News

Actions

Portsmouth-based cutter Harriet Lane back from patrol

Posted at 2:00 PM, Nov 06, 2013
and last updated 2013-11-07 08:24:49-05

Portsmouth, Va. – Portsmouth-based Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane returned to homeport Wednesday following a 37-day living marine resources patrol in support of Operation Atlantic Venture in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Harriet Lane’s patrol highlights include:

Conducted 17 fisheries enforcement boardings on commercial fishing vessels.

Issued one living marine resources violation and made one narcotics seizure.

Completed more than 25 hours of small boat training.

Assisted the disabled 25-foot pleasure craft “Playin’ Hooky,” which was disabled 50 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia.

Assisted the fishing vessels Chief and Clyde II which were disabled 133 nautical miles east of Cape Cod, Mass. Harriet Lane towed both vessels nearly 250 nautical miles to New Bedford, Mass.

“We’ve had a great patrol. Whether protecting vital fish stocks, enforcing important laws and safety regulations or assisting fellow mariners in distress, my shipmates superbly executed every mission assigned to Harriet Lane,” said Cmdr. Michael Cribbs, commanding officer of the Harriet Lane.

The crew of the Harriet Lane departed from Portsmouth on Oct. 1.

The Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane, along with the service’s 26 other medium endurance cutters, is slated to be replaced by a new fleet of Offshore Patrol Cutters that will have the endurance to operate more than 50 miles offshore to carry out the Coast Guard’s maritime security and safety missions.

The OPC will be an economical, multi-mission ship, providing pursuit boat and helicopter capabilities and interagency interoperability. Its advanced technical features include modern sensors and enhanced surveillance capabilities necessary to detect threats far from U.S. shores and meet the demands of the Coast Guard’s homeland security, search and rescue, law enforcement and other vital missions.