ASTORIA, Ore. - Coast Guard Sector Columbia River members will be awarded Army Achievement Medals and members of the Oregon National Guard 102nd Civil Support Team (CST) will be awarded Coast Guard Achievement Medals during a ceremony at Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Ore., Wednesday, at 10 a.m.

The medals are being awarded to honor the Coast Guard and Army National Guard partnership during the offshore boarding of the vessel Pan Pac Spirit Apr. 8, 2011.

The freight vessel Pan Pac Spirit transited through waters in the vicinity of Fukushima, Japan. The vessel passed radiation screening and was cleared to enter port.

The collaborative efforts of Station Cape Disappointment, Wash., Air Station Astoria, Ore., Marine Safety Unit Portland, Ore., and Oregon National Guard 102nd CST provided a skilled and thorough risk assessment to help ensure the health and safety of the populace within the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port Zone.

For more information about the boarding, please visit http://www.d13.uscgnews.com/go/doc/21/1073111/Feature-Release-Joint-agency-boarding-first-of-its-kind.

To RSVP, please contact the 13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Detachment at (503) 861-6132.

WHO: Coast Guard Sector Columbia River and Oregon National Guard 102nd CST

WHAT: Award Ceremony

WHERE: Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, 2185 SE 12th Place, Warrenton, OR, 97146, in the gym

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, 10 a.m.

SEATTLE – Coast Guard Capt. Scott J. Ferguson, Commander of Sector Puget Sound and Capt. of the Port of Seattle, will be available for media interviews regarding the 73-foot sunken vessel Justin, 200 yards off shore of West Seattle, at 2:30 p.m., Friday.

Ferguson will be hosting a small boat tour to the location of the accident for media interested. A media pool will be formed prioritizing availability to earliest arrivals.

Coast Guard representatives will be present at the front gate to assist media.

WHO: Capt. Scott J. Ferguson, Commander of Sector Puget Sound  

WHAT: Media Interviews and a small boat tour regarding the 73-foot sunken vessel Justin

WHEN: Media pool to form at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14, 2011

WHERE: Coast Guard base at 1519 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98134  

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

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard will present the Silver Life Saving Medal to Petty Officer 1^st Class Juston L. Heacox and a Certificate of Valor to Barney McGinley for their heroic effort that saved two lives off of Point No Point State Park in Hansville, Wash., July 26, 2010.

The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.

Heacox and McGinley were on the beach when they heard screams coming from two boys who were caught in a rip current approximately 200 yards from shore.

The two men waded out into the 52-degree water toward the boys. They provided instruction for them to swim toward shore at an angle in an effort to draw them closer. While struggling to keep their footing in the strong current, Heacox and McGinley were able to reach the boys with a rope, which they carried from shore.

Upon return to shore, Heacox and McGinley treated the boys for hypothermia and exhaustion. Despite their own hypothermic conditions they remained on scene and ensured the boy’s conditions were properly treated.  

The Silver Lifesaving Medal is awarded by the Commandant of the Coast Guard to any person who rescues, or endeavors to rescue, any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other peril of water. The rescue or attempted rescue must either take place in waters within the United States or subject to its jurisdiction, or one of the parties must be a citizen of the United States or be from a vessel or aircraft owned or operated by citizens of the United States. Since 1874, approximately 1,900 Silver Lifesaving Medals have been awarded.

WHO: Petty Officer 1^st Class Juston L. Heacox and Barney McGinley

WHAT: Receiving the Silver Life Saving Medal and Certificate of Valor Award, respectively, for their heroism in saving two boys at Point No Point State Park in Hansville, Wash.

WHEN: During a 1:30 p.m., ceremony on Friday Sept. 23, 2011

WHERE: Kvelstad Pavillion, adjacent to Port of Poulsbo Marina on Front Street NE in downtown Poulsbo, Wash.

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

ASTORIA, Ore. — The final section of the derelict barge Davy Crockett will be lifted out of the Columbia River near Camas, Wash., Thursday.

Members of the Unified Command - comprised of the Coast Guard, Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and a representative from Ballard Diving and Salvage will be available for interviews.

The 431-foot former World War II-era Liberty Ship partially sank Jan. 27, 2011, while moored near the Washington shoreline. The vessel buckled due to structural instability, likely caused by improper deconstruction practices. Approximately 70 gallons of oil discharged to the river in late January, causing patches of sheen 14 miles downriver. The Unified Command was established at that time to respond to the unknown environmental threat posed by the Davy Crockett.

