Nation’s only heavy icebreaker departs for Antarctic military operation

USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10) transits Elliott Bay with the skyline of Seattle, Washington, in the background on Nov. 26, 2019. The cutter is scheduled to assist with ice breaking operations in McMurdo Sound near Antarctica during Operation Deep Freeze 2020. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Strohmaier.

SEATTLE — The crew aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) departed Tuesday commencing their annual deployment to Antarctica where the cutter and crew will support Operation Deep Freeze 2020, a joint military service mission to resupply U.S. interests in Antarctica.

“We set out today on an important mission, saying goodbye to the friends and families who have supported us and our ship for the past seven-months since we returned from Operation Deep Freeze 2019,” said Capt. Gregory Stanclik, commanding officer of the Polar Star. “We are looking forward to this year’s mission to McMurdo Station with a ship that is running the best it has since reactivation. This mission is critical to the United States and our continued strategic presence on the Antarctic Continent and I have the best crew possible to ensure we safely accomplish our goal.”

USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10).
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Strohmaier.

Homeported in Seattle, the 43-year-old Coast Guard cutter is the United States’ last remaining operational heavy icebreaker. This is the cutter’s seventh deployment in as many years to directly support the resupply of McMurdo Station – the United States’ main logistics hub in Antarctica.

Each year, the crew aboard the 399-foot, 13,000-ton Polar Star create a navigable path through seasonal and multi-year ice, sometimes as much as 21-feet thick, to allow a resupply vessel to reach McMurdo Station. The supply delivery allows Antarctic stations to stay operational year-round, including during the dark and tumultuous winter.

Commissioned in 1976, the Polar Star is showing its age. Reserved for Operation Deep Freeze each year, the Polar Star spends the winter breaking ice near Antarctica, and when the mission is complete, the cutter returns to dry dock in order to complete critical maintenance and repairs in preparation for the next Operation Deep Freeze mission.

The family of a crewmember aboard USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10) wave from the pier at Base Seattle, Nov. 26, 2019. The Polar Star crew departed its homeport for a deployment that will last several months. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Clark.

The Coast Guard has been the sole provider of the nation’s polar icebreaking capability since 1965, and is seeking to increase its icebreaking fleet with six new polar security cutters in order to ensure continued national presence and access to the Polar Regions.

In the fiscal year 2019 budget, Congress appropriated $655 million to begin construction of a new polar security cutter this year, with another $20 million appropriated for long-lead-time materials to build a second.

The Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, working through an integrated program office, awarded VT Halter Marine Inc., a fixed price incentive contract in April for the detail design and construction of the Coast Guard’s lead polar security cutter, including options for the construction of two additional PSCs.

Antarctica-USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10) Polar Icebreaker. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

“The Coast Guard greatly appreciates the strong support from both the Administration and Congress for funding the polar security cutter program,” said Adm. Karl Schultz, the commandant of the Coast Guard. “These new cutters are absolutely vital to achieving our national strategic objectives in the Polar Regions – presence equals influence, and we must be present to meet the Nation’s national security and economic needs there in the future.”

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Coast Guard medevacs a man 86 miles offshore of Naples, Florida

Archive image: U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Erick Lieb, a rescue swimmer from Air Station Clearwater, Florida, forward deployed to Great Inagua, Bahamas, walks to a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ashley J. Johnson.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard medevaced a man 86 miles offshore of Naples, Florida, Monday.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted an ill 53-year-old male crew member from a 44-foot fishing vessel and transported him to Tampa General Hospital for treatment.

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center watchstanders were notified by the fishing vessel crew of reported various medical symptoms, and the Coast Guard District 7 duty flight surgeon recommended a medevac.

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Coast Guard aircrew assists Newport Fire & Rescue in rescuing injured woman on Yaquina Bay’s North Jetty

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew arrives on scene to hoist an injured woman off the Yaquina Bay North Jetty near Newport, Oregon, Nov. 25, 2019. Newport Fire and Rescue personnel were the first on scene to treat the woman who reportedly injured herself while climbing on the jetty. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Benjamin Loy.

