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U.S. Coast Guard Vigilant Returns to Cape Canaveral After 48-day Florida Straits Patrol

By  //  November 14, 2022

crew rescued 14 adults and one child at sea for six days without food and water

The crew of the USCGC Vigilant returned to their homeport in Cape Canaveral Saturday following a 48-day patrol in the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Straits. (U.S. Coast Guard image)

(U.S. COAST GUARD) – The crew of the USCGC Vigilant returned to their homeport in Cape Canaveral Saturday following a 48-day patrol in the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Straits.

In support of the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, Vigilant conducted search and rescue missions for Hurricane Ian off the Coast of Fort Lauderdale and migrant interdiction operations in the South Florida Straits, working with multiple Coast Guard and joint interagency assets to detect, deter, and intercept unsafe and illegal maritime ventures bound for the United States.

During the patrol, Vigilant’s crew interdicted 11 overloaded and unseaworthy vessels carrying 146 Cuban nationals. In one case, Vigilant’s crew rescued 14 adults and one child at sea for six days without food and water.

The migrants had been surviving on cooling water from the vessel’s engine.

The Vigilant’s crew provided critical first aid, food, and water.

In another case, Vigilant’s crew rescued 27 migrants from a sinking vessel during high winds and heavy seas.

Overall, Vigilant’s crew cared for 833 Cuban migrants interdicted by various Coast Guard and other Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast law enforcement entities working within the Florida Straits.

In support of the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, Vigilant conducted search and rescue missions for Hurricane Ian off the Coast of Fort Lauderdale and migrant interdiction operations in the South Florida Straits, working with multiple Coast Guard and joint interagency assets to detect, deter, and intercept unsafe and illegal maritime ventures bound for the United States. (U.S. Coast Guard image)
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“This is an incredibly challenging and dynamic mission and I couldn’t be more proud of the resiliency, tenacity, and professionalism of this crew,” said Cmdr. Jay Guyer, commanding officer of Vigilant.

“These maritime migrant voyages are extremely dangerous and we encourage everyone to not take to the sea on these illegal ventures.”

Vigilant is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium endurance cutter with a crew of 76. The cutter’s primary missions include counterdrug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws, and search and rescue in support of Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty and reserve, officer, and enlisted opportunities.

Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here.

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