HEADQUARTERS

Welcome to Coast Guard Headquarters Office of Public Affairs in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327) welcomed the Charge d' Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, the Costa Rica Minister of Public Security, the Commandant of the Costa Rican Coast Guard, and other dignitaries aboard as the ship sailed into port in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, April 27, 2025. Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the Stars and Stripes and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo by U.S. Embassy Costa Rica.)

May 7, 2025

Coast Guard Cutter Eagle makes port call in Costa Rica

For the first time since 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327) sailed to the West Coast, making its first-ever port visit to Puntarenas, Costa Rica, on April 27. The crew engaged with international partners and performed community service.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier offloaded approximately 725 pounds of seized cocaine worth an estimated $5.4 million to Coast Guard Investigative Service and Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agents custody in San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 7, 2025. The interdiction occurred April 28, 2025, in waters north of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and is the result of multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

May 7, 2025

Coast Guard offloads $5.4 million in seized cocaine following drug-smuggling vessel interdiction off Puerto Rico

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier offloaded approximately 725 pounds of seized cocaine worth an estimated $5.4 million to Coast Guard Investigative Service and Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agents custody in San Juan, Wednesday. The interdiction is the result of multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force. The Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier crew transferred custody of five suspected smugglers apprehended in this case, Dominican Republic nationals, to the Dominican Republic Navy off Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Saturday. “This was an excellent case that would not have been possible without the support provided by Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch,” said Lt. John M. Groen, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier commanding officer. “Their flight remained on scene for several hours and communicated flawlessly with the pursuit team. I am so incredibly proud of the entire Joseph Napier crew’s outstanding performance. The interdiction highlights Sector San Juan and the Seventh Coast Guard District’s unwavering commitment to combat drug trafficking organizations and secure America’s maritime borders.”

U.S. Coast Guard District 11 graphic for news release.

May 6, 2025

Coast Guard suspends search for 7 missing people in overturned vessel incident near San Diego

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard has suspended its search Monday night pending further developments for a reported seven missing individuals after a pange-style vessel overturned in the vicinity of Del Mar beach.

A crew from Coast Guard Station San Diego apprehended four aliens in an interdiction in the Quivira Basin near San Diego, May 2, 2025. The aliens aboard the 15-foot center console style vessel consisted of four adult males all claiming Mexican nationality. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy)

May 5, 2025

Coast Guard apprehends 4 aliens during an interdiction near San Diego

SAN DIEGO — A boat crew from Coast Guard Station San Diego interdicted four aliens in the Quivira Basin near San Diego, May 2, 2025.

A Coast Guard Station San Juan boat crew and Sector San Juan Marine Investigators halted three illegal passenger-for-hire vessels in Fajardo, May 3, 2025. Over the past year, Coast Guard enforcement efforts have yielded voyage terminations for 18 illegal passenger-for-hire operations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

May 5, 2025

Coast Guard halts 3 illegal passenger for hire vessels in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

A Coast Guard Station San Juan boat crew and Sector San Juan Marine Investigators halted three illegal passenger-for-hire vessels, Saturday, in Fajardo. Vessels Hecht, El Lindo and Making Waves were found conducting illegal passenger-for-hire operations, one of which was found operating in violation of previous federal Captain of the Port (COTP) Order. Over the past year, Coast Guard enforcement efforts have yielded voyage terminations for 18 illegal passenger-for-hire operations. “The prevalence of illegal passenger-for-hire operations in our area is a concerning and serious matter,” said Lt. Michael Robinson, Sector San Juan marine investigator. “Passenger-for-hire operations is a regulated activity. If you use your recreational vessel for this purpose without adherence to the applicable federal regulations, you could be subject to substantial fines and possible jail time. Our purpose is to protect passengers from this illicit practice and ensure the safety of boaters within Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) cadets observe Boston Dynamic’s robot, Spot, controlled by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory researcher (left) at USCGA, New London, Connecticut, Nov. 27, 2023. MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory showcased Spot and its functions to cadets, faculty, and staff. (Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Matthew Thieme.)

May 5, 2025

Interdisciplinary Engineering major now offered at CGA

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy has launched a new academic major. Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) prepares future officers for careers across a wide spectrum of Coast Guard missions. IDE is open to cadets beginning with the Class of 2028.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan and federal partner agencies conduct a Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation (MASFO) at one of the cargo container terminals within the Bay of San Juan, May 2, 2025. No security violations resulted from the inspection. MASFO is part of the Coast Guard’s strategic efforts to ensure the safety and security of containerized cargo shipments within our marine transportation system to ensure the safe flow of commerce between the continental United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other countries in the Caribbean Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

May 5, 2025

Coast Guard, federal partners conduct Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation at San Juan port facility

U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan and federal partner agencies conducted a Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation (MASFO) at one of the cargo container terminals within the Bay of San Juan, Friday. The effort included the thorough inspection of approximately 105 containers, 40 vehicles and 30 Transportation Worker Identification Credential verifications in the San Juan Port area which yielded negative results for security violations, however, three containers were temporarily detained due to preexisting damage and improper blocking and bracing of the cargo. “This MASFO is part of the Coast Guard’s strategic efforts to ensure the safety and security of containerized cargo shipments within our marine transportation system and is essential to ensure the safe flow of commerce between the continental United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other countries in the Caribbean Sea,” said Lt. Cmdr. Carlos Ortega-Pérez, Coast Guard Sector San Juan waterways management division chief. “Our joint agency operations team checked container contents for any undeclared hazardous goods or anomalies which may pose a risk to personnel, port safety, or the environment.”

May 4, 2025

Unified Command gains control of discharge, continues pollution response operations near Garden Island Bay, LA

NEW ORLEANS — The Unified Command, consisting of the Coast Guard and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSCO), has successfully secured the discharge of oil and natural gas from Well 59 near Garden Island Bay, Louisiana.

May 3, 2025

UPDATE 6: Unified Command continues response to discharge near Garden Island Bay, LA

NEW ORLEANS — The Unified Command, consisting of the Coast Guard and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSCO), continue to respond to mitigate public safety and environmental threats from an uncontrolled oil and natural gas discharge in coastal Louisiana.

May 2, 2025

U.S. Coast Guard Proposes Changes to Aids to Navigation in the Northeast

BOSTON – The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking public input on proposed aids to navigation (AtoN) changes