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Change of Watch: Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard

Earlier today, Admiral Thad Allen presided over the final change of watch ceremony preceding tomorrow’s Commandant Change of Command. During today’s change of watch, Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O’Hara relieved Vice Admiral David Pekoske as Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. We welcome back former Coast Guard Compass blogger LT Anastacia Thorsson who provided us with [...]

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Asides

• Rear Admiral Mary Landry spoke to bloggers yesterday about the ongoing response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. RADM Landry is the Eighth Coast Guard District commander and is currently acting as the Federal On Scene Coordinator for the Unified Area Command Deepwater Horizon Response. Click here to download and listen to the interview. #
• Thousands are expected to simultaneously inflate life jackets across North America on May 20 at 11 a.m. in an effort to set a world record and raise awareness of Safe Boating Week 2010. Ready, Set, Inflate is a joint effort by the National Safe Boating Council and the Canadian Safe Boating Council. (Full disclosure: NSBC is a U.S. Coast Guard grantee.) Click here to find an inflation party site in your area or click here to organize your own event. (Our Canadian followers should click here for the Canada version of the Ready, Set, Inflate website.) #
• Are you or your business looking for an opportunity to help with the Deepwater Horizon response? From reporting impacted shoreline areas and/or wildlife to offering your vessel to help with the clean-up, there are any number of ways everyday Americans can help respond to this incident. Here are some numbers you can call to get involved: Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: (866)-448-5816 Report oiled wildlife: (866) 557-1401 Submit alternative response technology, services or products: (281) 366-5511 Submit your vessel as a vessel of opportunity skimming system: (281) 366-5511 #
• A Coast Guard rescue helicopter from Air Station Detroit crashed into southern Lake Huron last night during a training evolution. All three aviators aboard the aircraft escaped without injuries and were rescued by a boat crew from Station Port Huron that was participating in the exercise. The Coast Guard has set up a safety perimeter around the crash site for the purposes of an investigation into the cause of the crash and to salvage the helicopter which sank approximately 9-miles north of Port Huron. UPDATE: The Coast Guard has released the names of the three members of the air crew of the rescue helicopter involved in last night's accident. They are: Lt. Vincent Bukowski (pilot), Lt. Tasha Hood (co-pilot), and Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Samuel Downie (flight mechanic). We continue to be happy to report no injuries from the crash. It is also important to note that no pollution has been reported as a result of the aircraft crashing and sinking in Lake Huron. The Coast Guard is making every effort to assure the environment is protected and there is minimal, if any, environmental impact during the salvage operation. #
• You may recall reading quite a bit about the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma during the response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti back in January. Now you can watch a video recounting the crew's experiences in Haiti by clicking here. You can also click here to read archived Compass blog posts on CGC Tahoma's humanitarian mission to Haiti. #