Photo Releases

PHOTOs: Coast Guard releases imagery of ice shanties on ice floe in Green Bay

2012-02-07T18:55:35Z

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GREEN BAY, Wis. — A rescue airboat crew from Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay, Wis., launches into Green Bay to assess the two men who are choosing to remain on an ice floe in the bay, in this Coast Guard overflight photo, Feb. 6, 2012.

After eight of the 10 people on the ice were removed by a rescue airboat crew from the Brown County Sheriff's Department, the two men remained in their ice shanty until later that evening, when a friend retrieved them on his personal airboat.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. j.g. Nathan Shakespeare

GREEN BAY, Wis. — A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Traverse City, Mich., conducts an overflight of a group of ice shanties on an ice floe that broke free in the vicinity of Green Bay, Feb. 6, 2012.

The incident occured weeks after more than two dozen federal, state and local agencies conducted a mass rescue operations preparedness exercise in Green Bay, which featured Brown County Sheriff's Department's airboat, Jan. 18.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. j.g. Nathan Shakespeare

GREEN BAY, Wis. — A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Traverse City, Mich., conducts an overflight of a group of ice shanties (lower left and lower right portions of the image) on an ice floe that broke free in the vicinity of Green Bay, Feb. 6, 2012.

Eight of the 10 people on the ice were removed by a rescue airboat crew from the Brown County Sheriff's Department while two remained until later that evening, when a friend retrieved them on his personal airboat.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. j.g. Nathan Shakespeare

CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard is releasing photographs from a helicopter overflight conducted Monday afternoon, after eight people were evacuated from an adrift ice floe in Green Bay, Wis., by a local sheriff's department rescue airboat.

On Monday, Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, received a report of 10 people who were stuck on an ice floe that broke free in Green Bay.

The ice floe, later described to be 2-3 miles long and 1 mile wide, was about 35 feet from shore.

The Oconto County Sheriff's Department enlisted the help of the Brown County Sheriff's Department, who arrived on scene with their rescue airboat. The rescue airboat crew was able to pull eight of the people off the ice floe, but two of the men decided to remain until a friend could come pick them up in his personal airboat.

A rescue airboat crew from Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay, Wis., reached out to the men and obtained information in case something happened to them before their friend could arrive.

For more detailed information about the incident, please contact the Oconto County Sheriff's Department at 920-834-6919.

Citizens and visitors to the Great Lakes should be cautious of the unusually warm temperatures throughout the region, which increase the possibility of weakened ice.

"When weather and ice conditions change, they can change rapidly," said Capt. Stephen Torpey, chief of response for the 9th Coast Guard District. "So, in addition to checking conditions before they go out, people need to be willing to modify their plans as the conditions change to ensure their safety."

"We're glad to see that, once presented with the risks associated with remaining on the ice, everyone got off the ice before nightfall."

This incident comes just weeks after more than two dozen federal, state and local emergency response agencies conducted a mass rescue operations exercise in Green Bay. The exercise, which took place on Jan. 18, was designed to test the coordinated response to a simulated emergency in an ice-covered maritime environment.

Click here to see photos from the exercise.

Coast Guard airboats were also used during a mass rescue operation in February 2009, as emergency responders on airboats, helicopters, planes, ships and boats from several agencies rescued 134 people trapped on an ice floe adrift in Lake Erie: Click here to read a news release; click here to see aerial footage on the Coast Guard's Visual Imagery database; or on YouTube.

People who plan to recreate on or near the water should monitor the weather and ensure they have all the recommended safety gear. When venturing out, a person should think I.C.E. as a precaution:

Intelligence — know the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going, and know how to call for help. Never go out alone.

Clothing — have the proper clothing to prevent hypothermia. Wear a waterproof exposure suit and a life preserver.

