SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard is scheduled to hold an acceptance ceremony and demonstration Tuesday at 1:30p.m. at Coast Guard Base San Juan in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico to receive the new Rescue 21 communications system covering Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

WHO: Congresswoman Donna Christensen, United States Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress

Congressman Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner

Capt. Drew W. Pearson, Sector San Juan commander

Capt. John Wood, Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate’s C4ISR program manager

James Norton, Vice President for General Dynamics C4 Systems

WHAT: Rescue 21 acceptance ceremony, media availability, and demonstration.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 29 at 1:30p.m.

WHERE: Coast Guard Base San Juan, Calle La Puntilla, San Juan, Puerto Rico

RSVP: Credentialed media should RSVP to Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan public affairs officer, at 787-510-7923 to facilitate entry into the installation.

Note to Editors: Credentialed media should arrive to the installation by no later than 1:30p.m. to arrive at event location and stage any camera equipment before commencement of ceremony.

Rescue 21, the Coast Guard’s advanced command, control and direction-finding communications system, was created to more efficiently locate mariners in distress to save lives and property at sea and on navigable waterways.

Capt. Drew Pearson, Commander of Sector San Juan, will join Coast Guard’s program manager for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems to talk about how Rescue 21’s state-of-the-art technology is enhancing search and rescue mission execution and maritime safety along the coasts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Congresswoman Christensen, United States Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress, and Congressman Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner, will be speaking at the event. James Norton, Vice President for General Dynamics C4 Systems, will also deliver remarks.

Speakers will be made available to the media following the ceremony, followed by a tour of the Coast Guard Command Center and a Rescue 21 demonstration with visuals of the system at work for those interested.

More information about Rescue 21, which is operating throughout the U.S., can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/rescue21.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – El Capitán de Navío Drew W. Pearson, Comandante del Sector San Juan de la Guardia Costanera, invita a la prensa del país a la ceremonia de aceptación y demostración del nuevo sistema de comunicaciones de búsqueda y rescate marítimo “Rescue 21” el día martes, 29 de mayo a las 1:30p.m. en la Base de la Guardia Costanera en La Puntilla, Viejo San Juan.

EVENTO: Ceremonia y demostración del sistema de comunicaciones de búsqueda y rescate marítimo Rescue 21.

QUIEN: Hon. Pedro Pierluisi, Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico;

Hon. Donna Christiansen, Delegada Congressional de las Islas Vírgenes de EE.UU;

Capitán de Navío Drew, W. Pearson, Comandante del Sector San Juan U.S. Coast Guard

Capitán de Navío John Wood, Director del Programa de Comando, Control, Comunicaciones, Computadoras (C4ISR), U.S. Coast Guard;

James Norton, vicepresidente de General Dynamics para los Sistemas de Comando, Control, Comunicaciones y Computadora (C4).

CUÁNDO: El martes, 29 de mayo a las 1:30p.m.

DÓNDE: Base de la Guardia Costanera, Calle La Puntilla, Viejo San Juan

NOTA A EDITORES: Los medios de comunicación pueden llamar a Ricardo Castrodad, Oficial de Asuntos Públicos de la Guardia Costanera al 787-510-7923 para información. Además, deberán presentar sus credenciales para obtener acceso a la instalación y llegar con tiempo para realizar montaje de equipo de cámara antes del comienzo de la ceremonia.

El Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico, Hon. Pedro Pierluisi, será el orador invitado del evento. Los ponentes estarán disponibles para los medios después de la ceremonia, seguido por una gira del Centro de Mando de la Guardia Costanera, donde se llevará a cabo una demostración en vivo de “Rescue 21.”

“Rescue 21”, el sistema más avanzado de comunicaciones para comando, control y radiolocalización de la Guardia Costanera, fue creado para localizar de manera más eficiente a los navegantes en peligro y poder salvar vidas y propiedad en el mar y las vías navegables.

El Capitán de Navío Drew Pearson, Comandante del Sector San Juan, se unirá al Director del Programa de Comando, Control, Comunicaciones, Computadoras, Inteligencia, Vigilancia y Reconocimiento (C4ISR) de la Guardia Costanera, el Capitán de Navío John Wood, para hablar sobre cómo la tecnología más avanzada de “Rescue 21” está impactando y mejorando la ejecución de la misión de rescate y seguridad marítima en las costas de Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos.

