PHILADELPHIA — Two Swedish boaters rescued at sea Saturday are scheduled to arrive in Wilmington, Del., Monday at approximately 7 p.m. after being rescued from their sailboat Saturday approximately 100 miles southwest of Bermuda.

A 35-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were aboard the 33-foot Swedish-flagged sailboat Bull when it started taking on water.

Watchstanders at the 5th Coast Guard District in Portsmouth, Va., began rescue coordination efforts after receiving a distress notification from the Bull's emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB). Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia also assisted with the case.

The crew of the 498-foot Panamanian-flagged motor vessel Crown Sapphire, an Amver ship, altered course to render assistance. Once on scene, the Crown Sapphire crew safely embarked the two distressed boaters, who were in the sailboat's life raft.

A C-130 aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., was launched to conduct search efforts, but returned before arriving on scene due to the Crown Sapphire's response.

Amver, sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, is a unique, computer-based, voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea.

"This case is a perfect example of why equipping your vessel with a properly registered EPIRB can pay off so well," said Capt. Kathleen Moore, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. "The operators of the sailing vessel Bull owe their lives to this $400 piece of equipment and to the crew of the Crown Sapphire."

Editor's note: For a high resolution image of the dinghy, click the image above.

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is seeking the public's assistance after receiving a report of an unmanned adrift, black and grey inflatable dinghy offshore approximately two and a half miles west of Kaanapali, Maui, Monday.

The passenger ferry Molokai Princess reported the dinghy adrift at approximately 7:45 a.m., and took it in tow back to Kaunakakai Harbor, Molokai. The dinghy is approximately 10 feet long with a 6 horsepower outboard engine. There are no markings on the vessel, the oars and equipment in the dinghy appear to be stowed and it appeared to have broken free from another vessel.

No one has been reported missing or in distress in the area.

The Coast Guard advises the public to register and label all watercraft and equipment with contact information in order to quickly account for owners and prevent any unnecessary searches.

Through the Operation Paddle Smart program, the Coast Guard offers a free "If Found" decal to be placed in a visible location on small, human-powered watercraft.  The information on the sticker can allow response entities to quickly identify the vessel's owner and aid search and rescue planners in determining the best course of action.

The stickers can be obtained for free at local harbormasters, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, from Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron offices and at select marine retail and supply stores.

Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the dinghy is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center at (808) 842-2600.

LOS ANGELES - The Coast Guard and Customs & Border Protection worked together to interdict a panga vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics near Santa Rosa Island, Calif., late Monday  morning.

Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received a report of a suspicious vessel from a Good Samaritan and launched a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles to investigate.  A 45-foot Response Boat Medium from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor was dispatched and CBP Office of Air and Marine launched a Black Hawk helicopter and a fixed-wing Multi-role Enforcement aircraft.  Coast Guard Station Los Angeles-Long Beach also dispatched a 45 RBM to assist.

Leveraging their new 45 RBM and its advanced capabilities, the Channel Islands Harbor boat crew was able to successfully interdict the vessel and take the two suspects onboard into custody.

With the help of CBP Office of Air and Marine  and Coast Guard spotters from the air, the Channel Islands Harbor boat crew was also able to recover approximately 50 bales of suspected marijuana.

The two suspects will be turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations for processing and presentation to the U.S. Attorney's office for federal prosecution.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A Coast Guardsman charged with sexually related misconduct will face a special court-martial scheduled to begin Tuesday in Norfolk, Va.

Chief Petty Officer Joe H. Carter, 39, is charged with Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for the wrongful sexual contact with one enlisted female Coast Guard member.

