Last Friday, March 13, 2020, two sites that had been down for over 120 days were brought back to operational. As of Monday, March 16, 2020, sites that the U.S. Coast Guard is unable to receive VHF communications are: Bede Mountain, Cape Fanshaw, Deception Hills, Sukkwan Island, Althorp Peak, Tuklung Mountain, and Duffield Peninsula. The Coast Guard has experienced various VHF outages in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. Extra caution is advised in areas serviced by the VHF towers listed below. Repairs are ongoing, but due to extreme weather and remote locations, intermittent outages are expected to continue in various locations in both Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. Mariners are reminded that due to mountainous terrain, and limited VHF coverage, even with fully operational VHF Read more…
Category: USCG
USCG VHF Outages
The Coast Guard has experienced various VHF outages in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska throughout the summer and into the winter. Extra caution is advised in areas of Northern Shelikof Strait, Southern Cook Inlet, and portions of Southeast Alaska. Repairs are ongoing, but due to extreme weather and remote locations, intermittent outages are expected to continue in various locations in both Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. Mariners are reminded that due to mountainous terrain, and limited VHF coverage, even with fully operational VHF sites, the USCG cannot hear VHF calls in all areas, and mariners should have secondary means on communications onboard at all times, file a float plan with a trusted person, and carry safety equipment onboard in the event you are in a survival situation. Read more…
This Marine Safety Information Bulletin from the USCG as a reminder that the Tongass Narrows is a 7 knot speed zone. Fees for violations begin at $1,000 for the 1st offense and a map of the zone is included.
Dockside Exams in Petersburg
The USCG has a trip planned for Petersburg to conduct dockside exams before the crab fisheries from February 4th-8th. You can sign up at the Harbor Master office. The examiners are currently furloughed and their trip could be canceled if the government shutdown continues.
USCG Alert LED Light Interference
The USCG is receiving reports of radio frequency interference caused by LED lamps. Some ships have experienced degradation of VHF receivers, including AIS, caused by LED navigation lights. LED lighting installed need VHF antennas has also shown to compound the reception. The full alert and instructions to test for the presence of LED interference can is here.
Kidde brand Fire Extinguisher Recall
Several models of Kidde brand fire extinguishers with plastic handles and push button handles have been recalled including over 40 million extinguishers and 134 different models manufactured between January 1, 1973 and August 15, 2017. The recalled extinguishers are red, white, or silver canisters and rated as either ABC or BC. If you think your fire extinguishers may be recalled, please call (855)271-0773 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday-Friday. If your extinguishers are recalled, Kidde will ship you replacements. You can find more information here.
USCG Safety Alert Stability
The USCG released a Safety Alert on Vessel Stability this month.