vision video, a Coast Guard 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash., arrives on scene to a distressed fishing vessel approximately 2 miles south of the Columbia River entrance, Apr. 30, 2012. The 53-foot fishing vessel Ashlyne crew alerted the Coast Guard after it began listing and was escorted to safety. U.S. Coast Guard video by Sector Columbia River, Ore.

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard escorted a fishing vessel that was severely listing and in danger of capsizing approximately two miles south of the Columbia River entrance early Monday.

The 53-foot steel hulled fishing vessel Ashlyne crew made a mayday call to the Coast Guard after the vessel began listing for unknown reasons. The crew then reported their 70,000 pound catch of fish had shifted in the fish hold, causing further listing and reduction in vessel stability as the Ashlyne attempted to return to port. 

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew out of Air Station Astoria, Ore., and a 47-foot motor lifeboat out of Station Cape Disappointment, Wash., deployed to escort the vessel back to Ilwaco, Wash. The on-board pumps were able to keep up with flooding in the fish hold throughout the transit.

Ashlyne is home ported in Warrenton, Ore. No injuries were reported among the four man crew. Sea conditions were eight to 12 foot swells.

The Coast Guard has issued a captain of the port order restricting the Ashlyne from further movement until it is examined by Coast Guard marine inspectors, the cause of the flooding and loss of stability are determined and all repairs are made.

For more information contact the 13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.