Boutwell, 1968 (WHEC 719)

The History and Legacy of the United States Coast Guard Cutter

BOUTWELL (WHEC 719)

By

LT Gene F. Storer III, USCG

Weapons Officer (2014 – 2016)

Student Engineer (2012 – 2014)

            with “The Prinsendam Rescue” by

LTJG Brandy Thunborg, USCG

Student Engineer (2014 – 2016)

~ Captain F. J. Lessing Commanding Officer (1972-73)

In The U.S. Coast Guard Engineer’s Digest of 1963, Lieutenant Commander H. E. Russell discussed in great detail the Coast Guard’s plan for a new High Endurance Cutter. Touted as a “new ship…with the present speed and high capability requirements to achieve performance worthy of a ship which may see the 21^st Century,” Mr. Russell foresaw a cutter that could easily perform in an era well beyond the 25 year service-life originally placed on it.² Fifty-two years after his prediction, the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell (WHEC 719) and five of her sister ships continue to operate in 2016, with all 12 serving in the 21^st Century. As Boutwell marks its 47^th and final year of exemplary service to the United States, she stands as proof of Mr. Russell’s prediction: a vessel that has stood the test of time – a 47-year­ old platform with the mechanical and operational strength to face the daunting challenges and associated missions of the modern world. Throughout her distinguished career, Boutwell served in both domestic  and international theatres, flexing her might in the dynamic and austere environments from the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Persian Gulf, to the North Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Bering Sea. As her time in the Coast Guard fleet comes to a close, Boutwell will be remembered as an ambassador for global maritime cooperation, fierce combatant of narco-terrorism, protector of living marine resources, and safe haven for those in distress.

Hamilton-Class Cutter Overview

Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell (WHEC 719) is one of 12 Hamilton-Class, 378-foot, High- Endurance cutters, named after early Secretaries of the Treasury and Coast Guard Heroes. The class includes the cutters Hamilton (WHEC 715), Dallas (WHEC 716), Mellon (WHEC 717), Chase (WHEC 718), Sherman (WHEC 720), Gallatin (WHEC 721), Morgenthau (WHEC 722), Rush (WHEC 723), Munro (WHEC 724), Jarvis (WHEC 725), and Mellon (WHEC 726). Although 36 cutters of this class were originally planned, only 12 were ever built. All Hamilton-Class Cutters were constructed at the Avondale Shipyard in Westwego, Louisiana, from January 1965 to September 1972.³

Original Outfit and Configuration

The Hamilton-Class was designed to be an extremely versatile platform, capable of performing mid-ocean search and rescue, oceanography, law enforcement, and combat operations. Equipped with  two 3,500 horsepower, 12 cylinder, Fairbanks Morse diesel engines and two 18,000 horsepower Pratt and Whitney gas turbines, they were the first U.S. vessels outfitted with combination diesel or gas turbine operation capabilities. Displacing nearly 2,800 tons, these cutters had a cruising range of 12,000 miles at 20 knots while operating in diesel mode. They could also achieve 29-knot speeds while operating on both main gas turbines. In order to achieve such speeds, they were outfitted with two inward rotating, four blade, 13-foot, controllable pitch propellers; the largest of this kind ever installed on a U.S. ship at the time. Rounding out their propulsion plants, they also had a 360 degree retractable bow propulsion unit which could be used for station keeping and maneuvering in restricted waters.⁴

Apart from their enviable propulsion plants, the High-Endurance cutters were also outfitted with an array of sensors and weapons. In order to conduct deep sea oceanographic data collection, each ship was equipped with an electro-hydraulic winch and bathythermograph winch capable of collecting salinity, temperature, and depth readings. Between the exhaust stacks and turbine intakes was located a weather balloon shelter and aerological office. Due to their research-oriented missions, each cutter also featured a wet and dry laboratory. With a fully outfitted combat information center, the Hamilton-Class was capable of serving in combat operations or as a sea-based rescue coordination center. The bow featured a 5-inch, 38 caliber gun controlled by the Mk-56 gunfire control system. Installed amidships were two Mk-32 torpedo mounts, each with three tubes, directed by the Mk-105 underwater battery fire control system. Additionally, each ship was outfitted with two 81-mm mortars and two .50 caliber machine guns. To aid in the execution of anti-submarine warfare as well as search and rescue operations, the Hamilton-Class had an unobstructed 80-foot flight deck as well as two 26-foot surfboats. ⁵