Para más información acerca de Rescue 21, que está operando en todo los EE.UU., se puede encontrar en http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/rescue21

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sapelo conducts the offload of 50 bales of cocaine at Coast Guard Base San Juan Tuesday night following a multi-agency maritime drug seizure off the southern coast of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islans Sunday night (U.S. Coast Guard photos).

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) authorities disrupted a maritime illegal drug shipment Sunday night and seized approximately 2,833 pounds (1.4 tons) of cocaine off the southern coast of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The drug shipment was estimated to have a street value of over $25 million dollars.

“The outstanding efforts and collaboration between all law enforcement authorities are responsible for this successful disruption and seizure, which prevented a major drug shipment from reaching our shores,” said Coast Guard Capt. Drew Pearson, Sector San Juan commander.

While on a routine patrol, CBP agents onboard a CBP DCH-8 marine surveillance aircraft detected four men aboard a suspicious vessel, approximately 50 nautical miles south of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Sunday evening.

Coast Guard Sector San Juan Watchstanders were notified and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Sapelo, who was patrolling the area at the time, to interdict the suspect vessel.

The crew of the CBP marine patrol aircraft observed the men onboard the suspect vessel jettison suspicious objects overboard and began to flee at a high rate of speed after they noticed the presence of law enforcement authorities in the area.

The crew of the Coast Guard Sapelo arrived on scene and began to recover the jettisoned cargo from the water. After searching all night and the following day with the assistance of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Borinquen, the crew of the Sapelo was able to recover 50 bales of suspected illegal contraband that had been thrown overboard from the suspect vessel. A further inspection and testing of the suspected drug shipment revealed the contraband to be cocaine.

The crew of a Coast Guard Cutter Sapelo transported the illegal drug shipment to Coast Guard Base San Juan Tuesday night, where they transferred custody to awaiting Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agents.

“This interdiction is part of CBP's continued effort to work with fellow federal, state, local, and international partners to combat individuals and criminal organizations that pose a threat to our communities,” indicated Johnny Morales, Director of Air Operations for CBP’s Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.

“This massive seizure of 1.4 tons of cocaine is a clear indication of the hard work and dedication that the DEA, the U.S. Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Police Department and Customs & Border Protection have in combining our resources,” said Drug Enforcement Administration, Caribbean Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Pedro Janer. “We will continue to stop these groups who think they can smuggle narcotics into Puerto Rico with flagrant disregard of our enforcement capabilities and our laws.”

Click for video.

MIAMI — Five people were rescued from a disabled 29-foot boat by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback approximately 15 miles east of Miami Beach, Fla., Thursday afternoon.

The boat lost one of its two engines, ran out of gas, and became disabled in 9-foot sea swells.

Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders were notified shortly after 8 a.m. that the vessel was disabled. The crew of the 87-foot, Miami Beach-based cutter Diamondback arrived on scene at approximately 12:30 p.m., and took the vessel in tow.

According to the report, the five individuals aboard the vessel were wearing life jackets. However, the vessel was not equipped with an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).

The Coast Guard strongly encourages all boaters to use multiple forms of safety of gear, such as:

• Life jackets
• EPIRBs
• VHF-FM radios (cell phones aren't always reliable offshore)
• Distress signals (flares, signaling mirrors)
• Sound-producing devices (air horns, whistles)

Boaters are also strongly encouraged to file a float plan before heading out to sea. For more information on boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org.

"Upon arriving on scene with the vessel, I evaluated the deteriorating weather conditions and made the challenging decision to place the vessel in tow to prevent it from capsizing," said Lt. Emily Rose, commanding officer, cutter Diamondback. "Partnering with commercial salvage, we ensured all five people were brought safely back to land. Saving lives is what members of the Coast Guard do every day."

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard ended an 11-day response effort to the damaged container ship MSC Idil Monday, after salvage professionals finalized temporary repairs to the ship’s hull off the coast of Puerto Rico. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo taken May 12).

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard ended an 11-day response effort to the damaged container ship MSC Idil Monday, after salvage professionals finalized temporary repairs to the ship’s hull off the coast of Puerto Rico.

