U.S. Coast Guard Station South Portland

12/29/2024

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Our crews along with local partners have been harnessing critical resources to respond to consecutive Emergency Flare sightings. Visual Distress Signals (smoke and projectile flares) are a required and valuable tool in identifying mariners in distress. U.S. Coast Guard Station South Portland and surrounding partner agencies have proven that our responses are not only effective but prompt based on the discovery of a spent flare on the beach.

Please note: Visual distress Signals can be recycled through local dropoffs organized by USCG Auxiliary Casco Bay Flotilla 2-1 as well as local maritime supply retail stores. These dropoffs are often shared on our page. Expenditure of a flare in a non-emergency will prompt a search, tie up critical resources, and put responders in danger. Listed in a below comment will be a chart of accepted international distress communication tools.

Sector Northern New England responded to two flare sightings at Fishermen’s point in Willard Beach Friday and Saturday night. The Coast guard and many local resources responded on both occasions, conducting thorough searches to find potential mariners in distress. Responders located a spent flare on the beach during one of the search efforts but found no other signs of distress on either night.

Marine flares of red or orange color are international signs of distress and should only be used in cases of actual emergencies. The Coast Guard treats all flare sightings as distress cases until proven otherwise, resulting in hours of searching, often at night in hazardous conditions. The Coast Guard is urging the public to spread the word throughout the Portland and South Portland area that the misuse of marine flares puts our crews at risk and limits our ability to respond to actual search and rescue cases.

If you have any information regarding these flare sightings please contact the SNNE Command Center at 1-833-449-2407

U.S. Coast Guard Station South Portland

12/17/2024

Our crews are "Always Ready"

Another chilly evening trip for the crew of 47300 & 29211. On this trip we conducted some skiff hook towing, visited our northernmost area for night familiarization, & honed our skills with precision and drifting search patterns.

Additionally, don't our fire service partners do a great job decorating for the holiday season?!

US Coast Guard Sector Northern New England
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Go Coast Guard Portland
U.S. Coast Guard Station South Portland
Portland Maine Fire Department

12/12/2024

Today crews from U.S. Coast Guard Station South Portland met up with crews at U.S. Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor for some heavy weather two boat training and currency tasks. Our standardization amongst the fleet allows us to augment each others crews and help facilitate quality training. Thank you for the hospitality Boothbay!

US Coast Guard Sector Northern New England
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Go Coast Guard Portland
U.S. Coast Guard Northeast

12/12/2024

Our crews are sharpening their skills conducting heavy weather training at night. Heavy Weather is considered 10' and larger seas and 30+ knots of wind. Tonight we had both the seas, the wind, and some driving rain to make it extra fun.
US Coast Guard Sector Northern New England
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Go Coast Guard Portland
U.S. Coast Guard Northeast
U.S. Coast Guard Station South Portland

12/06/2024

Today Admiral Platt and Master Chief Reimer stopped by to speak to the crews about issues and policy affecting the First Coast Guard District and the Coast Guard as a whole. After meeting with the crews Master Chief and Admiral Platt recognized BM3 Thurlo for his steadfast dedication to duty and being a welcoming member of the crew to our newly reported staff. Further, PO Thurlo was recognized for his ongoing volunteer work in the community. BZ Boats!

Additionally MK2 Knight was recognized for his efforts to return 47300 to Fully mission capable after a no start condition. MK2 relentlessly troubleshot all electrical circuits associated with the engine starting system and made repairs returning the station to fully mission capable!

US Coast Guard Sector Northern New England
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U.S. Coast Guard Northeast

12/04/2024

Today our crew conducted a Bravo uniform Inspection. Periodic inspections include a verification of a sailors awards and order of precedence, overall uniformity, cleanliness, and fit. Our crews are expected to have all necessary unform.items and devices meticulously placed in accordance with our uniform manual. Today our crew looked sharp as ever so we took some group photos!

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US Coast Guard Sector Northern New England
Go Coast Guard Portland
U.S. Coast Guard Northeast
U.S. Coast Guard Station South Portland

12/03/2024

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Our newest crew members got the opportunity to light off various flares used by the US Coast Guard. Please note that not all of our flares are distress signals, for example the Mark 127 parachute flare is designed to illuminate a search area with white light. White light is not a typical distress color. Our crews are not only trained to respond to distress flares but also to utilize them.

As a reminder do not expend your expired flares for disposal, as this will prompt a search and rescue case. The USCG Auxiliary Casco Bay Flotilla 2-1 often organizes flare drop offs throughout the year.

US Coast Guard Sector Northern New England
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Go Coast Guard Portland

12/03/2024

🎶Workin' on our night moves🎶

12/03/2024

The namesake behind USCGC TERRELL HORNE (WPC-1131)

11/08/2024

Last night our crews allowed the day workers some time out of the office for night AOR (area of responsibility) familiarization. AOR runs as we call them, ensure our crews are familiar with the places that we operate. Crews are required to visit each region during daylight and evening on a biennial schedule.

US Coast Guard Sector Northern New England
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Go Coast Guard Portland
U.S. Coast Guard Station South Portland