ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Friends and family of six fallen Coast Guard crewmembers take photos of a Coast Guard C-130 Hercules flyover before a barracks dedication ceremony at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg May 11, 2012. On the evening of March 5, 1967 while on a search and rescue case, Coast Guard Albatross CGNR-1240 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico 22 miles east of Apalachicola, Fla., six crewmen aboard the aircraft were killed. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Rear Admiral R.D. Herr, U.S. Coast Guard retired, Capt. Sheryl Dickinson, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg commanding officer, and family members of six fallen Coast Guard members prepare to cut a ribbon during a barracks dedication ceremony at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg May 11, 2012. On the evening of March 5, 1967 while on a search and rescue case, Coast Guard Albatross CGNR-1240 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico 22 miles east of Apalachicola, Fla., six crewmen aboard the aircraft were killed. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Rear Admiral R.D. Herr, U.S. Coast Guard retired and Capt. Sheryl Dickinson, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg commanding officer, speak with a family member of Petty Officer 3rd Class Arthur Wilson after unveiling his memorial plaque during a barracks dedication ceremony at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg May 11, 2012. On the evening of March 5, 1967 while on a search and rescue case, Coast Guard Albatross CGNR-1240 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico 22 miles east of Apalachicola, Fla., six crewmen aboard the aircraft were killed. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Rear Admiral R.D. Herr, U.S. Coast Guard retired and Capt. Sheryl Dickinson, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg commanding officer, unveil a memorial plaque honoring the life of Petty Officer 2nd Class James Thompson, during a barracks dedication ceremony at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg May 11, 2012. On the evening of March 5, 1967 while on a search and rescue case, Coast Guard Albatross CGNR-1240 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico 22 miles east of Apalachicola, Fla., six crewmen aboard the aircraft were killed. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A family member of Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Eckley Powlus Jr., unveils a memorial plaque honoring his life during a barracks dedication ceremony at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg May 11, 2012. On the evening of March 5, 1967 while on a search and rescue case, Coast Guard Albatross CGNR-1240 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico 22 miles east of Apalachicola, Fla., six crewmen aboard the aircraft were killed. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A family member of Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Ralph Studstill unveils a memorial plaque honoring his life during a barracks dedication ceremony at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg May 11, 2012. On the evening of March 5, 1967 while on a search and rescue case, Coast Guard Albatross CGNR-1240 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico 22 miles east of Apalachicola, Fla., six crewmen aboard the aircraft were killed. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Rear Admiral R.D. Herr, U.S. Coast Guard retired and Capt. Sheryl Dickinson, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg commanding officer, unveil a memorial plaque honoring the life of Lt.j.g. Charles Shaw during a barracks dedication ceremony at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg May 11, 2012. On the evening of March 5, 1967 while on a search and rescue case, Coast Guard Albatross CGNR-1240 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico 22 miles east of Apalachicola, Fla., six crewmen aboard the aircraft were killed. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Family members of Coast Guard Lt. Clifford Hanna unveil a memorial plaque honoring his life during a barracks dedication ceremony at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg May 11, 2012. On the evening of March 5, 1967 while on a search and rescue case, Coast Guard Albatross CGNR-1240 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico 22 miles east of Apalachicola, Fla., six crewmen aboard the aircraft were killed. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg held a dedication and renaming ceremony, Friday, for the historic barracks honoring the flight crew of HU-16E Albatross - CGNR 1240 who lost their lives on the night of March, 5, 1967

The Coast Guard barracks were originally constructed in 1935 as part of Air Station St. Petersburg. The Air Station was relocated to Clearwater in 1976, Group/Station St. Petersburg moved into the vacated facilities on the north side harbor where Sector St. Petersburg is today.

On the evening of March 5, 1967 while on a search and rescue case, Coast Guard Albatross CGNR-1240 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico 22 miles east of Apalachicola, Florida, six crewmen aboard the aircraft were killed. Nearly forty years later after the tragic loss of CGNR-1240, the wreckage was located in July 2006 offshore Carrabelle, Florida. The wreck site of CGNR-1240 is the official U.S. Coast Guard gravesite and is marked by a 8,000 pound memorial underwater.

