NOAA

SEATTLE — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will modify the Department of the Army permit for the BP Cherry Point Marine Terminal’s North Wing dock. Modification will ensure the permit complies with the Magnuson Amendment’s restrictions regarding the handling of crude oil at Puget Sound facilities, and Endangered Species Act and other applicable legal requirements through additional permit conditions. This comes from the Record of Decision issued Monday, following completion of a Final Environmental Impact Statement released last August evaluating the potential impacts of the North Wing’s continued operation.

USACE will require BP to limit the volume of crude oil handled at the terminal to 191 million barrels per year and prohibit using the North Wing dock to handle crude oil unless authorized by USACE. Endangered Species Act-related permit conditions will require compliance with the NOAA Fisheries biological opinion, which imposes a limit on vessel calls to the terminal. USACE is also requiring BP to report the number of vessel calls and the volume of crude oil handled at the terminal each year to ensure compliance with both the biological opinion and the Magnuson Amendment. The 191 million barrels is the crude oil handling capacity calculated for the terminal as of October 18, 1977, the date the Magnuson Amendment went into effect.

The Final EIS is available for download at: https://cdxapps.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-II/public/action/eis/details?eisId=372941. The ROD is available for download at: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16021coll7/id/23114

The EIS examined the incremental environmental risk – principally from vessel traffic – of operating the North Wing of the BP Cherry Point Marine Terminal. Environmental risk was primarily measured in terms of vessel accidents and oil spills in the Puget Sound region. The purpose of the EIS was to provide decision-makers and the public with information on the incremental environmental risk—principally from vessel traffic—related to operation of the North Wing dock at the BP Cherry Point Marine Terminal.

Three alternatives were analyzed: the Proposed Action, No Action Alternative and Alternative A. The Proposed Action would modify the existing North Wing permit as necessary to comply with applicable laws and regulations and to uphold the public interest. The No Action Alternative would revoke the North Wing permit, potentially requiring removal of the previously authorized structure from waters of the United States. Alternative A could have left the permit in place as issued, with no additional conditions or restrictions.

USACE was directed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2005 to complete an EIS considering the impacts of reasonably foreseeable increases in vessel traffic due to the addition of the North Wing. The scoping phase was initiated in 2006. After conducting two long-term vessel traffic studies, USACE released the Draft EIS in 2014 for public review. The Final EIS was released in 2022, following the completion of Endangered Species Act consultations with NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

DENVER—— Rear Admiral Ron J. Piret, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC) and other Naval Oceanography Sailors and Civilians—attended the 103rd annual American Meteorological Society (AMS) meeting at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Jan. 7-12.

AMS is an opportunity for major meteorological stakeholders: government, industry, academic and enthusiast; to engage and share scientific and technical information through lectures, discussion panels, poster sessions and other compelling presentations.

This year’s theme at AMS was, “Data: Driving Science. Informing Decisions. Enriching Humanity.”

Piret spoke to the AMS audience about Naval Oceanography’s improved data modeling capabilities, and other meteorological-relevant achievements of its workforce-family.

“Our [Naval Oceanography] modeling capabilities are underpinned by our High Performance Computing (HPC) partnerships with DoD’s HPC Modernization Office, and at Stennis Space Center, we have access to the most advanced HPC supercomputers in the DoD,” said Piret.

At the forefront of DOD’s data collection body, Naval Oceanography has leading-edge modeling systems that continually grow in aptitude. From the ASM website, data is the engine of hypothesis-driven science and the fuel for inductive, empirical investigation. In recent years, atmospheric, oceanic, climate, and hydrological data have come to be as much of an asset as any natural resource.

“All the best models in the world are useless without the data necessary to initialize them,” Piret said. “Naval Oceanography is keen to improve our collection for the 70% of the globe that is covered by water…”

According to Piret, Naval Oceanography is responsible for millions of data impressions on a daily basis and has the proficiency to handle those vast amounts of data.

“The Narwhal HPC system is being joined by the Nautilus system that will increase or HPC capabilities to more than 90,000 HPC cores directly available for our Navy Meteorology and Oceanography models… an increase from about 50,000 cores from last year,” said Piret.