In addition, Carter is charged with:

       Article 92 –  Failure to obey order or regulation
       Article 134 –  General Articles (covers offenses not specifically covered in any other article of the UCMJ)

Vice Adm. Robert Parker, Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander, decided to convene a special court-martial based on the recommendation of an Article 32 Investigation. An Article 32 Investigation is similar to a grand jury hearing in the civilian court system.  The investigation concluded that reasonable grounds exist to try Carter for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The charges follow an investigation, which revealed that Carter, a married man, touched the buttocks of one female Coast Guard member without her consent, and engaged in adultery with two other consenting female Coast Guard members. His relationship with these two female Coast Guard members violated Coast Guard regulations governing relationships between officers and enlisted members.

The Coast Guard initiated an investigation in December 2011, after a crewmember on Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, homeported in Seattle, informed the command that Carter was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a female junior officer.  The Coast Guard completed the investigation in June 2013 and charges were  preferred in August 2013.

Carter was assigned to the Mellon when the alleged misconduct occurred.  Prior to the commencement of the investigation, Carter completed his tour of duty aboard Mellon and transferred to Coast Guard Navigation Center Detachment, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Carter remained at Peterson Air Force Base while awaiting trial.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice is a complete set of criminal laws that covers most crimes contained in civilian law in addition to other military-specific offenses such as failure to obey an order, desertion, etc.  Additional information about the UCMJ and the military justice system can be found at:  http://www.uscg.mil/legal/mj/MJ_Doc/UCMJ12.pdf.

JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew forward deployed to Cold Bay conducted two medevacs, for one infant and one mariner, from King Cove to Cold Bay Tuesday morning.

The Jayhawk crew first transported the infant, who was suffering from respiratory distress, and his mother to Cold Bay. They then returned to King Cove and medevaced the mariner, who was suffering from numerous injuries after a crab pot fell on him. Both the infant and mariner were transported from Cold Bay to Anchorage by commercial services.

Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received the report of the injured mariner Monday evening. The injury occurred on board the fishing vessel Miss Courtney Kim near Sanak Island, and King Cove was the nearest accessible port with a clinic. Coast Guard watchstanders coordinated with commercial services for a medevac after sunrise.

Early Tuesday morning, Coast Guard watchstanders received a second medevac request for the ailing infant and directed the helicopter crew to conduct the medevacs.

"Our aircrews are capable of landing in the many remote locations throughout Alaska that commercial medical aircraft often cannot access," said Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Leuchte, a watchstander at the 17th District command center. "Our forward-deployed crews are trained to respond to emergencies, whether on land or at sea."

For more information contact Petty Officer 3rd Class Grant DeVuyst at 907-321-1866.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard and a good Samaritan merchant vessel rescued three boaters Tuesday approximately 35 miles south of Fort Macon, N.C.

At noon Coast Guard Sector North Carolina command center watchstanders received a mayday call on VHF-FM channel 16 from the operator of the sailboat Reel Safe, reporting they were taking on water.

Sector watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and diverted a crew aboard a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter who were conducting training in the area to assist. 

The captain of the 485-foot cargo ship Islandia received the UMIB and diverted the ship to assist.

The Islandia arrived on scene at approximately 1 p.m. and rescued the three boaters who had abandoned their vessel.

The Jayhawk crew arrived on scene at approximately 1:15 p.m., hoisted the boaters aboard the helicopter from the Islandia and took them to Coast Guard Sector Field Office Fort Macon.

There are no reports of injuries.

SEATTLE — Coast Guard Sector North Bend, Ore., and Coast Guard Station Coos Bay, Ore., are scheduled to conduct pyrotechnics training Wednesday between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in the vicinity of Bastendorff Beach, just south of the Coos Bay entrance jetties.

The Coast Guard Sector North Bend command center will maintain a Safety Marine Information Broadcast throughout the duration of the training, beginning one hour before the first flare launch.

The flares will be visible for several miles from shore and at sea.

The training will consist of one 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew firing a series of flares. Approximately 35 flares total will be fired from the MLB, showing a variety of characteristics at fixed positions from one to 10 miles offshore.

Coast Guard operations specialists and other boat and aviation personnel will observe the flares from two different vantage points on the shoreline.

