Coast Guard rescues 3 near Ocean City, Md
OCEAN CITY, Md. – The Coast Guard rescued two adults and one child after their 22-foot recreational boat began taking on water 60 miles east of Ocean City Tuesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a call at 8:26 a.m. from a crewmember aboard the Real Deal, homeported in Ocean City, reporting they were taking on water and sinking.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew form Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., arrived on scene and hoisted the three people aboard the helicopter.

The people were transported to Ocean City Airport in Ocean City and transferred to awaiting emergency medical personnel.

Capsized boat claims 1 life, 5 rescued near Ocean City, Md

Coast Guard rescues 2 near Breezy Point, Md.
BALTIMORE – A Coast Guard crew rescued two people aboard a 19-foot motorboat that was taking on water while fishing near Breezy Point, Md., in the Chesapeake Bay, Sunday.

Rescued was Brenda Scott and Ricky White, from North Beach Md.

White contacted Coast Guard Sector Baltimore watchstanders at 9:42 a.m. via marine-band radio reporting that their vessel was taking on water while fishing east of Breezy Point. Rescue crews from Coast Guard Station Oxford, Md., Maryland Natural Resources Police and Calvert County Fire Rescue launched rescue boat crews to assist.

At approximately 10:32 a.m., the 27-foot Utility Boat crew from Station Oxford arrived on scene and began assisting the passengers. The Coast Guard crew transferred Scott onto the rescue boat while White remained aboard to continue dewatering the vessel. The vessel was reported to be taking on one gallon of water per minute.

The rescue crew put the vessel in tow and transported it to the Breezy Point Marina in Chesapeake Beach, Md.

There are no reports of injuries.

“Our new Rescue 21 system allowed us to narrow in our search area, which helped us to rescue these boaters more effectively,” said Bradley Stickles, a rescue coordinator at Sector Baltimore.

As the boating season starts, the Coast Guard urges mariners to check their distress signaling devices before going out on the water. It is important to check the expiration date of flares and to ensure that boaters have a working marine-band radio to contact rescuers in the event of a distress.

The Road to End Overfishing: 35 Years of Magnuson Act

Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Talks about the Cornerstone of Sustainable Fisheries

As we look toward Earth Day next week, I want to acknowledge and highlight the 35 th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Simply called “the Magnuson Act”, this law, its regional framework and goal of sustainability, has proven to be a visionary force in natural resource management - both domestically and internationally. The Magnuson Act is, and will continue to be a key driver for NOAA as we deliver on our nation’s commitment to ocean stewardship, sustainable fisheries, and healthy marine ecosystems


Because of the Magnuson Act, the U.S. is on track to end overfishing in federally-managed fisheries, rebuild stocks, and ensure conservation and sustainable use of our ocean resources. Fisheries harvested in the United States are scientifically monitored, regionally managed and legally enforced under 10 strict national standards of sustainability. This anniversary year marks a critical turning point in the Act’s history. By the end of 2011, we are on track to have an annual catch limit and accountability measures in place for all 528 federally-managed fish stocks and complexes. The dynamic, science-based management process envisioned by Congress is now in place, the rebuilding of our fisheries is underway, and we are beginning to see real benefits for fishermen, fishing communities and our commercial and recreational fishing industries.


But, we did not get here overnight. Our nation’s journey toward sustainable fisheries has evolved over the course of 35 years. At this particular moment it is important to take time and reflect back on where we have been to understand where we are and fully appreciate the historic visions and strategic investments that got us here, particularly by the Act’s principal architects, the late U.S. Senators Warren G. Magnuson of Washington State and Ted Stevens of Alaska.


To appreciate the history of Magnuson Act is to appreciate the history of environmental stewardship in the United States and the progress made in conservation over the last three decades. The Magnuson Act was ushered in during the era of environmental consciousness that still defines our nation’s stewardship ethic today. Signed into law on April 13, 1976, the Magnuson Act followed passage of other laws dedicated to addressing the environmental damage incurred after decades of unfettered industrialization. These laws include the National Environmental Policy Act (1969), the Clean Air (1970) and Clean Water (1972) acts, and the Marine Mammal Protection (1972) and Endangered Species (1973) acts. Along with newly established agencies to implement them -- the Environmental Protection Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It was the beginning of a new era.


In 1976, federal management of marine fisheries was virtually non-existent. With the exception of state managed waters, federal activities were limited to supporting a patchwork of fishery-specific treaties governing international waters, which at that time existed only 12 miles off our nation’s coasts. A primary impetus of the Magnuson Act was to extend the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) out to 200 miles and eliminate competition from the foreign fishing fleets off our coasts.


