SAN DIEGO – Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton is scheduled to return to home port in San Diego from its three-month deployment to the Bering Sea Feb. 15, 2011, at approximately 10 a.m.

While on patrol, Hamilton fulfilled many of the statutory missions of the Coast Guard, including search and rescue, aids to navigation, law enforcement and homeland security.

During the deployment, Hamilton conducted 12 boardings ensuring the safety of the Alaskan fishing fleet as well as confirming compliance with federal fishing regulations. 

Hamilton exercised Captain of the Port authority by boarding the cargo vessel Dunedin Star in anticipation of its first visit to the United States in more than two years.  This boarding was an important component of the Coast Guard’s multi-layered security approach, ultimately enhancing the safety and security of U.S. ports. 

In addition to completing missions at sea, Hamilton’s crew remained busy during port visits.  Honoring previous Coast Guard personnel who participated in Bering Sea patrols, crewmembers replaced weathered flags flying over a memorial dedicated to the Coast Guard in Dutch Harbor. 

While in Juneau, Rear Adm. Christopher Colvin, the Coast Guard 17th District commander, met with the officers and crew to praise their efforts during the course of the nearly three month deployment, and commended the crew for their service in the Bering Sea over the holidays. 

Finally, during a visit to Vancouver, British Columbia, Hamilton hosted a reception for local U.S. and Canadian officials.  This reception strengthened relationships between civilian and military leaders from the State Department, Coast Guard and their Canadian counterparts. 

Commissioned in 1967, Hamilton is the first 378-foot Secretary Class High Endurance Cutter and is homeported at Naval Station San Diego. Hamilton’s current crew joins a proud history of distinguished service to the United States.  For more information please contact Lt. j.g.  Ryan Newmeyer at ryan.t.newmeyer@uscg.mil. 

Editor’s note: If media representatives would like to attend the homecoming please contact Petty Officer Henry Dunphy at 619-252-1304 no later than 8 a.m., Tuesday.

JUNEAU, Alaska – Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, a 378-foot high-endurance cutter homeported in San Diego, Calif., moors at Coast Guard Station Juneau after a three-month deployment in the Bering Sea Feb. 4, 2011.

During the deployment the cutter Hamilton conducted 13 at-sea boardings, a search and rescue case and served as the sole Coast Guard asset in the Bering Sea over the winter holidays.

Coast Guard Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton moves toward Coast Guard Station Juneau pier after spending three months patrolling in the Bering Sea Feb. 4, 2011.

The cutter Hamilton was commissioned in 1967 as the first Secretary Class High-Endurance Cutter and is homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

JUNEAU, Alaska – Rear Adm. Christopher C. Colvin, Coast Guard District 17 commander, welcomes the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton to Juneau during muster on the cutters flight deck Feb. 4, 2011.

Colvin answered questions the crew had and thanked them for their diligent work during the past holidays in the Bering Sea from Dec. 15, 2010 to Jan. 30, 2011.

Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.