Equipment — have the proper equipment. Carry two ice picks or screwdrivers, in case you fall in. Use these items to dig into the ice and pull yourself out. They are more effective than bare hands! Carry a whistle or noise maker to alert people that you are in distress. Carry a cellular phone or marine band radio in a waterproof container so that you can call for help if you come across trouble.

PHOTO: Indiana-native Coast Guardsman represents service at Super Bowl XLVI

2012-02-07T14:36:10Z

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INDIANAPOLIS — Coast Guard Seaman Aaron Such (pictured third from right) holds the Coast Guard Standard as Kelly Clarkson sings the national anthem before Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Feb. 5, 2012.

Such, who is assigned to Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Ind., was selected to represent the Coast Guard in the military honor guard alongside other local service representatives.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Felicya Adams

CLEVELAND — A Coast Guardsman who is originally from Indiana, and also stationed there, represented the service in the joint military honor guard before the start of Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Sunday evening.

Seaman Aaron Such, 30, who is currently assigned to Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Ind., carried the Coast Guard Standard into the stadium and rendered honors while entertainer Kelly Clarkson sang the national anthem.

"To me, it was an honor to carry the Coast Guard Standard on the Super Bowl field," said Such, who is married to Brittney Such. They have one daughter, 18-month-old Kaydence Olivia Such.

Such, who currently resides in Danville, Ind., is a native of Planfield, Ind., and graduated high school there in 1999. After high school, Such enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2000 and served on active-duty since 2007. He left the Army as a sergeant and joined the Coast Guard in August of 2011.

He reported for duty at Station Michigan City on Oct. 22, 2011, where he serves as a radio watchstander and is working on ice rescue and boat crewman qualifications. He is on the waiting list to attend the Coast Guard's school for its operations specialist rating.

The Army Reserve unit at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., that was coordinating the honor guard contacted the command at Station Michigan City to acquire a Coast Guard representative. To make things fair, all the interested station crewmembers put their names in a hat to decide who would represent the unit and the service, said Senior Chief Petty Officer Rebecca Polzin, officer-in-charge of Station Michigan City. Such's name was the one that was picked.

"Seaman Such was a great candidate for this opportunity," said Polzin. "He represents the station and the service exceptionally well and has been doing some really great work since he reported here in the summer."

Following the pre-game ceremonies, Such and the other members of the military honor guard were able to watch the game from the stands. Although his favorite team is the Denver Broncos, Such said he was rooting for the New York Giants and was happy to see them beat the New England Patriots, 21-17.

Media Note: Media interested in interviewing Seaman Such should contact Chief Petty Officer Kyle Niemi, assistant public affairs officer for the 9th Coast Guard District, at 216-902-6020.

PHOTO: Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City honored for volunteer efforts

2012-02-03T17:23:27Z

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TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Connie Deneweth (second from left), CEO of Traverse City State Bank, presents Cmdr. Joseph Buzzella, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, the Caught Thriving Award, Feb. 2, 2011, at the air station.

The air station was presented the award in recognition of their many volunteer and community outreach efforts, including a mentorship program with Traverse Heights Elementary School, partnership with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, volunteering with United Way, coaching youth sports teams, assisting with the Special Olympics, and other programs.

Also pictured are Cmdr. Scott Langum, Air Station Traverse City executive officer, and Ann Bollinger, Traverse City State Bank CFO.

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy Air Station Traverse City

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City was presented with the "Caught Thriving Award" by Traverse City State Bank on Thursday at a ceremony at the air station.

The Caught Thriving Award is given monthly to local businesses and organizations that are helping the area to thrive.

The air station was recognized for its many volunteer efforts. Members of the air station are helping the community through various volunteer efforts and outreach programs, including a mentorship program with students at Traverse Heights Elementary School, partnership with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, volunteering with United Way, coaching youth sports teams, assisting with Special Olympics events, and supporting other programs.

"There are many things that make being stationed in Traverse City special," said Cmdr. Joseph Buzzella, commanding officer of the air station. "Most notably is the strong relationship between the Coast Guard and the community.

