PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward returned to their homeport in Portsmouth, Sunday, after a lifesaving deployment.
During the 75-day patrol of the Windward Passage, the ship’s crew intercepted five unlawful migrant voyages and rescued 33 migrants from a vessel.
Additionally, they provided essential life-saving equipment, such as personal flotation devices and dewatering equipment to the migrants that were rescued.
“We often encounter unseaworthy vessels making attempts to illegally enter U.S. waters,” said Cmdr. Staci Rutsch, commanding officer of Forward. “The Coast Guard’s overt presence in this region is essential to deter dangerous and life-threatening migrant ventures. Our extensive Coast Guard presence in the area significantly decreased the number of migration events. The crew did an outstanding job, around the clock, ensuring that these illegal and unsafe ventures were detected and expeditiously intercepted. Once again, the Coast Guard stands out as the partner of choice for preventing loss of life at sea while protecting the homeland.”
Forward’s primary missions involve counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws and search and rescue.