During AMS, the Naval Oceanography enterprise was represented by Sailors and Civilians from Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC), Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC), Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO) and CNMOC.

FNMOC’s Commanding Officer, CAPT Christi Montgomery, United States Navy, commented on the benefits of diversity in thought amongst meteorological stakeholders at AMS.

“AMS has been an exceptional experience and I’m energized by the opportunity to engage with colleagues, make new connections, and witness massive talent in American research and academic institutions,” said Montgomery. “I continue to be grateful for collaborative relationships between FNMOC, Naval Oceanography and our government, academic, and industry for a chance to reinforce partnership during events like these.”

AMS is the nexus of preparation plus opportunity of the American meteorological community, that equals increases success for all stakeholders involved, namely in an in-person setting.

“I was honored to represent Naval Oceanography on one of many panels at AMS along with colleagues from NOAA and private industry,” said Ms. Betty Jester, Chief Technology Officer, CNMOC. “Coming to this conference reinforces the importance of face-to-face interactions, allowing us to see advances in modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.”

During the conference, AMS was committed to ensuring meetings and events allowed for all attendees and presenters to share their science and connect with one another, virtual or in-person.

“The face-to-face opportunities at AMS are invaluable as they lead to collaboration with academia, industry, and other U.S. government entities,” said Mr. Kevin LaCroix, Weather Services Technical Lead, CNMOC. “We get to see researchers working on projects that will transition to our operations,” said LaCroix. In addition, to meeting with brilliant students who are excited about meteorology is also rewarding to know our work will continue.”

Naval Oceanography also participated in the AMS career fair, offering insight to interested students on employment opportunities across the globe with the enterprise.

“Being here [at AMS] has been very educational and an eye-opening experience for opportunity to meet and hear from students from around the world who are conducting relevant research in so many environmental fields,” said LT Jai Chappell, Operations Action Officers, CNMOC. “This experience boosted my confidence in the ability of future science minds to solve the difficult problems and challenges of tomorrow.”

Events like AMS are critical for America’s success in future defense components and the greater-good of science and technology communities overall—junior Naval Oceanography official are exited for what that future brings.

“AMS is where the latest and greatest research and innovations from all skill levels come together to showcase what they have learned.” said LT Sarena Padilla, METOC Officer from USNIC. “It is essential for gatherings like this to advance scientific knowledge for the good of the planet and our future generations.”

Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally-distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions faster than the adversary.

The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on Nov. 30. Regardless, the impact of Hurricanes Ian, Nicole and Fiona, which brought extensive damage to Florida’s coast and Puerto Rico, continue to be felt.

In total, this hurricane season produced 14 named storms that reached 39 miles per hour or greater. Eight of the storms became hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or greater and two intensified into major hurricanes with winds reaching 111 mph or greater. An average hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

The 2022 season saw three hurricane landfalls along the coast of the United States mainland. Hurricane Ian made landfall first as a Category 4 storm in Cayo Costa, Florida, and again as a Category 1 in Georgetown, South Carolina. As a Category 4 with 150 mph maximum sustained winds, Hurricane Ian tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to make landfall in the U.S. Hurricane Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 in north Hutchinson Island, Florida.

Hurricane Fiona made landfall outside of the mainland U.S. as a Category 1 near Punta Tocon, Puerto Rico.

This unique season was defined by a rare mid-season pause in storms that scientists preliminarily believe was caused by increased wind shear and suppressed atmospheric moisture high over the Atlantic Ocean. After a quiet period in August, activity ramped up in September with seven named storms, including the two major hurricanes, Fiona and Ian. The season also included a rare late-season storm with Hurricane Nicole making landfall on November 10 along the east coast of Florida.

National Hurricane Center forecasts were aided by the experimental peak storm surge graphic, which allowed forecasters to more accurately communicate the severity of expected storm surge levels produced by landfalling storms, such as Hurricane Ian. Additionally, NOAA’s intensity forecasts showed Hurricane Ian as a major hurricane impacting the coast of Florida from the initial advisory on Sept. 23 through landfall five days later. This advanced lead time gave those in threatened areas more time to prepare and respond.

