U.S. Coast Guard – Professional Mariner

14 Jun

New FRC in Guam is second to honor a fallen 9/11 hero

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(KEY WEST, Fla.) — The U.S. Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 63rd fast response cutter (FRC), Jeffrey Palazzo (WPC 1163), on Thursday in Key West. The vessel from Bollinger Shipyards is the fifth FRC to be home-ported in Guam, joining the recently commissioned Vincent Danz (WPC 1162). The Sentinel-class FRCs replaced the 1980s Island-class 110-foot patrol boats and possess…

12 Jun

Kodiak, Seward to home-port first Arctic security cutters

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard announced it will home-port its first two Arctic security cutters (ASCs) in Kodiak, Alaska, with a third ASC home-ported in Seward when the infrastructure is ready. This follows April’s announcement that the service would home-port its first two ASCs in Alaska. With the first delivery expected in 2028, the Coast Guard is accelerating preparations…

10 Jun

Bridge tender’s miscalculation cited in Louisiana barge strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — On June 6, 2024, about 0512 local time, the towing vessel Josset was transiting the Morgan City-Port Allen Route of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, about 2.7 miles from Crescent, La., pushing three barges, when the lead barge struck the Bayou Grosse Tete Bridge. There were no injuries and no pollution was reported. Damage to the bridge was estimated…

09 Jun

Safety alert: Failure of prototype shaft-seal material

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsSafety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard identified a safety concern after a prototype component used in a mechanical shaft-seal system failed onboard a Coast Guard-inspected deep draft vessel. On Feb. 19, 2025, a U.S. flagged crude-oil tanker transiting near Delaware Bay experienced simultaneous failures of its port and starboard shaft seals, resulting in substantial seawater ingress. The crew subsequently deployed…

04 Jun

Coast Guard offers reward for stolen navigational beacon

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Navigation, U.S. Coast Guard

(SUPERIOR, Wis.) — The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the recent break-in and theft of the Superior Entry South Breakwater Light. The theft is believed to have occurred on or about May 13 at the privately owned Superior Entry Lighthouse…

03 Jun

Coast Guard updates guidelines for approved training

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training, UncategorizedNMC, U.S. Coast Guard

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has published Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 01-26, "Guidelines for Coast Guard Approved Training." This NVIC will streamline the process of obtaining Coast Guard approval of required training for a merchant mariner credential and will reduce the administrative burden on maritime training providers. This NVIC makes several changes to the…

03 Jun

Safety alert: Responding to an engine high temperature alarm

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, Safety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A fire aboard a small passenger vessel resulted in the death of one passenger, injuries to multiple passengers, and the total loss of the vessel. The investigation into the cause of the fire yielded several findings that warrant immediate review by all vessel operators. While underway, in response to a high jacket water-temperature alarm, the master shifted the…

26 May

NMC update: Extension dates for MMCs, medical certificates

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & TrainingNMC, U.S. Coast Guard

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) is expanding the existing extension policy for merchant mariner credentials (MMCs) and medical certificates impacted by the 2026 lapse in appropriations and continued processing delays. Effective immediately, MMCs (national endorsements only) and medical certificates (national and pilot expiration dates only) that expire between Jan. 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026, will remain…

26 May

New Bollinger fast response cutter honors 9/11 hero

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW YORK) — Bollinger Shipyards on Friday joined senior U.S. Coast Guard officials, distinguished guests, and the family of Vincent Danz at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City for the commissioning ceremony of USCGC Vincent Danz (WPC-1162), a Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC). “On Sept. 11, 2001, our nation witnessed acts of extraordinary courage and…

18 May

New Coast Guard icebreaker completes Bering Sea mission

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard’s newest polar icebreaker, USCGC Storis (WAGB 21), returned to their temporary Seattle home port Monday after a 36-day deployment to the Bering Sea. The patrol focused on advancing operational readiness, strengthening interoperability with other military assets and testing new concepts to support prolonged operations in one of the world’s most demanding…