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The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking to increase recruitment numbers after a pandemic-induced drop left the expanding service understrength. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Crewing the cutters: Pandemic complicated recruiting, says Coast Guard

Distancing and not being able to get face to face with folks didn’t help numbers.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer pulls in a rescue basket during an emergency call to a stricken vessel south of Sitka on Feb. 7, 2022. (Screenshot)

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Coast Guard rescues two from stricken vessel near Sitka

The fishing boat was taking on water with dead engines.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa pose with the donated goods they ferried from Petersburg as they prepare to offload them in Wrangell. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

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Coast Guard assists Petersburg nonprofits in clothing drive

The crew lifted, distributed, and transported donations to where they could do the most good.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This August photo shows the cutter Midgett moored in Juneau. The U.S. Coast Guard, including the Midgett, is as of early November edging toward total vaccination.

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Coast Guard edges toward full active-duty vaccination nationwide

Along with the other armed services, more than 90% of active duty members are fully vaccinated.

A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)

News

Coast Guard updates Sector Juneau command center number

Those in distress should call 911.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk, like the one shown in this June photo, rescued a man from a stricken vessel in the Gulf of Alaska on Oct. 11, 2021.

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Coast Guard rescues man from disabled vessel

The sailboat was southbound in the Gulf of Alaska

Crews aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf prepare to board a fishing vessel flying the flag of the People’s Republic of China in the North Pacific on Sep. 21, 2021. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

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Coast Guard, partner nations ID numerous fisheries violations

Ships found operating in concert with more than 450 shark fins aboard, according to Coast Guard.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball and the Japanese Ship Kashima, a naval training vessel of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, transit together during a maritime exercise near Dutch Harbor on Sept. 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

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Coast Guard and Japanese military conduct joint training at sea

The partner nations were able to take advantage of the serendiptious opportunity.

Army Pfc. Luke McCarty jumps in the water during training for the engineer divers with a Coast Guard dive team on Sept. 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / MyKenzie Robertson)

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Army and Coast Guard divers team up in Juneau

Getting work done in an ocean far from home.

Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, Sector Juneau’s new commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Friends in damp places: Sector Juneau CO talks partnerships, future plans

A new set of eyes can examine old plans, the new commander said.

Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Gauvain participates in the line toss, one of the inter-vessel competitions during this year’s Buoy Tender Roundup at Sector Juneau, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Small but mighty: Anthony Petit wins annual Buoy Tender Roundup competition

Yeah buoyyyyy

A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter like the one in this June 19 photo, rescued two plane crash survivors 40 miles southeast of Ketchikan on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

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Coast Guard rescues two from plane crash

No casualties resulted from the crash, which occurred on takeoff.

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew rescued three mariners on the Chilkat River near Haines, Sunday night.

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Coast Guard rescues 3 near Haines

A seperate mission rescued a person injured by a bear near Nome.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File The Coast Guard’s 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report highlighted an expected spike in boater accidents, deaths, and injuries with more people on the water during the pandemic.

News

Boating accidents, casualties expectedly high in 2020

More people on the water with the pandemic means more potential for accidents to happen.

The Coast Guard is investigating a series of three vessels sinking across Southeast Alaska within an approximately twelve-hour period in late June. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

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Coast Guard investigating multiple sinkings from last week

No casualties were reported, and owners are working to refloat one of the vessels.

Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, left, takes command of Coast Guard Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen J. White, right, in a change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Sector Juneau holds change of command ceremony

The new commander is no stranger to Juneau, however.

Incoming Coast Guard Sector Juneau commander Capt. Darwin A. Jensen, left, and outgoing commander Capt. Stephen R. White, right, congratulate Herman Cestero, center, for his quick action in rescuing a fisherman in distress on June 24, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Visitor rescues fisherman trapped in mud near hatchery

The Texas man was visiting his son, recently stationed in Juneau.

Capt. Darwin A. Jensen, right, will take command of Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen R. White, left, on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Coming and going: Commanders talk Sector Juneau

They’ve both come a long way since growing up in Idaho.

Then-Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, recently appointed as vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, speaks during Coast Guard District 17 Change of Command ceremony on April 23, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

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New Coast Guard vice commandant takes the reins

Fagan became the first woman to hold the rank of admiral in the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Station Ketchikan crew members, Petty Officer 3rd Class Corben Hill (left) and Petty Officer 3rd Class Caleb Hoskins work a tow line for a yacht near Ketchikan, after another Ketchikan crew medevaced the yacht’s captain June 9, 2021. The earlier boat crew worked with paramedics from South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department to transport the 86-year-old yacht captain to EMS on shore, after he experienced stroke symptoms. (Fireman George Haver / USCG)

News

Coast Guard medevacs man from yacht near Ketchikan

The man was experiencing stroke-like symptoms.