SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser crew repatriated 13 of 14 migrants to the Dominican Republic, following the interdiction of a migrant vessel just off the coast of Rincon, Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a May 12 release. 

The migrant group consisting of 13 males, including a 16-year-old minor, and a pregnant woman, claimed being Dominican Republic nationals.  

One of the interdicted migrants remains in Puerto Rico to face possible federal prosecution on charges of attempted illegal re-entry into the United States.  

The interdiction is the result of ongoing efforts by Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG) partner agencies to combat illegal migrant smuggling. 

Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan received a call from a U.S. Border Patrol agent at 3:39 a.m. May 9 reporting a Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action marine unit had intercepted a migrant vessel, approximately three nautical miles off the island’s west coast. During the interdiction, two of the migrants jumped into the water and attempted to swim to shore. 

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Borinquen launched to search for the two migrants in the water. Once on scene, the Coast Guard aircrew spotted the two men struggling to stay afloat and vectored in the Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser’s cutter boat to their position. The Coast Guard boat crew safely recovered the two men, who were embarked, along with the other migrants, aboard the cutter Winslow Griesser. 

Prior to embarking, the Winslow Griesser crew provided the migrants with lifejackets. Once aboard the cutter, they received food, water and basic medical attention. 

“I commend the responding units in this case,” said Cmdr. Beau Powers, Sector San Juan chief of response. “Their efforts helped save two lives from drowning and ensured the safe return of 13 of the migrants to the Dominican Republic. We call out to anyone considering taking part in an illegal voyage across the Mona Passage that you not take to the sea. The perils are quite real, and your life and the lives of everyone else in the voyage will be in great danger.” 

The crew of the cutter Winslow Griesser transferred 12 adult migrants to a Dominican Republic Navy vessel May 10 and repatriated the minor to Dominican Republic authorities in Santo Domingo Tuesday morning. 

Cutter Winslow Griesser is a 154-foot fast response cutter homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

BLACK SEA — The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) conducted a series of operational exercises with Ukraine, May 9, 2021, in the Black Sea, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a May 9 release. 
 
Hamilton conducted maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and ship handling operations with the Ukrainian navy vessel Island-class patrol boat Starobilsk (P 241). These operations were designed to increase interoperability as a part of a regional effort to bolster maritime partnerships with NATO partners. 
 
“Hamilton was honored to conduct at-sea operations with the Ukrainian navy,” said Capt. Timothy Cronin, commanding officer of Hamilton. “Because we have shared interests, these events promote our strong partnership in ensuring safe and lawful activity in the Black Sea.” 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard has a long and enduring partnership with regional maritime forces, particularly in strengthening maritime forces in Georgia and Ukraine. Hamilton conducted at sea engagements with the Georgian coast guard and a port visit in Batumi, Georgia, last week. 
 
“This was a great opportunity to interact and share best practices with the Ukrainian navy,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Dunsavage, Hamilton crew member. “Both of our crews take pride in being professional mariners, and today, we proved that. We look forward to doing it again.” 
 
Hamilton is the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea, USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716), sailed to the Black Sea twice, in 2008 and 1995. 
 
Hamilton is the fourth national security cutter and is the fifth cutter named for the father of the U.S. Coast Guard: Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and advocate for the creation of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, working alongside NATO Allies and partners, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards. 
 
 
 

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Legare (WMEC 912) returned to its homeport at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, Virginia, after a seven week counter-narcotic patrol in the Central Caribbean on May 7, the Coast Guard 5th District said in a release. 

The crew of the Legare was deployed in support of Operation Unified Resolve/Martillo under the tactical control of Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) and the Seventh Coast Guard District. 

The Legare crew patrolled over 8,000 nautical miles throughout the Central Caribbean where they worked in conjunction with Customs and Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Navy, and other partner agencies. 

While on patrol, the Legare provided surface support to Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters that were forward-deployed to Air Station Borinquen, which specialize in airborne interdiction tactics. With the combined efforts of JIATF-S and allied nation assets, the Legare disrupted over $23.5 million dollars in contraband while patrolling known smuggling routes south of the Dominican Republic. 

“Once again the crew of Legare successfully overcame the dual challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and operating a 30-year-old ship to complete our operational and unit objectives with resounding mission success,” said Cmdr. Malcolm Belt, commanding officer of the Legare. “I am especially appreciative of Legare’s family and friends ashore who support our crew while they continue to deal with COVID-19. In many ways, their lives at home right now are more difficult than ours at sea.” 

Prior to arriving in the Caribbean, the Legare successfully completed the 2021 Cutter Mid-Cycle Training Availability (CMTA) with Afloat Training Organization – Mayport in Florida. CMTA is a demanding week-long training period designed to evaluate onboard training teams and the crew’s response to emergency scenarios that may occur while on patrol.  

