VALDEZ, Alaska — Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip (WPB 87326) arrived at its new homeport in Valdez Monday after transiting approximately 2,800 miles. Blacktip, an 87-foot Marine Protector-class patrol boat, is replacing the recently decommissioned 110-foot Island-class cutter Liberty and will conduct various missions throughout the Arctic District, including maritime law enforcement and security, living marine resources, and search and […]
JUNEAU, Alaska — The U.S. Coast Guard last week announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard District 17 will now be known as U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District. This strategic change, directed by Secretary of […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard released its 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics Report Tuesday. The report records the fewest boating fatalities since the Service began collecting statistics more than 50 years ago. Fatalities fell 1.4% to 556 from 564 in 2023, while overall incidents increased by 1.1% from 3,844 to 3.887. Nonfatal injuries increased 2.1% […]
SEATTLE — With warm weather luring canoeists, kayakers and stand-up-paddleboarders onto Pacific Northwest waters, the Coast Guard is reminding paddlers to prepare for cold water, wear a properly fitted life jacket and carry at least two waterproof ways to call for help. In 2023 the Coast Guard recorded 564 recreational-boating deaths nationwide; three-quarters were […]