Coast Guard Cutter Spencer Returns from 55-Day North Atlantic Patrol

BOSTON – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Spencer returned to Boston after a 55-day patrol in the North Atlantic, Tuesday.

While conducting a law enforcement inspection aboard the commercial fishing vessel Heritage, on June 6, Spencer’s rescue and assistance team fought and helped extinguish a fire ablaze in their galley.

Also during the patrol, Spencer responded to a distress call from the sailing vessel Alien I, 300 nautical miles offshore. After steaming through the night, Spencer arrived on scene, rescued the couple onboard, and placed the vessel in tow. Spencer towed the vessel for 300 miles, and delivered Alien I and her passengers safely to Coast Guard Station Woods Hole, Mass. three days later.

After breaking the tow, Spencer resumed normal operations in the North Atlantic which is primarily living marine resource protection.

During its patrol, the Spencer’s crew conducted law enforcement operations including 51 commercial fishing vessel inspections, day and night time helicopter operations, and live gunnery fire. The crew conducted hours of training in damage control, weapons handling, navigation and seamanship, medical casualty, and engineering casualty response.

Additionally, Spencer was the Coast Guard's flag ship and largest cutter participant in New York Fleet Week 2015, giving tours to more than 4,800 people and supporting 13 Fleet Week community events.

This patrol directly followed an 89-day dry-dock at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland.

The 270-ft Medium Endurance Cutter has a crew complement of 14 officers and 86 enlisted personnel.