However, even in its initial form, Senator Magnuson saw fit to focus on conservationas a centerpiece of the new law. Modeled on the basic principles of scientific management, including the notion of standards and catch limits, the law also included an innovative regional public-private management framework – creating the fishery management council system. The Magnuson Act laid the foundation for what has matured into the regional, science-based, and transparent fishery management process which exists in the U.S. today.


We all know too well the initial victory for conservation was short lived. Without effective regulatory restraints in place, by the late 1980s Americanization of the fleet and advancements in fishing technologies over ran the slower-growing science and management infrastructures, exploding the rate of domestic driven overfishing and quickly leading to the depletion of some of our nation’s most iconic fisheries – perhaps the most painful being the historic collapse of our nation’s oldest fishery, the New England groundfish fishery. The Magnuson Act was at a turning point. The 1996 amendments to the Act provided needed adjustments, including a new focus on habitat and the requirement for a 10 year rebuilding timeline.


Since that time, the Magnuson Act has undergone several reauthorizations – each one building upon and strengthening the previous. The most recent and transformative change was in 2007, under the leadership of Senator Stevens whose commitment to sustainable use - and growing concern over unsustainable fishing practices internationally - helped galvanize the earlier vision of Senator Magnuson. In 2007, Congress gave NOAA and the regional fishery management councils a clear mandate, new authority, and new tools to achieve the goal of sustainable fisheries within measureable timeframes. Notable among these were the requirements for annual catch limits, and accountability measures to prevent, respond to, and end overfishing – real game changers in our national journey toward sustainable fisheries, and ones that are rapidly delivering results.


Today, many stocks that were overfished are rebuilt or actively rebuilding. Successes include summer flounder, monkfish, scallops, ling cod, sablefish, North Atlantic swordfish, vermillion snapper, and gag grouper to name a few. Even the iconic Northeast groundfish fishery is turning the corner with anticipated higher catch levels allowed for 12 of the 20 groundfish stocks in the 2011 fishing season – the first time this has happened in over a decade.


Much of this progress has been due to the collaborative involvement of our U.S. commercial and recreational fishing fleets and their commitment to science based management, improving gear-technologies, and application of best-stewardship practices. Supported by the hard work of the regional fishery management councils whose innovative, management strategies have allowed fishermen to grow with stocks. One notable new development, emphasized in the 2007 reauthorization, was a focus on consideration of catch share programs. Catch share programs promote fishing based on good business decisions and stewardship practices rather than on the earlier years of ‘race-to-fish’ or ‘days-at-sea’ strategies that were often as dangerous for crews as they were unsustainable for the resource.


The success of the regional fishery management framework – and its ability to reflect the ecological and socio-economic needs unique to each region – is also influencing growth and improvement in management of international fisheries that now organize as ‘regional fishery management organizations’.


Today, the Magnuson Act – at 35 years of age - is at another turning point in its journey – one involving a more inclusive collaboration between fishing industries, conservationists, consumers and the broader seafood supply chain. At this point, we are turning the corner toward a future when ending overfishing can be a concern of the past, and where maintaining sustainable fisheries is a shared commitment to our future. And, as we turn this corner, we can turn more of our collective energies to more effectively address the far more difficult challenges of habitat degradation and international illegal fishing practices that are undermining the health and abundance of our global ocean resources. The success of the Magnuson Act and the visions of its architects have placed us on solid ground for this continuing journey. But we need to continue to work together to get there.

Coast Guard rescues 2 kayakers

BALTIMORE - The Coast Guard rescued two kayakers from the Janes Island State Park in Crisfield, Md., Tuesday. 

Rescued were Maria Bennett, 22, from Salisbury, Md., and Justin Summers, 23, from Crisfield.

At 9:40 p.m., Bennett contacted Coast Guard Station Crisfield watchstanders via cellular phone reporting they were beset by weather and disoriented off Janes Island State Park two miles west of Jackson Island. Bennett told watch standers that they had paddled up to the marshes and were waiting for assistance in approximately two feet of water.

A 25-foot response boat crew from Station Crisfield arrived on scene at 10:03 p.m., and rescued the kayakers. The rescue crew transported Bennett and Summers to the Janes Island State Park Marina.

"They were wearing life jackets and had flash lights and whistles," said Petty Officer 1st Class James H. Ford, a coxswain from Station Crisfield. "Additionally, the kayakers demonstrated good judgment in not heading back during inclement weather. It is always a good idea to check weather conditions prior to getting underway," said Ford.

