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Posts Tagged ‘national weather service’
May 31, 2011 | 
Author Contact: Sgt. A.A. Windemuth
410-260-8003 office
410-713-8449 cell
[email protected]
Annapolis, Md. (May 31, 2011) The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has issued an Upper Potomac River Advisory through Friday. Using information from the National Weather Service and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), NRP urges citizens to avoid boating and other recreational use of the Upper Potomac River, including its creeks and streams.
This advisory is from May 31, 2011 through June 03, 2011 and will be updated at that time if necessary.
Due to recent precipitation, river levels remain hazardous for recreational use on the entire main stem of the Upper Potomac River from Paw Paw to Little Falls.
Hazardous stages are water levels which pose a threat to non white- water vessels, tubers, swimmers and other recreational users and are caused by wave action, water velocity, and treacherous currents. This hazardous condition may exist on tributaries of the Potomac River.
This warning does not apply to professionally guided river trips. The public is reminded that river travel involves risks. Water and boating safety should be of utmost importance. NRP reminds boaters to always wear a life jacket.
For more the latest information on Potomac River conditions between Cumberland and Little Falls, call the National Weather Service at 703-996-2200.
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Posted in Weather | 
Tags: Life Jacket, Maryland Natural Resources Police, national weather service, potomac river, Weather | 
No Comments »
Ninth District External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
News Release
Date: May 25, 2011
Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office
(216) 902-6020
CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all recreational boaters to take advantage of several practices and initiatives that, when applied, will greatly decrease your chances of death or injury when boating on America’s waterways.
First, the Coast Guard recommends boaters take approved boating safety courses and take advantage of free vessel safety checks.
These safety checks and courses are offered by experienced members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons and various other boating safety organizations.
In 2009, 86 percent of boating fatalities in the United States occurred on boats where the operator had not received formal boating safety training, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The goal of the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Safe Boating Week campaign is to reduce boating fatalities and accidents across the nation.
To view boating safety class schedules throughout the Great Lakes region, click here.
Additionally, the Coast Guard recommends boaters leave float plans with friends or family members before getting underway. A properly-filled-out float plan can provide the Coast Guard with valuable information if a boater gets in trouble and is unable to contact emergency responders. The float plan should include who to contact if the boater is overdue.
“A float plan gives responders vital information such as your intended course and destination, a description of your vessel, and type of safety and survival equipment you have with you,” said Capt. Stephen Torpey, chief of the incident management branch for the Ninth Coast Guard District. “The additional information provided in a float plan helps us direct our search efforts and improves the chances of survival in an emergency.”
More information and an example of a float plan are available here.
Finally, mariners are urged to check the weather forecast before getting underway. Weather on the Great Lakes can change quickly and unexpectedly. The National Weather Service marine forecast is available here.
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Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard — Proud History. Powerful Future.
Annapolis, Md. (May 20, 2011) – The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has extended its Upper Potomac River Advisory through the weekend. Using information from the National Weather Service and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), NRP urges citizens to avoid boating and other recreational use of the Upper Potomac River, including its creeks and streams.
This advisory is through May 23, 2011 and will be updated at that time if necessary.
Due to recent precipitation, river levels remain hazardous for recreational use on the entire main stem of the Upper Potomac River from Cumberland to Little Falls.
Hazardous stages are water levels which pose a threat to non white- water vessels, tubers, swimmers and other recreational users and are caused by wave action, water velocity, and treacherous currents. This hazardous condition may exist on tributaries of the Potomac River.
This warning does not apply to professionally guided river trips. The public is reminded that river travel involves risks. Water and boating safety should be of utmost importance. NRP reminds boaters to always wear a life jacket.
For more the latest information on Potomac River conditions between Cumberland and Little Falls, call the National Weather Service at 703-996-2200.
Contact: Sgt. A.A. Windemuth
410-260-8003 office
410-713-8449 cell
[email protected]
###
Posted in NRP Advisory | Tags: Life Jacket, Maryland Natural Resources Police, national weather service, Potomac, safety, swimmers, Weather | No Comments »
Date: Sep 28, 2010
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
(757) 398-6272 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 398-6272 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Due to the upcoming storm system, the National Weather Service has issued an advisory from Wednesday to the following Monday, warning of possible life-threatening surf and dangerous rip conditions.
The Coast Guard is urging beachgoers to be aware of the dangers of rip currents in their area.
Rip currents can drag swimmers away from the beach and lead to death by drowning when they attempt to fight the current and become exhausted. According to the United States Lifesaving Association rip currents cause approximately 100 deaths annually in the United States, more than all other natural hazards except heat and floods.
Here are some tips on how to avoid and survive rip currents:
* Never swim alone.
* Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out!
* Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
* Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
* If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
* Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim toward shore.
* If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
* If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help.
* If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, call 911. Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.
For more information on rip currents, please visit the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Association website.
###
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: floods, national weather service, natural hazards, rip currents, Storm, swimmers, Weather | No Comments »
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is urging mariners to heed warnings as Hurricane Earl is expected to affect the mid-Atlantic region between North Carolina and New Jersey Thursday and Friday.
As Earl approaches, the Coast Guard urges people to be mindful of the following safety messages:
- Anticipate bridge closures. Mariners are advised that during strong storms drawbridges along the coast may deviate from the normal operating procedures. Drawbridges are authorized to remain closed upon the approach of gale force winds or higher as stated in the Code of Federal Regulations 117.35, which applies to “natural disasters or civil disorders.” Mariners should anticipate bridge closures by listening to the National Weather Service and Coast Guard broadcasts on the storm conditions.