The 2022 seasonal activity fell within NOAA’s predicted ranges for named storms and hurricanes in both of their pre-season outlook and updated outlook. La Niña conditions remained robust throughout the season while the West African Monsoon was only slightly above normal, which both largely aligned with conditions anticipated by the team at NOAA.

NOAA’s hurricane research and response.

This season, NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft flew over 582 mission hours to collect atmospheric data that is critical to hurricane forecasting and research, passing through the eye of a hurricane 65 times and deploying over 1,700 scientific instruments. NOAA’s Gulfstream IV-SP also flew a research mission from Cabo Verde, Africa, in August. This historic mission was the furthest east NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter airplanes have flown to investigate a developing storm.

Another major first included the successful launch of the Altius 600 small uncrewed aircraft system by from NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab. Scientists launched the instrument from NOAA’s P-3 Hurricane Hunter into the core of Hurricane Ian hours before landfall, transmitting back data of wind speeds as high as 216 mph at an altitude of 2,150 feet.

NOAA’s National Ocean Service captured thousands of aerial overflight images after Hurricane Ian. The images helped identify and record more than 6,200 potential pollution risks and assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in clearing pollution from the environment and facilitating marine debris cleanup efforts. A NOAA King Air and Twin Otter aircraft flew over 41 mission hours to support aerial imagery collection for emergency response after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

Forecasters and researchers relied on this invaluable data coupled with NOAA’s advanced geostationary and polar-orbiting weather satellites, NOAA’s weather buoys and other sources before, during and after storms throughout this destructive hurricane season.

While the 2022 season is drawing to a close, now is not the time to let your guard down. The 2023 hurricane season will officially begin on June 1. Let’s take the time to ensure your family is Weather-Ready for the season ahead. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, will issue its initial 2023 seasonal outlook in May.

There is much to be done as we prepare for the 2023 Hurricane Season, identifying stay-back personnel (Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield numbers still remains high); two Force Protection Exercises for Garrison and 3rd Infantry Division to plan; a Hurricane Plan Review; and command post exercises with a new system to replace WebEOC to be learned by all Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison Emergency Operation Center members.

It’s never too early to start looking over your family plans now for the 2023 Hurricane Season.

(U.S. Army Story by Mack McPherson, Installation Emergency Manager)

Sunday, an entangled subadult humpback whale was cut free by a team of trained responders off Maui.

The animal was entangled in large gauge electrical cable that was deeply embedded in the whale’s mouth. All gear except what could not be pulled from the whale’s mouth was successfully cut and removed.

The response was part of a two-day effort by responders from the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, U.S. Coast Guard, Maui Ocean Safety, Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission, and the West Maui response team. The team of responders are authorized under NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response program (NOAA MMHSRP permit # 18786 and state PMAL-2016-212).

The whale was first reported Saturday, off the Pali lookout. A response was mounted from the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s response vessel, Kohola, with assistance provided by a patrol boat from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui. Saturday’s assessment determined that the whale was entangled in gear exiting both sides of the mouth and heading straight down to the ocean floor. Initial efforts to cut the gear were unsuccessful.

Sunday, the animal was re-sighted in the same vicinity but headed south before letting the trailing gear settle on the ocean floor in about 60 feet of water off Kamaole Beach I. While underway, several tour operators monitored the animal, including Ocean Odyssey (Pacific Whale Foundation), Quicksilver, Redline Rafting, Blue Water Rafting, and Maui Diamond II.

Sunday’s assessments by the response team revealed that the gear was heavy-gauge (~ 5/8-inch) electrical cable. The team used cable cutters to cut both cables leading to the whale’s mouth. It is estimated that around 500 feet of cable was removed from the animal with little gear remaining. The cable had already embedded itself too deeply at the back of the whale’s mouth to pull out remaining gear. However, this represents a significant improvement and the animal illustrated this in its movements and behaviors afterwards. The source of the gear, which is a PVC-insulated electrical-type cable, is still unknown.

