U.S. Coast Guard Southeast

08/29/2026

Reliable communications are invaluable during emergencies at sea 🛰️☎️🌊

Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore’s crew assisted three people aboard a 33-foot center console vessel that was taking on water approximately 100 miles southwest of Key West, Florida, Saturday.

No injuries or medical concerns were reported.

Once on scene, a Kathleen Moore small boat crew embarked the vessel to assess the leak and conduct dewatering operations.

After the leak was secured, Kathleen Moore’s crew escorted the vessel toward Key West, ensuring their safe passage to a Station Key West small boat crew who followed the vessel to a local marina.

Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders were notified of the incident via the vessel’s maritime satellite phone shortly after midnight and coordinated the assist with Kathleen Moore.

Coast Guard Southeast District men and women maintain the watch 24/7 year-round and stand ready to respond to emergent maritime incidents and save lives at sea.

08/29/2026

Mariners stranded on sandbar hoisted to safety 🚁

A Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rescued two people from a grounded 63-foot vessel near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, Monday.

The aircrew hoisted the two individuals and transferred them to emergency medical services at a nearby airport with no injuries reported.

Sector Charleston watchstanders launched a Station Charleston boat crew and aircrew to assist.

“Coast Guard aircrews are always ready for the call,” said Lt. Hunter Shortly, Air Facility Charleston. “Despite some communications challenges with the vessel, Sector Charleston watchstanders problem-solved and provided our team with a precise location, which resulted in the successful removal of two individuals on board a grounded and potentially unstable vessel. We couldn’t conduct these missions without the support of our maintenance crews who keep our aircraft fully capable to complete the mission.”

Commercial towing transported the vessel to a local marina, Tuesday.

The flight crew consisted of:

Aircraft Commander: Lt. Hunter Shortly
Copilot: Cmdr. AD Wallace
Flight Mechanic: AMT2 Chris Riba
Rescue Swimmer: AST1 Mike Vicchiariello

Our Coast Guard crews maintain readiness through training, qualifications and physical fitness ensuring they remain Semper Paratus, Always Ready, to respond throughout the Southeast’s 1.8 million square mile area of responsibility.

08/28/2026

Coast Guard Southeast Crews workin' more than 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin' ⚓

Great work by Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon’s crew, and our partners at CBP AMO for their teamwork and vigilance in the Mona Passage.

Coast Guard Southeast District crews along with our partners continue to protect lives, strengthen maritime security and prevent dangerous voyages across the Caribbean.

Keep up the great work, team. Stay vigilant. Stay .

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos repatriated 16 aliens to Dominican Republic, Thursday, following the interdiction of a makeshift vessel in Mona Passage waters off Puerto Rico, Monday.

This interdiction is part of the efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force – San Juan Region to combat human smuggling and deter unlawful maritime migration.

Sector San Juan watchstanders received a report from the aircrew of a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry of a grossly overloaded 22-foot makeshift vessel off Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. A Customs and Border Protection multi-role enforcement aircraft joined the response and maintained aerial surveillance on scene as cutter Richard Dixon interdicted the suspect vessel.

Following the interdiction, the crew safely embarked 19 people, 14 men, three women and two minors, who claimed being Dominican Republic nationals. The migrant group was transferred to cutter Joseph Tezanos for their repatriation. Fourteen of the migrants were repatriated at sea to Dominican Republic Navy vessel Bellatrix, while the two minors were transferred shoreside to National Council for Children and Adolescents CONANI representatives.

"This is a win for our joint operations,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael D. Torgesen, Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon commanding officer. “Customs and Border Protection and Coast Guard air assets once again precisely guided the crew of the cutter Richard Dixon on scene, allowing us to stop this overloaded, unseaworthy vessel and successfully ensure safety at sea and maritime security."

“To anyone considering an unlawful maritime voyage; do not take to the sea!” said Cmdr. Matthew Romano, Coast Guard Sector San Juan chief of response. “These trips are extremely dangerous, typically relying on unseaworthy, heavily overloaded vessels without any lifesaving equipment. Furthermore, anyone caught participating faces potential prosecution or immediate repatriation to their country of origin or departure.”

