NEW ORLEANS – A Rochester, N.Y., native, and Coast Guard Reservist assigned to Sector Puget Sound, Seattle returned from an extended tour of duty for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response, April 19, 2014.
Lt. Katherine Peet was called to active duty in Sept. 22, 2013, and remained on active status seven months during her deployment to the largest oil spill response in U.S. history.
Due to her considerable pollution response knowledge, Peet worked as the Gulf Coast Incident Management Team’s Cultural Resources and Historical Liaison, ensuring USCG-directed response operations remained compliant with the National Historic Preservation Act and other historic resource protection laws.
Peet expertly coordinated with federal, tribal and state Section 106 technical advisers, and provided Section 106 compliance training to more than 35 personnel.
“It was interesting and humbling to be part of a project where such a diverse group of people worked together towards a common goal,” said Peet.
Peet was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for her performance during the response.
At the conclusion of this deployment, Peet will be returning home, and finishing her Master's in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington.