United States Coast Guard Sector Buffalo

10/22/2020

Today Sector Buffalo's Leadership and Diversity Advisory Council took the time to recognize the life of Puerto Rican born, Captain Henry Frederick Garcia who would later be known as Montegue Frederick Garfield. Capt Garcia was a trailblazer for minorities in the Coast Guard. In 1928, Capt Garcia became the first Hispanic-American commissioned officer in the Coast Guard. His story is a tale of perseverance in the face of adversity.
The mission of Sector Buffalo's LDAC is to build a positive and respectful work environment for all personnel, regardless of their similarities or differences. The LDAC is able to accomplish this through sharing the legacy of men and women who have had remarkable influences on our service and paved the way for diversity and inclusion within the ranks of the Coast Guard.

10/21/2020

Last week, Sector Buffalo had the honor of hosting the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Karl Schultz and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Master Chief Jason Vanderhaden. The Commandant and MCPOG were here for a Sector Visit and to recognize a few of our outstanding Sector personnel.
After a brief about Sector Buffalo, Admiral Schultz was able to hear first hand from our staff about how we all come together as a team to accomplish the mission-set here at Sector Buffalo.

09/30/2020

Between October 1, 2019 and September 23, 2020 there has been 23 suspected hoax mayday calls in the Great Lakes Region. False distress or “hoax” calls are made by a person claiming to be in distress when they are not.
The Coast Guard will respond to and treat all calls as if they were real emergencies. False mayday calls put our first responders in unnecessary danger and distract from real emergencies.
Avoid the trouble and a $10,000 fine by not hoax calling the Coast Guard.

09/11/2020

Sector Buffalo took some time this morning to remember those lost on 9/11. We will never forget.

09/03/2020

Sector Buffalo had the pleasure to provide a tour of our command center to two sailors whose sail boat capsized back in July. Due to cellphone forensics and some detective work by the command center staff, both individuals were found sitting on top of the capsized vessel. Thank you to our Operational Specialists and response crews who brought them safely home. Your efforts were greatly appreciated. #GreatLakesBoatingSafety

08/27/2020

Interagency cooperation is integral to search and rescue. The Canadian Coast Guard participated in training with the crew of Station Niagara on Lake Ontario. Each vessel towed the other, which granted the station's break-in coxswain the opportunity to tow a larger vessel.
#GreatLakesBoatingSafety

08/25/2020

Station Buffalo conducting a patrol on the Buffalo River.

08/22/2020

The U.S. Coast Guard is requesting that any reports of oil pollution from the M/V Island Duchess in Alexandria Bay, NY to contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

08/14/2020

URGENT SAFETY MESSAGE: All recreational boaters and kayakers should remain clear of the Buffalo River in the vicinity of Babcock Street, in between the South Park Ave. and Bailey Ave. bridges.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation are currently engaged in an oil recovery operation.

This area of the river is deemed hazardous and all recreational boaters and kayakers should remain clear of the area for their safety.

If you have any questions, please contact the Sector Buffalo Command Center at 716-843-9527

08/06/2020

The U.S Coast Guard is reminding all recreational boaters and kayakers to keep a sharp lookout for commercial vessels on the Buffalo River.

All recreational vessels and kayakers need to stay clear of commercial deep draft vessels that are transiting the Buffalo River between the Buffalo Lighthouse and RiverWorks. Recreational boaters should not approach these commercial vessels while they are underway. These vessels are operating under restricted maneuverability and are limited to the center of the channel.

Boaters should not block the navigable waterway or attempt to touch the sides of these vessels while they are transiting under power. There is a risk of having your vessel or kayak overturned if you get to close to a deep draft vessel.

Recreational boaters and kayakers who impede the transit of commercial vessels could be subject to a fine.

Coast Guard Station Buffalo will be patrolling the Buffalo River during the recreational boating season.

Please contact the Sector Buffalo Command Center at (716) 843-9527 with any questions.

#GreatLakesBoatingSafety

08/06/2020

U.S. Coast Guard Station Fairport

Bravo Zulu to the crew of Station Fairport, who quickly responded to a boat fire and safely recovered 4 persons from the water. All persons were luckily wearing life jackets at the time of the fire and were able to quickly abandon ship. #GreatLakesBoatingSafety

08/05/2020

Floating Plan

Embrace solitude and not isolation. Inform someone on shore of your day and file a float plan. Information on a float plan, and how to obtain a blank float plan can be found at http://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/floating-plan.php #USCGSafeGreatLakes

Why should you take the time to prepare a float plan? The answer is simple... there are just too many facts that need to be accurately remembered and ultimately conveyed in an emergency situation. Without a float plan you are counting on someone else, a friend, neighbor, or family member to remember...

07/31/2020

STA Niagara Float Plan Message

A float plan could save your life. Station Niagara explains the importance of filing a float plan with someone you trust. #USCGSafeGreatLakes #USCGFloatPlan

07/31/2020

Life Jacket Wear / Wearing your Life Jacket

Remember that adult-sized life jackets will not work for children. To work correctly, a life jacket must be worn, fit snugly, and not allow the child’s chin or ears to slip through. Additional information on lifejackets can be found at https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php #GreatLakesBoatingSafety

There's no excuse not to wear a lifejacket on the water!Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it's tempting to boat without wearing a lifejacket especially on nice days. But most boating related drownings happen on nice days.Lifejackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and si...

07/30/2020

A float plan is a lifesaving tool that provides emergency responders with valuable information they need to search for a missing boater or a boater in distress. Make sure to complete a plan and leave it with someone remaining on shore. #USCGSafeGreatLakes

07/29/2020

Marine Event Form Submission

Are you planning a Facebook meetup or event on the water? Our mission is to provide the highest level of safety while allowing the public freedom to enjoy their time on the water. If you are planning a meetup or event please submit an application for a Marine Even Permit at the following address https://homeport.uscg.mil/Pages/MarineEventFormSubmission.aspx. This process provides the Coast Guard with the information that is necessary to ensure the safety of all on the water, while keeping the marine transportation system open for commercial vessel traffic.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns please contact LT Sean Dolan at [email protected]

07/22/2020

Paddlers are more exposed to the elements than boaters on power and sail craft and should wear personal protective clothing, including dry or wet suits, appropriate for the water temperature where they are paddling. Make sure to dress for the swim, it’s not if, but when. #USCGSafeGreatLakes

07/20/2020

The Coast Guard strongly recommends paddlers to use life jackets that are inherently buoyant rather than inflatable. Inflatable life jackets make re-entering a paddlecraft, especially a sit-inside kayak, more difficult after capsizing. #USCGSafeGreatLakes

07/17/2020

New and inexperienced paddlers should seek out paddler education before heading out onto the Great Lakes. Paddlers should also practice, in a controlled environment, various techniques to re-enter paddlecraft from the water. Many paddlers underestimate how difficult it is to re-enter a paddlecraft after capsizing and discover they are unable to do so in emergencies. An inexpensive, inflatable paddle float usually makes reentry much easier. #USCGSafeGreatLakes

07/17/2020

Paddle safe and have fun! Wear your lifejacket, have a plan, and know your limits. Labeling your watercraft with your name and phone number can help responders if it is ever found adrift.

#USCGSafeGreatLakes #PaddleBoardSafety

07/06/2020

Station Erie and ANT Buffalo marked three hazards to navigation today that are located In the vicinity of Erie, PA. If you see anything hazardous on the water, please contact your local Coast Guard station or Sector Buffalo at 716-843-9527. Boat safe and wear your life jackets! #GreatLakesBoatingSafety

07/06/2020

The penalties for BUI can include large fines, revocation of operator privileges and serious jail terms. The Coast Guard aggressively prosecutes intoxicated operators. For more information on Boating Under the Influence, go to https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-under-the-influence.php #GreatLakesBoatingSafety

07/04/2020

Life Jacket Wear / Wearing your Life Jacket

All recreational boats must carry one wearable life jacket for each person aboard. Life jackets must be Coast Guard approved, in good and serviceable condition, and the appropriate size for the intended user. Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once a year. Faded and leaky jackets should be discarded. Additional information on lifejackets can be found at https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php #GreatLakesBoatingSafety

There's no excuse not to wear a lifejacket on the water!Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it's tempting to boat without wearing a lifejacket especially on nice days. But most boating related drownings happen on nice days.Lifejackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and si...