NEWPORT, Ore. — A Coast Guard aircrew hoisted an injured woman off Yaquina Bay's North Jetty Monday afternoon.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Sector North Bend hoisted the injured 43-year-old woman, who reportedly broke her ankle, and transported her to Samaritan Hospital in Newport.

Watchstanders at the Sector North Bend command center received notification of the agency assist from Newport 911 dispatch at approximately 2 p.m. Newport Fire and Rescue personnel were the initial responders and provided stabilizing care to the injured woman. The fire and rescue personnel requested Coast Guard assistance with transportation of the injured woman off the jetty.

The Coast Guard reminds visitors to the Oregon Coast during this Thanksgiving week to be aware of the dangers that lurk near the ocean, including jetties. All are advised to exercise increased vigilance due to the expected arrival of a large storm that could be carrying hurricane force winds.

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Coast Guard rescues 3 sea turtles caught in illegal fishing gear near Brownsville, Texas

A Coast Guard Station South Padre Island boat crew rescues three green sea turtles caught in 200-yards of illegal gill net fishing gear approximately a quarter mile north of the mouth of the Rio Grande River, near Brownsville, Texas, Nov. 24, 2019. Gill net is a form of fishing gear consisting of a wall of netting with mesh sizes designed to allow fish to trap their heads through the netting and is illegal to use in Texas waters. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard rescued three sea turtles caught in 200-yards of illegal fishing gear approximately a quarter mile north of the mouth of the Rio Grande River, near Brownsville, Texas, Sunday.

Coast Guard Station South Padre Island crews spotted the illegal gill net fishing gear with five blacktip sharks and eight sea turtles entangled. Of the wildlife recovered, three green sea turtles were alive and released back to their habitat.

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

"This incident is yet another example of the negative impacts of illegal fishing gear being set in U.S. waters,” said Lt. Kurtis Mees, Station South Padre Island commanding officer.  “Not only does it impact this endangered species, but the entire ecosystem as a whole. Fortunately, we were able to free three live green sea turtles and remove this gill net before it trapped and killed any additional marine life."

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Gill net is a form of fishing gear consisting of a wall of netting with mesh sizes designed to allow fish to trap their heads and is illegal to use in Texas waters. Gill net has been a major source of mortality for all sea turtle species due to their susceptibility to become entangled in the net.

If you witness suspicious activity or illegal fishing in state waters (out to 9 miles offshore), please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Operation Game Thief” at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). For all suspicious activity or illegal fishing occurring in federal waters (out to 200 miles offshore), please contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-0450.

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

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Coast Guard responds to diesel discharge from semi-submerged tugboat in Oregon Inlet, North Carolina

The semi-submerged tugboat Miss Bonnie sits in the water after alliding with the Old Bonner Bridge and is responsible for the potential maximum discharge of 6,000 gallons of diesel, Nov. 18, 2019, in Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. The cause of the allision is currently under investigation. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet.

OREGON INLET, N.C. — The Coast Guard is responding to a discharge of diesel from a semi-submerged tugboat in the vicinity of the Old Bonner Bridge in Oregon Inlet, Monday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received the report of a sheen by a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet at approximately 10:00 a.m., which was reported to be leaking from the tugboat Miss Bonnie.

The tugboat allided with the Old Bonner Bridge on Nov. 17, 2019, at 11:09 a.m.

The maximum potential for the discharge is 6,000 gallons; however, it is estimated 3,000 gallons were onboard. The responsible party has deployed 200 feet of sorbent boom and 175 feet of containment boom around the vessel.

The responsible party is scheduled to deploy secondary ocean boom tomorrow, as well as conduct salvage operations once on-scene weather permits.

There have been no reports of impacts to wildlife at this time. The channel currently remains open to all vessel traffic.

