Coast Guard Cutter James offloads more than $1.06 billion in illegal narcotics The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter James offloaded approximately 54,500 pounds of cocaine and 15,800 pounds of marijuana, at Port Everglades, Fla., Feb. 17. The ship’s crew set new records during their 90-day patrol for the largest single cocaine interdiction with 10,915 pounds, worth $206.4 million, and the largest single marijuana interdiction at 3,962 pounds, worth $3.59 million. This is the greatest amount of contraband interdicted during an Eastern Pacific patrol. The Coast Guard's strong international relationships, specialized capabilities, and unmatched authorities allowed for a unity of effort to disrupt transnational criminal organizations. Numerous U.S. agencies from the departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security cooperated in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, played a role in counter-drug operations. Read more.
Station San Juan crew, research vessel Neil Armstrong assist 2 US boaters in distress in Atlantic Ocean waters north of Puerto Rico. A Coast Guard Station San Juan crew and the crew of the research vessel Neil Armstrong assisted two people aboard the distressed sailing vessel Windward in the Atlantic Ocean Feb. 17. A man aged 63 and a woman aged 57, both citizens of the U.S., were assisted approximately 35 nautical miles north of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. “Overall, the crew did an amazing job assessing the situation,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Coates, coxswain for the case. “All we had to do was bring the people we were helping to safety. Luckily, they had everything they needed. They had an unfortunate situation, and we’re glad we were able to help them out.” Read more.
Coast Guard repatriates 13 The Coast Guard repatriated four Dominicans and nine Haitians to the Dominican Republic between Feb. 14-16, following the interdiction of an illegal voyage near Rincon, Puerto Rico. The interdiction is due to ongoing local and federal multi-agency efforts supporting the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG). “This successful interdiction is the result of the strong partnerships between the Coast Guard and our fellow Caribbean Border Interagency Group partners who work daily to safeguard the nation’s southernmost maritime border,” said Capt. Gregory H. Magee, Sector San Juan commander. “Many people do not realize how close they come to losing their lives during an illegal voyage, and they also may not realize that if they are caught, they may face prosecution for migrating illegally to the United States.” Read more.
Coast Guard medevacs mariner near Mobile Bay, Ala. The Coast Guard medevaced a mariner the morning of Feb. 16, near Mobile Bay, Ala. Coast Guard Sector Mobile watchstanders received notification at approximately 10:30 a.m. of a 31-foot sailing vessel that was in distress due to harsh weather conditions. Watchstanders then coordinated Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and Station Dauphin Island to respond to the situation. The mariner was last reported to be in stable condition. The helicopter crew from Air Station New Orleans hoisted the mariner and transported him to Gulf Shores International Airport at Jack Edwards Field in Gulf Shores, Ala. "This case was an example of great coordination and team effort amongst our units," said Lt. Cmdr. Kate Sullivan, a search and rescue mission coordinator assigned to the Sector Mobile Command Center. “We urge mariners to use caution prior to getting underway, monitor local weather conditions, and ensure that a VHF radio is on board in case of emergency.” Read more.