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg's historic barracks consist of two buildings with six separate wings. Each crew member had a wing dedicated in their honor.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Petty Officer 1st Class Larry Berman, of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, practices throwing a ball with television commercial and infomercial pitchman Anthony Sullivan to prepare for their first pitches before a pre-game ceremony at Tropicana Field, April 25, 2012. U.S. Coast Guardsmen from the Tampa Bay area were honored during a Salute to the Coast Guard ceremony before the game. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Petty Officer 1st Class Larry Berman, of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, holds an official Ceremonial First Pitch baseball during a pre-game ceremony at Tropicana Field, April 25, 2012. U.S. Coast Guardsmen from the Tampa Bay area were honored during a Salute to the Coast Guard ceremony before the game. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — U.S. Coast Guardsmen from the Tampa Bay area are honored during a pre-game ceremony at Tropicana Field, April 25, 2012 U.S. Coast Guardsmen from the Tampa Bay area were honored during a Salute to the Coast Guard ceremony before the game. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Members from the Coast Guard Color Guard present colors during the singing of the National Anthem during a pre-game ceremony at Tropicana Field, April 25, 2011. U.S. Coast Guardsmen from the Tampa Bay area were honored during a Salute to the Coast Guard ceremony before the game. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Petty Officer 2nd Class Erick Proveaux, of Coast Guard Station Sand Key, sings the National Anthem during a pre-game ceremony at Tropicana Field, April 25, 2012. U.S. Coast Guardsmen from the Tampa Bay area were honored during a Salute to the Coast Guard ceremony before the game. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Petty Officer 1st Class Larry Berman, of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, throws a first pitch to Tampa Bay Rays player Brandon Allen during a pre-game ceremony at Tropicana Field, April 25, 2012. U.S. Coast Guardsmen from the Tampa Bay area were honored during a Salute to the Coast Guard ceremony before the game. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Capt. John Turner, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, speaks with Al Roker during a live morning broadcast of 'Wake up with Al' at the air station, Wednesday.

The interview focused on the announcement of the new documentary series by The Weather Channel and Al Roker Entertainment to be called 'Coast Guard Florida'. The show, scheduled to premiere in October 2012, will follow the men and women of the 7th Coast Guard District as they conduct operations aimed at protecting Americans on the sea, protecting America from threats delivered by sea and protecting the sea itself.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse.

EDITORS NOTE: Click on thumbnails for high resolution photos.

VIERA, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard and Brevard Board of County Commissioners recognized Mike Badarack Tuesday, for his heroic efforts in saving a mariners life Nov. 5, 2010.

Bradarack was awarded a Certificate of Valor signed by the Coast Guard commandant for his heroism. Badarack is cited for jumping from his boat onto another pontoon charter fishing boat to lend assistance to a fellow captain whose lower leg had been crushed between the pier and his boat while mooring-up in Kelly Park, on Merritt Island, Fla.

Bradaracks quick thinking allowed him the ability to not only treat the injured captain for his injuries but simultaneously moor the drifting vessel. He tended to the captain serious wounds until local EMS arrived.

“I am honored and humbled to be receiving this award,” said Bradarack. “Sometimes you feel like you are placed in a situation for a reason and at that moment, mine was to save the captains life as he was bleeding profusely.”

82 stitches and 24 staples later the injured captain called to thank Bradarack.

The Certificate of Valor is given to a person when the Gold and Silver Lifesaving medal are not appropriate but the person has demonstrated great courage in a lifesaving scenario.

LONG BOAT KEY, Fla. — Coast Guard Station Cortez crewmembers dewater and tow a vessel to Coquina boat ramp, Sunday. The vessel's stern was partially submerged after hitting a large wake from another vessel.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Station Cortez.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Harold Leboeuf, an operations specialist stationed at Sector St. Petersburg, hits a golf ball during the Sector St. Petersburg Miniature Golf Tournament, Friday. During the Coast Guard Enlisted Association organized event, members from offices and departments took part in the morale golf challenge.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Coast Guard member stationed at Sector St. Petersburg hits a golf ball during the Sector St. Petersburg Miniature Golf Tournament, Friday. During the Coast Guard Enlisted Association organized event, members from offices and departments took part in the morale golf challenge.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle.

