CGC Harriet Lane Returns Home

PORTSMOUTH, Va., - The Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane will be returning to its homeport of Portsmouth, Va., today, May 19, following a successful Caribbean patrol.

The cutter conducted both migrant interdiction operations and fisheries enforcement during its 57 day patrol in the Caribbean's Windward Passage and along the mid-Atlantic United States.  The Harriet Lane and its crew safely interdicted and repatriated 259 Haitian migrants and conducted over 60 boardings on U.S. fishing vessels.

The Harriet Lane conducted inspections under the Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Act (CFVSA) to ensure applicable safety gear and practices were in place. The boardings also ensured that the vessels were fishing in accordance with federal laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are in place to help protect the fisheries and ensure healthy fish stocks will be available to future generations.

During a visit to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, the crew also delivered medical and humanitarian supplies from Project Handclasp to several schools and orphanages. Project Handclasp is the U.S. Navy's worldwide humanitarian and goodwill program.