The Panamanian flagged ship MSC Idil continued its transit to Freeport, Bahamas, where vessel owner Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will conduct further assessments of the ship’s condition.

“Our team of rescue boats, helicopters, cutters and Search and Rescue planners answered the call and mounted a coordinated first response,” said Capt. Drew W. Pearson, Sector San Juan commander. “As the situation stabilized we were able to work together; the Coast Guard, the MSC Idil and the salvage team, to protect those in danger from the sea and protect the sea itself.”

The 900-foot container ship suffered an onboard explosion May 11, approximately 60 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico, during the vessel’s transit to Barcelona, Spain.

The MSC Idil is investigating the cause of the explosion. The ship’s crew were able to maintain full control their cargo and prevent the discharge of pollution into the environment. The MSC Idil reportedly had 588,000 gallons of fuel oil and 62,000 gallons of diesel onboard at the time of the incident.

“The key to the success of this response was the combined effort from the U.S. Coast Guard, MSC, DonJon-Smit, Atlantic Diving, Borinquen Towing, and San Juan Towing,” said Lt. Kristen Preble, Sector San Juan Incident Management Division chief. “Their ability to quickly and effectively work together to address the safety of the crew, the ship, and the environment under demanding conditions was phenomenal.”

Among Coast Guard surface and air units that provided rescue assistance and conducted monitoring efforts throughout the response were a Boat Station San Juan 45-foot Response Boat Medium and 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcent; the Cutter’s Matinicus, Sapelo and Key Largo; Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Borinquen; and a HC-144 Ocean Sentry Aircraft from Air Station Miami. A Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch marine patrol aircraft also participated during initial response efforts.

Coast Guard Cutters Key Largo, Matinicus and Sapelo are 110-foot patrol boats homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 31-year-old male Burmese national from the motor vessel Annabell in the Tampa Fairway Anchorage approximately 9-miles offshore, Wednesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a call at 8:10 a.m., from the captain of the motor vessel Annabell stating that one of his crewmembers had been passing out and regaining consciousness since Tuesday and was in need of medical attention. The crewmember had slurred speech and was unable to eat or drink.

At approximately 10 a.m., Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg launched a 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew along with a local emergency medical technician (EMT) to the scene.

Once on scene at 10:30 a.m., the Coast Guard boat crew and EMT transferred the man onboard their vessel.

The man was transported to Ft. De Soto Bay Pier where local emergency medical personnel were waiting to bring him to Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg.

"Once on scene with the vessel, it took about three minutes to remove the patient onto the 45 (Response Boat Medium) and we preceded to the Fort De Soto pier without incident," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Hendon, a boatswains mate at Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg.

*Editor's note: Media is welcome at this event; all requests must be approved in advance. Please contact Jennifer Heisler at 843-606-0232 by 3 p.m., Thursday*

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Coast Guard Station Charleston and partner agencies are hosting a free safe boating week event to be held on Friday from approximately 10 a.m., till 2 p.m., at Cario Middle School.

The free event is held for parents and children to learn about having fun while being safe on the water.

Members from Coast Guard Station Charleston, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, police and fire departments from Isle of Palms, Mt. Pleasant, Charleston and North Charleston will be present.

Several rescue boats and vehicles will be on display to interest children in learning more about boating and water safety.

Representatives will be available to answer questions about boating safety and regulations.

This event is part of National Safe Boating Week, an annual Coast Guard supported weeklong public awareness campaign with the goal of encouraging safe boating practices by mariners throughout the country.

The week highlights the importance of safety equipment aboard vessels such as life jackets, proper communication equipment, and the benefits of owning an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. The hope is to encourage people to carry appropriate safety equipment which could save their life.

KINGS BAY, Ga. - The crew of the Coast Guard Martime Safety and Security Team Kings Bay, Ga., present the Sumner I. Kimball Readiness award Tuesday, May 22, 2012. The unit received the Award for their excellence in operational readiness. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Jessica Potter.

KINGS BAY, Ga. - Members of the Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Kings Bay, Ga., and members of the Deployable Operations Group display the Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award presented to the unit on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. MSST Kings Bay crewmembers are the first Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Force unit to receive this award in two consecutive years. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Potter.

