MONTEREY, Calif. – The crew of Coast Guard Station Monterey will be hosting an array of boating safety activities and static displays for the public May 19, 2012 at San Carlos Beach Park, Monterey, in support of this year’s National Safe Boating Week.

To help raise safety awareness at one of the busiest boating events in the year, the Coast Guard recommends the following PSA’s for media distribution:

Heroes Wear Lifejackets PSA

Wear It PSA's

Don’t Wreck Your Summer PSA

Keith Colburn Boat Responsibly PSA

Additional details on Station Monterey's Safe Boating Week event:

WHAT/WHO: Coast Guard Station Monterey Safe Boating Week kickoff

WHERE: San Carlos Beach Park, located between the Cannery Row and the city boat launch, across from the Coast Guard rescue station. 

WHEN: May 19, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We are pleased to partner with so many fine agencies to bring a fun and informative day to the area” said Lt. Ronald Kooper, Commanding Officer of Station Monterey.  The goal we all share is for folks to enjoy the many water activities in the area, but to remember to keep safety in mind.  With the excellent weather in Northern California it is easy to forget how treacherous the ocean can be if one does not prepare ahead of time.” 

Various displays and activities to include:

• Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter tours
• Coast Guard 25-foot Response Boat tours
• Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Life Boat tours
• Monterey Fire Department rescue boat tours
• Practice saving a boat from leaking and flooding by patching holes and cracks in a Coast Guard simulator.  However, be ready to get wet!!!!!
• California State Lifeguards wave runner
• Search and rescue demonstration with the helicopter and  rescue boats in the coastal zone viewable from San Carlos Park
• And much, much more

The media is invited and encouraged to cover this free event.  To set up interviews and for more information, contact Lt. John Suckow at (831) 647-7308.

Informational links and Safe Boating Week Campaign partners:

California Department of Boating and Waterways Boating Safety Outreach

National Safe Boating Week Campaign

Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety

Coast Guard Auxiliary

National Safe Boating Council

National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Coast Guard Base Alameda welcomed its new commanding officer during a change of command ceremony held on Coast Guard Island, Thursday, May 3.

Capt. Michael Woolard relieved Capt. Gary Spenik, who has served in Alameda since June 2011 when Coast Guard Base Alameda was known as Coast Guard Base Support Unit Alameda prior to being reorganized in 2012.

Woolard’s previous assignment was Executive Officer of Civil Engineering Unit Oakland, Calif. His first assignment was on the Coast Guard Cutter Chilua followed by the Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast. Other assignments include Training Center Petaluma, Integrated Deepwater System at Coast Guard Headquarters, Integrated Support Center Kodiak, Civil Engineering Unit Miami and Office of Engineering at Coast Guard Headquarters.  

Woolard graduated in 1990 from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He went on to receive his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering in 1996 from the University of Illinois.

Spenik will be retiring after 27 years. His immediate plans are to spend time with his family while remaining in the Alameda area.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition, which formally restates that the continuity of command will be maintained. It is a formal ritual, conducted before the assembled company of command. It conveys to the officers, enlisted personnel, civilian employees, and auxiliary members of the Coast Guard that although the authority of command is relinquished by one person and is assumed by another, it is still maintained without interruption.

Base Alameda is located on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif. Established Feb. 15, 2012, Base Alameda provides a wide variety of services in direct support of Coast Guard activities throughout the West Coast.  As with all Coast Guard units, a day in Base Alameda is like no other unit.  Every day colors are observed, galley meals are served, hundreds of vehicles are checked as they pass through the security gate, contracts and purchase orders are processed, maintenance work orders are done, port and base security are maintained, tons of materials are stored and moved in and out of the warehouse, industrial support and Maintenance Augmentation Teams are provided throughout the West Coast.

There are five departments and two units within Base Alameda.

Electronics Support Unit Alameda—Supports our operational partners by maximizing C4IT readiness through the installation, maintenance, and repair of Coast Guard standard C4IT systems, providing timely and comprehensive depot level support within District 11 area of operations.

Naval Engineering Support Unit Alameda—Provides hull, mechanical and electrical; ordinance maintenance augmentation to specific cutters; Industrial Support Activities; and Maintenance Augmentation Teams.

Facilities Engineering—Responsible for the maintenance and care of all CG Island Facilities, including both preventive and recurring unit level maintenance.  Ensures that facilities and utilities are adequate for over 2,100 tenants in regards to heating, air condition, and ventilation.  Manages safety and environmental programs including life safety issues and environmental compliance.