Two additional design features of this class made them unique from previous Coast Guard ship designs. First was the particular attention paid to the habitability of its living spaces. With all fully air- conditioned and coated with a paint scheme that was chosen based on eye-resting colors, these spaces were designed to be comfortably inhabited during long journeys at sea. The second feature was the installation of a closed-circuit television system. Through a portable camera, as well as fixed cameras throughout the ship, activities such as flight operations, combat operations, towing, engine and machinery space operations, as well as damage control efforts could all be monitored on television screens located  on the bridge, damage control central, and the ship’s two repair lockers. ⁶

378’ Fleet Renovation and Modernization Program

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Coast Guard’s Hamilton-Class cutters were overhauled during a major mid-life maintenance availability under the Fleet Renovation and Modernization (FRAM) Program. Following an agreement by the Navy/Coast Guard Board, this overhaul also included extensive upgrades to the cutters’ combat systems and armament, most of which was installed after the completion of the FRAM overhaul. Besides the obvious benefit to the Coast Guard in improving an aging class, the

U.S. Navy saw the FRAM Program as a relatively low cost investment from which they would reap a valuable force multiplier. At approximately the cost of building one navy Frigate, these 12 updated ships would offer modernized Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities and a trained crew that could easily be called upon in a time of war.⁷

Engineering equipment overhauls and replacements as well as various configuration changes dominated the bulk of the FRAM Program workload. During the availability, both main diesel engines and both main gas turbines were removed and returned to their subsequent manufacturers for complete overhaul and returned in “like new” condition. The emergency gas turbine generator was standardized across the class with all being overhauled or replaced. All pumps, compressors, and valves on various systems were also upgraded or replaced. Various fuel tank and piping configuration changes were made and all tanks received a new coating system. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system was completely redesigned with any remaining components overhauled. In order to improve dated  firefighting capabilities, an Aqueous Fire-Fighting Foam and HALON system was included in machinery spaces as well as the newly installed retractable hangar. A fuel probe system was also installed to aid at fueling-at-sea evolutions. ⁸

Extensive hull plating and structural member replacement was required given most of the cutters had completed 20 years of service. Configuration changes included the relocation of the Combat Information and Communications Centers from the 01 and 02 decks in the superstructure to the third deck within the hull. After the relocation, berthing areas were created in the now open areas of the superstructure. The aft mast was updated to a tri-pod design in order to handle the weight of newly installed combat systems. The deck house was extended to accommodate the control booth and loading space of the new deck gun (later called the gun deck). A retractable hangar was also installed on the  flight deck in order to meet new helicopter storage and maintenance requirements.⁹

In addition to the hangar, various other improvements were made to enhance shipboard helicopter operations. A glide slope indicator was installed above the hangar to aid in nighttime approaches to the cutters. Deck status lights, deck and hangar wash lights, line-up lights, and wave-off lights were also installed to improve visual communications, enhancing flight crew and flight deck personnel safety during evolutions. ¹⁰

Improvements in armament were also extensive as part of the FRAM Program. The Mk-36 Mod  1 Super Rapid Blooming Offboard Chaff launcher system was installed on the stardeck, aft of the pilothouse, which provided enhanced Electronic Counter Measures capabilities. The Mk-30, 5 inch gun was replaced by a more reliable and maintainable Mk-75, 76 mm gun system. The Mk-32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tube was upgraded from the Mod 5 to the Mod 7. ¹¹