The training provides an opportunity for search and rescue boatcrews to practice firing pyrotechnics. It also gives maritime search planning personnel an opportunity to observe different types of flares. This knowledge allows them to better assist reporting sources in describing characteristics during a flare sighting report and determine reasonable search areas.

This training is for Coast Guard personnel and is subject to change without notice due to weather or operations. Spectators are not excluded from Bastendorff Beach during this exercise, but the Coast Guard will not provide public services or special considerations.

For more information, contact Lt. j.g. Kevin Shanahan at 541-756-9669.

SEATTLE — U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound is scheduled to hold a change-of-command ceremony Thursday, March 13, 2014, at 1 p.m., at Coast Guard Base Seattle, located at 1519 Alaskan Way South Seattle, Wa.

During the ceremony, Capt. Scott Ferguson will transfer command to Capt. Joe Raymond. Rear Adm. Richard Gromlich, commander of the 13th Coast Guard District, will preside over the ceremony.

Ferguson served as commander of Sector Puget Sound since August 2010, and will retire from the Coast Guard with more than 30 years of distinguished service at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Raymond is currently stationed at Sector Puget Sound, serving as the sector deputy commander. His past afloat assignments include commanding officer of both Coast Guard Cutter Sapelo (WPB 1314) and Coast Guard Cutter Shamal (WPC 13). In addition to his afloat assignments, Raymond also served as commander of Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay from 2007-2009.   

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and deeply rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the command. The ceremony is attended by all members of the unit so they all witness the transfer of leadership.

Media wishing to attend must contact Lt. j.g. Kathleen McCaffrey at 206-217-6720 before Thursday at 11 a.m.

WHAT: Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound change-of-command ceremony

WHEN: Thursday, March 13, 2014, 1 p.m.

WHERE: Sector Puget Sound, 1519 Alaskan Way South Seattle, Wa.

CONTACT:  Lt. j.g. Kathleen McCaffrey at 206-217-6720

JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew and an Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew are searching for John Anderson, the owner of a houseboat, in Tongass Narrows near Ketchikan Wednesday morning.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center watchstanders received a report from the Ketchikan Police Department that a houseboat was dangerously close to a break wall. The watchstanders directed the launch of the Station Ketchikan boat crew to investigate.

A Coast Guard boarding team determined that the 40-foot houseboat Diver III had been recently occupied and began searching for a person in the water.

The helicopter crew joined the search at sunrise.

Anyone with information regarding the location of the owner of the Diver III should contact the Sector Juneau command center at 907-463-2980.

For more information about the case, please contact Petty Officer 3rd Class Grant DeVuyst at 907-321-1866.

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard and good Samaritans are searching for a mariner who reportedly fell overboard from the fishing vessel Seeker 10 miles northwest of Unimak Island in the Bering Sea Wednesday morning.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew and several good Samaritan vessel crews are searching the area where the man entered the water. The Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley crew is en route to assist.

Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received the report of the man in the water from a good Samaritan and immediately directed the launch of the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew forward deployed to Cold Bay to assist in the search.

Weather on scene was reported as 35 miles per hour winds with 10-foot seas.

For more information, please contact Petty Officer 3rd Class Grant DeVuyst at 907-321-1866.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard suspended their search Thursday for a man in the Albemarle Sound after a body was located by Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head Ocean Rescue personnel.

Two Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., a 25-foot Response Boat - Small crew and a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft - Shallow Water crew from Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet searched a total of seven hours covering approximately 30 square miles for the missing kayaker.

Dare County 911 personnel contacted Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center watchstanders at approximately 9:40 p.m. Wednesday reporting a kayaker was missing in the waters of the Albermarle Sound off Rhodoms Point.

Sector North Carolina watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched crews aboard a 25-foot Response Boat - Small from Station Oregon Inlet, N.C., and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., to search for the man. 