Personnel Support—Provides and manages support in Personnel Services, Decedent Affairs, Housing, Transportation, Education,  Morale, Recreation & Welfare, Child Development Center, and Temporary Duty Management.

Comptroller/Base Operations—Manages a 15.5 million dollar budget for all the Base services/operations, housing maintenance and shore energy accounts.  Provides security, emergency contingency preparations, and port services. 

Procurement & Contracting—Provides supplies, services, and construction contracting (<$150K) for its numerous customers under direction and guidance from the Base Commanding Officer and the Shore Infrastructure Logistics

Center (SILC)-Base Support.  Maintains Purchase Card program.

Health Safety & Work Life—Provides primary care medical, dental,  optical, acute care pharmacy, and specialty referral.  Assistance and training provided for Employee, Family, Special Needs, Transition, Career, and Health concerns.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – A change of command ceremony and retirement event is scheduled for Thursday, May 3 at Coast Guard Island. Two Coast Guard Captains will officially transfer command responsibilities as part of a time-honored tradition.

The change of command ceremony is a formal ritual, conducted before the assembled company of the command and to invited guests. It conveys to the officers, enlisted personnel, civilian employees and auxiliary members of the Coast Guard that although the authority of command is relinquished by one person and is assumed by another, it is still maintained without interruption.

What: Coast Guard Base Alameda Change of Command Ceremony and Capt. Spenik retirement

Who: Capt. Gary Spenik will retire and be relieved of command by Capt. Michael Woolard who will take command as Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Base Alameda.

When: Thursday, May 3, 10 a.m.

Where: Helicopter pad behind Building 54, Coast Guard Island.

For more information and to set up interviews, email Petty Officer 2nd Class Levi Read at levi.a.read@uscg.mil or call (510) 437-3373.

SAN FRANCISCO – Coast Guard Sector San Francisco and US Sailing officials will be available for a phone press briefing scheduled for 1:00 p.m. today to discuss the safety stand-down for offshore racing in the Bay Area. Please note the following information:

WHO: Captain Cynthia Stowe, Coast Guard Captain of the Port of San Francisco.

Gary Jobson, President US Sailing.

WHAT: Recent offshore accidents have highlighted the need to assess offshore race organizers’ safety plans and procedures. US Sailing, the National Governing Body for the sport of sailing, is conducting an independent review of Bay Area offshore racing safety procedures to provide an independent assessment of existing plans and procedures.

WHEN: Tuesday 1:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Conference call line at 605-781-1000

Media interested in participating should RSVP with Petty Officer Mike Lutz prior to 12:30 p.m. to receive the access code to the conference call line at 415-399-7317.  

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Coast Guard Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft relieved Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown as Pacific Area commander during a change-of-command ceremony held aboard Coast Guard Island, Friday.

Brown assumed the duties as PACAREA commander in May 2010. During his time as PACAREA commander, Brown oversaw the reconstitution of the PACAREA staff and the commissioning of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, which included First Lady Michelle Obama as the ship’s sponsor. Brown is heading to Coast Guard Headquarters to assume the duties of Deputy Commandant for Mission Support.

Zukunft, a North Branford, Conn., native, graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1977, with a Bachelor of Science degree in government.  He holds a Master of Arts degree in management from Webster University and a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies and International Affairs from the U.S. Naval War College.  Zukunft served as the Federal-On-Scene-Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf where he directed federal, state, and local agencies in response efforts.

The area of responsibility of PACAREA is 74 million square miles ranging from South America, north to the Arctic Circle and west to the Far East.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard is working with offshore racing organizers to amend their courses for the next two offshore sailing races pending a review of safety plans and procedures in the San Francisco Bay area.  

The April 28, 2012 Offshore Yacht Racing Association Duxship Race and the May 12, 2012 Singlehanded Sailing Society Farallons Race are the affected races. The Coast Guard is working closely with race organizers to implement alternative courses for the impacted races. All other races that stay within the demarcation line that runs from Point Bonita to Land’s End are not impacted.

Recent offshore accidents have highlighted the need to assess offshore race organizers’ safety plans and procedures. Races inside the bay are still being permitted per the current procedures. The Coast Guard is calling on all offshore race organizers and participants to conduct their own safety stand-downs during this period. 

US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport of sailing, is conducting an independent review of Bay Area offshore racing safety procedures to provide an independent assessment of existing plans and procedures.

 “The San Francisco Bay Area sailing community is one of the most vibrant, experienced, and capable sailing communities in the world,” said Capt. Cynthia Stowe, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port of San Francisco.  “This temporary safety stand-down from offshore racing will allow the Coast Guard and the offshore racing community to further our common safety goals.”

