BOSTON — The Coast Guard Cutter Spencer, a 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter, returned to homeport in Boston, Wednesday, after a 54-day North Atlantic patrol.During the patrol, The crew responded to four search and rescue cases. The ship took three of the four vessels in tow, bringing them closer to shore before transferring the tow to other Coast Guard assets. Two of these transits, with vessels in tow, exceeded 90 nautical miles. In the other search and rescue case, the Spencer team worked with Coast Guard Station Point Judith, Rhode Island to provide assistance to a disabled fishing vessel and remained on scene until the station's 47-foot Motor Life Boat took the vessel in tow. During these four search and rescue cases, the crew of Spencer rescued and assisted a total of 14 mariners in distress.
Also during the patrol, the Spencer's crew conducted more than 20 living marine resources boardings, issued seven safety violations, and terminated the voyage of one fishing vessel for lack of required life saving equipment."After a long patrol, the crew looks forward to spending time with family and friends in their homeport," said Ensign Matthew Smith, Spencer's public affairs officer.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spencer's keel was laid on June 26, 1982 at the Robert Derecktor Shipyard Incorporated, Middletown, Rhode Island. She was named for John Canfield Spencer, United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1843 to 1844.