JANUARY 20, 2026 — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant (WMEC 617) returned to Cape Canaveral on Friday after a 33-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea supporting operations Pacific Viper and Southern Spear.
During the patrol, Vigilant escorted a motor tanker, which was seized by a U.S. Coast Guard tactical boarding team with support from the Department of War, for operating as a vessel without nationality in the Caribbean Sea.
Vigilant’s crew coordinated with naval and law enforcement partners to transfer personnel and provisions to the tanker.
A law enforcement team from Vigilant boarded the vessel to provide security during the 600-nautical-mile transit to the United States.
Cmdr. Steve Welch, commanding officer of Vigilant, said, “I am proud of the crew’s adaptability and professionalism during this mission of national importance.
Their performance ensured the safe execution of the operation in partnership with the Department of War.”
Unique statutory authorities enable the Coast Guard to enforce international and domestic law in the maritime domain, deploying assets to conduct missions in U.S. waters and on the high seas.
The Coast Guard’s involvement in this seizure was conducted under Title 14, U.S. Code and in accordance with customary international law.
The Coast Guard exercises these authorities to protect maritime safety, security, and U.S. interests.
About the U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District (CGD-SE) is responsible for Coast Guard activities throughout a 1.7 million square mile area including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, as well as 34 foreign nations and territories.
Vigilant is a 210-foot Reliance-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are search and rescue, counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, and enforcement of federal fisheries in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations. The medium endurance cutter operates under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Based in Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area oversees all Coast Guard operations east of the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf. In addition to surge operations, Atlantic Area also allocates ships to deploy to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific to combat transnational organized crime and illicit maritime activity.
For more information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty, reserve, officer, and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here.
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