WHO: Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Vice Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown and   Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft.

WHAT:Zukunft will relieve Brown as Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, during a change-of-command ceremony.

WHEN: The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., Friday. Media interested in attending the ceremony should contact Pacific Area Public Affairs at 510-437-3375 and should arrive no later than 9:45 a.m.

WHERE: Cutter pier along Spencer Road, Coast Guard Island, Alameda, Calif., 94501.

Background:  Brown assumed the duties as PACAREA commander May 2010. During his time as PACAREA commander, Brown oversaw the reconstitution of the PACAREA staff and the commissioning of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, which included First Lady Michelle Obama as the ship’s sponsor. Brown is heading to Coast Guard Headquarters to assume the duties of Deputy Commandant for Mission Support.

Zukunft, a North Branford, Conn., native, graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1977, with a Bachelor of Science degree in government.  He holds a Master of Arts degree in management from Webster University and a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies and International Affairs from the U.S. Naval War College.  Zukunft served as the Federal-On-Scene-Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf where he directed federal, state, and local agencies in response efforts.

The area of responsibility of PACAREA is 74 million square miles ranging from South America, north to the Arctic Circle and west to the Far East.

More photos are posted on Coast Guard Visual Imagery at http:cgvi.uscg.mil.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Coast Guard is overseeing the rescue of a disabled freighter, which is currently 11 miles west of Pt. Reyes, and is being towed to the Port of Oakland for repairs, Wednesday, April 25. 

The Coast Guard personnel at Vessel Traffic Service San Francisco identified the disabled motor vessel Pacific Sea, a 623-foot Hong Kong flagged bulk carrier, at approximately 6:00 a.m. Sunday.  At the time the vessel was disabled and adrift 24 miles west of Bodega Bay, Calif., and en route to Stockton, Calif. 

The vessel's owner contracted with Starlight Marine Services to render assistance and two tugs were dispatched to the scene to tow the vessel. 

The Coast Guard Cutter Sockeye, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol boat homeported in Bodega Bay, was also dispatched to the scene to oversee the operation.  The vessel is not carrying any cargo, but does have nearly 200,000 gallons of fuel oil on board.  

The vessel was taken under tow at approximately 11:00 p.m. Tuesday night, and is currently en route to San Francisco Bay with an arrival time of approximately 6:00 a.m.  The vessel will be towed to the Port of Oakland where it will undergo repairs and be inspected by the Coast Guard. 

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center will continue to monitor the disabled vessel and tow efforts.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Coast Guard Pacific Area (PACAREA) commander will be relieved in a change-of-command ceremony scheduled for Friday, at 10 a.m., at Coast Guard Island in Alameda.

Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft, former assistant commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., will relieve Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, as Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, during the time-honored military tradition.

Brown assumed the duties as PACAREA commander in May 2010. During his time as PACAREA commander, Brown oversaw the reconstitution of the PACAREA staff and the commissioning of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, which included First Lady Michelle Obama as the ship’s sponsor. Brown is heading to Coast Guard Headquarters to assume the duties of Deputy Commandant for Mission Support.

Zukunft, a North Branford, Conn., native, graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1977, with a Bachelor of Science degree in government.  He holds a Master of Arts degree in management from Webster University and a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies and International Affairs from the U.S. Naval War College.  Zukunft served as the Federal-On-Scene-Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf where he directed federal, state, and local agencies in response efforts.

The area of responsibility of PACAREA is 74 million square miles ranging from South America, north to the Arctic Circle and west to the Far East.

Media interested in attending the ceremony should contact the Pacific Area Public Affairs office at 510-437-3375.  Media should arrive no later than 9:45 a.m. and have media credentials, a driver’s license and proof of insurance if operating a vehicle to access Coast Guard Island.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — In true military tradition of promoting family values, the Coast Guard Base Alameda celebrated the Month of the Military Child Friday by hosting family-friendly festivities in the Emlen Tunnell Gymnasium and surrounding area. Children were entertained with fun-filled activities such as face painting, bounce houses, games, live music and a petting zoo. 

“Our families, our children, make the greatest sacrifices and are our true heroes; they serve too,” said Capt. Gary Spenik, Base Alameda Commanding Officer. “I’m glad this opportunity is set aside to honor them and their selfless contributions to our missions. We want our precious children to feel loved and appreciated for what they do best—being our family cheerleaders!”

April is the Month of the Military Child, which was originally established in 1986 by then Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger. This month-long occasion recognizes the important role military children play in the lives of its members and the courage and sacrifices they must make growing up in a dynamic military household.

