ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute (WMEC 620) returned to their homeport in St. Petersburg, Saturday, following a 60-day patrol of the Caribbean, in support of Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast’s Operation Vigilant Sentry and Joint Interagency Task Force-South's counterdrug mission.
While deployed within the Coast Guard’s Seventh District area of operations, and off the southwest coast of Haiti, the Resolute crew, together with the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913), interdicted one go-fast vessel, apprehended four suspected smugglers and seized 3,736 pounds of marijuana worth more than $3.5 million.
In addition to the drug interdiction and deterring illegal maritime migration, the Resolute crew conducted over 24 hours of search and rescue efforts for two missing mariners after the 90-foot Vanuatu-flagged schooner, De Gallant, sank approximately 20 miles north of Great Inagua on May 21, 2024. Resolute refueled Coast Guard helicopters searching for the missing sailors, conducted strategic search patterns, and recovered floating debris from De Gallant life rafts. Together, Coast Guard and Royal Bahamas Defence Force crews covered over 3,700 square miles before suspending the search.
“The officers and crew of Resolute completed this deployment in extraordinary fashion,” said Cmdr. Michael Ross, commanding officer of Resolute. “They answered the call and responded to each case with dignity, compassion and professionalism. The Coast Guard’s overt presence in this region is essential to deter dangerous and life-threatening maritime migration ventures. Our extensive Coast Guard presence in the area significantly decreased the number of migration events preventing loss of life at sea while protecting the homeland.”
Resolute is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.
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