The Coast Guard is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Scientific Support Coordinator to identify the most likely trajectory of the discharged diesel to determine necessary mitigation strategies for the preventative impact to environmentally sensitive areas.

Pictured is the diesel spill resulting from the semi-submerged tugboat Miss Bonnie, Nov. 18, 2019, in Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, which allided with the Old Bonner Bridge on Nov. 17, 2019. The cause of the allision is currently under investigation. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet.

“Protecting the marine environment is a top priority for the Coast Guard,” said Capt. Bion Stewart, commander of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. “We are overseeing the responsible party’s actions to mitigate environmental impacts resulting from the discharge and to remove the vessel when it is safe to do so.”

Involved in the response are:

• Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Marine Safety Detachment
• PCL Construction
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Scientific Support Coordinator
• North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
• National Parks Service

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.

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Coast Guard announces naming of new cutters after FDNY, NYPD, USCG Reserve 9/11 heroes

Adm. Karl Schultz, Coast Guard commandant, announced Nov. 12, in New York City flanked by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill and FDNY Chief of Department John Sudnik, that two new cutters will be named in honor of Port Security Specialist 2nd Class Vincent Danz and Machinery Technician 1st Class Jeffrey Palazzo.

Palazzo served as a Coast Guard Reservist and FDNY firefighter at Rescue 5 in Staten Island. He perished while assisting others at the scene of the 9/11 attacks. Danz served as a Coast Guard Reservist, as well as an NYPD officer at the Emergency Services Unit in the Bronx. He was providing aid to victims on 9/11 when he perished during the World Trade Center collapse. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hightower.

NEW YORK — The Coast Guard announced yesterday that two of its new Sentinel-Class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) will be named in honor of two extraordinary public servants who served in the Coast Guard and also served in the New York City Fire Department and New York City Police Department, respectively, with both losing their lives responding on 9/11.

Adm. Karl Schultz, Coast Guard commandant, made the announcement in New York City's Battery Park flanked by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill and FDNY Chief of Department John Sudnik, that the new cutters will be named in honor of Port Security Specialist 2nd Class Vincent Danz and Machinery Technician 1st Class Jeffrey Palazzo.

Palazzo served as a Coast Guard Reservist and FDNY firefighter at Rescue 5 in Staten Island. He perished while assisting others at the scene of the 9/11 attacks. Danz served as a Coast Guard Reservist, as well as an NYPD officer at the Emergency Services Unit in the Bronx. He was providing aid to victims on 9/11 when he perished during the World Trade Center collapse.

“We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to honor these brave men whose service and sacrifice spanned three great first-responder organizations,” said Adm. Karl Schultz. “Their broad military and public service to both the Nation and City of New York demonstrated their incredible dedication and character. When the call came, they answered. We are certain that the men and women who serve aboard Coast Guard Cutter Vincent Danz and Coast Guard Cutter Jeffrey Palazzo in the future will proudly carry on their sense of honor, respect, and devotion to duty.”

Adm. Karl Schultz, Coast Guard commandant, is joined on stage by Lisa Palazzo and Angela Danz-Donahue, during a ceremony naming two new cutters after their late husbands.

Adm. Karl Schultz, Coast Guard commandant, announced Nov. 12, in New York City flanked by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill and FDNY Chief of Department John Sudnik, that two new cutters will be named in honor of Port Security Specialist 2nd Class Vincent Danz and Machinery Technician 1st Class Jeffrey Palazzo.

Palazzo served as a Coast Guard Reservist and FDNY firefighter at Rescue 5 in Staten Island. He perished while assisting others at the scene of the 9/11 attacks. Danz served as a Coast Guard Reservist, as well as an NYPD officer at the Emergency Services Unit in the Bronx. He was providing aid to victims on 9/11 when he perished during the World Trade Center collapse. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hightower.

