This weekend, the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Paul Clark offloaded approximately 900 lbs. of marijuana worth an estimated wholesale value of nearly $800,000 at Base Miami Beach, Fla.
The crew of a Customs and Border Protection Air Marine aircraft spotted a go-fast vessel off the coast of Cap Du Mole, Haiti, Tuesday evening. The crew Coast Guard cutter Paul Clark located the go-fast vessel and launched their smallboat crew to investigate. Upon detecting the Coast Guard crew, the suspected smugglers aboard the vessel jettisoned numerous bales of contraband into the water and began to flee. The Paul Clark smallboat crew was unable to apprehend the suspect vessel, but were able to recover the jettisoned cargo from the water.
The Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters which are replacing the Island-class patrol boats are capable of speeds in excess of 28-plus knots and is armed with one stabilized remotely operated 25-mm chain gun and four crew-served .50-caliber machine guns. With speed, firepower and flexibility, the FRC delivers superior lifesaving, law enforcement and homeland security capabilities.
The Coast Guard cutter Paul Clark, commissioned into service August 24, 2013, is a Fast Response Cutter homeported in Miami.
