USCG Cutter Harriet Lane returns to homeport after 78-day patrol

The U.S. Coast Guard says that the crew of its Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) returned to homeport in Portsmouth following a 78-day patrol in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Thursday.

The crew of the Harriet Lane commenced their patrol by transiting to the northern Chesapeake Bay to evade Hurricane Dorian’s path. After the storm passed, the crew headed south to conduct a joint law enforcement patrol with the Belize coast guard within Belize’s territorial seas. The result of the joint effort provided for a greater maritime security in the region, in support of the Coast Guard’s Western Hemisphere Strategy.

The crew of the Harriet Lane also worked with a Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team to conduct numerous boardings, including a go-fast vessel and a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel, resulting in the interdiction over 5,800 pounds of cocaine and 5,400 pounds of marijuana, which has a combined street value of over $109 million.

“Our crew’s professionalism and adaptability were vital to the success of this patrol,” said Lt. Zachary Dietz, the operations officer aboard the Harriet Lane. “They proudly demonstrated the importance of remaining ready, relevant, and responsive in order to address the maritime security challenges our country is facing today.”

The crew of the Harriet Lane conducted the patrol in support of the Coast Guard’s 11th District and the U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force South, and routinely deploys in support of counter-drug, alien migrant interdiction, fisheries, and search and rescue missions.