Guam-Based Coast Guard crew returns home following highly successful Western Pacific Patrol

Courtesy Photo | Ensign Thomas Bondurant (center right), Petty Officer 2nd Class Grant Duenas (outer right), Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Hutton (center left), and Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Snodgrass (outer left), members of the Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia (WLB 215) crew, conduct a boating safety Workshop for local fisherman on Onoun Island in the Federated States of Micronesia in August 2015. The workshop was attended by 20-30 boat operators and focused on the importance of being properly equipped and prepared, as well as how to improve the chances of being spotted by search and rescue personnel if stranded at sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Peter Driscoll/Released)  

MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

09.15.2015

Courtesy Story

U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Hawaii Pacific

HONOLULU — The 52 crew members stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia returned to Guam Aug. 28 following a 25-day deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean in support of fisheries enforcement and humanitarian efforts.

When first departing Guam Aug. 3, the crew was diverted to Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, to deliver critical relief aid and support personnel to assist in the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor. The crew weathered 10-foot seas and 30 mph winds to transport members from the Army National Guard, Mobil Oil's disaster and spill response team, the U.S. Marshal Service, and the Commonwealth Utility Corporation. Due to storm damage to Saipan’s airport, military sealift and airlift were the only means of getting needed personnel and resources onto the island in the initial days of the response.

Once on scene, Sequoia crewmembers went to work surveying the harbor channel and fixing vital aids to navigation used by professional mariners to transit into and out of Tanapag Harbor, Saipan’s only deepwater port.

Within just two days, Sequoia’s crew restored and verified all 14 aids were on station and functioning properly, allowing for the reopening of the port and the delivery of vital relief aid by military and merchant ships.

Transitioning to its original mission of this patrol, the crew and their two embarked Federated States of Micronesia shipriders conducted boardings of fishing vessels under the FSM-U.S. bilateral fisheries enforcement agreement. Patrolling the Federated States of Micronesia exclusive economic zone, Sequoia traveled over 4,068 miles and conducted 10 law enforcement boardings, as well as providing deterrence for illegal fishing activity and strengthening international partnerships.

“Our mission was to promote regulatory compliance through our enforcement efforts of the $7 billion tuna fishing industry in the remote areas within Oceania,” said Lt. Jeff West, Sequoia’s executive officer. “We definitely made an impact due in large part to the excellent working relationship we have with the Federated States of Micronesia.”

On their voyage back to Guam, Sequoia’s crew took the opportunity to deliver humanitarian aid to Onoun Island, Namonuito Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia. Using their two small boats, the crew delivered nearly 10,000 pounds of aid donated by the Ayuda Foundation, including powdered milk, books and educational material, fishing equipment, and medical supplies. In addition, due to a rainwater shortage on the island, the crew also used the cutter’s potable water reserves to fill nearly 100 containers with fresh drinking water.

“It was a very humbling experience, and I was very happy to have helped,” said Fireman Jeremy Dubose, a member of the engineering department and Sequoia’s newest crew member. “It didn’t look like many of these people were in a position to help themselves, and they seemed very appreciative of our being there.”

While ashore, Sequoia’s medical personnel attended to several injuries and medical ailments amongst the island’s 500 residents, including cleaning wounds and delivering much needed medical supplies to the island's in-resident medical assistant.

“It was an eye-opening experience to be surrounded by people who only get basic medical treatment every six months to a year,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Nathalia Gonzalez, a health services technician stationed aboard Sequoia. “They were surrounding me in need, and I only wish I would have been able to offer more.”

Sequoia crew members also used this opportunity to hold a boating safety workshop for local fishermen and boat operators, focusing on the importance of being properly equipped and prepared, as well as how to improve the chances of being spotted by search and rescue personnel if stranded at sea. Under the Compact of Free Association, the U.S. Coast Guard helps provide search and rescue capabilities in the Federated States of Micronesia as part of the historically strong and continuing relationship between the two countries.

"The Coast Guard's 225-foot seagoing buoy tender is truly a multi-mission platform and Sequoia’s crew showcased their capabilities during this patrol,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Worst, Sequoia’s commanding officer. “Our small crew is adeptly trained to quickly transition between missions and allowed us the flexibility to swiftly open Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, following a devastating typhoon before continuing on our law enforcement patrol with our partners from the Federated States of Micronesia. Our heavy-lift capabilities are integral for servicing aids to navigation, and are also useful to load and transport humanitarian supplies to remote islands relying on outside support. Our skilled crew will continue to use Sequoia as a capable platform to meet the demand and maximize our impact in the Western Pacific."

For more information, please contact Coast Guard 14th District Public Affairs at 808-535-3230.

• Date Taken: 09.15.2015
• Date Posted: 09.15.2015 20:50
• Story ID: 176156
• Location: FM
• Hometown: SANTA RITA, GU
• Hometown: HONOLULU, HI, US