U.S. Coast Guard

Coast Guard aircrews medevaced two people from Dry Bay Airstrip, approximately 30 miles Southeast of Yakutat, Alaska, after their plane crashed, May 25, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Coast Guard District 17)

Three medevaced after plane crash near Yakutat

All four aboard were injured, three critically so.

Coast Guard aircrews medevaced two people from Dry Bay Airstrip, approximately 30 miles Southeast of Yakutat, Alaska, after their plane crashed, May 25, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Coast Guard District 17)
Soon-to-be instructors from the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation, Xheighaa Warrior Veteran Canoe Journey, Coast Guard Sector Juneau, and the 17th Coast Guard District took part in a Kids Don’t Float training session being held at Dimond Park Aquatic Center in Juneau, Alaska, April 13, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)

Training the trainers: Coast Guard holds boating safety instructor class

Every kid with safe boating habits might be a life saved in the future.

Soon-to-be instructors from the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation, Xheighaa Warrior Veteran Canoe Journey, Coast Guard Sector Juneau, and the 17th Coast Guard District took part in a Kids Don’t Float training session being held at Dimond Park Aquatic Center in Juneau, Alaska, April 13, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)
Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been nominated by the president to serve as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Fagan nominated as next Coast Guard Commandant

If confirmed, she’ll be the first woman to lead one of the armed services.

Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been nominated by the president to serve as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. (Courtesy photo / USCG)
A Coast Guardsmen rescues a 70-year-old man who fell off Mt. Verstovia while hiking on March 26, 2022. (Screenshot / USCG)

Coast Guard rescues 70-year-old hiker near Sitka after 200-foot fall

The man fell several hundred feet, according to the Coast Guard

A Coast Guardsmen rescues a 70-year-old man who fell off Mt. Verstovia while hiking on March 26, 2022. (Screenshot / USCG)
Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Daniel, an aviation maintenance technician at Air Station Sitka, observes an oil sheen surrounding the Western Mariner, an 83-foot inspected tug, in Neva Strait March, 21, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Wereda)

Recovery efforts for grounded tug near Sitka continue

Nearly a thousand gallons of diesel have been recovered from the ruptured tank.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Daniel, an aviation maintenance technician at Air Station Sitka, observes an oil sheen surrounding the Western Mariner, an 83-foot inspected tug, in Neva Strait March, 21, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Wereda)
A Coast Guard rescue swimmer pulls in a rescue basket during an emergency call to a stricken vessel south of Sitka on Feb. 7, 2022. (Screenshot)

Coast Guard rescues two from stricken vessel near Sitka

The fishing boat was taking on water with dead engines.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer pulls in a rescue basket during an emergency call to a stricken vessel south of Sitka on Feb. 7, 2022. (Screenshot)
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking to increase recruitment numbers after a pandemic-induced drop left the expanding service understrength. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Crewing the cutters: Pandemic complicated recruiting, says Coast Guard

Distancing and not being able to get face to face with folks didn’t help numbers.

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking to increase recruitment numbers after a pandemic-induced drop left the expanding service understrength. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa pose with the donated goods they ferried from Petersburg as they prepare to offload them in Wrangell. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Coast Guard assists Petersburg nonprofits in clothing drive

The crew lifted, distributed, and transported donations to where they could do the most good.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa pose with the donated goods they ferried from Petersburg as they prepare to offload them in Wrangell. (Courtesy photo / USCG)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This August photo shows the cutter Midgett moored in Juneau. The U.S. Coast Guard, including the Midgett, is as of early November edging toward total vaccination.

Coast Guard edges toward full active-duty vaccination nationwide

Along with the other armed services, more than 90% of active duty members are fully vaccinated.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This August photo shows the cutter Midgett moored in Juneau. The U.S. Coast Guard, including the Midgett, is as of early November edging toward total vaccination.
A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard updates Sector Juneau command center number

Those in distress should call 911.

A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk, like the one shown in this June photo, rescued a man from a stricken vessel in the Gulf of Alaska on Oct. 11, 2021.

Coast Guard rescues man from disabled vessel

The sailboat was southbound in the Gulf of Alaska

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk, like the one shown in this June photo, rescued a man from a stricken vessel in the Gulf of Alaska on Oct. 11, 2021.
Crews aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf prepare to board a fishing vessel flying the flag of the People’s Republic of China in the North Pacific on Sep. 21, 2021. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard, partner nations ID numerous fisheries violations

Ships found operating in concert with more than 450 shark fins aboard, according to Coast Guard.

Crews aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf prepare to board a fishing vessel flying the flag of the People’s Republic of China in the North Pacific on Sep. 21, 2021. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball and the Japanese Ship Kashima, a naval training vessel of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, transit together during a maritime exercise near Dutch Harbor on Sept. 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Coast Guard and Japanese military conduct joint training at sea

The partner nations were able to take advantage of the serendiptious opportunity.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball and the Japanese Ship Kashima, a naval training vessel of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, transit together during a maritime exercise near Dutch Harbor on Sept. 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / USCG)
Army Pfc. Luke McCarty jumps in the water during training for the engineer divers with a Coast Guard dive team on Sept. 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / MyKenzie Robertson)

Army and Coast Guard divers team up in Juneau

Getting work done in an ocean far from home.

Army Pfc. Luke McCarty jumps in the water during training for the engineer divers with a Coast Guard dive team on Sept. 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / MyKenzie Robertson)
Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, Sector Juneau’s new commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Friends in damp places: Sector Juneau CO talks partnerships, future plans

A new set of eyes can examine old plans, the new commander said.

Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, Sector Juneau’s new commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Gauvain participates in the line toss, one of the inter-vessel competitions during this year’s Buoy Tender Roundup at Sector Juneau, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Small but mighty: Anthony Petit wins annual Buoy Tender Roundup competition

Yeah buoyyyyy

Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Gauvain participates in the line toss, one of the inter-vessel competitions during this year’s Buoy Tender Roundup at Sector Juneau, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter like the one in this June 19 photo, rescued two plane crash survivors 40 miles southeast of Ketchikan on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Coast Guard rescues two from plane crash

No casualties resulted from the crash, which occurred on takeoff.

A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter like the one in this June 19 photo, rescued two plane crash survivors 40 miles southeast of Ketchikan on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew rescued three mariners on the Chilkat River near Haines, Sunday night.

Coast Guard rescues 3 near Haines

A seperate mission rescued a person injured by a bear near Nome.

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew rescued three mariners on the Chilkat River near Haines, Sunday night.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File The Coast Guard’s 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report highlighted an expected spike in boater accidents, deaths, and injuries with more people on the water during the pandemic.

Boating accidents, casualties expectedly high in 2020

More people on the water with the pandemic means more potential for accidents to happen.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File The Coast Guard’s 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report highlighted an expected spike in boater accidents, deaths, and injuries with more people on the water during the pandemic.
The Coast Guard is investigating a series of three vessels sinking across Southeast Alaska within an approximately twelve-hour period in late June. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Coast Guard investigating multiple sinkings from last week

No casualties were reported, and owners are working to refloat one of the vessels.

The Coast Guard is investigating a series of three vessels sinking across Southeast Alaska within an approximately twelve-hour period in late June. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)