"This award recognizes the efforts of the men and women of Air Station Traverse City and the impact they make in this great town," he said. "We are proud to continue the relationship that makes Traverse City a Coast Guard City."

For more information on this event, please contact the public affairs officer at Air Station Traverse City, Lt. j.g. Chris Breuer, at 231-922-8273. During non-business hours, please contact the duty desk at 231-922-8212.

PHOTOs: Preston, Minn., native advances to senior chief petty officer in Coast Guard

2012-02-01T21:13:25Z

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — Senior Chief Petty Officer Colleen McCarthy, (left), officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Kenosha, Wis., and Senior Chief Petty Officer Michael Beatty, officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Frankfort, Mich., pin new rank insignia on the collar of Rebecca Polzin, officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Michigan City during her advancement to senior chief petty officer, Feb. 2, 2012.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Kody Felthoff.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — Capt. Matthew Sibley (left), commander of Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, Wis., congratulates Rebecca Polzin, officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Michigan City, after her advancement to senior chief petty officer on Feb. 1, 2012.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Kody Felthoff.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — Rebecca Polzin, a native of Preston, Minn., and current officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Ind., was advanced to the rate of senior chief petty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard during a ceremony held at Station Michigan City, today.

As officer-in-charge of Station Michigan City, Polzin ensures the 19 enlisted active-duty Coast Guardsmen and seven enlisted reservists assigned there successfully carry out the unit's missions: search and rescue; maritime law enforcement; ports, waterways, and coastal security; and marine environmental protection.

A 12-year Coast Guard veteran, Polzin has been stationed at six different units across the United States, including the Coast Guard Cutter Monomoy, aboard which she deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A native of Preston, Minn., Polzin graduated from Coast Guard Recruit Training Center Cape May, N.J., in September 1999. Polzin has her 100-ton Merchant Mariners license and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, fitness and health at Purdue University.

Her military decorations include one Coast Guard Commendation Medal, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals and one Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

For more information, contact Coast Guard Station Michigan City at 219-879-8371.

PHOTOs: Ohio-native Coast Guardsman among 3 recognized as Coast Guard's 'Shipmates of the Week'

2012-01-31T21:45:08Z

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Seaman Jarrod Reed (center), along with Seaman Charles Gray (left) and Seaman Pablo Taborda Jr., were recognized as the Coast Guard's Shipmate of the Week on Friday.

The three men were all standing lookout watch while underway on Coast Guard Cutter Venturous when they spotted five fishermen in the water two nautical miles away, allowing the ship's crew to effect a rescue of the men.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. j.g. Jason Veara.

CLEVELAND — An East Liverpool, Ohio, native and two others were recognized as the Coast Guard's "Shipmates of the Week" on Friday for helping rescue five fishermen off the southern coast of Jamaica earlier this month.

The three men are only recent graduates of basic training at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J.

Click here to read a blog post, announcing the men as the Coast Guard's "Shipmates of the Week."

Seaman Jarrod Reed of East Liverpool, Seaman Charles Gray of Norcross, Ga., and Seaman Pablo Taborda, Jr. of Miami were standing lookout watch on Jan. 3, during a counter-narcotics patrol aboard Coast Guard Cutter Venturous, a 210-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Saint Petersburg, Fla.

As the ship's crew encountered 12-foot seas and 35-knot winds, the trio spotted a light in the distance at 11 p.m. and reported it to the crew standing watch on the bridge.

“The OOD (officer of the day) thought it might be a buoy, but we were confident we had spotted something more than that,” said Taborda, who graduated Coast Guard basic training on Dec. 9, 2011, and had only been on patrol with Venturous four days. “Our commitment as Coast Guardsmen and our confidence as look outs made the OOD and the command want to check it out further.”

