Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless returns to Pensacola, Florida, after 58-day patrol

PENSACOLA, Fl. - The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless returned to their homeport in Pensacola, Florida, Wednesday, after a 58-day patrol in the Gulf of Mexico.

During their two-month patrol,​ the cutter supported several Eighth Coast Guard District mission areas, including search and rescue, enforcement of domestic living marine resource regulations and​ illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity near the U.S. and Mexico maritime border.

The crew deterred three Mexican vessels caught illegally fishing in U.S. waters and recovered three miles of long line fishing gear, preventing the illegal harvesting of red snapper and other regulated Gulf of Mexico fish species.

They also conducted five safety boardings of U.S. flagged commercial fishing vessels to ensure the proper safety equipment was onboard and crewmembers were properly trained in safe seamanship practices.

The crew's employment in south Texas waters supported Operation Patriot Curtain, which addressed threats to border security and U.S. sovereignty near the maritime boundary line.

During the patrol, the crew collaborated with the Mexican Naval Warship Arm Independencia to share operational best practices. This beneficial exchange allowed the Dauntless crew to demonstrate effective interoperability with a key international maritime partner while conducting a shared mission of combating transnational threats.

The crew stopped in Galveston, Texas, the ship's homeport from 1995 to 2018, and hosted over 400 tours for the Galveston community. The ship was honored by the city council with a proclamation declaring May 15^th, "Sin Miedo" Day in honor of Dauntless's motto, "Sin Miedo," meaning, "Without Fear."

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-USCG-

Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless scheduled to visit Galveston, open for public tours

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin R. Williams.

HOUSTON — The Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless is scheduled to arrive in Galveston, Texas, on Monday and will be open to the public throughout the week.

WHO: Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless crew.

WHAT: Tours will be provided to the public.

WHERE: Pier 21
2100 Harborside Dr.
Galveston, TX 77550

WHEN: Monday - Thursday, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless (WMEC-624) has a distinguished history of over 50 years of operational service to the nation and has been a stalwart supporter of the city of Galveston, having operated out of the seaport city from 1995 until her recent reassignment to Pensacola, Florida, in 2018.

Dauntless​ became the first cutter in history to seize one million pounds of marijuana and has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s premier law enforcement assets with 97 illegal narcotics busts to her credit, more than any other Coast Guard cutter.

The cutter also plays a leading role in search and rescue, illegal migrant interdiction, international fisheries enforcement activities, serving the public and embodying the Spanish phrase that serves as her motto, “Sin Miedo” or “without fear.”

-USCG-

Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless returns home after patrol in Caribbean

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless ©Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin R. Williams (archive)

The Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless returned home to Pensacola, Florida, after completing a 59-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea.

During the patrol, Dauntless conducted joint operations with Department of Homeland Security air and surface assets to intercept over 80 migrants heading for U.S. soil, conducted four medical evacuations at sea saving nine lives, and assisted in a drug interdiction seizure.

The crew of the Dauntless supported Operation Unified Resolve, a combined effort between Joint Interagency Task Force South, Coast Guard, and international partners in the Caribbean region. The emphasis of the operation focused on interdicting vessels smuggling drugs and illegal migrants to the United States, which resulted in the seizure of 640 kilograms of cocaine and detention of two smugglers as part of a joint mission effort with U.S. Customs Border Protection.

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-USCG-