Various electronics upgrades and replacements were also accomplished during the FRAM availability. The AN/SPS-29D Air Search Radar was replaced by the AN/SPS-40B (later updated to the 40E). The Mk-92 Mod 1 Fire Control System replaced the dated Mk-56 Gunfire Control System, significantly improving the cutters’ ability to track and engage surface and air contacts. A Raytheon Collision Avoidance System was added to the AN/SPS-64v Surface Search Radar (later replaced by the AN/SPS-73) which provided automatic tracking of contacts, enhanced collision avoidance, and computing of vessel intercepts and maneuvers. The Electronics Surveillance Measures suite was also improved with the addition of the AN/SLA-10B to the AN/WLR-1C (later upgraded to the WLR-1H). ¹²

Post-Modernization Outfit and Configuration

Upon completion of FRAM, additional weapons systems were installed during subsequent availabilities. The Mk-15, 20 mm Phalanx Close In Weapons System (CIWS), two Mk-38, M242, 25 mm Bushmaster auto-cannons, and two quadruple HARPOON surface to surface missile (SSM) launchers were  planned  for  install  following  the major renovation.¹³  Although the Mk-15 CIWS and Mk-38 Bushmaster installations were completed in the early 1990s, the SSM launchers were only outfitted on a portion of the class before the entire program was scrapped in 1992.¹⁴ Following the end of the Cold War, the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy decided that the current military threat no longer warranted the installation of SSM launching systems on Coast Guard cutters. In addition to this assessment, the anti­ submarine warfare capabilities of the cutters was also considered unnecessary and all associated equipment was removed,¹⁵ including the Mk-32 SVTT, AN/SQS-38 SONAR, Mk-309 Mod 0 Underwater Battery Fire Control and the AN/SLQ-25 (NIXIE) torpedo countermeasure system.

Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell History

Boutwell, like nine of her sister ships, was named after a former Secretary of the Treasury. Boutwell’s namesake, George Sewall Boutwell, was born in 1818 in Brookline, Massachusetts. Prior to his years as Secretary, Boutwell served as a Democrat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1842-1844, 1847-1850) and later became Governor of Massachusetts in 1850. After serving two, one year terms, Boutwell left the governorship. Due to his stance on slavery, Boutwell also left the Democratic Party, later helping establish the Republican Party in 1855. During the Civil War, Boutwell joined the Union, serving first on a military commission in the War Department in 1862 and later as the first commissioner of internal revenue until 1863. In 1863, Boutwell was elected to the United States House of Representatives, serving a six year tenure. During that time he also served as one of the House managers in the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Under President Ulysses S. Grant, Boutwell was selected to serve in the President’s cabinet as Secretary of the Treasury, a position he held from 1869 to 1873. He would later leave the cabinet to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate where he served for four years. Under President Rutherford B. Hayes, Boutwell assisted in the codification of congressional laws in 1878 as well as served as the American counsel to the French and American Claims Commission.  After refusing an offer by President Chester A. Arthur to return as Secretary of the Treasury, Boutwell lived out the rest of his life practicing international law and serving as counsel for the governments of Chile, Haiti, and Hawaii. Boutwell also served as a founding member and first president of the Anti- Imperialist League from 1898 to 1905. Boutwell died in 1905.¹⁶

Boutwell (WHEC 719) is the third and longest serving cutter named after the former Secretary of the Treasury. The first cutter to bear the name was built in Buffalo, New York, in the early 1870’s at a cost of $70,000. The Boutwell, an iron hulled topsail schooner, had a semi-compound steam engine and a complement of 38 sailors. She was commissioned on October 29^th, 1873, and patrolled along the southeastern coast with a directed monthly cruise to Jacksonville, Florida. In 1881, a hurricane forced her aground in the Savannah River causing extensive damage to her hull and machinery. She was refloated and repaired in 1882 and continued regular patrols along the eastern coast until her decommissioning on July 26^th, 1907.^17,18 Twenty years later, the second Boutwell was built in Camden, New Jersey, at a slightly lesser cost of $63,173. Boutwell (WPC-130) commissioned on March 15^th, 1927, and was originally stationed in New York. Like the other Active Class Patrol Boats, Boutwell was designed to monitor “motherships” during the Prohibition Era. In 1940, she shifted homeports to Panama City, Florida, where she remained during World War II.^19,20,21 In 1942, Boutwell was credited with rescuing the crews of the tanker R.W. Gallagher²² and supply ship Alco Puritan after each was torpedoed and sunk by German U-Boats.²³ Boutwell was later decommissioned on May 7^th, 1963, after 36 years of Coast Guard service.²⁴

