Coast Guard Cutter Seneca returns to homeport following 54-day patrol

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/22/2022 11:30 AM EDT

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News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
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Coast Guard Cutter Seneca returns to homeport following 54-day patrol

HS1 Jessica Mindich heads towards the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to provide medical assistance for an injured civilian from a Search and Rescue case. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Miller) Petty Officer 3rd Class Vincent Isaiah Pangelinan, a Gunner's Mate aboard Coast Guard Cutter Seneca, fires the messenger line to pass the towing line to CGC Tybee during a towing evolution off the coast of Massachusetts. A messenger line is used to assist in heaving the mooring to the shore or to another ship. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Miller) U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca's 26-foot Small Boat, Over the Horizon, prepares to be launched for Living Marine Resources Fisheries boardings. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Miller) U.S. Coast Guard Seneca's Landing Signals Officer landing a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter on the flight deck of Coast Guard Seneca, in order to provide fuel. Jayhawk helicopters are used primarily for Search and Rescue cases in the Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. —The USCGC Seneca (WMEC 906) returned to homeport in Portsmouth Thursday, after a 54-day deployment in the North Atlantic Ocean. 

The Seneca crew supported the U.S. Coast Guard 1st District as they conducted a series of commercial fishing vessel boardings from New York to Maine to ensure compliance with federal safety, fisheries, and environmental regulations. The boardings conducted by Seneca’s crew resulted in 17 notices of violation and two voyage terminations. 

“This rewarding patrol showcased the devotion and hard work of an amazing crew,” said Cmdr. James F. McCormack, commanding officer of Seneca. “The crew exhibited selfless service during a high-tempo patrol. The 53 boardings promoted safety at sea and sustainability of marine life for generations to come. Our presence strengthens trust between the Coast Guard and the fishing fleet, while setting the standard for Coast Guard operations in the North-Atlantic Ocean.”

Additionally, the Seneca’s crew responded to seven search and rescue cases, three of which resulted in lives saved or assisted. 

During one of the search and rescue cases, the crew of Seneca worked in partnership with a Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod MH-60T helicopter crew to medically evacuate two critically injured people from a sailing vessel 350 nautical miles offshore. The Seneca crew also rescued the two remaining stranded sailors. 

During a second search and rescue case, the cutter crew rendered assistance and towed a disabled fishing vessel 70 miles.   

Additionally, the Seneca crew performed training scenarios and drills to build their proficiency and remain operationally ready to respond to a variety of situations. Their underway training included towing exercises with USCGC Tybee, a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Woods Hole, Mass., and helicopter operations with crews from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. The crew also took part in several major and minor caliber gun evolutions, damage control drills, pyrotechnic training, and small boat training.

These operations are essential to protecting the $5.6 billion commercial fishing industry, a major economic driver throughout the United States’ eastern seaboard. The Coast Guard’s presence in the Northern Atlantic is vital to maintain the critical ecosystems and fish stocks to include scallop, sole, cod, haddock, monkfish, redfish, pollock and lobster. 

The Seneca is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth with 100 crew members. The cutter’s primary missions include search and rescue, living marine resources, illegal drug interdictions, counter narcotics, migrant interdictions, ensuring the safety of life at sea and enforcing international and domestic maritime laws in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

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