With no correlating radar contacts in the area, the crew of Venturous went to investigate the light. The crew used their forward looking infrared camera and spotted the five fishermen clinging to the wreckage of their sunken fishing vessel. The light the fishermen used to signal the lookouts was a cell phone that surprisingly survived the capsizing of the vessel. Gray, Reed and Taborda had spotted the cell phone light from more than two miles away in 12-foot seas.

“Even though you’re the lowest man on the totem pole, you’re still capable of making that big difference in somebody’s life,” said Reed, who graduated Coast Guard basic training on Sept. 9, 2011. “We were able to make a difference that night.”

Each recruit at Training Center Cape May receives lookout training as part of their basic training, but Gray referenced another skill he learned at Training Center Cape May that is even more important.

“The most important thing I took away from training in Cape May is not to become complacent because that’s when someone can get hurt, or in this case, we could’ve very easily missed those guys,” said Gray, who graduated from the training center on Sept. 23, 2012. “They very well would be dead right now had we not seen them.”

Note: For more information, please contact Chief Warrant Officer Donnie Brzuska at 609-898-6362 or 609-224-0214 or email: donnie.c.brzuska@uscg.mil.

This image from the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous' infrared camera shows survivors waiving for help.

U.S. Coast Guard photo

PHOTO: St. Ignace-based Coast Guard cutter comes to aid of 2 vessels beset by ice in Straits of Mackinac

2012-01-28T18:57:44Z

STRAITS OF MACKINAC - The motor vessel Manistee, in ballast with no cargo, rides high in the waters of the Straits of Mackinac after being freed from ice by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Biscayne Bay, Jan. 28, 2012.

The Manistee, a 676-foot bulk carrier, was en route to Lake Huron when it became beset by ice and the crew requested Coast Guard assistance.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Scott Adler

Click the above image to obtain a full-resolution version.

CLEVELAND — The crew of a Coast Guard cutter came to the aid of two vessels that became beset by ice in the Straits of Mackinac Friday night and Saturday morning.

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Biscayne Bay, a 140-foot ice-breaking tug homeported in St. Ignace, Mich., aided the vessels while engaged in Operation Taconite, the Coast Guard's largest domestic ice-breaking operation, which began in December.

At 4:40 p.m. Friday, the watchstander at Coast Guard Sault Ste. Marie Vessel Traffic Service, was contacted by the crew of the ferry Huron, who reported they had become beset by ice with 68 people aboard while transiting from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island. There were no reports of injury or other medical concerns and the master of the ferry felt the 90-foot vessel was not in danger of running aground.

The crew of Biscayne Bay arrived at 6:20 p.m. and was able to free the ferry without incident. After the ferry safely entered Mackinac Island Harbor, the crew of Biscayne Bay remained close by as the ferry offloaded their passengers and onloaded more.

Due to the fact that ice was reportedly building at Round Island Passage, the crew of Biscayne Bay remained with the ferry Huron for its return trip to St. Ignace. At 8:25 p.m. both the Huron and the Biscayne Bay were safely moored in St. Ignace.

Early Saturday morning, the crew of Biscayne Bay was called on again to assist a vessel in the Straits of Mackinac.

The crew of the motor vessel Manistee, a 676-foot bulk carrier, had contacted the Coast Guard Sault VTS at 5:18 a.m., reporting the ship had become beset by ice with 18 people aboard about 10 nautical miles west of the Mackinac Bridge.

The ship was reportedly in ballast, carrying no cargo.

For a time, the crew of Manistee was able to free the vessel, but could only operate at low speeds, due to the icy conditions. The crew of Biscayne Bay was on scene at 8:50 a.m. and was able to safely free the motor vessel and escort it through the Round Island Passage and into the open waters of Lake Huron.

In support of Operation Taconite this year, the crew of Biscayne Bay has broken ice throughout Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, but aiding vessels close the cutter's homeport is particularly special for the crew.

"We don't get many opportunities to assist our local community, right here in St. Ignace," said Lt. Matthew Walter, commanding officer of Biscayne Bay.