07/04/2020

As we celebrate the birth of our nation. Remember that boating under the influence is just as dangerous as driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and just as illegal. Boat safe, boat smart, boat sober. #GreatLakesBoatingSafety

07/02/2020

Station Niagara reminds the boating public about the dangers of boating under the influence. #USCGSafeGreatLakes #BoatResponsibly

07/02/2020

The U.S Coast Guard is reminding the boating public to stay clear of the established safety zone on the Cuyahoga River near the Norfolk and Southern No. 1 railroad bridge.

All vessels are restricted from mooring inside the safety zone from the point where the shoreline intersects longitude 81°42′24.5″ W, which is the southern side of the Norfolk and Southern No. 1 railroad bridge, southeasterly along the shore for 600ft. to the point where the shoreline intersects longitude 81°42′24.5″ W, which is the Cleveland Metroparks Water Taxi Landing at Alley Cat Oyster Bar.

This area of the river is a turning basin for commercial vessels transiting south in the Cuyahoga River onto Old River. The safety zone is necessary because these large vessels have limited maneuverability in what is an already challenging area to navigate. Any vessels moored within the safety zone take the risk of being struck, as commercial vessels enter the safety zone to safely make the turn on to Old River.

All vessels are restricted from mooring inside the safety zone at any time unless specifically granted permission from the Captain of the Port, Sector Buffalo, NY. This safety zone can be found in 33 Code of Federal Regulations 165.903.

Please contact the Sector Buffalo Command Center at (716) 843-9527 with any questions.

07/01/2020

Coast Guard is reminding all mariners to boat sober. Alcohol is even more hazardous on the water than on land. Motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray from the marine environment accelerate a drinker’s impairment. #USCGSafeGreatLakes

07/01/2020

For our boat crews, it is easier to locate a distress location when a GPS position is available. This is a major benefit of having a personal locating beacon (PLB) or an emergency position indication radio beacon (EPIRB) on board your vessel. Help us help you. #USCGSafeGreatLakes

06/29/2020

The Coast Guard recommends ALL children wear a life jacket at all times when on a boat or in the water. Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position which permits proper breathing. Life jackets save lives! #USCGSafeGreatLakes

06/25/2020

Inspectors from Coast Guard Sector Buffalo supervised an operational test of the new Maid of the Mist electric vessel. This is a 100% battery powered passenger vessel and is the first of it's kind in North America.

06/25/2020

If you own a personal locating beacon (PLB) or an emergency position indication radio beacon (EPIRB), make sure you know how it operates. There are many types available to mariners and each operate differently. Does yours operate automatically or manually? Now is the time to find out before you end up in a distress situation. #USCGSafeGreatLakes

06/22/2020

What better way to demonstrate life jacket safety than a dog wearing a PFD! Please wear a life jacket when out on the water. Life Jackets Save Lives !!!

Thank you Jazz for letting me use your photos!

#USCGSafeGreatLakes

06/22/2020

Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) and personal locating beacons (PLBs) are designed to alert rescue authorities of your position if you end up in a distress situation. The Coast Guard recommends boaters to carry such devices with them while transiting the Great Lakes. #USCGSafeGreatLakes

06/17/2020

Bravo Zulu to SN Gutzmann from Station Niagara for your dedication to boater safety. Her safety message is below. Semper Paratus!

Station Niagara regularly gets underway on the Niagara River and Lake Ontario to familiarize their crews with the areas. Whether you're boating or participating in activities near the water, it is important to be familiar with the area you're in and any potential hazards, such as strong currents or shallow water. This is especially crucial at night when any potential hazards are not as visible.
#GreatLakesBoatingSafety

06/17/2020

It is one thing to own all the right equipment, but another to know how to use it. Make sure you know how to operate all safety and radio equipment on board your boat, and always complete radio checks prior to departing the marina. A distress situation is not the time to test out your equipment. #GreatLakesBoatingSafety