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August, 2006 • MarineNews 25 The U.S. Coast Guard announced that on June 30 it began using the new Rescue 21 command, control and communica- tions system along the Alabama, Missis- sippi and Florida coastlines. General Dynamics C4 Systems, is the prime con- tractor for development and deployment of the Rescue 21 system. Advanced direction-finding capability, a critical component of Rescue 21, allows Coast Guard watchstanders to more accu- rately locate the source of a distress call, said a Coast Guard release. That capabili- ty also allows the Coast Guard to locate the source of hoax calls. Rescue 21 also includes a network of towers to help reduce coverage gaps in coastal areas and ensure more calls get through to the Coast Guard. "The system provides a revolutionary leap in enhanced command, control and communications capabilities," said Capt. Dan Abel, Rescue 21 project manager. "Given our long and proud history of standing the watch, such leading-edge technology will radically improve the effi- ciency of search and rescue operations and offers interoperability with other fed- eral, state and local law enforcement agencies, and with first responders across all rescue or homeland security missions in the coastal area," he said. Proving its mettle following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, is the Disaster Recovery System (DRS), a critical component of Rescue 21. A fully autonomous, rapidly deployable emergency communications package, it provides voice and data con- nectivity if a man-made or natural disaster destroys the existing communications infrastructure. The DRS connects to the Coast Guard Data Network (CGDN+) via satellite communications. For six months, it reliably provided one-way communica- tions with mariners, in the southeastern portion of the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast region. Currently, four of the deployable systems are staged in Huntsville, Ala. for quick deployment. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted eight to 10 hurricanes in the Atlantic for 2006; at least half of which are expected to be the strength of Category Three storms. "Res- cue 21 has been accepted at an especially critical time of year in the Gulf States," USCG Activates Rescue 21 System in Gulf States Able Seaman Assistance Towing Auxiliary Sail Basic & Advanced Firefighting Basic Shiphandling & Steering Control Systems Bridge Resource Management Celestial Flashing Light Launch Operator Lifeboatman/Proficiency in Survival Craft Magnetic & Gyro Compass Master 100/200 Gross Tons OUPV Private Tutoring QMED-Oiler Radar Observer-Original & Recertification RFPNW Assessments Ship Construction & Stability STCW Basic Safety Training Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation Tankerman Familiarization Northeast Maritime Institute 32 Washington Street Fairhaven, MA 02719 1-800-767-4025 www.northeastmaritime.com email: info@northeastmaritime.com Call about our new USCG Licensing/STCW Cert. Process Northeast Maritime Institute Now Offering Full-Bridge Simulator Training Communication Gulf Coast Coverage AUGUST MN2006 4(25-32).qxd 8/3/2006 3:38 PM Page 25