Early History (1966 – 1989)

On December 12^th, 1966, over three years after the decommissioning of the previous ship to bear the name, Boutwell’s keel was laid at the Avondale Shipyard in Westwego, Louisiana. At a cost of $14.5 million, the modern Boutwell cost more than 100 times the combined building costs of the previous Boutwells. On June 17^th, 1967, six months into her construction, Boutwell was launched into the Mississippi River accompanied by an official ceremony. The honorable C. Douglass Dillon, former Secretary of the Treasury, was the principal speaker at the launch. Vice Admiral Paul E. Trimble, the Coast Guard’s Vice Commandant, presided over the ceremony. Mrs. Dillon, the wife of the former Secretary, proudly served as the cutter’s sponsor, breaking the commemorative bottle on the ship’s bow and officially christening the Boutwell for sea.²⁵

Boutwell commissioned on June 24^th, 1968, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her first Commanding Officer, Captain Robert Arthur Shulz, was an experienced cutterman with four previous commands including Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Barque Eagle. Rear Admiral Ross Bullard, the Coast Guard’s Eighth District Commander, presided over a ceremony that celebrated Boutwell as “the newest and finest cutter in the Coast Guard,” flaunting her many operational capabilities and enhanced habitability. Lieutenant Commander John W. Kime, future Commandant of the Coast Guard, was Boutwell’s first Engineer Officer. ²⁶

Following her commission, Boutwell sailed to her first homeport in Boston, Massachusetts. In September of 1968, Boutwell headed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for shakedown and initial crew training.²⁷ In December 1968, while underway in heavy seas, Boutwell experienced a significant casualty to her starboard Main Gas Turbine engine. At the time of the casualty, the turbine had experienced excessive vibrations above allowable limits, forcing the engineering watch to secure it. Inspecting the turbine, the engineers discovered broken rotor blades on the turbine’s gas generator, requiring the entire turbine’s gas generator to be replaced. On January 2^nd, 1969, Boutwell’s engineers and technicians from Pratt and Whitney commenced work to replace the turbine. The job was completed on January 20^th. Following the replacement, Boutwell conducted a mini-shakedown cruise on February 4^th, successfully testing the newly installed gas generator.²⁸

North Atlantic Operations

During the remainder of the 1960s and early 1970s, Boutwell was assigned to ocean weather station duty and mid-ocean search and rescue operations in the North Atlantic Ocean. A typical patrol at an ocean weather station was 21 days, during which time the ship collected oceanographic and atmospheric data. Surface weather observations were transmitted every three hours with instrumental balloon data collected every six hours. Weather balloons provided air temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind direction and speed up to elevations of 50,000 feet. A radio beacon would transmit the ship’s location so that overflying aircraft could locate them and collect the recorded data.²⁹ In January of 1970, Captain Schulz was relieved by Captain Roy K. Angell, who served as Boutwell’s Commanding Officer for the next two years.³⁰

On April 10^th, 1971, while assigned to Ocean Station Bravo, Dr. James M. Weiner, a U.S. Public Health Service physician who was temporally assigned to the Boutwell, fell overboard into the frigid North Atlantic waters approximately 400 miles northwest of Labrador, Canada. After less than six minutes in the water, Dr. Weiner was recovered in critical condition. Boutwell contacted the Canadian air force who promptly dispatched a CH113 helicopter with medical personnel aboard. Dr. Weiner was transported to Goose Bay, Canada, were we was later transported by a U.S. C90 aircraft to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. Upon arrival to the hospital, Dr. Weiner was placed in the intensive care unit, suffering from exposure and pneumonia.³¹

