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WILMINGTON, N.C. — Wilmington-based Cutter Diligence is scheduled to return home Saturday following a 59-day patrol carrying out migrant interdiction operations rescuing 20 migrants from three unseaworthy vessels in the Florida Straits.
These humanitarian and law enforcement missions were carried out in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry and Operation Blue Hammer, focusing on migrant interdiction and repatriation operations in the Florida Straits. Working with agency partners, Cutter Diligence helped coordinate the rescue and care for an additional 220 migrants from 16 other vessels.
The migrant interdiction operations were coordinated with federal and interagency partners, including Customs and Border Patrol, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, U.S. Public Health Service, the 180th Airlift Squadron of the Missouri Air National Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and several Florida state and local law enforcement agencies. WHO: Command, crew and families of the Cutter DiligenceWHAT: Cutter Diligence homecomingWHERE: 109 N. Water St., Wilmington, NC 28401-1192WHEN: Cutter Diligence is scheduled to moor 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5
Follow the Twitter handle @uscglantarea for breaking news on Cutter Diligence’s operations and return home to Wilmington.
To arrange for interviews of crew and command cadre, contact Cutter Diligence Public Affairs Officer Ensign Elizabeth Runci by email Elizabeth.A.Runci@uscg.mil