This apprehension is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operation in the United States and abroad.



U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen
CBP Air and Marine Operations
NFURA
Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico

08/27/2026

Downed aircraft pilot receives assistance from land, sea 🆘

Two Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon Inlet boat crews responded to a downed aircraft with one person aboard that washed ashore on New Smyrna Beach, Thursday.

The Station Ponce de Leon Inlet boat crews were returning to station from training when they were notified of the incident by New Smyrna Beach Police. The crews redirected and launched with an embarked New Smyrna Beach Police officer to assist in the emergency.

Once on scene, the boat crews ensured the pilot was being assisted ashore, provided a safety zone, and conducted safety sweeps for debris and pollution.

The pilot was able to egress the plane and received care from local emergency medical services with no known injuries. He was later transported to a local hospital to be evaluated.

A commercial towing company was contacted to tow the airplane from the beach.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Southeast District personnel execute complex search and rescue missions through seamless coordination between watchstanders, operational crews, and maritime partners to deliver rapid lifesaving response.

08/27/2026

One more shipment stopped before it reached our communities. 🇺🇸

BZ Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon’s crew and our partners at CBP AMO for keeping our maritime approaches secure. ⚓️

The Coast Guard and our partners remain vigilant throughout the Caribbean, working together to safeguard our maritime approaches and stop illicit shipments before they reach our shores.

08/26/2026

🚨Maritime border protected 🚨

U.S. Coast Guard Winslow Griesser’s crew transferred 15 aliens to The Bahamas, Friday, following an interdiction 22 miles east of Miami Beach.

A CBP Air and Marine Operations law enforcement crew interdicted the vessel Aug. 18 with 19 aliens aboard. 4 people were transferred to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

The Coast Guard, alongside its Operation Vigilant Sentry partners, maintains a continual presence across the Florida Straits, Windward Passage, Mona Passage and Caribbean Sea to protect lives at sea and prevent unlawful maritime entry.

🔗 Read the full release: https://tinyurl.com/34drh5mc

08/26/2026

Check the weather, boat smart 🚤

A U.S. Coast Guard Station Crystal River boat crew assisted 2 people after they radioed for help. They reported their boat was disabled and inclement weather was coming. The boat crew brought the people to shore with no reported injuries. The owner is arranging for commercial salvage for the boat.

Southeast District men and women are disciplined, highly trained and ready to navigate and meet the demands of protecting the American people and executing the mission every day.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector St Petersburg

08/25/2026

Go Coast Guard X Go Bucs! 🛟🏴‍☠️

A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater helicopter aircrew flew over the Raymond James Stadium and were recognized on the field during the Bucs Vs. Chiefs preseason game on Saturday!

We’re proud to represent the Coast Guard in our community and thank you to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for having us!



🎥: PA3 Reagan Vasbinder

08/22/2026

When seconds matter, teamwork makes the difference. 🛟🇺🇸🤝

Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a distress report of a vessel taking on water with three people aboard west of Crystal River, Friday.

A U.S. Coast Guard Station Crystal River boat crew launched and arrived on scene alongside Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

FWC rescued all three individuals with no medical concerns and transferred them ashore to the Crystal River Boat Ramp.

Emergencies happen fast. Always check your safety gear, test your bilge pump and ensure everyone on board wears a life jacket before hitting the water.

This response is a great example of how strong partnerships and joint response efforts help keep mariners safe when emergencies happen on the water.

08/19/2026

SOME CALLS COME IN AFTER DARK.

A Coast Guard Station Key West boat crew conducted a medical evacuation for a crew member aboard a research vessel, Monday night.

Sector Key West watchstanders received a report requesting urgent medical assistance approximately 60 miles west of Key West. A Station Key West boat crew launched, met the vessel off Key West and transferred the crew member to the Coast Guard boat.

The patient was brought to shore and transferred to emergency medical services for further care.

Day or night, Coast Guard Southeast crews stand ready to respond when people need help on the water and get them to the care they need.