For a list of bridge closures in Sector Hampton Roads please view the Sector Hampton Roads Marine Safety Information Bulletin 10/014.
- Stay off the water. The Coast Guard’s search and rescue capabilities are degraded as storm conditions strengthen. This means help could be delayed. Boaters are urged to heed to weather watches, warnings and small craft advisories. People should not go out on their boats 48 hours prior to and at least 72-96 hours after a hurricane has passed through an area.
- Evacuate as necessary. If mandatory evacuations are set for an area, the public is urged to heed to these evacuation orders. Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to evacuate those in danger during the storm.
- Secure your belongings. Owners of larger boats are urged to move their boats to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or damage. Trailerable boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to secure life rings, lifejackets and small boats. These items, if not secured properly, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources to be diverted to ensure they are not actually people in distress.
- Be cautious of hazardous materials. If you have hazardous materials on or near the water you are responsible for any spills that may occur. Take the necessary precautions to secure them prior to any foul weather.
- Stay clear of beaches. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by Earl. Swimmers are urged to stay clear of beaches until local officials say the water is safe.
- Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of Earl through local television, radio and internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF channel 16.
- For more information on the progress of Earl and hurricane preparedness, please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at the following link – http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
For more information regarding port status in your area, use the following contact information:
Hampton Roads – 757-668-5555
Baltimore – 410-576-2521
North Carolina – 252-247-4570
Philadelphia – 215-271-4960
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Posted in Weather | Tags: bridge closures, Coast Guard, code of federal regulations, craft advisories, evacuation orders, gale force wind, hurricane earl, mandatory evacuations, marine safety, mid atlantic region, moorings, national weather service, natural disasters, Preparedness, Public Affairs, Rescue, rescue capabilities, safety information bulletin, small craft, Storm, trailerable boats, watches warnings, Weather | No Comments »
Date: August 09, 2010
Contact: Public Affairs Det. Baltimore
(757) 434-7335
BALTIMORE – Coast Guard responded to 37 distress calls resulting in more than 77 people assisted or rescued after a severe thunderstorm developed in the Chesapeake Bay July 25.
At 3:05 p.m., the National Weather Service Radar indicated a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing destructive winds in excess of 70 mph. A marine broadcast was issued to notify mariners to seek shelter immediately.
At approximately 3:25 p.m., Sector Baltimore watchstanders received the first call notifying them that vessels were being affected by the storm. Within minutes, multiple calls came in to the command center.
Damaging wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and unstable sea conditions began to create a dangerous situation for mariners.
Within a two hour period, eight Coast Guard response boatcrews from six different small boat stations, including Stations Stillpond, Station Oxford, Station St. Inigoes, Station Curtis Bay, Station Annapolis and Station Washington, D.C., began responding to the distress calls. Distress cases spanned from the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to as far south as Colonial Beach, Md., to include the Potomac River.
Some of the rescue efforts included:
Coast Guard Station Oxford boatcrews rescued two people from a capsized kayak near Cambridge Creek, Md.
Station Annapolis boatcrews rescued three personal water craft operators who were located clinging to a buoy near Herring Bay, Md.
Station St. Inigoes rescued five people located in the water after their raft capsized near St. George’s Island. With the use of a translator, St. Inigoes crewmembers were also able to rescue a Spanish speaking family aboard a 30-foot pleasure craft that was disabled near Colonial Beach.
“I have been working this job for more than five years, and I have never seen this happen before,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Stanley, a search and rescue coordinator at Sector Baltimore.
“Storms can turn a normal day out on the boat to a battle of life and death, in one case we literally had victims clinging to a buoy for life,” said Chief Petty Officer Keith Moore an operations specialist at Sector Baltimore. “This is what we train for; this is why we are here. However, in an emergency as large as this was, a number of unprepared mariners can take a toll and create a very difficult situation for all responders. We could not have done this alone; we are incredibly thankful to our state and local agencies for helping us carry the burden of such a difficult mission.”
The Coast Guard urges mariners to pay close attention to the weather reports and weather advisories prior to and while boating. Mariners should take appropriate action when a storm is nearing by leaving affected areas, returning to marinas and safe haven as soon as possible.
Posted in Coast Guard | Tags: cambridge creek, capsized kayak, chesapeake and delaware canal, chesapeake bay, Coast Guard, destructive winds, distress calls, ground lightning, herring bay, Kayak, national weather service, oxford station, personal water craft, pleasure craft, Potomac, Public Affairs, search and rescue, severe thunderstorms, Weather, weather service radar, wind gusts | Comments Closed
The Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons also inspect kayaks and other paddle craft.
Boat Safe. Boat Smart. Get the Decal!
Three Maryland boating deaths in 2012. Three sailboat emergencies, 1 death; 1 swimmer death; 1 allision death with two trauma injuries; 1 major injury from gasoline engine fire,
Lifejackets are comfortable and they save lives!
“You wouldn’t allow your kids to sit on the hood of your car, so why would you allow them to sit on the bow of your boat?”
Rear Admiral Dean Lee, 5th District commander, United States Coast Guard
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The Division 23 Chesapeake Chatter is available at the Division 23 website.
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The CGAUXA eBeacon Magazine.
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