U.S. Coast Guard – Page 7 – Professional Mariner

04 Feb

Texas GulfLink gets deepwater port license to export crude

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsMarAd, Ports, shipping, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — Texas GulfLink has received a license to own, construct and operate a deepwater port for the export of crude oil from the United States. The license is the first to be authorized under President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order. The deepwater port will: • Support creation of up to 720 jobs for construction and operation. • Export…

02 Feb

NMC, exam centers close due to government shutdown

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, NMC, U.S. Coast Guard

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — Due to the government shutdown, the National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) are closed until further notice. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are canceled. The following applies during the government shutdown: • The NMC Customer Service Center (CSC) will be open from 8 a.m. to…

29 Jan

Icebreakers called to duty in New York Harbor, Hudson River

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreaking, Navigation, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW YORK) — The U.S. Coast Guard is actively conducting icebreaking operations in New York Harbor and the Hudson River in response to worsening ice conditions caused by prolonged extreme cold and Winter Storm Fern. Ice conditions have developed and expanded quickly across New York Harbor and the Hudson River, with significant ice formation now affecting the waterway from New…

28 Jan

New Coast Guard portal improves online credentialing services

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

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard has launched a new, easier-to-use online system that allows mariners to submit and track credential applications faster and more securely. The Application Submission and Additional Information Portal, known as ASAP, lets mariners apply for merchant mariner credentials and medical certificates, upload documents and monitor application status in one place. The system is now the…

23 Jan

Polar Star marks 50 years by freeing cruise ship from ice

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SOUTHERN OCEAN) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star began icebreaking operations in the Southern Ocean in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2026 and marked its 50th year of commissioned service Saturday by freeing and escorting a cruise ship trapped in pack ice. The Australian-owned cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II contacted Polar Star at approximately 11 p.m. local time…

23 Jan

AMVER tanker diverts, rescues solo rower in Atlantic

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsAMVER, Search and rescue, U.S. Coast Guard

(SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico) — U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan watch standers and the crew of the Liberian-flagged tanker Horten rescued a capsized rower in the Atlantic Ocean east of Puerto Rico on Wednesday night. Benoit Bourguet, 47, a Belgium citizen, was rescued after his single-man rowboat, City of Liverpool, was reportedly struck by two rogue waves and capsized…

20 Jan

Florida harbor pilot dies after falling from ladder on bulk carrier

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsPilots, U.S. Coast Guard

(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — A maritime pilot died after falling from a ladder while disembarking a bulk carrier Jan. 12 near Panama City. Capt. Phillip Brady, 46, fell about 15 feet into the water while transferring from the Singapore-flagged Lowlands Luck, according to local media reports. He was recovered by the ship’s crew within about 2 minutes but was unresponsive.…

19 Jan

Safety alert: Maintaining and inspecting immersion suits

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

(WASHINGTON) — U.S. Coast Guard inspectors frequently find immersion suit defects caused by adhesive failures between the main zipper and the suit body. These failures compromise watertight integrity and pose serious survival risks from water ingress. Contributing factors to the defects include improper maintenance (e.g., the use of non-approved petroleum-based lubricants or scented powders), improper storage, and neglecting to conduct…

19 Jan

Lunday sworn in as 28th commandant of U.S. Coast Guard

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — Adm. Kevin Lunday was sworn in Thursday as the 28th commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined senior Coast Guard leadership, members of the Joint Force and distinguished guests in recognizing the transition of command and Lunday’s commitment to leading the service. “President Trump’s plan was simple when he became president of the…

14 Jan

NTSB cites compromised hatch in sinking of Lower Miss. towboat

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

(WASHINGTON) — On June 12, 2024, about 1530 local time, the towing vessel Cajole was upbound on the Lower Mississippi River near Waggaman, La., when the vessel began flooding. The two crewmembers aboard attempted to pump out the vessel but were unsuccessful. They tied off to a nearby barge and evacuated to a good Samaritan vessel. Cajole later sank. There…