Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light, NJ, Trains In Heavy Weather, Maintains High Readiness

The crew of Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light, N.J., conducts offshore surf and heavy weather training, Thursday, March 7, 2013, as 10-16 foot ocean swells and surf up to 15 feet were recorded off Long Beach Island, N.J. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Seebald



BARNEGAT LIGHT, N.J. ─ The crew of Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light conducted offshore surf and heavy weather training Wednesday and Thursday as 25-foot waves were recorded off Long Beach Island. The training was conducted in 10-16 foot open ocean swells and surf up to 15 feet.

The unit’s crew, including Surfmen, the Coast Guard’s most highly trained boat handlers, took advantage of the recent heavy weather and surf conditions to maintain readiness and the skills required to respond to maritime emergencies. The crew uses the 47-foot Motor Life Boat (MLB), which is designed as a first response rescue resource in high seas, surf and heavy weather environments. Motor Lifeboats are built to operate in these conditions and with skilled operators, can provide assistance to mariners.

The unpredictable offshore surf along New Jersey's Barrier Island inlets requires the utmost boat driving skill and mastery. The station’s goal is to provide year-round assistance to boaters who have trouble navigating the strong waves and shifting sands of the inlet.

Chief Warrant Officer Jay Greiner, the unit’s commanding officer, would like to remind all mariners to check weather and tide reports prior to boating.

“The conditions on the water can change very rapidly and if you are not prepared it could jeopardize your boating experience,” said Greiner. “Always boat safe and smart, wear your life jacket, and tell a friend where you are going and what time to expect you back.”

The Station's crew was recently presented with the Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award, which recognizes the achievement of high readiness of shore unit boats and personnel through an inspection of vessel conditions and survival systems, performance of underway drills, and examination of unit training programs.

DC Snow Team Initiates First Full Deployment of 2012-2013 Winter Season; Pre-Treatment Begins

Plows will be on their routes by 4 am Sat., Dec. 29; up to one inch of snow may accumulate before changing to rain
(Washington, DC) In anticipation of a winter storm predicted for this weekend, the DC Snow Team (Departments of Public Works and Transportation) will deploy 200 snow plows by 4 am on Saturday, December 29 and will pre-treat bridges, overpasses and other elevated structures with a brine and beet juice solution to reduce the possibility of freezing. The weather services predict about 1inch of snow to accumulate in the District during the pre-dawn hours and then mix with rain after 9-10AM.

“The 200 plows will begin spreading salt on DC streets, including 82 residential routes once snow begins to fall,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “The system is fast moving and is expected to leave the area by 3-4PM Saturday. We will monitor storm conditions to determine what, if any, changes should be made in our deployment plan. The temperature is expected to be just above freezing during the day on Saturday, but will drop below freezing Saturday night; therefore, motorists and pedestrians should be very cautious as they travel because refreezing may occur.”

To track the plows, go to snow.dc.gov and click on http://snowmap.dc.gov/.

Snow Safety and Preparedness Tips: People driving, walking or bicycling around the District should travel cautiously. Property owners are asked to pre-treat their sidewalks with abrasives and remove snow within 24 hours of the end of the storm, and assist their elderly or disabled neighbors with clearing their sidewalks. Also, for our drivers’ safety and yours, “Don’t crowd the plow.” Residents are encouraged to go to snow.dc.gov for updates before, during and after snowstorms, and for tips to get one’s home and family prepared for inclement weather. Residents also may sign up at alert.dc.gov to receive emergency alerts and notifications from Alert DC.

Trash/Recycling Collections: DPW trash and recycling collections will be made Saturday, December 29. “We did not collect trash and recycling on Christmas, so our collections schedule ‘slides’ to the next day and Friday’s collections will be made Saturday,” said Director Howland. He added that next week normal collections will be made Monday, December 31, collections will not be made Tuesday, January 1 and collections through the rest of the week “slide” to the next day.