Repairs done, Diligence heads back out on patrol

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — This morning, the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence left its home along the downtown riverfront to set out on patrol.

The nearly 50-year-old vessel recently went through months of repairs. Crew members say after her tune-up, she’s ready for smooth sailing on the open sea.

When the ship returns, so will a tradition that stopped during repairs.

“We’ll be back in about two months, so this summer we’ll be back, and we will be open for tours daily and on the weekends,” crew member Greg Bredariol said.

No word on the ship’s specific patrol mission, but crew members say the turn-around for this deployment was a quick one.