MOBILE, Ala. — Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Carroll, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity, greets participants of the Alabama Commanders Summit as they board the cutter at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Nov. 29, 2011. The Alabama Commanders Summit included commanders from the state’s three military installations, Redstone Arsenal, Fort Rucker and Maxwell Air Force Base, as well as state commanders and state emergency officials. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity hosted participants of the Alabama Commanders Summit at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Tuesday.

The participants where given a tour of the Mobile port system as part of the annual summit and were also treated to a description of the Barbara Mabrity’s capabilities and operational obligations from Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Carroll, commanding officer of the cutter.

“This is the first time the Coast Guard has hosted this recurring, working meeting of military base commanders and Alabama state leaders,” said Capt. Tom Maine, commander of Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile. ”The Coast Guard plays a central role in the emergency response issues that are the focus of these meetings. Our unique coastal perspective and the chance to see Coast Guard capabilities were highlights for all participants.”

The 175-foot Keeper Class Coastal Class Buoy Tenders represent the new wave in buoy tending. They are the first Coast Guard cutters equipped with Z-Drive propulsion units instead of the standard propeller and rudder configuration. They are designed to independently rotate 360 degrees. Combined with a thruster in the bow, they give the Keeper-Class cutters unmatched maneuverability.

MOBILE, Ala. — Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Carroll, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity, greets participants of the Alabama Commanders Summit as they board the cutter at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Nov. 29, 2011. The Alabama Commanders Summit included commanders from the state’s three military installations, Redstone Arsenal, Fort Rucker and Maxwell Air Force Base, as well as state commanders and state emergency officials. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity hosted participants of the Alabama Commanders Summit at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Tuesday.

The participants where given a tour of the Mobile port system as part of the annual summit and were also treated to a description of the Barbara Mabrity’s capabilities and operational obligations from Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Carroll, commanding officer of the cutter.

“This is the first time the Coast Guard has hosted this recurring, working meeting of military base commanders and Alabama state leaders,” said Capt. Tom Maine, commander of Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile. ”The Coast Guard plays a central role in the emergency response issues that are the focus of these meetings. Our unique coastal perspective and the chance to see Coast Guard capabilities were highlights for all participants.”

The 175-foot Keeper Class Coastal Class Buoy Tenders represent the new wave in buoy tending. They are the first Coast Guard cutters equipped with Z-Drive propulsion units instead of the standard propeller and rudder configuration. They are designed to independently rotate 360 degrees. Combined with a thruster in the bow, they give the Keeper-Class cutters unmatched maneuverability.

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Coast Guard conducted pollution response training for the deployment of the Spilled Oil Recovery System, Wednesday, in Pensacola Bay.

Members from the Eighth Coast Guard District Response Advisory Team, Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team and Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Ala., deployed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Cypress, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender homeported in Mobile, for the exercise, which is aimed at testing and improving the Coast Guard’s ability to assemble and deploy the Cypress’ SORS to recover surface oil from the water after a spill or release.

SORS is an over-the-side, single-ship recovery system, designed to be used on a Coast Guard buoy tender for response to a maritime environmental emergency.

The exercise will coincide with the Cypress’ annual oil-spill response training that will test the crew’s proficiency at operating the SORS equipment.

“This annual training and deployment exercise is required under the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program Guidelines,” said Todd Peterson, Eighth Coast Guard District DRAT. ”PREP incorporates the exercise requirements from Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and is ultimately designed to improve response plans and response systems. ”

Each SORS consists of two of the following:

• A Desmi Floating Terminator Weir Skimmer with control stand to recover the substance;
• Outrigger;
• Fast sweep boom to collect spilled substance;
• Canflex bladders.

Following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil Spill, U.S. Congress enacted the OPA 90, which required that all Coast Guard sea-going buoy tenders be equipped with oil skimming systems.

The Cypress was designed and built as a multi-mission platform and carries the oil recovery system onboard. The cutter operates with a crew of 50.

“The Cypress provides a vital resource for the district in both system capabilities and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico,” Peterson said.

