Finally, Ice is Important Again

Much like the Cosco Busan incident brought back to the limelight the under-publicized environmental response mission of the Coast Guard (I'll have to remember to post some of the final decision documents detailing the Coast Guard's lack of fault in the incident), the melting of the polar ice caps and the potential for increasing vessel traffic and sovereignty issues in the upper part of North America has lead Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen to bring back into focus the aging fleet of US Polar Icebreakers. Wired (not David Axe) has the story...

Code Pink needs a Code Red

For anyone that's seen A Few Good Men, they may recall one of it's more controversial topics...the purported use of "Code Red" incidents, or over-the-line hazing incidents in the Marine Corps. The Code Pink organization needs a Code Red, or some significant action, to wake them up. Read on...

Coast Guard represented among Olympic torch-bearers

23-year old SN Mallory Schafer was selected by the San Francisco Olympic Relay Committee, A Sustainable Journey, as one of the bearers of the Olympic flame during the torch's journey through San Francisco. Read the full article on Military.com

Morro Bay F/V located

I have been following the case of the F/V Wild Thing for a few days, ever since my other half worked the initial SAR call. Turns out an Air Force helo from Moffett Field in the San Francisco area located and boarded the fishing vessel, where they discovered that the operator was missing. CGNews has the full story...

First RB-M to enter service at STA Little Creek

Alright, you all know I'm a huge fan of this boat. In fact, it may be one of the things that keeps me in the boat driver community for a while. I did a short write-up on some of the capabilities a while back, and I am excited to see this thing finally in service. The Hampton Roads Pilot mentions the operational debut of the Response Boat - Medium to take place this afternoon at Coast Guard Station Little Creek. I'm waiting patiently for my turn...