Branson Duck Boat Tragedy — the COI and the Severe Thunderstorm Watch

The Coast Guard has begun a high-level investigation into the recent duck boat capsize and sinking on July 19th, which cost the lives of 17 aboard.  The boat, designated as Stretch Duck 07,  which sank on Table Rock Lake, near Branson, … Continue reading

Ferries, Forgotten Bicycles and Search and Rescue

Talk about unintended consequences. The Washington State Ferry system and the US Coast Guard have a problem with forgotten bicycles.  Over the last 18 months, 12 bicycles have been left aboard ferries, including three bike-share bikes. This turns out to be … Continue reading

Wreck of USRC/USCGC McCulloch Found — Sank 100 Years Ago Today

Researchers are holding a news conference today to announce the discovery of the wreck of the USRC/USCGC McCulloch, a cutter of the United States Revenue Cutter Service and later the US Coast Guard.  Delivered in 1897,  just before the start of the … Continue reading

SSV Oliver Hazard Perry Earns Certificate of Inspection — Summer Sails Set

Congratulations to the officers, crew and the shore staff of the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry. The 200′ long tall ship recently completed the necessary drills and inspections required by the US Coast Guard in order for the ship to qualify as a … Continue reading

Remembering the SS Marine Electric — a Tragedy that Made Us All Safer

Thirty-three years ago today, on February 12, 1983, the collier SS Marine Electric loaded with 24,800 tons of steam coal, capsized and sank in a storm 30 miles off the coast of Virginia. Thirty-one of the 34 crew members died. While nothing … Continue reading

“The Finest Hours,” Greatest Small Boat Rescue in History — Movie Review

Originally posted on gCaptain. Reposted with permission. “The Finest Hours” is far from a perfect movie. Nevertheless, it recounts a remarkable story of heroism at sea that is well worth retelling. For anyone who has spent any time around ships, … Continue reading

“The Finest Hours” — New Movie About Heroic Coast Guard Rescue

The US Coast Guard rarely gets enough credit for the remarkable work that they do in routinely rescuing mariners in often extremely dangerous conditions. A new movie, “The Finest Hours“, is coming out this winter, which tells the story of … Continue reading

Updated: Life Ring from Ro/Ro El Faro Located, Ship Still Missing, Search Continues

Update: From USCG Update 4 — Life jackets, life rings, containers and an oil sheen have been located by Coast Guard aircrews.  The objects have not been confirmed to be from the El Faro at this time. Yesterday, the US Coast Guard … Continue reading

Ro/Ro Cargo Ship El Faro Still Missing with 33 Crew in Hurricane Joaquin

The US Coast Guard has resumed the search for the U.S. flagged ro/ro cargo ship, El Faro, with a crew of 33, still missing after losing power and communications in the path of Hurricane Joaquin. The 735-foot ship was bound … Continue reading

US Coast Guard Busts Narco-sub with $181 Million in Cocaine Aboard

The submarine war at sea continues. Last month, the USCG Cutter Stratton intercepted a semi-submersible vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean around 200 miles south of Mexico, loaded with 16,000 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $181 million. Four men were … Continue reading

US and Canadian Coast Guard Team Up to Rescue Laker SS Arthur M. Anderson

The US and Canadian Coast Guards have been working jointly to free the iconic Great Lakes bulk carrier, SS Arthur M. Anderson, stuck in the ice in Lake Erie near Conneaut Harbor.  The laker had been bound for Sturgeon Bay, WI when it … Continue reading

Yacht Cheeki Rafiki Feared Lost, Four UK Sailors Missing, Controversy as Coast Guard Calls Off Search

UPDATE:  The US Coast Guard has resumed the search for the missing crew from the Cheeki Rafiki.   Over 200,000 signed petitions asking that the search be resumed.  British Prime Minister David Cameron thanked the Coast Guard on Twitter after it made … Continue reading