Coast Guard Foundation
Coast Guard Foundation News
USCG Confirms Contract Option for 10 Additional FRCs at Bollinger
The U.S. Coast Guard exercised a contract option with Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, Louisiana, to fund initial construction on 10 additional Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), a $507 million option that supports ongoing efforts to modernize the fleet and expand the Coast Guard’s global maritime mission.The action increases the total number of FRCs ordered under the current agreement from 67 to 77. Supported by historic investments…
Grounded Fishing Vessel Spills Diesel near Kodiak, Alaska
The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a diesel spill from a grounded fishing vessel in Izhut Bay near Kodiak.The fishing vessel Sea Ern ran aground Monday with three crewmembers aboard.Approximately 3,500 gallons of diesel has been released from the vessel into the water.Exclusion boom has been deployed in an effort to control the spread of the diesel.Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and U.S.
U.S. Coast Guard Responds to Chinese Research Vessels in the Arctic
The U.S. Coast Guard responded to two Chinese research ships operating offshore Alaska between Sunday and Tuesday. In both instances, the Coast Guard Arctic District deployed USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) to monitor and query the vessels.An HC-130J Hercules fixed wing aircraft from Air Station Kodiak was also deployed Sunday to provide aerial support.On Tuesday, the Chinese-flagged research vessel JIDI was operating approximately 265 miles northwest of Utqiagvik…
Seattle: Container Ship Captain Arrested After Sobriety Test
The US Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) has arrested the captain of the 8,814-TEU container ship MSC Jubilee IX for suspicion of operating the vessel while intoxicated following a boarding at Terminal 5 in Seattle, August 20.Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound were notified by a Puget Sound Pilot aboard the MSC Jubilee IX, who reported the vessel’s captain was exhibiting signs of intoxication.
Coast Guard Establishes Robotics Office
The U.S. Coast Guard has set up the initial operating capability of a Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program Executive Office.The office is a key component of the Service's Force Design 2028 (FD 2028) plan, and the Coast Guard claims it is poised to be the most transformational enhancement to capability since the inception of aviation. The office is dedicated to the rapid operationalization of the…
Coast Guard Cutter Earl Cunningham Commissioned
The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned its newest cutter, Coast Guard Cutter Earl Cunningham (WPC 1159), for official entry into its service fleet during a ceremony held in Kodiak, Monday.The Earl Cunningham is the 59th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) in the service and the second of three FRCs scheduled to be homeported at Coast Guard Base Kodiak.The crew of the Cunningham primarily serves in and around the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and North Pacific Ocean.
U.S. Coast Guard Commissions USCGC Storis
The U.S. Coast Guard has officially commissioned the USCGC Storis (WAGB 21) in Juneau, Alaska.The vessel is the Coast Guard’s first polar icebreaker acquired in over 25 years. The Storis, formerly the motor vessel Aiviq, was acquired on December 20, 2024, and subsequently renamed after modifications to enhance its communication and defense capabilities.Storis is manned by a hybrid crew of military cuttermen and civilian mariners.
Coast Guard Assists Fishing Vessel off Oregon
U.S. Coast Guard crews from across two districts have worked together to assist three mariners aboard a disabled fishing vessel about 95 miles west of Newport, Oregon.The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alder, an Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircrew, an Air Station North Bend MH-65 Dolphin aircrew, and a Station Yaquina Bay 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB) crew responded to the Defiant, a 97-foot fishing vessel, after it reported at 6:42 a.m.
Coast Guard Responds to Increased Chinese Research Vessel Activity in Arctic
The U.S. Coast Guard has detected two Chinese research vessels operating in the U.S. Arctic and is currently monitoring five similar vessels in or near the U.S Arctic.On August 5, a C-130J Hercules fixed wing aircraft from Air Station Kodiak responded to the Chinese research vessels Ji Di and the Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di. Both vessels were transiting northeast in the Bering Sea.On August 6, the crew of U.S.
