Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Deputy Secretary visits the Reliance


The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard serve on the front lines, defending our maritime borders and ensuring safety in the waters around the United States. Last night, Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute paid a visit to the Reliance, a 210 ft. Medium Endurance Cutter commissioned in 1964 as the first ship in her class. The Deputy Secretary toured the entire cutter last night, right down to the engine room, to see how the dedicated crew works to fulfill their missions. The primary missions of the Reliance include counter-drug operations, enforcing US immigration law at sea, fisheries enforcement, and, of course, search and rescue.

This morning, the Deputy Secretary had breakfast with the crew on the mess deck, and delivered some brief remarks before taking a few questions from the crew. The Reliance is commanded by Commander Gregory A. Burg and is currently on patrol off the coast of Florida.