Multimedia Release: Coast Guard cutter returns to homeport in St. Petersburg after Hurricane Michael relief mission

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/30/2018 08:51 AM EDT

united states coast guard 

Multimedia Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
305-965-4672
PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom

Multimedia Release: Coast Guard cutter returns to homeport in St. Petersburg after Hurricane Michael relief mission

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vise (WLIC 75305) returned Monday, Oct. 29, 2018 to St. Petersburg, after responding to Hurricane Michael and conducting a 16-day port reconstitution and aids to navigation patrol. In this video, crew members discuss what they did during their patrol and how their mission aligns with the Coast Guard’s Maritime Commerce Strategy. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse; deployment photos courtesy of Vise crew)  Chief Warrant Officer Paul Curtis, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Vice, a 75-foot Inland Construction Tender homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, speaks to media regarding his crew's mission during Hurricane Michael relief efforts along Florida's Gulf Coast during a 16-day patrol. While on patrol, the crew collected data on damages, assisted with port reconstitution and addressed concerns with aids to navigation damage caused by Hurricane Michael from Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 to Monday, Oct. 29, 2018. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse) A deck crew member aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Vice, a 75-foot Inland Construction Tender homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, lassos a buoy Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 for inspection during Hurricane Michael relief efforts along Florida's Gulf Coast during a 16-day patrol. While on patrol, the crew collected data on damages, assisted with port reconstitution and addressed concerns with aids to navigation damage caused by Hurricane Michael from Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 to Monday, Oct. 29, 2018. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Editor's Note: Click on the images to download video and high resolution versions.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.  — The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vise (WLIC 75305) returned Monday to St. Petersburg, after responding to Hurricane Michael and conducting a 16-day port reconstitution and aids to navigation (ATON) patrol.

During the patrol, the crew of the Vise assisted with the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Michael. The crew transited over 650 miles and serviced more than 70 ATON in an effort to facilitate safe navigation along the Intracoastal Waterway from St. Marks to Panama City.

“Due to the Coast Guard’s preparation and responsiveness, the crew of the Vise, along with other Coast Guard operational and support elements, were able to reopen the entire ICW and Port of Panama City within days of the devastating storm," said Chief Warrant Officer Paul Curtis, commanding officer of the Vise.

The Vise is a 75-foot Inland Construction Tender that pushes a 68-foot crane barge. The crew of 16 maintains the west coast of Florida’s fixed aid to navigation systems that includes approximately 1,600 aids.

“Maritime commerce is the lifeblood of the global economy and the crew of the Vise played a major part during this deployment by ensuring the ports and waterways in the hurricane affected areas were properly marked to ensure all maritime traffic can operate in a safe manner,” said Curtis. “By quickly and efficiently reopening ports, and ensuring safe transit along the waterways, our crew played a key role in the Coast Guard’s Maritime Commerce Strategy.”  

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

-USCG-