US Coast Guard Rescues Four from Sinking Tug
The US Coast Guard rescued four people from a sinking tug in the Gulf of Alaska, Friday.Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Arctic District command center in Juneau received a report at approximately 10:17 a.m. that the 110-foot tug vessel Sea Ranger was taking on water 130 miles south of Cordova, Alaska.Watchstanders directed the launch of an HC-130 Super Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak to respond. The aircrew located the vessel at approximately 1:08 p.m.
Two Girls Dead After Sailboat Collides with Barge
A sailboat collided with a barge near Hibiscus Island, Miami, on Monday leaving two dead.Miami Beach Fire Rescue crews were first on scene, and they were later joined by Miami-Dade Fire rescue, City of Miami Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Coast Guard Station Miami Beach.Six people were recovered from the water but two girls, aged 7 and 13, were declared dead upon arrival to Jackson Memorial Hospital.Two other girls…
U.S. Coast Guard Warns on Declaration of Inspection
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Safety Alert following a recent oil spill on the Delaware River.The Alert says the incident starkly underscored the critical need for effective communication when completing the required Declaration of Inspection (DOI) prior to an oil transfer in accordance with Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), §156.120 (33 CFR 156.120).Prior to the incident, the facility…
USCG: Communication is Key when Completing a Declaration of Inspection
A recent oil spill on the Delaware River starkly underscored the critical need for effective communication when completing the required Declaration of Inspection (DOI) prior to an oil transfer in accordance with Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), §156.120 (33 CFR156.120). Prior to the incident, the facility person in charge (PIC) filled out their section of the DOI and sent the checklist in a bucket hoist to the barge PIC who subsequently completed their portion.
US Coast Guard: Safety for Lithium-Ion Battery System Installations
An integrated Li-ion battery bank recently caught fire onboard an inspected passenger vessel when loosely crimped lugs overheated. While no one was injured and the vessel sustained minimal damage, this casualty highlights safety hazards unique to Li-ion batteries. All integrated (installations used for propulsion and electrical power) Li-ion battery systems on inspected vessels must undergo engineering plan review…
Whatever the Mission, the Coast Guard’s Got a Boat for It
The Coast Guard (including its heritage services) have employed boats since the beginning. Boats are just as important, if not more so, than ever.America’s first “boat force” came about in 1878, with the creation of the United States Life Saving Service (USLSS), whose boat crews rescued mariners in distress along the nation’s coast line. In 1915, the USLSS merged with the United States Revenue Cutter Service (established in 1790) to form the modern-day United States Coast Guard.
US Coast Guard Icebreaker Shipbuilding Plan Gets a $8.6B Boost
President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' earmarks more than $8.6 billion to increase the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker fleet in the Arctic, where Washington hopes to counter rising Russian and Chinese dominance.The funding includes $4.3 billion for up to three new heavy Coast Guard Polar Security Cutters, $3.5 billion for medium Arctic Security Cutters, and $816 million for procurement of additional light and medium icebreaking cutters.President Trump has been pushing to revive U.S.
Coast Guard Renames Geographic Operational Districts
The U.S. Coast Guard renamed its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028).This strategic change…
U.S. Coast Guard to Extend Credit for ATB Service
As there is currently a shortage of mariners, the U.S. Coast Guard has considered the barrier to mariner career progression presented by Title 46 CFR 11.211(d), Service on Articulated Tug Barges (ATB) and Integrated Tug Barges (ITB). This regulation limits the crediting of sea service based on the aggregate tonnage of the ATB or ITB to a two-for-one basis up to only 50% of the required service.The…
Icebreaker Storis Departs on Maiden Voyage
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis (WAGB 21), the Coast Guard’s first polar icebreaker acquired in more than 25 years, has departed on its maiden voyage.The motor vessel Aiviq, acquired Dec. 20, 2024, from an Edison Chouest Offshore subsidiary, was renamed Storis following modifications to enhance communications and self-defense capabilities.The vessel will expand U.S. operational presence in the Arctic…
ADM Lunday Nominated to be next USCG Commandant
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has charged the Coast Guard to “revolutionize how it functions and operate,” speaking at the Coast Guard Academy Commencement ceremony. “The Coast Guard must not simply evolve. It must revolutionize how it functions and operates to ensure decisive advantage over adversaries. This requires a fundamental change. Force Design 2028 (FD28) is the bold…