Although the animal is slightly emaciated and has gear embedded at the back of the mouth, its overall present condition is good. With the removal of the gear, the chances of its survival have been greatly improved.

Mariners are asked to keep a sharp lookout for this and other whales in distress, but not to approach closely or attempt to assist them. Only trained and well-equipped responders that are authorized under NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program are permitted to assist whales and other marine mammals.

If you sight any marine mammal in distress, maintain 100 yards distance and please call the NOAA 24-hour hotline at 1-888 256-9840. If unable to call, please radio the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF CH. 16 and they will relay the report.

It is illegal to approach a humpback whale closer than 100 yards by any means by sea and 1,000 feet by aircraft.

Please direct questions to:

Shannon Lyday Ruseborn, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 808-725-5905

For Coast Guard specific questions please contact Public Affairs at 808-535-3232 or 808-341-9849

HONOLULU — Personnel from the Coast Guard 14th District, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and The Marine Mammal Center have partnered to transport a rehabilitated monk seal from Kona to Honolulu aboard a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane Wednesday for further transport to her original home in the wild.

“This is one of our 11 statutory missions and it’s a great one because it’s part of our living marine resources program and it allows us to be not only and enforcement arm for the protection of our natural resources but also to help with conservation,” said Eric Roberts, marine resource specialist, Coast Guard 14th District. “This is a unique opportunity for the Coast Guard to play a part in the recovery of this critically endangered species.”

This collaboration has successfully rehabilitated and released more than 15 young Hawaiian monk seals and become a critical piece in the monk seal recovery plan now in its 10th year. The Coast Guard transports six marine mammals on average each year in conjunction with other missions such as necessary training flights.

“The public can help us with Hawaiian monk seals because they can be aware when seals are in an area that they might be swimming or fishing and give seals a very safe distance,” Dr. Michelle Barbieri, veterinarian for the Hawaiian monk seal research program at NOAA. “It’s very important we keep seals wild by giving them the space that they need to do their natural behaviors. They can also help by reporting sightings of monk seals to their local hotline.”

This young female seal was rescued by NOAA in May and taken to The Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola monk seal rehabilitation facility on Hawaii Island for care and stabilization.

Upon arrival to Oahu, the seal will be temporarily housed at the NOAA IRC facility on Ford Island and then be loaded onto a NOAA Fisheries ship and transported to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office announced in July that 2017 is the “Year of the Monk Seal” incorporating events throughout the year. It is also a celebration of a new, positive population estimate for the species. The most recent annual population assessment shows that the Hawaiian monk seal, bucking past trends, has increased in numbers by 3 percent annually for the past three years. The population is now estimated to be around 1,400 seals.

To report monk seal sightings:

Email NOAA at [email protected] or

Call your island’s Marine Mammal Response Coordinator:

Island of Hawaii: (808) 987-0765

Kauai: (808) 651-7668

Maui/Lanai: (808) 292-2372

Molokai: (808) 553-5555

Oahu: (808) 220-7802

To report stranded / entangled marine mammals:

Call: 1-888-256-9840

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) released a new, publicly available tsunami decision support website that improves tsunami readiness for U.S. and coalition forces.

“The new website is designed to improve the tsunami information dissemination processes, which will improve access to, and enable the expeditious delivery of, time-sensitive tsunami information and products for U.S. and coalition forces operating near coastal areas,” said JTWC Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jillene Bushnell. “The changes increase access to tsunami products that are critical for decision makers and mission planners preparing for approaching tsunami waves. The degree to which destructive waves extend from the point of origin influences decisions regarding installation and aircraft evacuations as well as ship sorties.”

Communicating through JTWC’s public facing website, in addition to JTWC’s notifications sent over email, chat and text, enables swift repackaging of tsunami information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) through JTWC for American and Coalition Forces in low-lying, coastal areas.

