Behind SAR and SeaWatch - C3CEN.

Photo By Andrew Winz | Petty Officer First Class Luke Sturgis stands by one of the numerous servers used by the SeaWatch and Rescue21 systems at C3CEN in Portsmouth, VA Sept. 24, 2018. U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Auxiliarist Andy Winz/Released.  

PORTSMOUTH, VA, UNITED STATES

11.28.2018

Story by Andrew Winz 

U.S. Coast Guard District 5   

When a person thinks of the United States Coast Guard, they imagine rescue swimmers jumping from helicopters to aid a distressed mariner or to pluck a family off the roof of a flooded home. The image a large cutter seizing contraband offshore from a drug running operation or a motor life boat cresting the waves of surf to aid a fishing vessel that has become disabled on a sandbar. These missions, and others would not be possible if it was not for the efforts of the Command, Control, and Communications Engineering Center (C3CEN).
Based in Portsmouth, Virginia with detachments in North Carolina, Maryland and California, C3CEN serves as the hub for the development and distribution of navigation systems, geo-location services of distress calls and as a training center for Electricians Mates and Technicians. C3CEN is supported by over 350 active duty, reserve, civilian, and contracted personnel and a budget exceeding $200 million dollars.
While C3CEN supports all 11 of the Coast Guard’s missions, they are most known for the development and implementation of the SeaWatch and Rescue 21 systems.
SeaWatch provides an all in one package for sensors and communications that significantly increases a cutter’s situational awareness on the seas. The system combines electronic chart display and information systems which allows for GPS based realtime positioning and the computer automatic radar plotting aid for collision avoidance.
Rescue21 is the Coast Guard’s next generation distress communications system. An integrated network of radio sites covers over 40,000 miles of coastlines in addition inland navigable rivers eliminates coverage holes that were a downside of the standard VHF marine radio. Modern VHF radios contain a “mayday” button that, when pressed, will atomically send a person’s position to the Rescue21 network, which is monitored not only by the Coast Guard, but local and state agencies as well. The person in distress can continue to maintain communications via Channel 16 as well.
Numerous ship and shore-based electronics require dedicated members for upkeep and repairs. C3CEN provides advanced hands on training in realistic labs for the SeaWatch and Rescue21 Systems. 15 operator courses are offered at C3CEN with over 400 students attending annually, making the facility the largest training facility in the Coast Guard outside of the Force Readiness Command. Students receive immersive training in the operation of SeaWatch and Rescue21 including 1 to 1 scale mockups in C3CEN’s labs. Students also learn to repair and diagnose the systems in the field.
C3CEN’s network of subject matter experts, innovation and dedication to the missions of the Coast Guard allow for more efficient ship operations, reduced response times for rescues amongst countless other developments truly emphasizes their motto: Sustaining the Present and Developing the Future.

• Date Taken: 11.28.2018
• Date Posted: 11.28.2018 09:11
• Story ID: 301415
• Location: PORTSMOUTH, VA, US