HS1 Steven Zea Charting a course of compassionate care in the Blue Pacific
The crew of USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) celebrates the recent promotion of Lt. Nathan Thavaran of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force as they conduct the second leg of a combined patrol on Aug. 31, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)