KINGS BAY, Ga. - The crew of Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Kings Bay, Ga., stand at attention prior to the Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award presentation on Tuesday May 22, 2012. Maritime Safety and Security Teams are rapid deployable units, organized for maritime tactical law enforcement and defense operations in support of Coast Guard operational commanders, global combatant commanders or other joint task force commanders. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Potter.

KINGS BAY, Ga. - The Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award was presented to the crew of Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Kings Bay, Ga., on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.The Kimball Award, named after Sumner I. Kimball the General Superintendent of the Life-Saving Service from 1878 -1915, was established in 2001. The award recognizes Coast Guard Boat Force units that exemplify the Coast Guard’s motto of always ready. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Potter.

KINGS BAY, Ga. – Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Kings Bay, Ga., was awarded the Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award, Tuesday aboard MSST Kings Bay for excellence in operational readiness.

"Earning the Kimball Award is a direct reflection of the hard work MSST Kings Bay puts forth daily and is truly a testament to my crew having achieved a mastery of boat operations, engineering expertise and deck seamanship surpassing that which is expected by the Coast Guard," said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew J. Baer, commanding officer of MSST Kings Bay. "The historic fact that we became the first-ever Deployable Specialized Forces unit to earn the Kimball in consecutive inspection years shows that the crew at MSST Kings Bay is dedicated to not only achieving a high level of readiness and operational expertise, but also to sustaining that proficiency for the long term. I am very proud of my entire crew for their accomplishment." 

MSST Kings Bay was assessed on underway crew proficiency, material condition of unit’s assets, unit training program, and compliance with strict standardization in rescue and survival systems.

For the second consecutive year, MSST Kings Bay exceeded the Coast Guard’s average in each category and attained one of the highest scores among Deployable Specialized Force units.

“This award is not an individual award, it is a team and unit award,” said Capt. Jeffery P. Novotny, Deployable Operations Group Command Cadre. “With exceptional performance, dedication, attention to detail and the pride and professionalism that MSST Kings Bay crewmembers bring to work everyday shows clearly why they deserve this award."

The Kimball Award, named after Sumner I. Kimball the General Superintendent of the Life-Saving Service from 1878-1915, was established in 2001. The award recognizes Coast Guard Boat Force units that exemplify the Coast Guard’s motto of always ready.

MSST Kings Bay performs a variety of maritime, homeland security and defense missions both domestically and globally.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The U.S. Coast Guard will transfer a decommissioned 378-foot High Endurance Cutter to the Philippines at 1 p.m. May 22 at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Pier Papa in North Charleston, S.C.

 Former Coast Guard Cutter Dallas will be transferred in a ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. John Korn, assistant commandant for Acquisition.

 "Since 1967, Coast Guard Cutter Dallas has served the American people well, from Vietnam and the Pacific to its final Coast Guard patrol in the Caribbean, where the crew interdicted 4,000 pounds of cocaine and 940 pounds of marijuana," said Korn. "As Dallas returns to the Southeast Asian waters that it plied at the beginning of its Coast Guard career, I know it will serve the Philippines as faithfully and capably as it served America.”

 Dallas was decommissioned March 30 after 45-years of service.

 Media are invited to the transfer ceremony.

 Who:      U.S. Coast Guard and Philippine navy officials

 What:     Transfer Ceremony

 When:     May 22 at 1 p.m.

 Where:  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Pier Papa in North Charleston, S.C.

Media interested in attending are required to RSVP by calling Coast Guard Ensign Jami-Lyn Butto (843) 740-7063 by 4 p.m. May 21.

HUDSON BEACH, Fla. — Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rescue teams continue to search for five possible distressed boaters last heard hailing MAYDAY two miles north of Hudson Beach, Saturday.

Watchstaders at Sector St. Petersburg received a MAYDAY relay at 1 a.m., Saturday, from a commercial shrimp facility. The reporting source received several MAYDAY calls on VHF channel 9 from a vessel two miles north and five miles west of Hudson Beach. The distressed boaters - two adults and three children - claimed to be taking on water after striking a rock. 

Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders immediately launched a boatcrew aboard a 45-foot Response boat Medium, from Coast Guard Station Sand Key, and an aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Clearwater.

Rescue crews are saturating an area between Hernando Beach and Hudson Beach. Currently assisting in the search are rescue vessels from FWC, two Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels, a 25-foot small boat from Station Sand Key and a Jayhawk’s aircrew.

