CG Cutter Harriet Lane returns

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane returned to Portsmouth Wednesday after a 44-day patrol in the Caribbean.

According to the Coast Guard, the crew of the Harriet Lane served on the Cutter League during the patrol before their cutter was placed in drylock.

The crew performed the following while on patrol:

• Detention of 24 Cuban migrants
• Conducted non-compliant vessel training with Coast Guard Station Key West
• Embarked an air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla. for helicopter standardization training
• Participated in disruption of cocaine trafficking
• Increased maritime law enforcement presence in Southeast Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
• Rescued a sea turtle trapped in ghost gear near Puerto Rico
• Extended patrol through Christmas unexpectedly

“The Coast Guard Cutter Legare and Harriet Lane, along with the service's other medium endurance cutters, are slated to be replaced by a new fleet of Offshore Patrol Cutters that will have the endurance to operate more than 50 miles offshore to carry out the Coast Guard's maritime security and safety missions,” the Coast Guard said.