“On the day we needed them most, our city’s brave first responders ran toward danger without hesitation,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Officer Vincent Danz and Firefighter Jeffrey Palazzo lived and died in service to our city and our country, and I join the U.S. Coast Guard, NYPD and FDNY in remembering the sacrifices they made to keep us safe. They were heroes, plain and simple, and their spirit will live on through these vessels as they continue to protect our city and nation from harm.”

Firefighter Jeffrey Palazzo bravely served our city and his country, proudly wearing the uniforms of the FDNY and United States Coast Guard,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro. “We will never forget his bravery and the sacrifice he made working to rescue those trapped at the World Trade Center. His legacy will live on through the Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter that will bear his name and rescue New Yorkers from danger for years to come.”

“Eighteen years ago, New York City Police Officer Vincent Danz was a portrait of courage amid the devastation of the World Trade Center attacks,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “His public service on September 11th was exceptional, and yet reflective of the great character of our 36,000-member police force and its dedication to duty. As we think about Vincent’s life, let us always honor – and never forget – his sacrifice for his colleagues, our fellow New Yorkers and our country. To Vincent’s family, we thank you for sharing such a virtuous man with a grateful city. Let this Coast Guard vessel forever be a beacon to anyone in distress and a reminder of our collective mission as first responders to always keep one another safe.”

The new cutters are scheduled for delivery starting in 2023. FRCs are the mainstay of the Coast Guard’s coastal patrol fleet, providing multi-mission capabilities and interagency interoperability. FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and sea-keeping. They are replacing the 1980s-era Island-Class 110-foot patrol boats.

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Coast Guard along with a good Samaritan assist a taking on water vessel with 2 people aboard 4 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet

MIAMI — Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce 45-foot Response Boat – Medium boatcrew assisted the 80-foot vessel Hush Puppy 4 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet Sunday.

Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce received a notification from the 80-foot vessel reporting experiencing water intrusion four miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet.

A good Samaritan vessel arrived on scene providing assistance dewatering and patching the vessel after the Station Fort Pierce crew safely embarked the two people aboard.

Station Fort Pierce crewmembers safely escorted the vessel to the North Fort Pierce terminal.

No injuries were reported.

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Coast Guard medevacs man to Tierra Verde, Florida

A Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew medevaced a man 33 miles offshore from Fort DeSoto, Florida, Oct. 13, 2019. The boatcrew transferred the man in Tierra Verde to St. Petersburg EMS in stable condition for further medical assistance. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— A Coast Guard crew medevaced a man 33 miles offshore from Fort DeSoto, Florida, Sunday morning.

A Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew transported the man experiencing abdominal pain and weakness to Tierra Verde Marina in Tierra Verde, Florida.

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a mayday call on channel 16 at approximately 6:38 a.m., followed by a report from a good Samaritan who saw three flares and made contact with the 27- foot fishing vessel owner.  

The Coast Guard boatcrew transferred the man to St. Petersburg EMS in stable condition for further medical assistance.

"The guy was experiencing a lot of pain and weakness, and they set off a flare that the good Sam saw to help us find them," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Rachael Fultz, the Station St. Petersburg station EMT. "We put him in a stokes litter to transport him to our boat and to EMS onshore."

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U.S. Coast Guard participates in international forum focused on Pacific maritime threats

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia – The United States participated Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 in the 20th meeting of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum (NPCGF) Summit in Vladivostok.

The annual event brings together delegations from the coast guards of Canada, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States. Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Area commander, was the head of the U.S. delegation. 

“Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, search and rescue, illegal drug trafficking and pollution response are just some of the critical issues we face as maritime nations,” said Fagan. “This multilateral forum is an excellent opportunity to discuss these shared challenges and to find ways to increase our effectiveness through cooperation.”

In effect since 2000, the NPCGF was established to foster multilateral cooperation related to combined operations, exchange of information, illegal drug trafficking, maritime security, fisheries enforcement, illegal migration and maritime domain awareness.  The forum includes numerous working groups, each focused on specific threat areas, which plan joint operations and major exercises. 

