Nearly $1.2M penalty imposed in pollution case

Details in this press release from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Coast Guard focuses its recruiting — in Omaha

"We are modernizing how and where we recruit — ensuring we're reaching the best talent in communities across the country, not just on the coasts," says one Coast Guard officer.

More in this press release.

Coast Guard gushes over 'big beautiful bill'

"This historic investment marks a new era for the Coast Guard," the acting commandant, Adm. Kevin Lunday, says in this press release.

USCG District 17 is now the Arctic District

The U.S. Coast Guard is changing from numerical to geographical names for its operational districts.

So, for example, District 17, which covers Alaska, will now be the Arctic District.

For more details including a national map, see this press release.

Update on the ship fire south of Adak

Here's a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard on the response to the car carrier Morning Midas abandoned, ablaze and adrift in the North Pacific.

Coast Guard news

Here are some interesting items from the U.S. Coast Guard.

• The Coast Guard responded to a ship fire about 300 miles south of Adak. All 22 crewmembers safely abandoned the 600-foot vessel laden with thousands of vehicles including some EVs.

• The new cutter Storis departed on her maiden voyage.

• To help boost recruiting, the Coast Guard is giving youth the chance to take "orientation flights" aboard its aircraft. "Exposure to Coast Guard Air Operations is sure to inspire and energize potential recruits by offering a rare opportunity to fly alongside our nation's top aviators, flight mechanics, and rescue swimmers," said a Coast Guard bulletin sent today.

Cutter Mustang exits

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mustang, photographed here in 2009 in Seward, was decommissioned Tuesday during a local ceremony honoring nearly 40 years of service. The 110-foot Mustang was stationed in Seward her entire career. She responded to more than 200 search and rescue cases and completed more than 2,000 law enforcement sorties, the Coast Guard said. The service is replacing aging Island-class patrol boats such as the Mustang with Sentinel-class fast-response cutters. Wesley Loy photo

Washington watch

Here are two notes of interest from the nation's capital.

• U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and colleagues have introduced legislation to help seafood processors meet labor needs.

• U.S. Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, is cosponsoring a bill to establish "a dedicated secretary of the Coast Guard, providing the service with the same level of leadership and representation as the Army, Navy and Air Force."

Public asked for help in Wind Walker case

U.S. Coast Guard investigators are appealing for further information regarding the fishing vessel Wind Walker, which sank on Dec. 1.

The bodies of two crewmembers were recovered, but three others remain missing.

A new cutter for Kodiak

Here's a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Trump administration fires Coast Guard chief

The administration of Donald Trump, who was sworn in yesterday for his second term as president, has relieved Adm. Linda Fagan as commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Here's a memo to all hands across the service.

And here's a news story from The New York Times.

Cutter of the year, and a Storis redux

Here are a couple of interesting notes from the U.S. Coast Guard.

• The Kodiak-based Alex Haley has again earned cutter of the year honors.

• The Storis, decommissioned in 2007, was a legendary Alaska cutter. Now, the Coast Guard is bringing the name Storis back to life, applying it to a newly acquired icebreaker to be homeported in Juneau.

USCG helicopter rescues three near Kayak Island

Click here for further details and a video.

Ship in distress at Unalaska

The U.S. Coast Guard is keeping a close eye on a struggling cargo ship near Unalaska.

"Although intense weather conditions put the vessel in danger of running aground, the vessel is anchored and stable," the Coast Guard said.

A Coast Guard helicopter removed four of the ship's crewmembers and took them to Dutch Harbor.

For updates, check the USCG Alaska X feed.

Russian submarines, frigate spotted

Details in this U.S. Coast Guard press release.

More Russian naval activity possible

Details in this U.S. Coast Guard advisory sent to the fishing industry.

Russian naval vessel seen south of Aleutians

Here's a U.S. Coast Guard press release with details and a photo.

A missing person in Bristol Bay

Authorities have been searching for a person reported overboard from a fishing vessel at Egegik in Bristol Bay.

The missing person was first reported to the U.S. Coast Guard last week, said Mike Salerno, a Coast Guard spokesman in Juneau.

Coast Guard aircraft, the cutter Aspen, and several fishing boats mounted a search of area waters. The missing person reportedly wasn't wearing a life jacket.

The vessel involved was the Warmaster, Salerno said. State records list the owner of the 32-foot boat as Guy Hoy, of Everson, Washington.

Salerno said the Coast Guard, by policy, would not release the missing person's name.

Deckboss has asked the Alaska State Troopers for identification.

The U.S. Coast Guard's new chaplain

Here's the announcement.

USCG reports fire and vessel tow

A U.S. Coast Guard enforcement report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council includes this note:

May 15 — F/V Defender reported fire onboard. The fire was extinguished, and a tug towed the vessel into Dutch Harbor while being escorted by USCG cutter Midgett.