Coast Guard assists sinking boat

BALTIMORE - Coast Guard and local agencies responded to a distress call from a man who reportedly struck a buoy in the Elk River, Md., Saturday.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Baltimore received notification of a 28-foot boat with six people aboard, reportedly talking on water in the Elk River Channel near Old Field Point in Elkton, Md., after striking buoy 19 at approximately 10:00 p.m.

Crews from Coast Guard Station Stillpond, Md., Maryland Air Trooper 1, Cecil County Fire Rescue, Department of Natural Resources and Towboat U.S. launched and began searching for the distressed party.

A 25-foot response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Stillpond arrived on scene at approximately 10:30 p.m., and assisted with dewatering the vessel with the help of Towboat U.S. Once the vessel was dewatered, Towboat U.S. towed the boat and the crew to the Bohemia River Marina.

Station Stillpond verified that buoy 19 is in the correct location and can be used as a navigational aid.

There were no reports of injuries.

Coast Guard urges diving safety along N.J. coast
 

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Coast Guard is urging divers, both experienced and inexperienced, to use caution while diving.

The Coast Guard has responded to three diving accidents off the New Jersey coast in 2009 all resulting in fatalities.

Both civilian and Coast Guard divers agree that training is one of the top priorities to be taken for diving.

"The number one thing is proper training and not diving beyond your means," said Steve Gatto, a 30-year veteran of diving off the New Jersey coast. "It is more difficult the deeper you go."

"Make sure you are certified through one of the recognized dive instruction certification programs," said Lt. Alan Fitzgerald, the command diving officer of the Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team in Chesapeake, Va.

Some of the recognized organizations that conduct dive instruction certification programs are:

Professional Association of Diving Instructors http://www.padi.com/scuba/

National Association of Underwater Instructors http://www.naui.org/

Scuba Schools International http://www.divessi.com/

Some safety tips to remember before and during a dive are:

-Get a medical examination from your doctor to ensure your body is physically capable of handling the conditions of the ocean.

-Never dive by yourself. Ensure you have a dive plan and a diving "buddy." There is safety in numbers.

-File a float plan, which includes the name of the charter vessel, with a family member or nearby marina. If you decide to deviate from your original intended plan, proper notification of the change should be made as soon as possible.

-Check your dive equipment carefully and check how the equipment functions, especially if the equipment is rented. Ensure inspections are done annually on diving gear.

-New Jersey state law requires that you mark the diving area with a dive flag and requires boats to stay at least 50 feet away from the flag if displayed from a buoy, boat or float. For more information regarding New Jersey dive laws click here.

-Know the signs and symptoms of diver distress such as heat exhaustion, hypothermia and dehydration, as well as procedures for emergency treatment.

-Check the local weather conditions before your dive or begin the trip to your dive site.

-Remember, taking all the basic safety precautions while diving will increase your chance of surviving a potential diving accident.

Coast Guard rescues 4 near Absecon Inlet, N.J.

ABSECON INLET, N.J. - The Coast Guard rescued four people Friday near Absecon Inlet, N.J., after the 35-foot boat they were aboard ran aground.

The Coast Guard received a call at 2:43 a.m. from a crew member aboard the Tri-Sail reporting they had run aground.

A rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., arrived on scene and hoisted two of the men and transported them to awaiting emergency medical personnel at Coast Guard Station Atlantic City while a Coast Guard rescue swimmer stayed aboard the boat. The rescue helicopter crew returned to the boat and hoisted the remaining two men and the rescue swimmer aboard. The two men were transported to Station Atlantic City.

"The running lights were working and all the guys had life jackets and safety gear," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Tye Conklin, a rescue swimmer at Air Station Atlantic City. "There was a positive outcome because of all the safety gear they had aboard."

There are no injuries reported.

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Coast Guard crews, Good Samaritan rescue 3 near Fortescue Inlet, N.J.

FORTESCUE INLET, N.J. - The Coast Guard and a Good Samaritan rescued three people Friday five miles southeast of Fortescue Inlet, N.J., after their 22-foot boat was taking on water and sank.

The Coast Guard received a call at 10:04 a.m. from a crew member aboard the Big Trout reporting they were taking on water. A Good Samaritan aboard the Serenity reported to the Coast Guard they rescued two of the three people from the water.

A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Fortescue Inlet, and a rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., arrived on scene.

 The boat crew rescued the remaining person from the water at approximatley 11:00 a.m.

All three people were transferred to the Coast Guard boat and transported to Anchor Marina in Maurice River, N.J.

No injuries were reported.

"It is always a good idea to make sure all your gear is in working order before you leave the dock," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Cooklin, a crew member aboard the rescue boat. "Their GPS was not functioning properly, and it took a little longer to find them."