Coast Guard crew frees entangled sea turtles in Eastern Pacific Ocean

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/12/2017 01:30 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

May 12, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 11th District Pacific Southwest
Contact: 11th District Public Affairs
Office: (510) 437-3325
After Hours: (510) 772-8865

Coast Guard crew frees entangled sea turtles in Eastern Pacific Ocean

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Valiant approach entangled sea turtles on one of the cutter's interceptor boats in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, April 23, 2017. The crew spotted the debris field while on a routine patrol and released one baby and three adult olive ridley sea turtles. A sea turtle is entangled in a mass of fishing gear and garbage in the Eastern Pacific Ocean before being released by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Valiant, April 23, 2017. The crew freed one baby and three adult olive ridley sea turtles. A Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crewmember frees a baby olive ridley sea turtle from debris in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, April 23, 2017. After spotting an unusual floating object that turned out to be a mass of lines, fishing gear and garbage, crewmembers in the cutter's interceptor boat located the animals caught in the debris and freed them.
A Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crewmember prepares to release a sea turtle after disentangling it from a mass of fishing gear and garbage in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, April 23, 2017. The Valiant, a 210-foot Medium-Endurance Cutter homeported in Jacksonville, Fla., was on a routine patrol when the crew spotted the entangled marine life. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crewmembers release an olive ridley sea turtle after disentangling it from a mass of fishing gear and garbage in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, April 23, 2017. After freeing the sea turtle, the crew took the drifting debris aboard the cutter for disposal ashore. A crewmember from the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant releases a sea turtle after disentangling it from a mass of fishing line in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, April 23, 2017. After spotting an unusual debris field, the crew launched on an interceptor boat and freed one baby and three adult turtles from the debris.

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ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant's crew saved one baby and three adult olive ridley sea turtles from entanglement in garbage and abandoned fishing gear last month while on routine patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

After spotting an unusual floating object that turned out to be a mass of lines, fishing gear and garbage, crewmembers in the cutter's deployable interceptor boat located the animals caught in the debris and freed them.

The crew then took the drifting debris aboard the cutter for disposal ashore.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Dillon Whitaker, who disentangled the baby turtle, said the mission highlighted one of the reasons he joined the Coast Guard.

"One day you're chasing drug traffickers, and the next day you get to save the life of a beautiful animal in the middle of the Pacific Ocean," said Whitaker.

While underway, crewmembers rotate through a 24/7 watch routine and are always on the lookout for potentially hazardous debris and endangered sea life in addition to watching for suspicious vessels and signs of distress.

"Coast Guard men and women are skilled mariners and dedicated law enforcement officers devoted to protecting our nation from the scourge of illegal drugs, but they always act as stewards of the environment," said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Brand, the living marine resources manager for the 11th Coast Guard District. "Alert lookouts spotted these distressed turtles, rescued them and removed dangerous floating debris from the ocean so it could do no additional harm. This is a reminder of the harm that marine litter poses to the animals that inhabit the marine environment."

After freeing the turtles, the ship and crew resumed their patrol. 

-USCG-