The Coast Guard completed their initial search Wednesday night but resumed the search Thursday morning with additional crews aboard a second Jayhawk helicopter and a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft - Shallow Water from Station Oregon Inlet.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Coast Guard suspended its search for two men near a sunken barge in Hickman Landing, Thursday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River received a report at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday that two people were missing after a barge capsized and sank in the Mississippi River.

The Coast Guard, along with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Mississippi County, Ark. Sheriff's Department and Lauderdale County Emergency Rescue, conducted multiple searches.

In total, rescue crews searched for more than two days and covered more than 54  miles.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the missing as we make this difficult decision," said Capt. William Drelling, commander, Sector Lower Mississippi River.

The search is suspended pending further developments.

Search Patterns for missing 14 year old off Ocean Beach in San Francisco

ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Coast Guard suspended its active search at 1:30 p.m., Thursday for a 14-year-old boy who went missing off of Ocean Beach in San Francisco near Lincoln Way and Great Highway at approximately 4 p.m. Wednesday.

A father, son and a cousin were on the beach when the son was swept out by waves. The father rushed into the surf to attempt to help his son but was unable to do so. A nearby surfer was able to assist the father and cousin back to shore.

The Coast Guard received a call from San Francisco Fire Department dispatch and immediately deployed a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat and 29-foot response boat small rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Golden Gate, and a rescue helicopter crew from Air Station San Francisco.

Coast Guard Cutter Sockeye arrived on scene late Wednesday and searched throughout the night. 

SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard is proposing to make a change to the Aids to Navigation system off Cape Kiwanda near Haystack Rock, Ore., and is seeking public comment.

The proposed change is to the sound signal on Cape Kiwanda Bell Buoy, LLNR 665, from a bell to a whistle.  A whistle is more consistent and reliable than a bell, and is easier to maintain due to its durability in an offshore environment. 

This sound signal marks Haystack Rock and the beach landing area just south of Cape Kiwanda.

Coast Guard District offices publish a weekly Local Notice to Mariners. The LNM is the official Coast Guard publication that lists current conditions of ATON, proposed changes to ATON, approved marine events and various announcements for waterway safety.  A more detailed description and a graphical representation of these proposed changes can be found on the 13^th District LNM on the Coast Guard Navigation Center’s web site: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lnmDistrict&region=13.

The LNM lists contact information for mariners to submit comments via mail, phone or email on this or any other proposed change to ATON. The 13th District LNM email address for submitting comments is d13-PF-LNM@uscg.mil. If additional information is required, please contact CDR Daryl Peloquin, 13th District Waterways Management Branch Chief, at 206-220-7273.

SEATTLE — A Coast Guardsman convicted of failure to obey a lawful order, assault consummated by battery and adultery was sentenced by a military judge to 45 days confinement, a bad conduct discharge and reduction in pay-grade to E-3 after pleading guilty at a general court-martial, Wednesday. 

Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate First Class Donald M. Lanham pled guilty to one specification of failure to obey a lawful general order in violation of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice Article 92, one specification of assault consummated by battery in violation of UCMJ Article 128 and one specification of adultery in violation of UCMJ Article 134.

Lanham was assigned to Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay, Ore., at the time the offenses occurred.

The courts-martial are the criminal courts established by Congress in the Uniform Code of Military Justice to try criminal charges against active duty military personnel.  Additional information about the courts-martial system can be found at: http://www.uscg.mil/Legal/mj/MJ_Doc/mcm2012.pdf.

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard 17th District change of command is scheduled for June 12, 2014, at the Coast Guard station in Juneau.

Rear Adm. Thomas P. Ostebo, commander, 17th District, will transfer total responsibility, authority and accountability to Rear Adm. Daniel B. Abel, commander, 1st District, during this time honored military tradition that formally restates the officer’s continuity and authority of command.

