ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, a 210-foot Reliance class cutter homeported here, returned Feb. 23 after a 35-day deployment in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida Straits, and Windward Passage in support of living marine resource conservation, counter-narcotic and alien migrant interdiction operations.
The Resolute’s crew, a compliment of 12 officers and 62 enlisted personnel, worked in conjunction with Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg to conduct two living marine resource boardings in the Gulf of Mexico and inspected commercial vessels for compliance with fishing and safety regulations.
In support of the 7th Coast Guard District, the crew of the Resolute partnered with the Royal Bahamian Defense Force to interdict an overloaded sailing vessel with 44 Haitian migrants, supporting the Safety of Life at Sea treaty.
In addition to completing 54 training drills and more than 80 helicopter evolutions, the Resolute made two port calls throughout the region.
While in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Resolute’s crew hosted a professional exchange with the Royal Turks and Caicos Marine Police, exchanging best practices for engineering and interdiction operations.
The crew also visited the geriatric and special needs unit of the island’s hospital, which had been damaged by Hurricane Ike. The crew repaired a fence and removed hurricane debris, eliminating serious hazards to the residents and garnering recognition from Honorable George Lightbourne, the Minister of Government Support Services.
While in Guantanamo Bay, crewmembers shared cutter capabilities with interagency partners during a visit from the commander and deputy commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay.
