BOSTON — Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba retuned to homeport in Boston after a 59-day patrol, Feb. 16, 2013.
While on patrol, the Escanaba's crew conducted fisheries enforcement in the 1st District and participated in three weeks of emergency operations training in Little Creek, Va.
While patrolling in the 1st District, the crew conducted 17 living marine resources boardings. Boarding teams ensured all vessels were in compliance with fishing and safety regulations. The Coast Guard is responsible for enforcing all federal U.S. maritime laws, including protecting the economic livelihood of commercial fisheries.
The crew also participated in helicopter operations training in conjunction with Air Station Cape Cod. Escanaba’s crew trained in several complex evolutions including vertical replenishment, hot in flight refueling and ultra-low visibility approaches. In total they conducted 66 helicopter operations while on patrol.
The crew arrived in Little Creek, Va., on Jan. 28, 2013 for tailored ship’s training availability. The three-week program is designed to test the onboard training teams in their abilities to properly train the crew. Overall, the crew participated in 66 drills ranging from basic damage control to force protection procedures. The final exercise incorporated all training teams and tested the crew’s ability to overcome significant damage to the ship. Drill scores averaged 96 out of 100.
The Escanaba is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter home ported in Boston. Typical patrols are fisheries regulation enforcement, alien migrant interdiction and counter narcotics operations.