"I look forward to serving in Alaska and continuing my predecessor's efforts to safeguard the maritime community and protect the pristine Alaska environment," said Abel. "My commander's intent includes leading a crew of professionals, fostering a creative and supportive team, and building and strengthening our trusted partnerships."

Ostebo, who has commanded the 17th District since May 2011, received a Presidential nomination for promotion to vice admiral, and is under consideration for the position of Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Mission Support in Washington, D.C.

Mission highlights during Ostebo’s tenure include:

• Leading 2,500 active duty, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary personnel.

• Managing operations in Alaska encompassing 3,853,500 square miles and more than 44,000 miles of coastline.
     - From May 2011 to April 9, 2014 Coast Guard crews conducted 1,692 search and rescue cases, saved 519 lives and assisted 2,202 lives.

• Launching Arctic Shield, the Coast Guard’s seasonal Arctic operation, to ensure safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the region.
     - Provided key input to the United States Coast Guard’s Arctic Strategy derived from work with stakeholders and partners in drafting Alaska’s Northern Waters Task Force study.
     - Instrumental in offering recommendations to the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission on maritime safety and security in the Arctic. 
     - Built partnerships between the Coast Guard, federally recognized tribes, and native corporations throughout Alaska to foster sharing of traditional knowledge and best practices.
     - Leveraged federal, state and local partnerships and resources to address increased maritime traffic associated with economic development in the forms of resource extraction, trans-Arctic shipping, and adventure tourism. 
     - Collaborated with United States Northern Command and Alaskan Command on defense support for civil authorities and homeland security emergency management and preparedness exercises. 
     - Advocated for a voluntary vessel routing scheme to address increasing maritime traffic in the Bering Strait and Unimak Pass. Worked with key stakeholders to identify and develop recommendations for the International Maritime Organization’s development of a Polar Code.

• Directing the Coast Guard Cutter Healy icebreaker operation to escort a tanker containing 1.5 million gallons of much needed fuel to Nome.
     -This operation highlighted the value of Coast Guard icebreaking capabilities in the Arctic and reinforced the need for the Nation to have the right mix of operational assets to address all threats and hazards in the Arctic.

• Reinforcing the Nation’s need for Arctic drilling safety he oversaw the response to the grounding of the mobile offshore drilling unit Kulluk, and initiated a formal marine casualty investigation to determine causes to mitigate and prevent future accidents.

• Protecting the Nation’s marine resources by increasing awareness of and prosecuting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing with national and international partners.
     - Bangun Perkaska and Da Cheng were two successful seizures that highlighted the Coast Guard’s efforts in protecting the global food chain.

• Supporting marine environmental protection initiatives through a Spill of National Significance seminar, the Aleutian Island Risk Assessment, Canadian and U.S. exercises, and providing representation and support to the Arctic Council.

• Joining forces with federal, state, and local communities to improve natural disaster preparedness, including strong Coast Guard participation in the national capstone exercise commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Alaska earthquake.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of Alaska,” said Ostebo. “I am humbled to be nominated and if confirmed as vice admiral, I will endeavor to carry out my new duties in continued support of the Nation, the Coast Guard and Alaska.”

Click here for photos and videos of Ostebo's time in Alaska.

DETROIT — The Coast Guard has canceled ice-breaking operations that were scheduled to take place in Saginaw Bay, beginning Saturday morning.

The ice-breaking operations were announced Thursday in a news release.

Anyone participating in ice activities on the Great Lakes should follow the acronym of I.C.E.:

* Information about current weather and ice conditions. Tell a friend of your intended destination. Know who and how to call for help.

* Clothing that is appropriate for the activity. Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Choose bright colors and reflective garments to aid searchers if you should end up needing help.

* Equipment to be safer on the ice. Always bring a life jacket, a compass or GPS, a means of communication, such as a marine radio, and screw drivers or ice picks, which may allow you to pull yourself out of the water should you break through.

