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Dec. 13, 2023

Coast Guard rescues 6 people from sunken vessel off Dominican Republic

MIAMI — A Coast Guard Operation Turks and Caicos MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued six people, Wednesday, after their vessel sank about 30 miles north of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) and crew arrive at its new homeport at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 14, 2023, after transiting more than 9,440 miles over 35-days from Portsmouth, Virginia. The Harriet Lane is U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area’s newest Indo-Pacific support cutter and spent more than 15 months in a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) in Baltimore, Maryland, to prepare for the transition in missions and operations. Following reconstitution of the crew in July and returning to Portsmouth in August, the crew went through an extensive dockside period, ensuring the cutter was ready for the transit from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Dec. 13, 2023

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane arrives at new home port in Pearl Harbor

HONOLULU – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) and crew arrived at its new home port at Pearl Harbor, Wednesday, after transiting more than 8,000 miles over 35-days from Portsmouth, Virginia. The Harriet Lane is U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area’s newest Indo-Pacific support cutter and spent more than 15 months in a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) in Baltimore, Maryland, to prepare for the transition in missions and operations. Following reconstitution of the crew in July and returning to Portsmouth in August, the crew went through an extensive dockside period, ensuring the cutter was ready for the transit from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Dec. 13, 2023

Photo Release: Coast Guard rescue swimmer receives Distinguished Flying Cross Award

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high-resolution version.MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. —

U.S. Coast Guard crewmembers assigned to Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless (WMEC 624) conduct training with the cutter’s small boat in the Caribbean Ocean, Nov. 25, 2023. Dauntless deployed to conduct maritime safety and security operations.

Dec. 13, 2023

Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless returns home to Florida after interdicting 19.4 million in illegal narcotics, 3 suspected drug smugglers

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless (WMEC 624) returned to their homeport in Pensacola Tuesday following a 25-day counterdrug deployment in the Caribbean Sea. While underway in the Coast Guard Seventh District’s area of operations and in support of Joint Interagency Task Force–South, Dauntless’s crew spent 25 days patrolling the Caribbean, where their primary mission was detecting and interdicting go-fast and other vessels suspected of smuggling illegal narcotics into the U.S.

Dec. 13, 2023

Coast Guard urges mariners to take safety precautions in advance of Dungeness Crab season

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Coast Guard urges mariners to take safety precautions in advance of Dungeness Crab season, which in the past is historically followed by a spike in search and rescue cases involving commercial fishing vessels.

U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam personnel completed a pivotal Search and Rescue (SAR) Exercise with partners from the FSM Maritime Wing, Fire and Rescue services, and Pohnpei Department of Public Safety from Dec. 4 to 7, 2023, in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

This exercise marks a continuation of efforts to bolster SAR capabilities in the region, highlighting the enduring partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard and its Pacific Island partners under the Compact of Free Association (COFA).

Dec. 12, 2023

U.S. Coast Guard, Federated States of Micronesia strengthen Search and Rescue capabilities through joint training exercise

POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia — U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam personnel completed a pivotal Search and Rescue (SAR) Exercise with partners from the FSM Maritime Wing, Fire and Rescue services, and Pohnpei Department of Public Safety from Dec. 4 to 7, 2023, in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This exercise marks a continuation of efforts to bolster SAR capabilities in the region, highlighting the enduring partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard and its Pacific Island partners under the Compact of Free Association (COFA).

Dec. 12, 2023

Coast Guard reminds commercial fishermen of safety while at sea

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is reminding commercial fishermen to ensure they have the correct

The Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent crew repatriates 20 migrants to a Dominican Republic Navy vessel just off San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Dec. 8, 2023. The Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon interdicted the migrant group aboard a grossly overloaded makeshift vessel taking part in unlawful irregular migration voyage in the Mona Passage, Dec. 7, 2023. (Courtesy photo)

Dec. 12, 2023

Coast Guard repatriates 20 migrants to Dominican Republic, following interdiction of unlawful migration voyage in the Mona Passage

Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent’s crew repatriated 20 migrants to San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Friday, following the interdiction of an overloaded makeshift vessel in Mona Passage waters off the western coast of Puerto Rico. “Unlawful irregular maritime migration voyages represent a danger to all migrants, especially in a place like the Mona Passage where sea-state conditions are so unpredictable and dangerous,” said Cmdr. Gerard Wenk, Sector San Juan chief of response. “We urge anyone thinking about taking part in one of these voyages that they do not take to the sea, it could save their life.”

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 140-02-24 conducted its annual Change of Watch ceremony on Dec. 5, 2023, in Hagatna, Guam. The event marked a transition in leadership and celebrated the Auxiliary's ongoing commitment to maritime safety and community service. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)

Dec. 11, 2023

New officers at helm of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 140-02-24 in Guam

HAGATNA, Guam — The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 140-02-24 conducted its annual Change of Watch ceremony on Dec. 5, 2023, in Hagatna, Guam. The event marked a transition in leadership and celebrated the Auxiliary's ongoing commitment to maritime safety and community service. Capt. Nick Simmons, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, presided over the ceremony and administered the oaths. Distinguished guests included active-duty officers and Rear Adm. Cari Thomas, CEO of Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA), who spoke about the invaluable support CGMA provides, particularly highlighted by the recent assistance to auxiliarists impacted by Typhoon Mawar.

Dec. 11, 2023

Coast Guard rescues three men, while search ends after body of fourth is recovered off Playa Escondida Beach in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

The crew of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter rescued three of four men, Saturday, after they came in distress when they were caught and pulled by the strong currents off Playa Escondida Beach in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The search for the fourth man ended Monday morning after Puerto Rico Emergency Management crews located and recovered his body in the water off Playa Escondida Beach.