This information was added to JTWC’s existing Tropical Cyclone Warning website due to the collaborative efforts led by LT.j.g. Chi K. Maxey and Mr. Angelo Alvarez, as well as contributors from PTWC, NTWC, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“JTWC is repackaging tsunami warning data and making it quickly available publically, as well as through classified means, to DoD personnel all over the world, even during denied communications scenarios,” stated JTWC Tsunami Program Manager LT.j.g. Edward Jacobs. “By having tsunami warning information on our existing website, we open another path of information to the public that could potentially save lives.”

On JTWC’s website, tsunami threat messages, information statements, travel maps, predicted wave heights, a Google Earth overlay file (.kmz), and asset impact table arrival times are expeditiously displayed for seismic events with magnitudes of 6.5 and greater, up to 100km deep and that have the potential for tsunami generation. The website refreshes every 30 seconds, enabling new information to populate as it becomes available; eliminating manual refresh by users. Previously, tsunami information was not as widely and easily accessible. Former methods relied on email distribution and restricted website access which, at times, delayed information dissemination.

Further details on available tsunami products can be found at https://metoc.ndbc.noaa.gov/JTWC/tsunami.

JTWC provides tsunami advisory information and decision support services to shore installations and afloat units, as well as ISR impact forecast and decision support services for operational advantage to U.S. Pacific Fleet and other commands, as directed.

JTWC also provides tropical cyclone reconnaissance, forecast, safety warning, and decision support services to U.S. government agencies throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.

JTWC is jointly staffed by U.S. Navy and Air Force personnel and falls under the operational control of Commander, Task Group 80.7 — Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. U.S. Air Force personnel are sourced to JTWC by the 17th Operational Weather Squadron, a subordinate squadron of the 557th Weather Wing.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnmoc/.

HONOLULU — Responders are working to lighter all potential pollutants from the 79-foot fishing vessel Pacific Paradise currently aground off Honolulu.

“The safety of the public is our primary concern as we work with our state partners and responsible party to address the potential pollution threat and salvage the vessel,” said Capt. Michael Long, commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu and captain of the port. “I want to thank our state and federal partners who worked with us to affect a safe rescue of the crew and continue to work with us on the response. The Coast Guard is also investigating the cause of the grounding.”

An incident management team has been established. The Coast Guard is working with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response, the responsible party and commercial salvors to mitigate the potential pollution threat and salvage the vessel. The salvage team is stabilizing the vessel with anchors and will attempt to lighter the vessel fully before dark Wednesday with the intent to remove it from the reef during the next optimum high tide, currently forecast for late morning Thursday.

Approximately 8,000 gallons of diesel, 55 gallons of lube and hydraulic oils and four marine batteries are reported aboard.

A safety zone has been established and is being patrolled by Coast Guard crews. The vessel is about 1,000 feet offshore of Kaimana Beach. The zone extends 500 yards in all directions from position 21-15.69N 157-49.49W. The public is asked to remain clear of the safety zone to prevent injury or impact to operations.

The Coast Guard is working with NOAA’s marine mammal protection division, sanctuaries division, Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA Fisheries and DLNR to minimize impact to any marine mammals. DLNR’s divisions of Aquatic Resources, Boating and Ocean Recreation and the HEER and DOH are assisting in evaluating and minimizing risks to aquatic resources from the grounding and salvage operations and potential fuel spills. No marine mammals have been impacted. Coast Guard survey crews will walk to the beaches as an additional impact assessment tool.

Coast Guard response and Honolulu Fire Department crews rescued the master and 19 fishermen from the vessel late Tuesday night following reports the vessel grounded off Diamond Head near Kaimana Beach. The crew was released to Customs and Border Protection personnel for further action.

The Pacific Paradise a U.S.-flagged vessel and part of the Hawaii longline fleet homeported in Honolulu. The vessel’s last port of call was American Samoa and they were en route to the commercial port of Honolulu. No injuries or pollution are reported. Weather at the time of the incident was not a factor.

HONOLULU — Responders will continue efforts to remove the 79-foot fishing vessel Pacific Paradise aground off Honolulu Sunday.

At first light the salvage team will reassess the vessel and attempt another towing evolution if weather allows this to be done safely.