For additional information, contact Lt. Jillian Lamb, Coast Guard Sector Detroit public affairs officer, at 313-568-9587.

CLEVELAND — Five people were rescued by the Door County, Wis., Sheriff’s Department out of the icy waters near Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Thursday afternoon, and the Coast Guard is warning people that warming temperatures are creating ice conditions that are increasingly dangerous.

The Coast Guard is not releasing the name or hometowns because another agency conducted the rescue.

The five people were rescued after they unexpectedly fell through the ice about 300 yards off the shore.

The Coast Guard warns people to never venture out on the ice alone and to take proper precautions before heading out on the water or the ice.

“As the temperatures get warmer, more people are partaking in outdoor activities,” said Cmdr. Erik Leuenberger, chief of response at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan.

“Be aware that although it may be warmer on land, the water temperature is approximately 35 degrees. Maintain situational awareness, and don't make the mistake of thinking the ice is safe to walk on.”

When venturing out, a person should think I.C.E. as a precaution:

Information - know the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going, and know how to call for help. Never go out alone.

Clothing - have the proper clothing to prevent hypothermia. Wear a waterproof exposure suit and a life jacket.

Equipment - have the proper equipment. Carry two ice picks or screwdrivers, in case you fall in. Use these items to dig into the ice and pull yourself out. They are more effective than bare hands. Carry a whistle or noise maker to alert people that you are in distress. Carry a cellular phone or marine band radio in a waterproof container, so that you can call for help if you come across trouble.

More safety information can be found in the Coast Guard's "Think Twice with Ice" brochure.

The 418-foot Alameda-based Coast Guard Cutter Stratton steams through the water off the coast of San Diego, April 3, 2014. The cutter is named after Capt. Dorothy Stratton, the first woman accepted into the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve known as the SPAR, an acronym derived from the Coast Guard's motto of Semper Paratus and its translation Always Ready. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton is scheduled to return to its homeport at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Sunday at 10:30 a.m., after a 97 day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean.  

Since departing Jan. 6th, Stratton completed a 22,000-mile patrol in support of joint counter-drug operations off the coast of California and in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. During this operational patrol, Stratton’s law enforcement crews seized 500 kilograms and disrupted 1,650 kilograms of cocaine valued in excess of $70 Million.

As a multi-mission platform, Stratton demonstrated their dedication to marine life when a crew aboard their small boat noticed a sea turtle entangled in fishing line about 500 miles off the coast of Panama March 19, 2014. After brining the turtle aboard the small boat, the crewmembers freed it from the line and sent it back to sea.

Crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton rescued a sea turtle that was trapped in fishing line 500 miles off the coast of Panama, March 19, 2014. Stratton returns from a 97-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean April 13, 2014. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

During a port call in Panama City, Panama, Stratton crew members participated in a community relations project by painting and restoring a local orphanage, completing more than two months of work in a working day of eight hours.

Members of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton paint a wall of an orphanage during a port call in Panama City, Panama. In all, the Coasties spent eight hours painting and restoring the orphanage. Stratton returns from a 97-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean April 13, 2014. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Stratton is the Coast Guard’s newest National Security Cutter and is capable of patrolling from South America to the Bering Sea. Their unmatched combination of range, speed, and ability to operate in extreme weather and with a crew of 145 members are a critical component of the Coast Guard. Stratton provides the mission flexibility necessary to conduct counter-narcotics, homeland security, and alien migrant interdiction operations, domestic fisheries protection, search and rescue, and other Coast Guard missions at great distances from shore keeping threats far from the U.S. mainland.

Media interested in attending the arrival of the Stratton should contact Coast Guard Pacific Area Public Affairs Office, Chief Warrant Officer Allyson Conroy, at 510-437-5682 or Allyson.e.conroy@uscg.mil. To allowed on base media whould be prepared to provide photo I.D., and proof of insurance in order to gain access to the base.  Pier-side interviews with the commanding officer and crew will be available.