The crew of US Coast Guard Cutter Rush returned to its homeport Honolulu, Hawaii, following a successful 72-day deployment in the Central and Western Pacific, Monday.
Rush departed in July 2014 and spent the last two months conducting operations in the Central and Western Pacific.
During the deployment, Rush’s crew coordinated with multiple countries and partner agencies to conduct fisheries boardings in support of the Coast Guard’s living marine resources mission.
Rush also participated in international engagement activities in American Samoa, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Rush enforced U.S. foreign fishing laws utilizing embarked shipriders from Tonga, Tuvalu, and Nauru. Rush also enforced Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission regulations. Rush’s law enforcement presence increased the Coast Guard’s maritime domain awareness across the Pacific.
To enhance detection of fishing vessels, Rush embarked a helicopter and aviation detachment from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point. In support of Rush’s deployment, the helicopter crew investigated potential vessels to be boarded and passed critical information regarding their location, course, and speed.
Rush is a 378-foot high endurance cutter with a range of more than 13,000 miles and a permanent crew of 160 personnel.
[mappress] Press Release, September 30, 2014; Image: USCG