USS Miami Repairs To Continue

From the office of Angus King
Doug Mills 
World and National News Editor
RCN America Network

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Angus King (I-ME) today announced that the U.S. Navy has informed them that it has identified the funds needed to continue forward with repairs to the USS MIAMI as planned.  This announcement comes as the Navy is considering spending reductions to ship overhauls, maintenance and other programs as a result of sequestration.

The FY 2013 Defense Appropriations bill included $150 million specifically for repairs to the USS MIAMI, which was severely damaged during a fire in May 2012.  That bill was included in the Continuing Resolution that passed the Senate on March 20thand was signed into law.

"As the Navy undergoes the difficult task of implementing budget cuts under sequestration, I am pleased that Secretary Mabus plans to move fully forward with repairs to the USS MIAMI,” Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) said.  “As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I fought to include $150 million in the Defense Appropriations bill because the USS MIAMI is a significant investment in our national security, and it must return to our fleet as soon as possible. There is no workforce better suited for this task than the talented men and women at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.”

“This is a welcome announcement from the Navy and represents a serious investment in our national security,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness.  “The men and women serving at Portsmouth are the best at what they do and have been providing critical Navy support for almost 200 years. These repairs will allow Portsmouth to continue its long tradition of supporting our military and I look forward to the day that our Shipyard officially delivers USS MIAMI back to the fleet.”

"I applaud the Navy’s decision to complete the repairs on the USS MIAMI,” said Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.  “I've worked with fellow delegation members to ensure the Navy completes these important repairs, and I’m pleased the skilled workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard can now finish their work and return this submarine to the fleet—where it will provide a critical capability for our combatant commanders."

“I could not be more pleased by the Navy’s announcement that it is moving forward with repairs of the USS MIAMI despite significant budgetary limitations,” said Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower. “Recognizing the instrumental role the USS MIAMI plays in our submarine fleet, I joined with my colleagues to press for the passage of the Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations Bill which will help fund its repair – and I know the exceptional men and women of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will work tirelessly to return the ship to service in first-rate condition as quickly as possible.”

Sarah Long Bridge Collision, Tanker Freed

Harbour Feature was successfully freed at approximately 6 p.m., Monday after colliding with the Sarah Long Bridge
photo http://www.portsmouthwebcam.com/index.php/tugboats/

BOSTON — The 473-foot tanker Harbour Feature was successfully freed at approximately 6 p.m., Monday after colliding with the Sarah Long Bridge, on the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, N.H.

Tug boats were able to safely tow the 473-foot, Portuguese flagged, motor vessel Harbour Feature from the bridge to the state pier during a slack tide.

There has been no pollution reported.

There have been no injuries reported.


Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a report from the Harbour Feature that it became disabled and allided with the bridge at approximately 1:30 p.m., Monday. At this time, the vessel is carrying an unknown amount of tallow oil.

The Harbour Feature crew has reported a six-to-twelve inch rupture above the waterline of the vessel near the port ballast tank. At this time there is no water entering the ship and no pollution from the ship.

Responding are members from:

Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor, N.H.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Portsmouth Harbor
Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
New Hampshire Marine Patrol
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
The incident is under investigation.

UPDATE:Tanker Returned To Dock After It Collided With The Sarah Long Bridge

UPDATE: 473-foot Tanker Collided With The Sarah Long Bridge

Portsmouth, NH — The Coast Guard responded to a 473-foot tanker that collided with the Sarah Long Bridge in Portsmouth, N.H., at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday.

The tanker has been removed from the bridge and returned to the dock it had broken free from earlier this afternoon.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a report from the 473-foot, Portuguese flagged, motor vessel Harbour Feature that it became disabled and allided with the bridge. The vessel is carrying an unknown amount of tallow oil. Both of the vessel's anchors have also been deployed.

Vessel traffic in the channel is closed until the Harbour Feature is able to be moved from the channel.

Two tug vessels are enroute to assist and will attempt to free the vessel at slack tide.

There has been no pollution reported.

