US Coast Guard Cutter Deters Illegal Migration And Drug Trafficking In Caribbean Sea

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida, January 6, 2019 (CMC) – The United States Coast Guard says the crew of its cutter, USCGC Resolute, returned to its homeport in St. Petersburg, Florida, following a 59-day patrol of the Caribbean Sea, in which crew members deterred illegal migration and drug trafficking.

The US Coast Guard said the USCGC Resolute crew members patrolled more than 9,000 miles, “providing a law enforcement presence in the Caribbean Sea in the vicinity of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, while deterring illegal migrant departures and playing a role in several Coast Guard operations”. 

“After spending the holidays deployed, Resolute crew members are ready to be home with family and friends to celebrate the new year,” said Cmdr. Roy R. Brubaker, commanding officer of the cutter.

“As always, the crew performed remarkably well, amidst challenging weather conditions and mission demands.”

During the patrol, the Coast Guard said Resolute crew participated in a four-day operation, targeting illicit flow of narcotics off the coast of Jamaica. 

At the conclusion of the operation, the Coast Guard said the crew “transitioned to support Operation Unified Resolve and team up with Coast Guard Sector San Juan crew members”.

“Their joint efforts resulted in the interdiction of nine Dominican (Republic) migrants, attempting to illegally enter Puerto Rico,” the US Coast Guard said. 

“Crew members also patrolled the Windward Passage, thus providing an overt presence and deterring illegal migration off the north coast of Haiti,” it added.

While conducting a port visit in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the US Coast Guard said Resolute crew members and personnel of the US Embassy Kingston staff hosted the Mayor Councillor, Michael Belnavis, along with 80 students from Ocho Rios Primary School. 

“The tour provided an opportunity for Jamaican youth to learn about the Coast Guard and see aspects of sea-going life, first-hand,” the statement said.

In the final days of patrol, the US Coast Guard said the crew served as “on-scene commander” in a 37-hour search for a missing cruise ship crew member. 

“Search crews saturated 105 square nautical miles, but, unfortunately, the crew member was not recovered,” the Coast Guard said.