The Legare is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth. 

TUNIS, Tunisia — The Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) departed Tunis after a routine logistics visit and key leader engagements, April 25, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a May 5 release. 
 
This port visit marks the cutters’ second stop while conducting operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility en route to their new homeport of Manama, Bahrain. 
 
The Moulthrope and Goldman work in Tunis builds on previous military operations with Tunisian forces, such as the USCGC Bear (WMEC 901) deployment conducting military-to-military operations with the Tunisian navy and royal Moroccan navy in 1999, USCGC Dallas’ (WHEC 716) work with Tunisian navy counterparts to share best practices for responding to maritime issues and at-sea emergencies in 1995, as well as ongoing international training efforts. 
 
This visit is a continuation of commitment to Tunisian partners, further enhancing cooperation between U.S. and Tunisian forces in support of shared security goals. In January 2021, Military Sealift Command Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Trenton (T EPF 5) and Tunisian navy partners conducted joint maritime operations to enhance maritime security, critical lifesaving capabilities, and Tunisia’s ability to protect its maritime borders. 
 
“The exercises showcased both the Tunisian naval forces and U.S. Coast Guard’s ability to operate as multi-mission partners through a variety of exercises ranging from defense operations to search and rescue and illegal fisheries enforcement — all of which highlighted our services’ similarities in both missions and responsibilities,” said Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Blase, commanding officer, Robert Goldman. 
 
During their stop in Tunis, Moulthrope and Goldman engaged with navy leadership, local dignitaries and conducted military-to-military exercises with the Tunisian navy for interoperability and familiarization. 
 
“It was an honor to help lead the first U.S. Coast Guard visit to Tunisia in over 25 years and strengthen our partnership with the Tunisian naval force. The engagements and maritime exercises highlighted service capabilities, promoted interoperability between both nations, and enhanced stability throughout the Mediterranean Sea,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steven Hulse, commanding officer of Charles Moulthrope. 
 
Charles Moulthrope and Robert Goldman are the first two of six Sentinel-class ships headed to U.S. Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Established in 2002 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA played a critical role in maritime security and maritime infrastructure protection operations. It is the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the United States. 
 

BLACK SEA — The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) crew conducted a series of operational exercises with the Georgian coast guard, May 2 to 3, 2021, in the Black Sea, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a release. 

The Hamilton crew conducted search and rescue patterns, simulated survivor rescue training, helicopter hoisting evolutions, approaches for towing, and ship communications with the crews of Georgian coast guard vessels Dioskuria (P 25) and Ochamchire (P 23). These maneuvers and operations enhanced the proficiency in specific mission areas familiar to both coast guards. 
 
“The U.S. Coast Guard, along with the U.S. Navy, work closely with the Georgian coast guard on the maritime component of our robust security and defense partnership,” said Kelly Degnan, U.S. ambassador to Georgia. “We welcome Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton to train with their counterparts in the Georgian coast guard, engage with community leaders, and above all, reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity.” 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard has been a consistent partner with European nations, strengthening and enforcing robust maritime governance. These exercises are designed to strengthen partnerships through interoperable capabilities and combined operations. 
 
We continue our substantial military training cooperation, ship visits, and joint military exercises that aim to help Georgia improve its self-defense capabilities and interoperability with allied and partner forces. 
 
“Hamilton was honored to conduct combined at-sea operations with the Georgian coast guard,” said Capt. Timothy Cronin, commanding officer of the Hamilton. “The U.S. Coast Guard values this partnership as we look to protect our shared interests by ensuring safe and lawful activity in the Black Sea.” 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard has a deep partnership with Georgia and the Georgian coast guard, dating back to its initial establishment in the late 1990s. Through the interagency partnership with the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of State, the U.S. Coast Guard guided and developed the Georgian coast guard into a fully operational and successful maritime force. 
 
A resilient network of alliances and partnerships is the fabric of the free and open order. We build trust and interoperability with our allies and partners through combined exercises, operations, theater security cooperation, global health engagement, foreign internal defense, and capacity-building efforts. 
 
Hamilton is the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea, USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716), sailed to the Black Sea twice, in 2008 and 1995. 
 
Hamilton is the fourth national security cutter and is the fifth cutter named for the father of the U.S. Coast Guard — Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and advocate for the creation of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard remains operational during COVID-19, following all COVID-19 safety precautions and regulations. 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, working alongside allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards. 

ATHENS, Greece — The Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) arrived in Athens for a routine logistics visit and key leader engagements, April 29, 2021, the Coast Guard Atlantic area said in an April 30 release. 
 
