Presentation 8 UNITED STATES COAST GUARD RADM STEVEN H. RATTI, COMMANDER, FIFTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT
U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane SANDY Preparation, Operations, and the HMS Bounty rescue RADM Steven H. Ratti Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District U.S. Coast Guard FIFTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT 156,000 square miles of ocean, bays, rivers, wetlands 6 major port cities and 6 states 7 Vessel Arrivals (>300 GT) 3 Port State Control/Security Exams 5-6 Law Enforcement Boardings 2 Aids To Navigation Serviced Respond to 1 oil spill 1-2 Search and Rescue Cases Cruise Ship Security Zone Escorts LNG Tanker Security Zone Escorts Daily Security Patrols 1
The Coast Guard is Always Ready to provide: 11 Statutory Missions These missions protect U.S. national interests and they re missions that only the Coast Guard has the authority, competency and capability to do. Adm. Papp at U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, March 10, 2011 Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security Drug Interdiction Aids to Navigation Search and Rescue Living Marine Resources Marine Safety Defense Readiness Migrant Interdiction Maritime Environmental Protection Ice Operations Other Law Enforcement HURRICANE SANDY PREPARATIONS Started Tracking Storm as it formed in the Caribbean October 19th Directed Major Commands to begin increasing Hurricane Conditions and Port Conditions, as the storm progressed north through the District Area of Operations. 2
HURRICANE SANDY PREPARATIONS D5 Incident Management Team activated October 27 th with the following objectives: Account for members and families. Save and sustain lives. Track storm s path and intensity. Maintain Hurricane Conditions and Port Conditions on affected waterways. Manage strategic waterways closures. Prepare to respond to environmental hazards. Maintain liaisons with partners and key stakeholders. Prepare for post-storm response and recovery. Determine potential and actual impacts. HURRICANE SANDY PREPARATIONS Directed four District Sectors to begin Storm Preparations Expanded 24x7 Operations Send boats and cutters to their designated safe havens Evacuation of personnel Pre-stage support equipment and personnel Directed Air Stations in Elizabeth City and Atlantic City to: Conducted Pre-Storm Over Flights Conduct a Search and Rescue Patrol (SARPAT) to warn mariners of impending storm. Send aircraft to designated safe havens. 3
Bounty was a reconstruction of the original 1787 Royal Navy sailing ship HMS Bounty Built in 1960 and was homeported in St. Petersburg, FL. Crew of 16 October 25 th, the vessel left New London, CT heading to St. Petersburg, FL. October 28 th, the vessel reported they were taking on water. Due to communications issues an Air Station Elizabeth City C-130 was launched to locate and regain communications. October 29 th at 0426 the vessel became unstable and the crew was forced to abandon ship. 4
CGC ELM and a Coast Guard Helicopter were launched. A second CG Helicopter was launched shortly thereafter. The Coast Guard Helicopters arrived on scene, deployed rescue swimmers, and commenced hoisting 14 crewmembers from the life rafts and the water. Coast Guard aircraft, along with the CGC ELM and CGC GALLATIN continued searching for the remaining 2 missing crewmembers. 1 person in the water was located, recovered, and found unresponsive. Crewmember was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased. November 1st, the Coast Guard suspended active searches for the missing master of the Bounty. 5
Statistics On scene weather Winds: 37-50kts Waves: 10-30ft Visibility: 3-10NM Sea Water Temp: 79º Search and Rescue Efforts Total area covered (SQNM): 10,884 Total track miles: 6222 Number of CG assets: 9 aircraft, 2 cutters Total sorties: 22 Post Storm Recovery Post Storm Operations consist of: Transition from emergency response to urgent recovery operations. Ensure the safety of life and property. Port evaluations for reopening, to include verification of Aids to Navigation. Respond to oil and hazardous materials incidents and mitigate their impacts on the environment and on the maritime transportation system. Reconstituting Coast Guard operational and mission support capabilities. 6
Post Storm Operations: Post Storm Recovery Repair of Coast Guard facilities Repair and repositioning of Aids to Navigation (107) Pollution response and cleanup (35 cases) Returning Coast Guard units to full operational status Damage to CG Facilities: Several New Jersey shore CG Stations received significant damage. STA Manasquan Inlet continues to be closed and unable to conduct Coast Guard missions due to damage at the unit. Post Storm Recovery 7
The United States Coast Guard On scene In demand Semper Paratus 8