A priority goal of the NPCGF is the planning of next year’s Operation North Pacific Guard (NPG). NPG is a deployment each summer of vessels, aviation assets and personnel to help combat IUU fishing in the northern Pacific Ocean.

According to the UN, IUU fishing deprives the international economy of billions of dollars and undermines the livelihoods of legitimate fish harvesters around the world. It impacts food security, affecting millions of people, including many vulnerable coastal communities. Combatting global IUU fishing through international partnerships is a priority for the United States.

NPG 2019 was designed to conduct law enforcement operations in support of regional fisheries management organizations in the North Pacific Ocean. Through the NPCGF enforcement coordination process, partner nations contribute to the at-sea enforcement effort by providing surface patrols, air surveillance or both.

In support of NPG 2019, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, conducted an 80-day fisheries patrol. Coast Guard and Canadian fishery officers boarded 45 vessels and encountered violations ranging from improper gear to intentionally fishing for sharks without a license. Boarding officers also found evidence of illegal shark finning. Altogether, boarding teams detected 68 potential violations.

"Building and expanding partnerships is a priority for the United States Coast Guard and a strategic priority of our commandant, Adm. Schultz,” said Fagan, in her closing remarks. “To achieve this priority, we remain committed to this forum, as well as other multi-lateral forums and our respective bi-lateral relationships."

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Coast Guard rescues man, dog off boat near Toledo, Oregon

The 36-foot fishing vessel Micke lists to starboard and is stuck in mud in the Yaquina River near Toledo, Ore. Oct. 6, 2019. A Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay boat crew rescued a man and his dog off the boat. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Yaquina Bay.

NEWPORT, Ore. — The Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog Sunday afternoon after the man’s vessel ran aground on submerged pilings near Toledo.

A Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew retrieved the man and dog off the fishing vessel Mickey, which is listing and stuck in mud in the Yaquina River.

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Yaquina Bay.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received the call for help at 1:52 p.m. and directed the launch of the boat crew, which arrived on scene at 2:16 p.m.

No injuries or pollution has been reported; however, the vessel has a reported 100 gallons of fuel on board.

The owner of the vessel will work with the Port of Toledo to salvage the 36-foot double-ended troller.

The Coast Guard reminds mariners to carry up-to-date navigation charts or have properly functioning navigation equipment onboard the vessel.

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Coast Guard Cutter returns to Boston after offloading over 12,000 pounds of cocaine

The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) crew underway on the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The cutter Seneca is the sixth of thirteen 270' Famous Class medium endurance cutters in the United States Coast Guard fleet. Home ported in Boston's historic North End, SENECA moors within a short walk of such landmarks as the Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, USS CONSTITUTION, and TD Garden - Home of the Celtics and Bruins.  

CoastGuard Photo.

BOSTON — The​ U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca returned home to Boston after a 93-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Friday, Sept. 27.

Seneca intercepted three drug smuggling vessels transporting cocaine from South America bound for the United States. The interdictions during this patrol resulted in the apprehension of nine suspected narcotics traffickers and more​ than​ 12,000 pounds of cocaine with a street value of nearly $174 million dollars.​

Bales of cocaine lie in the hull of a suspected smuggling vessel intercepted by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean August 17, 2019. The seizure of the contraband was one of three interdictions by the crew during a patrol of drug transit zones off the coast of Central and South America. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

"Counter-drug operations are a vital component to the Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security's mission and our national security," said Cmdr. John Christensen, commanding officer of the cutter Seneca. "I am exceptionally proud of this crew who, over the course of the last three months, rose above the challenges of conducting operations at sea, persevered through many personal sacrifices and showed an unwavering dedication to serving our nation."