A cofferdam and impermeable barrier were built to surround the barge during deconstruction to keep any hazardous material releases contained inside. The decision to do in-water deconstruction was made after exhausting all feasible dry dock options.

Work will continue for several more weeks while divers dredge the river bottom inside the cofferdam to remove contamination resulting from the deconstruction work. The cofferdam will be removed after worksite cleanup is complete.

Media are invited to watch alongside representatives of the Unified Command, which has provided daily oversight of the nearly seven-month effort to remove this environmental hazard from one of nation’s most important river and estuary systems.

WHAT

Final section of Barge Davy Crockett removed from Columbia River

VISUALS

A crane lifting the final piece of the barge from the river will signify the end of the barge deconstruction work.

WHO

Members of Unified Command: Coast Guard Captain Daniel LeBlanc; Ecology incident lead Jim Sachet; DEQ incident lead Mike Greenburg and a representative from Ballard Diving and Salvage

WHEN

Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011

9:50 to 10 a.m. – Media gather at Port of Camas-Washougal boat launch

10: 10 a.m. – Boat departs for Davy Crockett cofferdam

Noon – Reporters return to boat launch 

WHERE

Port of Camas-Washougal for escort to barge. Directions:  http://www.columbiawatertrail.org/access/port_camas_washougal_boat_ramp_and_marina

Bring safety gear: steel or hard-toe boots or shoes; safety glasses; hard hats; long-sleeved shirts.  Safety glasses and hard hats can be provided to visitors.

Space is limited. Video and photography pooling may be necessary. 

Media Contacts:

Kim Schmanke, Ecology media relations, 360-407-6239

Shawn Eggert, Coast Guard, 503-861-6237                            

Barge Davy Crockett website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/incidents/DavyCrockett/DavyCrockett.html

ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard helicopter crew that rescued two climbers stranded on a cliff July 29, 2011, will meet with one of the survivors and his family at Air Station Astoria, Ore., Monday.

17-year-old survivor Hunter Nelson, along with family members, will be at Air Station Astoria at noon, Monday, to thank the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and meet the entire air station staff.

The other survivor, Danny Riat, is still recovering from injuries.

The Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued Riat and Nelson after Riat fell more than 50 feet down a cliff side near Archer Mountain in Skamania County, Wash. The video release from this rescue can be found at http://www.d13publicaffairs.com/go/doc/21/1152483/.

Media interested in attending should contact Petty Officer Nate Littlejohn, 13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Detached Office Astoria, at (503) 861-6132.

SEATTLE – The U.S. Coast Guard wants all boaters to enjoy Seattle’s Seafair festivities this week, but is concerned that personal oversights in recreational boating safety measures may result in injuries or fatalities.

Capt. Scott J. Ferguson, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, is available to discuss recreational boating fatalities, the national increase in small- and paddle-craft fatalities, the causal factors of those fatalities and the steps recreational boaters can take to increase their safety while on the water.

“The number of people recreating on the water continues to increase annually, especially when it comes to small- and paddle-crafts,” said Ferguson. “Nationally, paddle-craft fatalities account for nearly 40 percent of all boating deaths and the majority of those deaths occurred when people were not wearing life jackets.”

“It’s never easy calling a family about a boating incident involving their loved one(s) when you know, in your gut, that boating safety measure could have prevented the incident,” added Ferguson.

The Coast Guard continues to work with other federal, state, county and local response agencies to assist boaters in distress, but there are preventative measures recreational boaters can take to increase their safety while on the water.

To interview Capt. Ferguson concerning recreational boating safety, contact Lt. Jon Lane, Sector Puget Sound Public Affairs Officer, at (206) 217-6254.

SEATTLE - Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor will relieve Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore of command of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District in a change-of-command ceremony, in Seattle, Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 11 a.m.

CLICK HERE for the full press release. Due to base security, media representatives interested in attending the change-of-command ceremony must contact the Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.

WHO: Thirteenth Coast Guard District

WHAT: Change of Command Ceremony where Rear Adm. Taylor will assume command from Rear Adm. Blore.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at 11 a.m.

WHERE: U.S. Coast Guard Base Seattle, PIER 36, 1519 Alskan Way S., Seattle

WHY: To signify a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the 13th District command.