The vessel remained grounded Saturday despite several attempts to tow it from the reef located off Waikiki’s Kaimana Beach during the most favorable tide.

During work to dewater the vessel, gasoline used to fuel a dewatering pump reportedly splashed on hot surfaces causing it to ignite and start a fire aboard. The seven members of the salvage team abandoned ship, were picked up by Ocean Safety crews, and returned to the salvage vessel with no injuries.

Hawaii Fire Department crew dropped water on the vessel from a helicopter with a bambi bucket attached knocking down the blaze to a smolder. The fire rendered the vessel unsafe to board. Salvage crews continued efforts to tow the vessel making little progress and were forced to cease towing operations as the tide went out.

A release of roughly 200 gallons of diesel fuel was detected by responders. Until crews can access the vessel and survey the damage it is unknown exactly where this release came from. As a result of lightering efforts during the week, two-thirds of the fuel was removed along with the marine batteries leaving a maximum of 1,500 gallons aboard prior to the release of fuel.

NOAA crews are standing by to assist marine mammals as necessary, none have been affected thus far. The Department of Health has also reached out to residents and beach goers in the area to caution them against swimming in the vicinity of the vessel and discuss water quality monitoring.

A safety zone remains in effect around the vessel extending out 500 yards in all directions. The public is asked to remain clear of the safety zone to prevent injury or impact to operations. The Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake (WPB 87316) will remain on scene to monitor the vessel and enforce the safety zone.

Partners in the effort include personnel in several divisions of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response, the responsible party, commercial salvors and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Weather conditions in the vicinity of the vessel are forecast as 28 mph winds with 3 to 5 foot waves and a long 3-foot south southwest swell. Rain showers are possible. These conditions are expected to remain through midweek. The vessel is somewhat sheltered from the wind by Diamond Head as it’s on the south shore of Oahu.

The Pacific Paradise is a U.S.-flagged vessel and part of the Hawaii longline fleet homeported in Honolulu. Coast Guard response and Honolulu Fire Department crews rescued the master and 19 fishermen from the vessel late Tuesday night following reports that the vessel grounded off Diamond Head near Kaimana Beach. Those crewmen were released to Customs and Border Protection. The cause of the grounding remains under investigation.

The 13th annual U.S.-China Disaster Management Exchange Table Top Exchange (TTE) and Practical Field Exchange (PFE) portions commenced on Nov. 16 with an opening ceremony at Camp Rilea, Ore.

Hosted by U.S. Army Pacific, the DME allows hands-on and side-by-side interaction between United States Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) operations and enables sharing of lessons learned.

The 2017 exchange focuses on a notional flooding scenario in which both armies will be requested to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to a third affected state as part of a Multinational Coordination Center (MNCC).

Maj. Gen. Susan A. Davidson, Commanding General, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, welcomed attendees and highlighted how the event builds understanding and trust between the two armies.

“Disaster Management Exchanges like this are invaluable because as they expand in depth with each iteration, they allow us to truly recognize the importance of collaboration in addressing non-traditional security threats such as natural disasters,” Davidson said. “Our ability to increase our practical de-confliction, and gain a better understanding of each other’s procedures in the event of a real-world disaster response, could be what makes all the difference to the affected state.”

Throughout the exchange personnel simulate real-life scenarios in order to identify procedural gaps, and practice techniques required for efficient and collaborative response, such as search and rescue techniques and the construct of the MNCC.

“The PLA and U.S. military both have dignified histories of and glorious accomplishments. Although we are geographically far from each other, the respect for human life is beyond national boundaries and races,” said Maj. Gen. Huang Taoyi, Deputy Commander ,75th Group Army, PLA Army. “We are ready to join our friends from the U.S. to actively implement the consensus reached by our two state leaders and make concerted efforts to make this year’s DME more practical, more in-depth and improve the two militaries’ abilities in disaster relief.”