“A common theme discussed throughout our engagements with the Hellenic Coast Guard, government, and industry leaders is the long-standing history of cooperation between the United States and Greece, particularly in the maritime sector. The exercises and exchanges between our crews and the Hellenic Coast Guard continued this tradition of partnership between both nations,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steve Hulse, commanding officer of Charles Moulthrope.  
 
This port visit marks the cutters’ third stop while conducting operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet region en route to their new homeport of Manama, Bahrain. 
 
“It was a pleasure working alongside our Greek partners, celebrating the 200th anniversary of their independence, and gaining an understanding of the similarities in our services’ missions and responsibilities,” said Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Blase, commanding officer of Robert Goldman. 
 
The Moulthrope and Goldman Athens stop highlights the enduring partnership between the United States and Greece. It also provided exchanges between U.S. Coast Guard members and the Hellenic Coast Guard and Greek ministries before a planned underway exercise. The joint effort enhances the collective ability to respond to any number of maritime threats and challenges and builds familiarization across services. 
 
“I’m very happy to welcome the U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters Robert Goldman and Charles Moulthrope to the port of Piraeus following their historic transatlantic voyage in support of Operation Trailblazer,” said U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt. “For 200 years, the United States and Greece have stood shoulder-to-shoulder to uphold our shared democratic values and promote peace and stability in the region. Maritime ties have been at the heart of that relationship, starting with the relief ships that sailed from New England to Greece in the 1820s and continuing to the global partnership today between the U.S. Coast Guard and Greek shipping.” 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard worked with the Greek navy earlier this year in the Arabian Gulf under U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. The Greek ship HS Hydra joined cutters and patrol boats of the U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia to operate alongside the two NATO partners. The U.S.-Greece relationship dates back more than 200 years, emphasizing democracy, partnership, and shared values. 
 
“The Coast Guard compliments efforts from the Navy and Marine Corps by providing critical security expertise in shallow water environments, specializing in law enforcement missions and techniques,” said Rear Adm. Wayne Baze, director, Maritime Headquarters, U.S. 6th Fleet. “Moulthrope and Goldman’s operations follow the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s (CVN 69) visit to Souda Bay and work with the Hellenic Navy and Air Force. This dedicated, steady partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to security and stability across the entire maritime operations spectrum.”  
 
Moulthrope and Goldman are en route to their new homeport in Bahrain to support the Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. While in the U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet area of responsibility, the crews will support engagements with partner countries strengthening relationships and demonstrating our continued commitment to global maritime security and stability.  
 
Moulthrope and Goldman are the first two of six Sentinel-class ships headed to U.S. Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). Established in 2002 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA played a critical role in maritime security and maritime infrastructure protection operations. It is the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the United States. 
 

BLACK SEA — The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) conducted a series of maritime exercises with the Turkish navy, April 30, 2021, in the Black Sea, U.S. 6^th Fleet Public Affairs said in a release. 
 
Hamilton’s crew conducted a passing exercise and cross-platform helicopter operations with the Turkish navy’s Yavuz-class frigate TCG Turgutreis (F 241). 
 
During flight operations, helicopters from both nations landed on each other’s vessel’s flight decks. An Agusta Bell AB 212 helicopter from Turgutreis landed aboard USCGC Hamilton, while a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter landed on Turgutreis. These maneuvers and operations enhanced both crews’ ability to communicate and conduct precise ship handling. 
 
“It was a great honor to work alongside the Turkish navy today. They are professional mariners committed to ensuring safe and secure access to the sea,” said Capt. Timothy Cronin, commanding officer of USCGC Hamilton. “We look forward to more interactions like this to reinforce our partnership and shared interests in the maritime environment.” 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard has been a consistent partner with European nations, strengthening and enforcing robust maritime governance. Hamilton is the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea, USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716), sailed to the Black Sea twice, in 2008 and 1995. 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield welcomed the exercise. “We are pleased that the U.S. Coast Guard has returned to the Black Sea. Cooperation between U.S. and Turkish forces improves our ability to work together to advance our shared security interests in the region. The United States and Turkey will continue to stand together as NATO Allies,” he said. 
 
Hamilton is the fourth national security cutter and is the fifth named for the father of the U.S. Coast Guard, Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury and advocate for creating the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard remains operational during COVID-19, following all COVID-19 safety precautions and regulations. 
 
 
 

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard Cutter Tampa returned to its homeport in Portsmouth after completing a 56-day counter narcotics patrol in the Central Caribbean, April 25, the Coast Guard 5th District said in an April 29 release. 

