NC Coast Guard ship provides hurricane relief

WILMINGTON -- The North Carolina-based U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Diligence coordinated relief efforts in Haiti and the Bahamas after Hurricanes Hanna and Ike caused massive damage, destroyed homes, and left thousands with little food and water.

Helicopters from the Diligence flew relief supplies to cities in Haiti after Hanna struck. In the wake of Hurricane Ike, the crew helped reopen Coast Guard Aviation Facility Great Inagua in the
Bahamas, restarted water distribution and removed debris from area schools.

Diligence is based in Wilmington.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)