Diligence leaves Port City on new deployment

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After nearly 7 weeks docked in downtown Wilmington, the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence left this morning on another deployment.

The crew returned February 7 after a 62-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific.

While they were on their last patrol, law enforcement personnel from Diligence interdicted three high-speed vessels smuggling narcotics and forced one vessel to jettison its contraband before fleeing. Overall, Diligence prevented nearly 2,500 kilograms of cocaine worth more than $60 million from making it to the U.S.

The crew also spent time in Philadelphia while on their last deployment.

According to Coast Guard Public Affairs, this time the crew is heading south to focus on maritime law enforcement, and migrant and drug interdiction.

Public Affairs says when the Diligence heads south, they typically spend a lot of time in the  Caribbean.

Their patrol will last around 2 months.