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PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence returned to homeport in Port Canaveral after a 48-day patrol, Monday.
Throughout the patrol, the Confidence crew conducted migrant interdiction operations while on call for search-and-rescue cases and other missions, throughout the Florida Straits.
During the beginning of the deployment, the crew was diverted from their scheduled patrol area to support Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations. Coast Guard migrant interdiction operations involve both preventing illegal entry into the U.S., as well as promoting safety of life at sea by removing migrants from overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels. While aboard the cutter, migrants are provided with basic care including food and medical attention.
“We have to balance meeting the humanitarian needs of those for whom we become temporary stewards with ensuring our own safety as well,” said Cmdr. Jeffery Yarosh, the commanding officer of the Cutter Confidence.
The Confidence crew also conducted missions in the Coast Guard Sector Key West area of responsibility. During this time, the crew managed multiple other Coast Guard assets to coordinate the interdiction and repatriation of more than 600 Cuban migrants. The crew concluded their patrol with a search-and-rescue mission, saving the life of a man who had been floating at sea for two hours after his vessel sank.
The Cutter Confidence is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter with a crew compliment of 12 officers and 69 enlisted personnel.