While inport Base Boston on February 4^th, 1972, a Change of Command Ceremony was held at which Captain Angell was relieved by Captain Frederick J. Lessing.³² Captain Lessing was a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy and commissioned in the Coast Guard upon graduation. Prior to taking command of Boutwell, Captain Lessing had served in World War II, the Korean War, and in the Vietnam War.³³ Not long after the ceremony, Boutwell got underway for a routine weather station patrol. ³⁴

While serving as an ocean weather station at the end of February, Boutwell was dispatched to a location 600 miles northeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland, to serve as a search and rescue unit for a disabled Soviet H-2 nuclear-powered submarine. A U.S. Navy P3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft spotted the 345-foot submarine during a routine surveillance flight from Iceland.³⁵ Despite Boutwell signaling the sub with her lights to indicate an offer of assistance, no response was ever received.³⁶ For nine days, from February 26^th to March 5^th, Boutwell battled 60-foot seas and 80 mile per hour winds, remaining on scene with the disabled submarine and ready to render immediate assistance if required. On March 5^th, Boutwell was relieved by the Gallatin who remained on scene until the 21^st. While Boutwell maintained station alongside the sub, various Soviet vessels arrived to render assistance. Eventually, the Soviet submarine was safely towed to a Russian port.³⁷ For her efforts, Boutwell received a Meritorious Unit Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy.³⁸

In April of 1973, after 25 years of continuous patrols, the Coast Guard announced the discontinuation of the ocean weather stations.³⁹ With new satellite technology capable of weather observations and newer jet aircraft that no longer relied on ocean weather station data, the weather stations became obsolete, with all being discontinued or replaced with weather buoys by 1977.⁴⁰ With the closing of the weather stations, the Coast Guard increased their focus on fisheries patrols in Alaska. The shift in priorities also meant a new homeport for the recently commissioned Boutwell.⁴¹

North Pacific and Bering Sea Operations

In July 1973, after over five years of service to the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area, Boutwell departed Boston for her new homeport in Seattle, Washington.⁴² During the transit to Seattle, on August 19^th, Boutwell received word of a fishing vessel taking on water about 40 miles northwest of Depoe Bay, Oregon. Boutwell diverted her course and arrived on scene with the 52-foot fishing vessel Juliette and immediately began dewatering efforts. Boutwell’s crew was able to stop the flooding and escorted the fishing vessel to safety. Even before arriving at her new home on the West Coast, Boutwell was already proving to be a valuable asset to the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area.⁴³

Less than a month later, on September 8^th, Boutwell departed on her first of many patrols in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. This 44-day patrol, like the many others that followed, was part of a year-round effort by the Coast Guard and National Marine Fisheries Service to impede illegal foreign intrusion and exploitation of marine resources in Alaskan waters.⁴⁴ On October 17^th, while on a routine patrol in Alaska, Boutwell was diverted to assist the 35-foot fishing vessel Sundance which was taking on water north of Kodiak. Battling 12-foot seas and 50-knot winds, Boutwell was able to send a repair party over and control the flooding. She later escorted the fishing vessel safely to Kodiak, ⁴⁵ receiving a letter  of gratitude from one of the crew members as well as accolades from the Alaskan Senator, Ted Stevens.⁴⁶

In the fall and winter of 1973, Boutwell was tasked with two unfortunate cases that ended in tragedy. On October 17^th, the 85-foot crabber Dauntless departed Ketchikan enroute to Dutch Harbor, never to be heard from again. Boutwell and seven aircraft spent several days searching for the four- member crew but no sign of the vessel was ever found.^47,48 Following that patrol, Captain Lessing was relieved by Captain Robert J. Hanson.⁴⁹

