U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Confidence completed a 44-day northern Caribbean Sea patrol returning to its homeport in Port Canaveral on February 25.
During their patrol of the Florida Straits and the Windward Passage, the crew conducted alien migrant interdiction operations, conducted search and rescue operations, helped coordinate assets offshore and ensured the boating public complied with Coast Guard safety standards.
While in the Windward Passage, the crew interacted with Haitian mariners and warned them of the hazards associated with making ill-prepared sea journeys. Confidence crewmembers also interviewed them to better understand the motivations of people choosing to leave via these hazardous means. Such information gathering helps inform the governments of Haiti and the U.S. to target their relief efforts.
The crew also conducted drills and training while underway to help familiarize themselves with proper responses to different shipboard emergencies and operations.
Coast Guard Cutter Confidence is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Port Canaveral. The Confidence’s primary missions include counterdrug, alien migrant interdiction, ports waterways and coastal security, protecting maritime resources, law enforcement and search and rescue operations.