"Any time we can meet the needs of industry here in the straits and take care of our neighbors, it gives us an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to our unit motto of the "Sentinel of the Straits."

PHOTOs: Coast Guard, other environmental response agencies deploy equipment for oil-recovery training

2012-01-25T16:55:03Z

ST. IGNACE, Mich. ― Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, oil spill response organizations, Enbridge Energy Partners and several other agencies are scheduled to participate in a unique exercise out of St. Ignace, Mich., Monday through Wednesday, during which several techniques for recovering spilled oil and other hazardous materials from icy waterways will be tested and evaluated.

Click here for the original press release regarding the project.

ST. IGNACE, Mich. — The Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock, homeported in Port Huron, Mich., and the commercial tugboats Reliance, Nickelena and Erika Kobasic, sit moored at Coast Guard Station St. Ignace, Mich., Jan. 24, 2011.

The four vessels are participating in a project that demonstrates capabilities for removing spilled oil from an icy environment.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class George Degener

ST. IGNACE, Mich. — Ice forms in the Straits of Mackinac, underneath the Mackinac Bridge, Jan. 24, 2011.

Personnel from the Coast Guard's Research and Development Center, in New London, Conn., along with other agency partners, is testing and evaluating methods for removing spilled oil from an icy environment.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class George Degener

STRAITS OF MACKINAC — Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock, homeported in Port Huron, Mich., transit through ice near Mackinac Island, Jan. 24, 2012.

The crew of the Hollyhock is participating in a project led by the Coast Guard's Research and Development Center, showcasing techniques for removing spilled oil from a frozen environment.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Schofield

STRAITS OF MACKINAC — Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock, homeported in Port Huron, Mich., use an oil-skimming device to recover peat moss, acting as a substitute for spilled oil, near Mackinac Island, Jan. 24, 2012.

The crew of the Hollyhock is participating in a project led by the Coast Guard's Research and Development Center, showcasing techniques for removing spilled oil from a frozen environment.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Schofield

PHOTOs: Coast Guard crews conduct weapons training with computer simulator

2012-01-25T23:09:21Z

CLEVELAND — More than two dozen Coast Guardsmen assigned to Cleveland-area units were run through weapons training with the use of a computer-generated simulation program Monday and Tuesday at the Coast Guard's Cleveland Moorings facility.

The simulator training was held in a specially-designed semi-trailer from the Coast Guard Special Missions Training Center at Camp Lejeune, N.C., that will be transported to nearly a dozen units throughout the 9th Coast Guard District.

The Coast Guard continues to conduct live-fire weapons training at Department of Defense-certified training areas outside of the Great Lakes region. This simulated training is being used to reinforce, not replace, that required live-fire training.

An estimated 300-400 people from Coast Guard units in New York, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana will be trained on the use of the M240 machine gun and M16 rifle. The guns have been modified to fire simulated rounds that use laser technology to detect hits on on-screen targets projected onto the back wall of the trailer.

Besides traditional practice "firing ranges" with both stationary and moving targets, the staff of the simulator can set the computer software to run scenarios involving hostile assailants who draw their weapons and fire at the Coast Guardsmen participating in the training.

"On top of the live-fire training that is required for crew qualification, this portable weapons simulator provides valuable additional training time for our crews — the men and women we entrust with ensuring the safety and security of mariners on the Great Lakes," said Capt. Stephen Torpey, chief of response for the 9th Coast Guard District.

"And, it's great that we can bring the training to our crews, rather than having to send crews to the training. This resource represents a cost-efficient way to deliver training to our members that compliments their underway, live-fire experience and positively reinforces their judgment and weapons proficiency skills," said Torpey.

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CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard's weapons simulator trailer is parked at the Coast Guard's Cleveland Moorings Facility, Jan. 24, 2012.

The portable trailer is being transported throughout the Great Lakes region to provide weapons training and enhance crew proficiency during the winter months.