KITTERY — The 83- member crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Reliance returned to homeport at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery on Friday, following an eight week deployment that included three weeks of intensive training and evaluation in navigation, seamanship and damage control followed by a patrol in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District. Their ship, named Reliance, began the deployment at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia for a biennial evaluation period, where the crew spent three weeks conducting graded drills and safety assessments before a team of Navy and Coast Guard inspectors. After completing all training, Reliance headed south to conduct a four week patrol, supporting the Coast Guard’s Seventh District. Reliance interdicted 13 Cuban migrants at sea and responded to a Search and Rescue case rendering aid to a U.S. flagged tug and barge disabled north of Cuba.

During Reliance’s 57 day deployment, the cutter steamed nearly 4,000 nautical miles, operating from the Gulf of Maine to the Windward Passage. The crew enjoyed port calls in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Little Creek, VA, Mayport, and Key West, FL.

After a very successful and rewarding patrol, crew members are excited to return home to their loved ones. Reliance is scheduled to be in port for approximately two months before her next deployment.