Coast Guard, partner agencies continue salvage operations for grounded boat on Kehoe Beach, Calif. The Coast Guard and partner agencies are continuing salvage operations that began Feb. 28, for the grounded 42-foot commercial fishing boat Seastar on Kehoe Beach, near San Francisco. Contractors removed all fuel and hazardous materials from the Seastar before commencing salvage operations. “While Coast Guard crews recovered and transported the person found in the water, the Seastar drifted off Elephant Rock and ran ashore on Kehoe Beach,” said Capt. Taylor Lam, the Sector San Francisco commander. “The Coast Guard crews and partner agencies are working to remove the boat and ensure the area is safe for the local community.” The cause of the incident is under investigation. Read more.
Coast Guard Cutter Diligence returns to homeport after 60-Day Eastern Pacific Ocean patrol. The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Diligence returned to their homeport of Pensacola, Fla., Feb. 20, following a 60-day counter drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Partnering with three other Coast Guard cutters, Diligence interdicted three suspected drug-smuggling vessels resulting in the apprehension of 12 detainees and the interdiction of more than 4,321 pounds of cocaine with a street value of approximately $82 million. “Diligence’s crew demonstrated professionalism, resilience and perseverance while conducting complex high-speed boat pursuits in the drug transit zone,” said Cmdr. Jared Trusz, Diligence’s commanding officer. “I am honored to serve with and proud of the crew’s superlative efforts that directly support the United States national security interests.” Read more.
Coast Guard patrols EEZ in partnership with Samoa. Working with the government of Samoa, crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Juniper and Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak conducted security patrol operations in Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) throughout February 2022 to protect fisheries and other natural resources. The crews of the two cutters helped fill the operational presence needed to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing since Samoa’s Nafanua II patrol boat has been down. “We always look forward to assisting our partners in the region,” said Cmdr. Jeff Bryant, the 14th District’s chief of enforcement. “The United States offered to assist the government of Samoa by providing security and sovereignty operations in Samoan waters due to the absence of their patrol boat.” The cutters have been underway in Oceania supporting Operation Aiga, designed to integrate Coast Guard capabilities and operations with the United States’ Pacific Island country partners. The operation’s objective is
to effectively and efficiently protect shared national interests, combat IUU fishing and strengthen maritime governance on the high seas. Read more.
Coast Guard medevacs cruise ship passenger near New Orleans. Coast Guard rescue crews medevaced a 74-year-old cruise ship passenger on the Mississippi River near New Orleans Feb. 26. A Coast Guard Station New Orleans 29-foot Response Boat-Small II boatcrew responded to assist. Once they arrived on scene, the boatcrew loaded the passenger and a Carnival Valor nurse, and transferred them to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at the New Orleans cruise terminal. The passenger was last reported to be in stable condition. Read more.