In the midafternoon of December 18^th, Boutwell was inport Seattle with her crew on 72-hour standby leave. ⁵⁰ On that day, the Oriental Monarch made a distress call stating “SS Oriental Monarch. Taking on a lot of sea water in Engine room. Emergency for men life (sic). One boat left ship. Send help. Master.”⁵¹ The distress call was made as she was sinking 500 miles off Victoria, British Columbia. Boutwell’s crew was recalled, and by 7 pm on December 19^th, Captain Hanson proceeded to get Boutwell underway  with  less  than  100  of  her  160-man  crew. As she made her way out to sea, Boutwell immediately began battling heavy seas in her sprint to the distressed vessel.⁵² The 10,000 ton freighter Oriental Monarch had loaded 13,000 tons of wheat from Astoria and Vancouver before departing for Japan on December 16^th. It was speculated that the Oriental Monarch lost power in 30-foot seas and 60­ knot winds, resulting in the vessel taking punishing waves broadside.⁵³ The crashing waves caused the freighter’s cargo hatches to lift, allowing water to enter the hold and causing the wheat to swell with destructive force.⁵⁴ Nine hours after the call, the Liberian freighter sank in gale force winds and heavy seas approximately 520 miles northwest of Victoria. Despite responses by Japanese, Russian, Canadian, and  American  aircraft  and  vessels,  the  entire  crew  died  in  the  frigid  waters.⁵⁵   In this extremely unfortunate case, Boutwell served as a recovery vessel, battling heavy winds and seas to remove 31 deceased crew members still wearing life jackets from the water. Six members of the ship’s crew were never found. Boutwell returned to Seattle on December 22^nd to transfer the victims to medical examiners for identification.⁵⁶

After a brief inport period following the Oriental Monarch case, Boutwell set sail for San Diego in March 1974, to conduct refresher training in damage control, engineering casualties, communications, and nuclear, biological and chemical defense.⁵⁷ Upon completion of refresher training, Boutwell participated in a combined U.S. Third Fleet and Canadian naval training exercise named “Bead Coral.” The exercise, which involved 20 ships, 120 aircraft, and 120,000 serviceman, emphasized anti-submarine and air defense warfare tactics.⁵⁸ After the early summer exercise, Boutwell was tasked with manning Ocean Station November between Hawaii and San Francisco from mid-May to mid-June. On June 11^th, Mellon arrived on station to relieve Boutwell. During the relief, a fuel line broke loose, spraying fuel onto one of the Boutwell’s main diesel engines. The fuel ignited, causing a devastating fire to break out in the engine room. Although the ship’s crew were able to subdue the fire, one main diesel engine and one main gas turbine were damaged in the blaze. Despite the damage, Boutwell was able to sail home to Seattle for repairs under her own power.⁵⁹

In mid September 1974, Boutwell again set sail for a six-week Alaska Patrol in which she conducted living marine resource protection and enforcement as well as oceanographic research operations.⁶⁰ During the short patrol, her law enforcement personnel conducted several boardings of foreign fishing vessels.⁶¹ Boutwell returned in mid November to her homeport of Seattle, just in time for the holidays.⁶² In December, Captain Hanson was relieved by Captain John C. Guthrie Jr.,⁶³ a seasoned cutterman who had held previous commands of the cutters Staten Island (WAG-278)⁶⁴ and Kukui (WAK 186).⁶⁵

Boutwell continued her normal pattern of refresher training and Alaska Patrols in 1975. She departed in January for a six week training in San Diego,⁶⁶ followed by two, one and a half month Alaska Patrols in the spring⁶⁷ and fall.⁶⁸ During the spring patrol, Boutwell took part in four search and rescue missions and routine fisheries boardings in addition to making visits to Kodiak and Adak, Alaska.⁶⁹

