USCG

U.S. Coast Guard Dedicates Lockheed Martin-Equipped Deepwater Shipboard Operations Training Facility

PETALUMA, Calif., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Coast Guard today formally opened its new Deepwater shipboard operations training facility at Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma. The $26 million facility was equipped by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) with state-of-the-art simulators, radars and electronics equipment to train Coast Guard crews assigned to the new Legend- class of National Security Cutters.

In addition to National Security Cutter crews, the facility will train U.S. Navy crews to operate and maintain the TRS-3D air search radar. In exchange, the Navy will train Coast Guard crews to operate the 57mm medium caliber deck gun.

"This state-of-the-art training facility will provide our Coast Guard and Navy crews the skills and expertise they need to sail our newest, most capable ships into the 21st Century," said Vice Adm. Vivien Crea, U.S. Coast Guard Vice Commandant.

The new Deepwater training facility was dedicated in honor of the Coast Guard's first senior enlisted advisor to the commandant, the late Master Chief Petty Officer Charles L. Calhoun.

USCG: U.S. Coast Guard

PRNewswire -- June 14 -- The Head of the European Commission's Maritime Policy Task Force, John Burke Richardson, is visiting Washington June 14-16. His visit comes in the wake of the European Commission adopting a proposal which seeks to integrate Europe's maritime policy in a way that improves competitiveness, encourages growth and boosts employment while protecting the marine environment. The so- called Green Paper (Towards A Future Maritime Policy For The Union: A European Vision For The Oceans And Seas) was adopted by the European Commission on June 7, 2006, opening a consultation period that will last until the end of June 2007. It recognizes the gains that can be derived by a combined approach to the different areas of maritime policy from transport and shipping to trade and tourism.

Mr. Richardson will use his visit to Washington to seek better coordination with the United States. He will meet with Rear Admiral Joseph Nimmich, Assistant Commandant for Policy & Planning, U.S. Coast Guard, and Dr. William Brennan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He will discuss several issues related to the sustainable exploitation of marine resources, and the benefits that an integrated management of these areas can produce.

Source: Delegation of the European Commission to the U.S.

SEATTLE (June 16, 2006) - Multiple moving safety zones will be in place Monday through November 12, 2006 for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge construction area. The safety zones are in place to ensure boaters are not harmed or do not impede operations during the lifting and installation of the 420-ton steel bridge deck sections. There will be a 500-foot moving safety zone directly below the lifting beams used to install the bridge deck. The beams will also have white flashing lights on them to warn boaters of the hazards in the construction area.

The 500-foot moving safety zone around the construction barge Marmack 12 will be active at all times. This barge will be used to transport the bridge deck sections from heavy-lift vessels to their appropriate position underneath the bridge.

In addition to the safety zone, the waters beneath the west span of both bridges will be closed for the duration of the project. This area will be used to transfer bridge deck sections from heavy-lift vessels to the transport barge.

A no-wake zone will be enforced while the barge is carrying deck sections and when the deck sections are being connected to lifting beams.

The safety zones will be enforced by the Coast Guard and local law enforcement. Boaters willfully violating the safety zones could face a civil penalty up to $32,500.

Statement of Admiral Thad Allen on the President’s Fiscal Year 2007 Coast Guard Budget Before Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Fisheries and Coast Guard

WASHINGTON (June 15, 2006) -- Good morning Madam Chair and distinguished members of the Committee. I am humbled by the confidence President Bush has placed in me with my recent appointment as the 23rd Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, and honored to be before you today. In my new capacity, I would like to discuss the Coast Guard’s FY 2007 budget request, and how it will support our commitment to mission execution; a commitment my predecessor Admiral Collins established during his tenure as Commandant. Admiral Collins’ commitment is my commitment.The Coast Guard operates on and around our oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, bays, sounds, harbors and waterways - this is the maritime domain and it is unique. Distinct from land borders characterized by clear legal boundaries, our oceans represent the last global commons. As the Committee knows well, we live in an interconnected world. Nowhere is this fact more clearly demonstrated than in the maritime domain. Safe and unfettered access to this domain is fundamental to our own and the international community’s economic prosperity. As a result, maritime safety and security are not just issues of U.S.

National Safe Boating Week 2006 - Wear It!

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 19, 2006) - The Coast Guard's National Safe Boating week begins May 20 - 26, and Coast Guardsmen from Station Mayport, Fla., will be on hand to discuss the importance of boating safety with media at Station Mayport.With approximately 700 people drowning each year from recreational boating accidents, it is imperative for you to wear your life jacket at all times while you are on the water. Life jackets are no longer the orange, hot and bulky vests that are commonly associated with on the water safety gear. New innovations and developments in life jackets have produced a smaller, sleeker, and much more comfortable version of a life jacket, leaving you with no reason not to WEAR IT!!

Much like a helmet to a biker or skate boarder, life jackets are an essential part of your boating safety equipment and should be worn at all times while on the water. In 2004 of the 676 recreational boating fatalities, 90% of those victims not wearing their life jackets.

Accidents can happen at an alarming speed anyplace or anytime you are on the water. Although many boaters stow life jackets on their boat, very few choose to wear it. There just isn't time to grab a life jacket and put it on properly before you are in the water.