Starting in 2005, the DME has been held at locations in Hawaii, Washington, D.C., New York, Washington and multiple areas in China. The DME has also matured from basic visits and briefings into a substantive exchange that uses table top and practical field exchanges to focus and facilitate interaction and develop the capacity to de-conflict HA/DR operations between the U.S. Army and the PLA.

In addition to providing a learning opportunity for the U.S. and PLA Army participants, this year the DME includes military and government observers from Bangladesh, Canada, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and the People’s Republic of China.

U.S. participants include U.S. Army Pacific, the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, the Oregon National Guard, the United States Military Academy (USMA), the 351st Civil Affairs Command, the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), the 571st Sapper Company, the U.S Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Pacific Disaster Center, an applied research center managed by the University of Hawaii.

SANTA RITA, Guam — The crew of the USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) completed a 41-day 7100-nautical mile expeditionary patrol throughout Oceania on Dec. 23, returning home in time for Christmas.

Under Operations Rematau and Blue Pacific, this patrol countered illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the exclusive economic zones of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Nauru by enforcing applicable laws, regulations, and individual countries’ sovereignty. The crew strengthened partnerships through established bilateral maritime law enforcement agreements, shiprider operations, subject matter exchanges, and community engagements.

“This patrol exemplified the operational advantage the Fast Response Cutter provides the Coast Guard in Oceania, displaying our ability to successfully complete fisheries enforcement and search and rescue missions over 1,800 nautical miles from home. Mixed with fantastic port calls and impactful community relations events, the last 41 days were a testament to the Hatch crew’s adaptability and diligence that made this patrol so successful. It has been an honor to sail with each of them. Making it home for Christmas is a great reward, especially after being away for Thanksgiving,” said Lt. Patrick Dreiss, USCGC Frederick Hatch’s commanding officer.

The crew hosted students from high schools and colleges as well as community members during their port calls to share the missions of the U.S. Coast Guard and provide a look at the ship itself. They also participated in local sporting events and cultural activities. When departing the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the team took on an additional temporary crewmember, Staff Sgt. Gary Likiak, U.S. Army, and part of the local embassy team. Likiak rode along to Kosrae, which is also home for him – the first time he’s been home in six years.

“Reinvigorating our bi-lateral agreements with our partners in the region after COVID-19 was the main objective of this patrol, and our successes with shipriders aboard and warm hospitality received at each island both allowed us to achieve this goal,” said Dreiss.

Of note, on this patrol, the Frederick Hatch team hosted shipriders from the maritime enforcement branches of the FSM, RMI, and Nauru governments. This activity was the first time shipriders could accompany U.S. Coast Guard crews in several years as Pacific Island partners resume normal operations after limiting travel as a COVID precaution.

The team conducted 16 boardings, issued five warnings, and found no significant violations. The fishing vessels were tuna longliners and purse seiners.

On Dec. 17, the Frederick Hatch crew, after departing Kosrae, enacted the newly expanded agreement for maritime law enforcement operations, conducting two boardings on licensed fishing vessels operating in the FSM exclusive economic zone.

“It was very fulfilling to have an opportunity to enact the Expanded Maritime Law Enforcement Agreement for the first time after watching the program develop over the last year,” said Dreiss. “It provides the U.S. Coast Guard with another avenue to support our regional partners and continues to lay the groundwork for increasing Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported Fishing enforcement in the region.”

The expanded agreement builds on the existing bilateral shiprider agreement between the two countries. It establishes procedures for authorizing the U.S. to conduct maritime law enforcement boardings on behalf of FSM to combat illicit maritime activity when an FSM law enforcement officer is not present. More specifically, the agreement provides a coordinating mechanism and process for U.S. law enforcement personnel to work with the FSM National Police, Division of Border Control and Maritime Surveillance to receive approval from the FSM to act under the agreement.

“This was an excellent warm-up of our bilateral relations and fisheries enforcement process following COVID. It was great to have local experts with us again and provide services to our FSM, RMI, and Nauru partners,” said Capt. Nick Simmons, the commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, Sector Guam. “The successful application of the expanded agreement now allows us to support our partners better. FSM occupies more than one million square miles of the Pacific Ocean and ranges 1,700 miles from West (Yap) to East (Kosrae) with the enforcement team in Pohnpei. This agreement allows us to help our partners overcome the logistics that limited enforcement in the past when it is difficult to get a shiprider out to the field.”