On January 16^th, 1976, while inport in Seattle, Boutwell was dispatched on a search and rescue mission after the Panamanian freighter Caspian Career was reported in distress. The 476-foot freighter was reported in very serious trouble after suffering structural failures and cracked plating in her cargo hold approximately 1,100 miles west of San Francisco.⁷⁰ When the Caspian Career’s 34-person crew attempted to dewater the hold, the pumps were quickly clogged with the freighter’s cargo of potash.⁷¹ In desperation, the crew began bailing out water with buckets. With over 20 feet of water in her cargo hold, the bulkheads of the adjoining hold began to buckle under pressure. Boutwell arrived on scene and immediately began assisting with dewatering. After an exhaustive effort, the water level dropped to 10 feet and holding, allowing the vessel to reach San Francisco on January 23^rd under escort from the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute (WMEC 620).⁷² Both Coast Guard cutters were later commended by  Vice Admiral Joseph J. McClelland, the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area Commander,⁷³ and the vessel’s owners, Prompt Shipping Corporation Ltd. of Hong Kong, for their valiant efforts.⁷⁴

Boutwell would later depart on a six-week Alaska Patrol in the spring of 1976.⁷⁵ On April 24^th, Boutwell assisted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship Surveyor after she suffered a significant reduction gear casualty. Boutwell towed the disabled vessel to Kodiak were she was quickly repaired. Had Boutwell not been able to assist, the Surveyor would have been forced to operate the damaged equipment, and, assuming she would have made it to Kodiak, the ship would have been laid up for a year pending advanced repairs and re-fabrication of her gears.⁷⁶ Following her Alaska patrol, Boutwell participated in a joint exercise off the coast of southern California from June 21^st to June 30^th, 1976.⁷⁷ Named Operation READIEX 4-76 and involving 14 ships and more than 9,500 servicemen, the exercise was designed to test and improve the readiness of the U.S. Third Fleet. During the operation, anti-submarine and surface warfare tactics were exercised in addition to missile firings.⁷⁸ Following the exercises, on July 23^rd, Captain Guthrie was relieved by Captain Richard T. Brower, Jr., ⁷⁹ a 1954 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy.⁸⁰

Under new command, Boutwell again departed for an Alaska Patrol in the summer. Upon completion of the patrol, while transiting home to Seattle on October 11^th, Boutwell was diverted to assist the Blue Swan, a 32-foot fishing boat that was sinking off the coast of Victoria. Boutwell arrived in time to assist with dewatering before transferring the fishing vessel to the 82-foot cutter Point Bennett (WPB 82351) for escort to safety.⁸¹

The Prinsendam was the newest of five luxury liners owned by Holland/American lines of the Netherlands. It was 427 feet long with a breath of 62 feet and a draft of 19 feet. Its cruising speed was 19 knots and it had a gross register of 9,000 tons. As a cruise ship, the Prinsendam was known for its amenities and creature comforts. Among these were a swimming pool, restaurant, three bars, a cinema, a shopping center, and 209 staterooms. The Prinsendam began its voyage in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday, September 30^th, 1980. It was to be an extensive 31-day cruise through the inside passage of southeast Alaska to Ketchikan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. A total of 519 persons were  aboard the vessel including 164 Indonesian crew members, 26 Dutch officers, and 329 passengers, most of whom were elderly.¹⁰¹

The eventual rescue of the Prisendam’s entire crew and passengers was a joint effort by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, Canadian Armed Forces, and the Merchant Marine. Boutwell was among  the first to respond, along with Coast Guard Cutter Woodrush (WLB 407), Coast Guard Cutter Mellon (WHEC 717), four H-3 helicopters, two HC-130 cargo planes, two CH-46 Canadian Armed Forces helicopters, and three Canadian fixed wing aircraft. Additionally, the U.S. Air Force supplied an H-3 helicopter and an HC-130 refueler. The 1,000 foot tanker Williamsburgh also played a pivotal role in the rescue, as it was equipped with a helicopter pad and had room to house a majority of the survivors.¹⁰²