The crew of the Tampa began their patrol by embarking an armed helicopter aircrew from the Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron in Mayport, Florida, which the crew used in conjunction with their over-the-horizon-capable pursuit boat to stop suspected drug smuggling vessels. 

During their patrol, a maritime patrol flight spotted a vessel on April 9, and a law enforcement team from the Tampa detained three suspects and discovered 87 bales of cocaine, totaling approximately 5,500 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $94.6 million. 

The crew of the Tampa’s efforts to combat drug smuggling in the Caribbean are part of Operation Martillo, a larger effort to increase regional stability and undermine the influence of Transnational Criminal Organizations, who routinely attempt to smuggle drugs throughout the region.  

The Tampa crew prioritized readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic and incorporated a series of precautionary measures to include personal protective equipment, as well as the incorporation of vaccinations for members to ensure its crew, family members and community continue to remain safe while achieving mission excellence.  

“This was our third patrol we have conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the crew of the Tampa never ceases to impress me with their incredible perseverance, devotion, and adaptability that they use to tackle each patrol and achieve mission success,” said Capt. Michael Cilenti, Tampa’s commanding officer. “Of course, I would be remiss in not mentioning the true heroes of this patrol, and every patrol: our family and friends back at home, who constantly support us and give us the inspiration to work that much harder. Our success in interdicting the first Caribbean low profile vessel is a testament to that teamwork and focus on mission excellence that makes Tampa so special.” 

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Diligence returned to homeport in Pensacola Thursday after a 59-day Caribbean Sea patrol, the Coast Guard 8th District said in an April 29 release.  

The Diligence crew performed search and rescue, counter-drug and alien migrant interdiction operations in support of Coast Guard 7th District.  

During the patrol, the crew of Diligence received 14 migrants apprehended by other U.S. law enforcement agencies and orchestrated their successful transfer to Cuban and Bahamian immigration officials for processing. The crew also facilitated the transfer of three suspected drug smugglers apprehended by another Coast Guard cutter to U.S. law enforcement authorities in Puerto Rico and accomplished vital intra-agency training with multiple Coast Guard helicopters, to include landings, a helicopter in-flight refueling evolution and rescue swimmer hoist operations to the flight deck and from the cutter’s small boat.  

Additionally, the Diligence crew partnered with Bahamian authorities to respond to a report of a capsized vessel near Cay Sal Bank. The crew searched more than 24 hours in conjunction with Bahamian and Cuban assets for seven reported missing persons. The 59-day patrol was also critical in building proficiency through shipboard drills, training, and qualifications to enhance operational readiness and effectiveness. 

“The Diligence’s crew continued to impress with their steadfast resiliency and professionalism in carrying out this challenging and dynamic patrol, despite difficult weather conditions for the majority of the patrol,” said Cmdr. Luke Slivinski, cutter Diligence commanding officer. “The cutter and crew performed admirably and overcame constant mission changes and unexpected challenges with signature ease. I cannot thank Diligence’s crew enough for the hard work and sacrifices they made under my tenure the last two years.” 

The cutter Diligence is a 210-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Pensacola with a crew of 78. The cutter’s primary missions are counter-drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcing federal fishery laws, and search and rescue in support of Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton’s crew repatriated 72 Haitian migrants to Haiti, April 27, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a release. 

In the first interdiction, Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders received a MAYDAY call April 17 and launched multiple surface asset crews and an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew to the scene to assist. The Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered crew arrived on scene and interdicted migrants from an overloaded 42-foot pleasure craft approximately 15 miles west of the Bahamas. 

In the second interdiction, Sector Miami watchstanders received a report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection of an overloaded 25-foot pleasure craft, April 24, approximately 10 miles east of Lake Worth. The Coast Guard Cutter Manatee crew and CBP surface asset crews arrived on scene and interdicted the migrants. 

“It is extremely dangerous to take to the sea on an overloaded, homemade or makeshift vessel,” said Lt. Mark Tatara, commanding officer of the Cutter Charles Sexton. “Those who embark on these vessels are risking their lives and it is our duty to protect the safety of life at sea. People should not take to the sea in an attempt to migrate to the United States.” 

Since Oct. 1, 2020, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 262 Haitians compared to: 

445 Haitian migrants in Fiscal Year 2016 

443 Haitian migrants in Fiscal Year 2017 

792 Haitian migrants in Fiscal Year 2018 

895 Haitian migrants in Fiscal Year 2019 

418 Haitian migrants in Fiscal Year 2020.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention. Throughout the interdiction, Coast Guard crew members were equipped with personal protective equipment to minimize potential exposure to any possible case of COVID-19. There were no migrants in these cases reported to have any COVID-19 related symptoms.