Throughout the patrol, Seneca rescued 22 Haitian Migrants, conducted joint exercises with the Honduran Navy, transited the Panama Canal, and spent several months combating illicit narcotics smuggling across the Eastern Pacific Ocean with a deployed armed Coast Guard helicopter team from Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) Jacksonville.

The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) crew offloaded more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine Sept. 20, 2019 at Coast Guard Sector Miami. The drugs were interdicted in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America, including contraband seized and recovered by multiple Coast Guard cutter crews in more than a dozen interdictions of suspected drug smuggling vessels. 

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Lally.

These interdictions were in support of Operation Martillo, a regional​ initiative targeting illicit trafficking that threatens security and​ prosperity at the national, regional, and international levels.

Coast Guard Cutter Seneca is a 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter with a crew complement of 100.​ Seneca missions include counter-narcotics, migrant interdiction, search and rescue and living marine resource operations from the Gulf of Maine to the Pacific Ocean.

For more information and video from Seneca's offload, click here.

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Coast Guard rescues 5 people from the water offshore Gulfport, Mississippi

A response boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Gulfport, Mississippi, stands with survivors they rescued from the water after the their vessel capsized offshore Gulfport Harbor Sept. 21, 2019. The boat crew transported the five people to Station Gulfport in stable condition. 
U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo/Released.

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued five people who went into the water after their vessel capsized in Mississippi Sound, Saturday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Alabama, received a report at 2:55 p.m. Saturday that an unknown number of people went into the water after a vessel capsized approximately 2 miles south of Gulfport Harbor.

Sector watchstanders directed the launch of a 45-Foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Gulfport to rescue the people.

A good Samaritan aboard a personal watercraft rescued six of the 11 people.

The Coast Guard boatcrew arrived on scene at 3:36 p.m., rescued the remaining five people and transported them to Station Gulfport in stable condition.

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Coast Guard Cutter Seneca to offload more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine in Miami

The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) crew underway on the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Sept. 22, 2018. The cutter Seneca is the sixth of thirteen 270' Famous Class medium endurance cutters in the United States Coast Guard fleet. Home ported in Boston's historic North End, SENECA moors within a short walk of such landmarks as the Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, USS CONSTITUTION, and TD Garden - Home of the Celtics and Bruins. 

U.S. Coast Guard Photo.

The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) crew is scheduled to offload more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine Friday at Coast Guard Sector Miami.

The drugs were interdicted in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America, including contraband seized and recovered in over a dozen interdictions of suspected drug smuggling vessels by U.S. Coast Guard cutters:

• The cutter Seneca was responsible for two cases, seizing approximately 2,800 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma (WMEC-908) was responsible for three interdictions seizing approximately 2,500 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL-757) was responsible for two cases, seizing approximately 5,700 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant (WMEC-621) was responsible for one case, seizing approximately 1,000 pounds of cocaine.

"These down range counter-drug operations are a vital component to the Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security's mission and our national security. These operations enable us to extend our maritime borders, weaken the economic engine of Transnational Criminal Organizations, contribute to enhancing stability and security across our partner nations within Central America, and they combat the drug epidemic within our local communities," said Cmdr. John Christensen, commanding officer of the cutter Seneca. "I am exceptionally proud of this crew.  Over the course of the last three months they rose above the challenges of conducting operations at sea, persevered through many personal sacrifices and showed an unwavering dedication to serving our nation."

The cutter Seneca’s crew along with those of the other ships conducted operations targeting transnational criminal organizations in conjunction with Joint Interagency Task Force-South, Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice, and a number of other Coast Guard aircraft. The cutter Seneca’s presence and efforts are critical to disrupting and dismantling the transnational criminal organizations that attempt to smuggle these drugs through the ocean and into Central and North America.

The cutter Seneca is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Boston. The cutter Tahoma is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Kittery, Maine. The cutter Midgett is a 418-foot national security cutter homeported in Honolulu. The cutter Valiant is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Jacksonville, Florida. 

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