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Coast Guard conducted pollution response training for the deployment of the Spilled Oil Recovery System, Wednesday, in Pensacola Bay.

Members from the Eighth Coast Guard District Response Advisory Team, Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team and Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Ala., deployed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Cypress, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender homeported in Mobile, for the exercise, which is aimed at testing and improving the Coast Guard’s ability to assemble and deploy the Cypress’ SORS to recover surface oil from the water after a spill or release.

SORS is an over-the-side, single-ship recovery system, designed to be used on a Coast Guard buoy tender for response to a maritime environmental emergency.

The exercise will coincide with the Cypress’ annual oil-spill response training that will test the crew’s proficiency at operating the SORS equipment.

“This annual training and deployment exercise is required under the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program Guidelines,” said Todd Peterson, Eighth Coast Guard District DRAT. ”PREP incorporates the exercise requirements from Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and is ultimately designed to improve response plans and response systems. ”

Each SORS consists of two of the following:

• A Desmi Floating Terminator Weir Skimmer with control stand to recover the substance;
• Outrigger;
• Fast sweep boom to collect spilled substance;
• Canflex bladders.

Following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil Spill, U.S. Congress enacted the OPA 90, which required that all Coast Guard sea-going buoy tenders be equipped with oil skimming systems.

The Cypress was designed and built as a multi-mission platform and carries the oil recovery system onboard. The cutter operates with a crew of 50.

“The Cypress provides a vital resource for the district in both system capabilities and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico,” Peterson said.

View Coast Guard rescues man in Long Island Sound in a larger map

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard rescued a man who was experiencing chest pains aboard his boat in Long Island Sound south of East Haven, Conn., today.

The Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center in New Haven received notification from the Branford, Conn., Police Department of the 50-year-old mariner in distress, who was also reporting that his sail was fouled and there was water in his vessel’s bilge.  The command center deployed a rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station New Haven with an emergency medical specialist aboard.

Once on scene, the Coast Guard rescue crew observed that the 24-foot sailing vessel’s electrical system was not operating properly, the radio was inoperable and the bilge pumps were not functioning.  The mariner was able to call for help on his cell phone.  Weather conditions on scene were reported as 4- to 6-foot waves with wind at 15 to 30 knots and poor visibility.

The patient was taken aboard the Coast Guard boat and was transferred to the Branford town dock to waiting emergency medical specialists.  His condition was reported as stable.

“Sometimes things happen on the water.  That’s why we’re here,” said Mark Averill, a command duty officer with the Coast Guard command center in New Haven.

The Coast Guard strongly recommends that mariners, both commercial and recreational, maintain their vessel’s safety equipment and overall readiness.  It is vitally important to inspect the vessel’s radio before getting underway.

View Coast Guard rescues man in Long Island Sound in a larger map

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard rescued a man who was experiencing chest pains aboard his boat in Long Island Sound south of East Haven, Conn., today.

The Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center in New Haven received notification from the Branford, Conn., Police Department of the 50-year-old mariner in distress, who was also reporting that his sail was fouled and there was water in his vessel’s bilge.  The command center deployed a rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station New Haven with an emergency medical specialist aboard.

Once on scene, the Coast Guard rescue crew observed that the 24-foot sailing vessel’s electrical system was not operating properly, the radio was inoperable and the bilge pumps were not functioning.  The mariner was able to call for help on his cell phone.  Weather conditions on scene were reported as 4- to 6-foot waves with wind at 15 to 30 knots and poor visibility.

The patient was taken aboard the Coast Guard boat and was transferred to the Branford town dock to waiting emergency medical specialists.  His condition was reported as stable.

“Sometimes things happen on the water.  That’s why we’re here,” said Mark Averill, a command duty officer with the Coast Guard command center in New Haven.

The Coast Guard strongly recommends that mariners, both commercial and recreational, maintain their vessel’s safety equipment and overall readiness.  It is vitally important to inspect the vessel’s radio before getting underway.