Coast Guard Cutter Spencer returns to Boston after 80-day counter-narcotic patrol

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 11/15/2018 09:23 PM EST

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U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
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Coast Guard Cutter Spencer returns to Boston after 80-day counter-narcotic patrol

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, hoists an ailing man from Coast Guard Cutter Spencer about 200 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, Nov. 10, 2018. The man was experiencing chest pains aboard a sailboat 275 miles offshore when the vessel’s crew requested a medevac. (U.S. Coast Guard video, courtesy of Air Station Elizabeth City/Released) Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL-754) crewmembers move a pallet of interdicted cocaine across the deck of the cutter Nov. 15, 2018. The crew of the cutter James offloaded approximately 18.5 tons of cocaine in Port Everglades worth more than an estimated $495 million wholesale seized in international waters in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Murray. A crew member from Coast Guard Cutter Spencer rescued two sea turtles from entangled fishing gear Monday, Sept. 30, 2018, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean during their 80-day patrol. One of the sea turtles rescued was an endangered Hawksbill sea turtle. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high-resolution video and photos.

BOSTON — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Spencer returned to its homeport of Boston Monday after an 80-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific interdicting drugs, rescuing sea turtles, and saving a mariner off the coast of North Carolina.

During the deployment in the Eastern Pacific, Spencer's crew interdicted a smuggling vessel with 4,497 pounds of cocaine on board, an estimated street value of $65 million.

The crew also rescued two sea turtles entangled in fishing nets, including a Hawksbill sea turtle.

On the return home from their deployment, the crew of the Spencer diverted to assist in a search and rescue case off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The crew rendezvoused with the crew of the 48-foot sailboat, Marie Elena, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Saturday, launched their small boat crew and transported the distressed 57-year-old crew member aboard the cutter.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, hoisted the crew member from the Spencer and transported him to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.

Spencer's crew also participated in hurricane recovery efforts during Hurricane Florence.

"The crew of the Spencer is looking forward to spending the holiday season with family and friends after a successful and eventful 80-day patrol," said Cmdr. John McTamney, commanding officer of Spencer.

Spencer is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter with a crew complement of 100.

Read more about the search and rescue case here.

Read more about the drug off-load in Port Everglades here.

 

-USCG-