Articles Posted in Merchant Mariner

The U.S. Coast Guard released the results of an investigation Tuesday, into the Jan. 31 crane accident in the Coast Guard buoy yard in Homer, which resulted in the death of Chief Warrant Officer Michael Kozloski.

The investigation found improper operation of the shoreside crane was the direct cause of the mishap. The investigation further revealed leadership deficiencies aboard the Cutter Hickory which contributed to inadequate crewmember training and complacency with shoreside operations.

Rear Adm. Matthew T. Bell Jr., commander of the 17th Coast Guard District, temporarily relieved the commanding officer of Homer-based Cutter Hickory citing a loss of confidence in the officer’s ability to perform his duties.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

Coast Guard medically evacuated a 29-year-old crewman from a 665-foot commercial freighter, Great Fluency, in the Straight of Juan De Fuca, Washington, Sunday morning.

The man was reportedly exposed to phosphene gas and was safely transported to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles for further medical attention.

At approximately 7:20 a.m., Coast Guard District 13 watch standers received a notification from the Great Fluency that a member of their crew had been exposed to phosphene gas, a common chemical aboard vessels of this type.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

A Coast Guard officer assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Hickory (WLB-212) died at the Coast Guard buoy yard in Homer, Alaska, Thursday.

Chief Warrant Officer, Michael Kozloski, was injured by a crane while working in the buoy yard. Local emergency medical services personnel performed CPR and transported him to South Peninsula Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Kozloski was a 35-year-old, from Mahopac, New York.

Rear Adm. Matthew T. Bell Jr., Coast Guard 17th District commander, said “Chief Warrant Officer Kozloski faithfully served his country for over 17 years and we are forever grateful for his steadfast devotion to duty and sacrifices.”

Friday evening a Crew member aboard the Ever Living suffered burns while working on the ship’s incinerator.

A Coast Guard helicopter medevaced a 28-year-old crew member from the 1,099-foot bulk carrier Ever Living 57 miles southeast of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Saturday, to awaiting LifeMed personnel in Dutch Harbor for further care and transport to Anchorage.

A 48 year old crewmember having likely suffered a stroke was transported from the 590-foot bulk carrier DL Lavender 92 miles southwest of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Tuesday.

The Coast Guard helicopter aircrew hoisted and transported a 48-year-old crew member from the DL Lavender to awaiting LifeMed personnel in Dutch Harbor for further care and transport to Anchorage.

To achieve this long distance medevac the DL Lavender master was instructed to transit toward Dutch Harbor to reduce the distance. A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules aircrew delivered a Kodiak-based rescue swimmer Monday evening to an awaiting Dolphin helicopter aircrew in Dutch Harbor. Additionally, an MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew was on stand-by in Cold Bay with a second HC-130 aircrew launched to provide communications coverage during the medevac.

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka helicopter crew medevaced the 61 year old captain experiencing possible symptoms of a stroke. from the 83-foot tugboat Maia H Wednesday morning 34 miles east of Sitka in Chatham Strait, Alaska.

They transferred him safely to awaiting emergency medical personnel in Sitka for further medical care.

The Coast Guard has suspended their search Monday, for the 22-year-old male crewmember who reportedly fell overboard from the motor vessel Challenge Prelude, 110 miles south of Sand Point, Alaska.

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak aircrews in coordination with the crew of the Challenge Prelude conducted a thorough search of the area, spanning 673 square miles for a combined 14 hours.

The master of the Challenge Prelude notified Coast Guard at approximately 2:17 p.m., Sunday, that the 22-year-old seaman was missing at around 1:25 p.m. The master also reported that they then proceeded to sound a general emergency and conducted crew and space accountability. The master then followed his reciprocal track line back to where the crew member was last seen, and verified that all lifesaving equipment was accounted for onboard the Challenge Prelude during this time.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew medevaced a 42-year-old man from the motor vessel Elpida GR approximately 65 miles southeast of Cold Bay, Wednesday.

They hoisted the man suffering from gastrointestinal problems and safely transported him to an awaiting commercial air ambulance, in Cold Bay, for transport to a higher level of medical care.