“The MAYDAY relay was reported on VHF channel 9; all mariners need to utilize VHF channel 16 for hailing and distress,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Davis, operations unit controller at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg.  

All five boaters are reported to be wearing their life jackets. If anyone has any information regarding the incident or missing boaters in the area, please contact Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at (727) 824-7506.

 

TAMPA, Fla. — The Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) sponsored a boating safety event at the Gandy Boat Ramp, Saturday. 

As part of the Tampa Bay observance of National Safe Boating Week, (May 19-27) the public was invited to view a live boating safety demonstration. Many attendees brought their own conventional or inflatable-type life jackets to participate in the ‘Ready-Set-Wear’ mass life jacket inflation/donning. 

National Safe Boating Week, first observed in 1952, is a nationwide boating safety campaign during the week leading up to the Memorial Day Weekend. It is designed to promote awareness of safe boating techniques and rules knowledge by urging boaters to take approved boating education courses, to wear life jackets and to undergo vessel inspections.

"Throughout Tampa Bay, Florida and the nation, the Coast Guard, the Auxiliary, the FWC and other groups deliver the NSBW message through a variety of safe boating promotional events," said Tim Teahan, Coast Guard Auxiliary member hosting the event.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the nation's most active boating safety educator - more than 100,000 boaters participate in Auxiliary safe boating programs annually.  Founded in 1939, the Auxiliary is the civilian, all-volunteer arm of the Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, providing boating education and Coast Guard mission support.

Locally, Flotilla 79 has trained thousands of boaters since the 1960s from locations in South Tampa.

MIAMI — Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Abeyta, Station Miami Beach, Fla., Commanding Officer speaks about boating safety at the annual National Safe Boating Week event news conference at Base Miami Beach, Fla., Friday. The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and partner agencies are encouraging boaters to use life jackets and proper safety equipment aboard their recreational vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Patrick Montgomery.

MIAMI — Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Abeyta, Station Miami Beach, Fla., Commanding Officer speaks about boating safety at the annual National Safe Boating Week event news conference at Base Miami Beach, Fla., Friday. The “Ready, Set, Wear It” media event kicked-off National Safe Boating Week as Memorial Day weekend approaches. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Patrick Montgomery.

MIAMI — The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other local partner agencies held a news conference Friday at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach to officially launch National Safe Boating Week.

This year's theme is “Ready, Set, Wear It." The campaign is designed to encourage boaters to use life jackets and proper safety equipment aboard their recreational vessels. 

National Safe Boating Week marks the informal beginning of summer and Coast Guard crews throughout Florida will be on patrol, paying particular attention to recreational boating safety.

In 2010, the Coast Guard counted 4,604 accidents that involved 672 deaths, 3,153 injuries and approximately $35.5 million damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. Approximately 75 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 88 percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket.

Overall, according to recreational boating statistics for 2010, operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and alcohol rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.

The Coast Guard can narrow down a search for a missing or distressed boater when a boater files a float plan with a friend, family member, local marina personnel or the Coast Guard. A float plan states where you are going and how many people are aboard your vessel. It also gives a vessel description, details your destination and what time you expect to arrive there. If you are delayed for some reason, make sure you let someone know.

In addition, a VHF-FM radio is the best method of communication while on the water. Although cell phones are a good backup, they can be unreliable due to gaps in coverage area and the inevitable dead battery. 

Here are some other tips to help boaters have a safe and prepared summer on the water:

• Check the local weather prior to departing the dock. Weather can change very rapidly, and a watchful eye on the forecast conditions is key to safety.
• Have nautical charts of the area you are boating in, a global positioning device and a reliable means of communication on board your vessel.
• Obtain a free, no-fault vessel safety check, which can be conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, before heading out on the water. The safety checks are courtesy examinations of your vessel, verifying the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations.
• Boating under the influence or boating while intoxicated is just as deadly as drinking and driving. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. Penalties for violating BUI and BWI laws can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges and jail terms. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

For further boating safety information, check online at one of the following:

• Vessel Safety Checks: http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/
• Coast Guard Boating Safety page: http://www.uscgboating.org/
• National Safe Boating Council: http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/

Editor's note: Media wishing to attend this event are asked to arrive no later than 9:45 a.m. at Bayside Marina, 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 33132.

