GALVESTON, Texas — Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless is returning home to Galveston Saturday following a six-month deployment.
The 70-person crew will arrive home after having completed a successful two-month patrol interdicting narcotics and migrant trafficking off the coast of Haiti.
Additionally, Dauntless engaged in a four-month drydock, which resulted in the cutter returning to full operability. The drydock process included significant maintenance to the ship’s engines, engineering systems and hull, designed to arrest significant corrosion to the 46-year-old vessel.
“This multi-million dollar investment is a critical investment not only in Dauntless’ future but also a major milestone to ensuring the nation’s national security off-shore that is continually challenged by our aging fleet”, said Cmdr. Chris Strong, commanding officer of Dauntless. “The crew, which includes women enlisted crewmembers for the first time following this summer’s routine transfer season, is looking forward to enjoying quality time with family and friends and will be ready to sail again for patrol within a few short weeks.”
“It was most definitely an extremely challenging six-month ordeal, and we’ll be challenged again soon,” said Strong. “I couldn’t be prouder of our crew, both those that sail with us and our families who sacrifice time with their loved ones and keep the home fires burning.” Dauntless will be underway patrolling the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean again in just a few short weeks.
