Diligence returns after 60-day patrol

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After 60 days of patrolling the Caribbean Sea, the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence is scheduled to return to Wilmington today.

The Coast Guard says during the patrol crews worked on search and rescue operations off the coast of Honduras along with drug interdiction operations near Columbia, Panama and Nicaragua.

Once the Diligence and its crew are back in port, a change of command ceremony is planned for July 9. The Diligence’s current commanding officer, Capt. Jeff Randall, will be relieved by prospective commanding officer, Cmdr. Matt Carter.