There are more than 1.2 million military children, with either one or both parents in service, who must endure the same aspects of military life as their parents. Despite frequent moves, parental deployments, and adjusting to make new friends, military children with strong ties to their community have learned to gain strength and thrive in spite of these challenges.

Base Alameda, as part of a larger Bay Area presence for the Coast Guard, hosts several shore and cutter-based commands including the newest cutters Bertholf, Waesche and Stratton and is the base operations for the 11th Coast Guard District and the Coast Guard Pacific Area command. More than 4,000 Coast Guard members and their families call the Bay Area home.

To learn more about programs on supporting military children and families, visit some of the links below:

• Joining Forces
• DoD Live: Month of the Military Child: Saluting our Military Children

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard announces the release of a draft environmental assessment for the proposed special local regulation for the 34^th America’s Cup and related races that are scheduled to take place in San Francisco Bay between August and October 2012 and between July and September 2013.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, this draft EA addresses the potential environmental and socioeconomic impact of the proposed special local regulation for the 34^th America’s Cup. The proposed regulation would temporarily reroute vessel traffic between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island and create regulated areas where America’s Cup races will be held.

The draft EA can be found at www.regulations.gov, docket number USCG 2011-0551.  There is a 90 day public comment period for the proposed special local regulation that closes on April 30, 2012. The public comment period for the draft EA also closes on April 30, 2012.  Comments for the proposed regulation and draft EA can be made at the docket.

ALAMEDA, California - At 8:04 pm (PST) this evening, Coast Guard crews suspended their search for four sailors missing since Saturday afternoon when their sailing vessel, the Low Speed Chase, grounded near the Farallon Islands.

Throughout the course of a search covering an area of more than 5,000 square miles, efforts by multiple air assets included a C-130 airplane from Air Station Sacramento, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station San Francisco and two Pave Hawk helicopters from the 129th Air National Guard Rescue Wing at Moffett Field near Sunnyvale, CA. Surface efforts included the 225-foot Coast Guard Cutter Aspen, the 87-foot Cutters Pike and Sockeye, and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat, all from the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite the recovery of three survivors and a deceased individual within hours of the grounding, the combined efforts of these numerous assets were unable to locate the four missing crew members as of Sunday evening.

"The decision to suspend a search and rescue case like this is never an easy one to make," said Captain Cynthia Stowe, Sector San Francisco commanding officer. "The Coast Guard extends our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the lost crewmen and the deceased. They will all be in our thoughts and prayers."

INFORMATIONAL LINKS & PRESS RELEASES:

The 129th Air National Guard Rescue Wing Public Affairs Officer:
Capt. Donald G. Leblanc (650) 603-9152

129th Air Rescue Wing press release

Update 3: Coast Guard, Air National Guard continue search for 4

VIDEO: 3 rescued by Coast Guard and Air National Guard

Coast Guard, Air National Guard recovers 3 sailors, 1 deceased

San Francisco Yacht Club

Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco Bay

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The US Coast Guard and Air National Guard continue to search for four individuals who remain missing following Saturday's grounding of the sailing vessel Low Speed Chase near the Farallon Islands.

Coast Guard air assets conducted a search for missing crewmembers throughout much of the evening, with the exception of a temporary suspension in the early morning hours due to low visibility and adverse weather conditions.  Improved conditions and daylight enabled a continuation of search operations by daybreak Sunday using a Coast Guard C-130 from Air Station Sacramento, an MH-65 from Air Station San Francisco, two Blackhawk helicopters from the 129th Air National Guard Rescue Wing at Moffett Field, the 225-foot Coast Guard Cutter Aspen, the 87-foot Cutters Pike and Sockeye, and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Golden Gate.  The number of assets involved in the search was increased to account for the expanding size of the search area, which was approximately 15 X 30 miles as of early Sunday morning. 

According to reports by the vessel master who survived the incident, the Low Speed Chase was transiting around the Farallon Islands when it was struck by a series of large waves that rolled the vessel multiple times, causing crew members to enter the water and ultimately running the vessel aground. The vessel remains intact on the rocks. 

"The Coast Guard recognizes the difficulties being faced by family and friends of the missing and deceased," said Capt. Cynthia Stowe, Sector San Francisco commanding officer. "The Coast Guard extends our thoughts and prayers to all those involved."

The 129th Air National Guard Rescue Wing Public Affairs Officer is: Capt. Donald G. Leblanc, Moffett Federal Airfield, CA, 650-603-9152.