MIAMI — The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and partner agencies are scheduled to hold a National Safe Boating Week event at Bayside Marina in Miami from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

WHO:

• The Coast Guard
• The Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz  
• Commissioner Marc D. Sarnoff
• Lourdes P. Gimenez, Miami-Dade County Public Schools

WHAT:

• TERRA Environmental Research Institute students to receive FWC Boater ID cards
• County and City Proclamation presentations
• A free, public event to celebrate National Safe Boating Week 2012 (May 19-25)
• Coast Guard vessels on display, including the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback and a Station Miami Beach 45-foot Response Boat-Medium

WHEN:

Saturday, May 19, 2012

• Media event from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Proclamation presentations from 11 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.
• Environmental Research Institute student awards presentation from 11:25 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Family Fun Day Cutter Tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

• Bayside Marina, 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla., 33132

National Safe Boating Week, first observed in 1952, is a nationwide boating safety campaign during the week leading up to the Memorial Day Weekend.  It is designed to promote awareness of safe boating techniques and rules knowledge by urging boaters to take approved boating education courses, to wear life jackets and to undergo vessel inspections.  Throughout Tampa Bay, Florida and the nation, the Coast Guard, the Auxiliary, the FWC and other groups deliver the NSBW message through a variety of safe boating promotional events.

Editor's note:  For media interested in attending the event, please RSVP with Coast Guard Public Affairs at 305-415-6683.   

WHO:  Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other local partner agencies are scheduled to be in attendance at the annual boating safety news conference.

WHAT:  The “Ready, Set, Wear It” media event will kick-off National Safe Boating Week as Memorial Day weekend approaches.   The campaign is designed to encourage boaters to use life jackets and proper safety equipment aboard their recreational vessels. 

WHEN/WHERE:     

10 a.m., Friday, May 18

USCG Sector Miami Beach

100 McArthur Causeway

Miami, Fla. 33139

 BACKGROUND:

National Safe Boating Week marks the informal beginning of summer and Coast Guard crews throughout Florida will be on patrol, paying particular attention to recreational boating safety.

Life jackets save lives. Seventy percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84 percent were reported as not wearing a life jacket.  Accidents can leave even a strong swimmer injured, unconscious and exhausted in the water.

The Coast Guard can narrow down a search for a missing or distressed boater when a boater files a float plan with a friend, family member, local marina personnel or the Coast Guard. A float plan states where you are going and how many people are aboard your vessel. It also gives a vessel description, details your destination and what time you expect to arrive there. If you are delayed for some reason, make sure you let someone know.

In addition, a VHF-FM radio is the best method of communication while on the water. Although cell phones are a good backup, they can be unreliable due to gaps in coverage area and the inevitable dead battery. 

Here are some other tips to help boaters have a safe and prepared summer on the water:

• Check the local weather prior to departing the dock. Weather can change very rapidly, and a watchful eye on the forecast conditions is key to safety.
• Have nautical charts of the area you are boating in, a global positioning device and a reliable means of communication on board your vessel.
• Obtain a free, no-fault vessel safety check, which can be conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, before heading out on the water. The safety checks are courtesy examinations of your vessel, verifying the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations.
• Boating under the influence or boating while intoxicated is just as deadly as drinking and driving. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. Penalties for violating BUI and BWI laws can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges and jail terms. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

Scan the quick response code below to view the Coast Guard approved float plan on your mobile device.

 For further boating safety information, check online at one of the following:

• Vessel Safety Checks: http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/
• Coast Guard Boating Safety page: http://www.uscgboating.org/
• National Safe Boating Council: http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/

MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island repatriated 24 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, Thursday.

“U.S. Coast Guard policy is to deter and respond to dangerous, and illegal maritime migration by intercepting vessels pursuing perilous and illegal voyages," said, Capt. Brendan McPherson, 7th Coast Guard District chief of enforcement."We continue to maintain a robust presence of cutters and aircraft throughout the Caribbean to prevent illegal migration and migrant smuggling activities.”

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants are provided with food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.

The Pea Island is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Key West, Fla.

For more information on how to legally immigrate to the United States, call U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-800-375-5283 or visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.