The U.S. Coast Guard flags IUU-F as one of the top threats to our oceans and a significant regional destabilizing factor. The United States continues to emphasize the ocean’s health and good governance, as evidenced by expanded measures to combat illegal fishing in the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act. Notable items include an expanded High Seas Drift Net Act, improvements to NOAA’s Seafood Import Monitoring Program, programs aimed at reducing the impacts of ships and other vessels on marine mammals, and a federal ban on buying or selling shark fins in the U.S.

The U.S. Coast Guard regularly exercises 11 bilateral fisheries law enforcement agreements on behalf of the United States with countries throughout the Pacific islands. Shiprider agreements allow maritime law enforcement officers to observe, board, and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within a designated EEZ or on the high seas. These law enforcement activities bolster maritime law enforcement operations and maritime domain awareness and provide a mechanism to conduct integrated operations within the Pacific. This expanded agreement is the first of its kind. It seeks to overcome the challenges of the Oceania region’s vast distances while leveraging limited enforcement resources and the trust built between nations over decades.

The U.S. Coast Guard maintains strong partnerships with the maritime forces in the region through extensive training and subject matter expert exchanges. FSM, also known as the Big Ocean State, has one of the world’s largest EEZs, with waters rich in sea life. RMI, located halfway between Hawaii and Australia north of the equator, is an archipelago of 29 atolls, five low coral islands, and 1,151 islets that shares maritime borders with FSM, Kiribati, and Nauru.

RMI’s exclusive economic zone of 1.2 million square kilometers (463,322 square miles). Nauru is the smallest island nation and the third smallest country in the world, with around 10,000 inhabitants. Fishing is essential to their food security. FSM and RMI are signatories to a Compact of Free Association with the United States. They are Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Association members and party to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, as is Nauru.

In addition to fisheries enforcement, the Frederick Hatch crew conducted a search and rescue case medically evacuating a 31-year-old Vietnamese fisherman to a higher level of medical care in Pohnpei on Nov. 20.

The cutter’s boarding team learned of the fisherman’s injuries while conducting a bilateral fisheries boarding with an FSM Marine Police Officer aboard the fishing vessel Ocean Galaxy 195 nautical miles (224 statute miles) south of Pohnpei. The ship is a 69.4-meter (227-foot) purse seiner flagged out of Nauru. The fisherman reportedly fell 12 feet earlier the same day, sustaining a head and possible spinal injury. He was conscious and talking but lost feeling and motion in his right arm and both legs, exhibiting severe concussion symptoms.

“It was an absolute team effort by every member of Frederick Hatch to medevac the injured crewmember from the Ocean Galaxy successfully. Witnessing each crewmember perform at the highest level after completing two boardings earlier the same day to help a fellow mariner was awesome to watch,” said Dreiss.

Operation Rematau is how U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam supports the overarching Coast Guard endeavor Operation Blue Pacific to promote security, safety, sovereignty, and economic prosperity in Oceania. Rematau means people of the deep sea. It recognizes the wisdom of the Pacific Island Forum leaders in that securing the future requires long-term vision and a carefully considered regional strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Op Rematau reinforces U.S. commitment to working together to advance Pacific regionalism based on the Blue Pacific narrative. This action supports U.S. national security objectives, bolstering regional maritime governance and security.

The Frederick Hatch is the 43rd 154-foot Sentinel-class fast response cutter named for a surfman and lighthouse keeper who was a two-time Gold Life Saving Medal recipient. The Service commissioned the ship along with its sister ships, Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) and Oliver Henry (WPC 1140), in Guam in July 2021. These cutters are a vital part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s enduring regional presence serving the people of the Pacific by conducting 10 of the Service’s 11 statutory missions with a focus on search and rescue, defense readiness, living marine resources protection, and ensuring commerce through marine safety and ports, waterways, and coastal security.

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