Cutter Campbell Returns to Maine After 87-Day Patrol

BOSTON — U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Campbell returned to its homeport in Kittery, Maine, on June 4 after an 87-day patrol in the North Atlantic, the Coast Guard 1st District said in a release.

Campbell’s crew executed a fast-paced patrol, including search-and-rescue missions, enforcement of federal fisheries regulations, international training exercises with the U.S. and Canadian navies and Fleet Week in New York City.

During the patrol, Campbell’s crew safely towed two disabled vessels. The 72-foot fishing vessel Sea Rambler, carrying more than 25,000 pounds of fish, was adrift 40 miles southeast of Portland, Maine. The crew also towed sailing vessel Reflection, in distress 280 miles off the coast of Nantucket after suffering a rudder casualty, to Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts.

The Campbell’s crew also conducted 57 living marine resources boardings and identified nine vessel safety and fishing violations.

As part of Operation Frontier Sentinel, Campbell conducted joint military operations in Canadian waters with the USS Jason Dunham and HMCS Ville De Quebec.

Near the end of the patrol, the cutter and crew participated in New York City’s Fleet Week celebration. Campbell led the Parade of Ships into New York Harbor and provided tours for more than 1,000 visitors during a three-day visit to Staten Island.

“I am incredibly proud of the crew for their outstanding performance during our 87-day patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean,” said Cmdr. Mark McDonnell, commanding officer of Campbell. “They safeguarded mariners and protected our vital New England fisheries. We thoroughly enjoyed participating in Operation Frontier Sentinel and Fleet Week in New York City.”

The Campbell crew navigated 10,039 nautical miles throughout the patrol. Campbell is a 30-year-old Famous-class medium-endurance cutter homeported with a crew of 100.