TAMPA, Fla. — Lt. Steven Melvin, left, and Lt.j.g. Ben Weber, from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg’s Prevention Department, enter an oil covered space to conduct a shipboard inspection aboard the S.S. American Victory Mariners Museum and Memorial, homeported in the Port of Tampa, Friday.
Coast Guard inspectors need to access many narrow and dirty areas of a vessel to ensure a thorough inspection is performed and shipboard hull integrity is intact. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse.)

Please click the thumbnails below for more high resolution photos from the inspection.
 
   

MIAMI - Capt. Richard Kenin, 7th Coast Guard District chief of staff, pins the Silver Lifesaving Medal on Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Rivera, an Aviation Electronics Technician, during a ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station Miami Feb. 7, 2012. Rivera received the award for his the rescue of R&B artist Sean Kingston after he struck a bridge on his personal watercraft. Rivera immediately jumped in and kept him afloat until additional help arrived on May 29, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

MIAMI - Capt. Richard Kenin, 7th Coast Guard District chief of staff, and Capt. Joe Kimball, commanding officer of Air Station Miami, present the Silver Livesaving Medal to Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Rivera, an Aviation Electronics Technician, during a ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station Miami Feb. 7, 2012. Rivera received the award for his the rescue of R&B artist Sean Kingston after he struck a bridge on his personal watercraft. Rivera immediately jumped in and kept him afloat until additional help arrived on May 29, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

MIAMI – Carmen Rivera stands next to her husband Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Rivera while he receives the Silver Lifesaving Medal during a ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station Miami Feb. 7, 2012. Rivera received the award for his the rescue of R&B artist Sean Kingston after he struck a bridge on his personal watercraft. Rivera immediately jumped in and kept him afloat until additional help arrived on May 29, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — Two Englewood residents are safe after being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard approximately 13 miles west of Stump Pass, Fla., Tuesday.

The two men were spotted sitting on the hull of their submerged vessel frantically waiving their arms 1800 yards away by watchstanders aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback, homeported in Miami, while it was in transit to drydock.

The cutter Diamondback launched their smallboat crew who took the men off the submerged vessel and brought them aboard the cutter.

"Luck on behalf of the survivors along with vigilant watchstanding by the cutter Diamondbacks crew ultimately saved their lives as their vessel capsized prior to them making any callouts for help and they didn't have any kind of signaling equipment on board," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Wood, command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg's command center. "Having an electronic position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) on board all vessels is highly recommended to expedite the rescue process in distress cases unforseen." 

The two men were transferred to Coast Guard Station Cortez. No injuries were reported.

TAMPA BAY, Fla. – Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers teamed up with local law enforcement agencies to keep waterways safe during the 2012 Gasparilla Pirate Fest in the Port of Tampa, Jan. 28, 2012.
Officers conducted boating safety inspections targeting boaters operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse.  

TAMPA BAY, Fla. – Petty Officer 1st Class Lee Koushan,  a boarding team member at Coast Guard Station Sand Key, keeps a sharp eye on mariners as they celebrate the 2012 Gasparilla Pirate Fest in the Port of Tampa, Jan. 28, 2012.
Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers teamed up with local law enforcement agencies to keep waterways safe during the Gasparilla celebration. Officers conducted boating safety inspections targeting boaters operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse.  

TAMPA BAY, Fla. – Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers teamed up with local law enforcement agencies to keep waterways safe during the 2012 Gasparilla Pirate Fest in the Port of Tampa, Jan. 28, 2012.
Officers conducted boating safety inspections targeting boaters operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse. 

TAMPA BAY, Fla. – Coast Guard patrols the air and sea with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and local law enforcement agencies to keep waterways safe during the 2012 Gasparilla Pirate Fest in the Port of Tampa, Jan. 28, 2012.
Officers conducted boating safety inspections targeting boaters operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse.