PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant crew returns home after Caribbean patrol

Photo Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Jacksonville Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Jacksonville Office: 904-714-7606/7607 After Hours: 305-318-1864 PA Detachment Jacksonville online newsroom

Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant crew returns home after Caribbean patrol

  

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant returned home Tuesday to Cape Canaveral after a two-month Caribbean patrol.

The Vigilant crew returned to their homeport of Cape Canaveral, concluding their patrol in which the crew enforced U.S. federal laws by conducting numerous boardings throughout the Caribbean, while working with other government agencies and international partners, to increase national security.

While at sea, the crew disrupted the illegal and perilous voyages of 100 Haitian migrants and ensured their safe return to their home country. The Vigilant crew also saved the lives of three men who had been lost at sea for four days without food and water and returned the survivors to their home country after providing necessary medical attention.

“Maintaining and operating a 54-year-old ship requires great effort and a lot of dedication from everyone onboard," said Cmdr. Jerome Dubay, commanding officer of the cutter Vigilant. "This crew continuously meets the challenge, making mission success possible. I am proud of the compassion and professionalism our crew members displayed during every boarding and while assisting the migrants back to their country.”

The Vigilant is a multi-mission 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter whose missions include illegal drug and migrant interdiction, as well as search and rescue. The Vigilant patrols throughout the Caribbean basin and Atlantic seaboard to ensure safety of life at sea and enforce international and domestic laws.

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