There have been no injuries reported.

The Harbour Feature crew has reported a six-to-twelve inch rupture above the waterline of the vessel near the port ballast tank. At this time there is no water entering the ship and no pollution from the ship.

Responding are members from:

• Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor, N.H.
• Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Portsmouth Harbor
• Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
• New Hampshire Marine Patrol
• Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Photo Update:473-foot Tanker Collided With The Sarah Long Bridge

Photo http://www.portsmouthwebcam.com/

Coast Guard responding to 473-foot tanker collision with Sarah Long Bridge

BOSTON — The Coast Guard is responding to a 473-foot tanker that collided with the Sarah Long Bridge in Portsmouth, N.H., at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a report from the 473-foot,
Portuguese flagged, motor vessel Harbour Feature that it became disabled and collided with the bridge. The vessel is carrying an unknown amount of tallow oil. Both of the vessel's anchors have also been deployed.


Vessel traffic in the channel is closed until the Harbour Feature is able to be moved from the channel.

Two tug vessels are enroute to assist and will attempt to free the vessel at slack tide.

There has been no pollution reported.

There have been no injuries reported.

The Harbour Feature crew has reported a six-to-twelve inch rupture above the waterline of the vessel near the port ballast tank. At this time there is no water entering the ship and no pollution from the ship.

Responding are members from:

Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor, N.H.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Portsmouth Harbor
Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
New Hampshire Marine Patrol
Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Keeping Up With Ice Conditions In Northeast

BOSTON - Coast Guard Tackle's crew breaks ice along the Penobscott River in Bangor, Maine, Feb. 21, 2013. The crew regularly break ice along Maine's rivers to keep the waterway open for commercial traffic and to prevent flooding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rob Simpson.

Maine - The 2013 icebreaking continues for Coast Guard units throughout the Northeast.

Coast Guard units from New Jersey to Maine have been busy breaking ice during the winter months and have been monitoring special aids to navigation in areas known to be impacted by ice. Additionally, Coast Guard-designated ice officers have met with and provided ice training to industry partners.

During the season, Coast Guard Auxiliary members conduct flyovers of areas prone to icing. The information they collect is then relayed to leadership throughout the 1st Coast Guard District.

Some of the most heavily impacted areas with ice this year have been the Hudson River in New York and the Penobscot River in Maine.

The 65-foot Coast Guard Cutters Hawser, Shackle, Tackle, Line and Wire, which are celebrating 50 years in service, have continued to operate in areas impacted with ice.

The Coast Guard breaks ice to:

Ensure fuel and energy products are delivered in time when communities need them.

Continue performing our port security operations, despite weather conditions.

Ensure we are able to respond to maritime emergencies.

Prevent or alleviate flooding.

Support delivery of household goods, food and medical supplies.

Conduct and support scientific research and development.

Protect and facilitate passenger and cargo ferry services.

Here are some things for mariners to be aware of this icebreaking season:

Icebreaking season is from December 17 through March 31.

Aids to navigation may be unreliable in areas impacted by ice due to current conditions. Report any discrepancies to the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Ch 16.

Always check the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going and know how to call for help/assistance.

Wear the proper anti-exposure clothes with multiple layers. If possible, wear a dry suit to prevent hypothermia.

Have all of the proper equipment such as a marine band radio and life jackets.

Restrictions may be imposed in local waterways during heavy ice conditions.

Ferry operation may be restricted at passenger terminals susceptible to ice.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Air Patrol units conduct daily overflights of areas impacted by ice.

Ice is driven by wind and current. It is important for prudent mariners to constantly evaluate ice conditions and make recommendations based on actual observed conditions.

A minimum of 24 hours notice is required if a facility needs to be cleared for mooring or unmooring with type and quantity of cargo.

BOSTON - Coast Guard Shackle's crew breaks ice along the Penobscott River in Bangor, Maine, Feb. 21, 2013. The crew regularly break ice along Maine's rivers to keep the waterway open for commercial traffic and to prevent flooding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rob Simpson.