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard Cutter Mellon and its crew are scheduled to return to their homeport of Seattle, June 26, 2011, at 7 p.m., after a 90-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of the Coast Guard’s counter-narcotics law enforcement mission.

While on patrol, the Mellon’s crew coordinated with multiple U.S. forces from Coast Guard and Navy to stem the flow of contraband including a helicopter detachment from the Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron based out of Jacksonville, Fla. In the successful execution of this mission, Mellon’s law enforcement teams interdicted more than 2,000 pounds of illegal narcotic shipments in the drug trafficking corridor.  In addition to performing the law enforcement mission, Mellon conducted two rescue operations providing critical assistance to disabled vessels during the patrol. 

“This was a very successful deployment in which the Mellon team excelled to do our part and keep $22 million worth of illegal narcotics off the streets of the U.S.,” said Capt. David Klipp, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Cutter Mellon.

The Coast Guard Cutter Mellon is a 378-foot, high endurance cutter homeported at Pier 36, in Seattle. For more information on the Mellon, please visit the ship’s website at: http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcmellon. 

SEATTLE - A Coast Guard HH-52 Seaguard helicopter, which was restored by current and retired Coast Guard members, will be unveiled at the Boeing Museum of Flight, in Seattle, on Saturday at 11 a.m.

The unveiling will occur in conjunction with the Seattle-area American Heroes Air Show.  For more information on the air show, go to http://www.museumofflight.org/press/helicopters-fly-american-heroes-air-show-june-18.

Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District and current Ancient Albatross is scheduled to speak at the HH-52 ceremony. Lt. Mark Haines, from Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., and HH-52 restoration leader, will be present.

The restored HH-52 is from Air Station Port Angeles, and the restoration project, which was completed by volunteers without the utilization of Coast Guard money, was led by Lt. Haines and Aviation Machinist Mate 1st Class Warren Ligon, USCG retired. Additional volunteers include, but are not limited to, Cmdr. Richard Hahn, Commanding Officer of Air Station/SFO Port Angeles; Chief Petty Officer Scott Steinbrink; Petty Officer 2nd Class Brad Laxton; and Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Wilson. In addition, there were several other retired Coast Guard members who assisted with the restoration.

The Coast Guard acquired 99 of the Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard helicopters, beginning in July 1962, and retired the last one in service Sept. 12, 1989, replaced by the HH-65A Dolphin. During its long service, the HH-52A Sea Guard was the Coast Guard’s primary short-range, search and rescue helicopter. The HH-52A was the military version of the Sikorsky Model S-62, the first turbine-powered helicopter to be certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency. The HH-52A had a watertight boat-hull fuselage making it capable of water landings and takeoffs, a key factor for the Coast Guard in selecting the aircraft.

The Coast Guard fleet of HH-52A is credited with saving more than 15,000 lives.

For more information on the Boeing Museum of Flight's American Heroes Air Show, CLICK HERE, or contact Ted Huetter, Public Relations Manager for the Museum of Flight at (206) 768-7105, or thuetter@museumofflight.org.

For information on the HH-52 restoration project or to interview a Coast Guard member concerning the restoration project, contact the 13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.

ASTORIA, Ore. – U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River is scheduled to hold a change-of-command ceremony Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 10 a.m., at Sector Columbia River, located at 2185 SE 12th Place Warrenton, Ore.

During the ceremony, Capt. Douglas Kaup will transfer command to Capt. Bruce Jones. Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District, will preside over the ceremony.

Kaup served as Commander of Sector Columbia River since July 24, 2009, and will retire from the Coast Guard with 31 years of distinguished service at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Jones comes to Sector Columbia River from Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served as Chief of the Office of Strategic Operations.  Jones also served as commander of Air Station New Orleans from 2004-2006, personally flying rescue missions following Hurricane Katrina.

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and deeply rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the command. The ceremony is attended by all members of the unit so they all witness the transfer of leadership.

Media wishing to attend must contact Lt. j.g. Zachary Vojtech at 503-861-6331.

WHAT: Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Change of Command ceremony

WHEN: Thursday, June 9, 2011, 10 a.m.

WHERE: Sector Columbia River, 2185 SE 12th Place Warrenton, Ore.

 CONTACT: LTJG Zachary Vojtech (503) 861-6331