By 5:12 a.m. on the 4^th, the fire had spread forward and upward, eliminating the ship’s power and firefighting capability. At 5:15 a.m., the order was given by the Master of the Prinsendam to abandon ship. Six lifeboats, one covered motor launch, and four life rafts were launched into 5 to 10-foot seas  with 10 to 15-knot winds. Only 50 members of the crew were left on board to attempt to fight the fire. Stormy weather approached as helicopters started lifting survivors to the tanker Williamsburgh. The weather deteriorated steadily during the night and hoisting operations became increasingly difficult. At 1:45 p.m., Boutwell arrived on scene as winds reached over 25 knots and the seas grew to 20 to 35 feet. The Williamsburgh headed for Yakutat, Alaska, and remaining survivors were quickly recovered by Boutwell. By 4:30 p.m, only one lifeboat of survivors remained to be transferred. At 6:45 p.m. all 519 survivors were believed to be accounted for by either Boutwell, the Williamsburgh, or in Sitka. Once onboard, survivors received immediate medical attention, blankets, and food. With the known survivors safe, several vessels were released from the rescue operations, but Boutwell remained on scene in order to serve as a landing platform for a helicopter medical evacuation of two serious medical cases. ¹⁰³

Once a head count of survivors was conducted, it was discovered that two Canadian Air Force pararescuemen were unaccounted for, having last been seen in a lifeboat with about 18 other survivors. Boutwell and Woodrush commenced a search for the lifeboat at 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 5^th. Within 45 minutes of returning to the scene, the craft was located by Boutwell and all 18 survivors and both pararescuemen were taken aboard.¹⁰⁴ Later that day, Boutwell sailed into Sitka with 83 passengers, followed closely by the Williamsburg which arrived in Valdez with more than 380 survivors.¹⁰⁵

In the days that followed, the Prinsendam continued to smolder. On October 7^th, once most of the smoke had subsided, the ocean-going tug Commodore Straights placed the Prinsendam in tow. Progressive damage due to “hot spots” left over from the intense heat of the fire made the Prinsendam increasingly difficult to tow. By Thursday, October 9^th, the upper decks were extensively burned out and the bridge area was at the point of total collapse. Having sustained significant damage including the failure of multiple port lights in her lower decks, water was able to penetrate the hull. By Friday, October 10^th, the Prinsendam had a 35˚ list. The list had increased to 40-45˚ by Saturday and at 3:30 a.m. that same day, the Prinsendam rolled on its starboard side and sank within 3 minutes into 9,000 feet of water.

was diverted to assist the U.S. Navy’s Third Fleet and Canadian Maritime Force Pacific in a surveillance operation after spotting a Soviet flotilla in the Gulf of Alaska.¹²⁰ A Soviet Patrol unit including a Kara- class missile cruiser, two Kirva-class guided-missile frigates, a replenishment ship, and a suspected submarine were transiting south along the Pacific Coast, coming closer to the U.S. western coast than  they had in nearly 10 years.¹²¹ Their presence was attributed to a Soviet display of forces after two  Libyan fighters were shot down by American planes in the Mediterranean.¹²² Boutwell tracked the Soviet ships as they transited south, later being relieved by Canadian forces.¹²³ Following the Alaska Patrol and  a short inport, Boutwell headed south to San Diego for her yearly six-week refresher training.¹²⁴

Death, Drugs, and Sabotage: The “Orca” Interdiction

On June 20^th, 1982, after a recent departure from a port call in Anchorage during a routine Alaskan Fisheries Patrol, Boutwell was steaming in the Gulf of Alaska when a 39-foot sailboat was sighted approximately 700 miles south of the Aleutian Island chain. Due to the sailboat’s size and distance from land, Captain Krumm became suspicious and decided to send a boarding team over to conduct a vessel safety inspection. During the inspection, the boarding party discovered numerous foil and plastic wrapped packages that the Orca’s crew claimed were filled with dried fruit. Once the  boarding officer, Jack Rutz, informed the skipper, John Humphrey, that he intended to test the contents for drugs, Humphrey said “how about for $100,000 we don’t proceed any further and you just look the other way.”¹²⁵ Declining the skipper’s offer, one of the packages was tested and found positive for marijuana. The crew was taken into custody and the Orca and her cargo were seized. In total, the 580 packages, each weighing an estimated five pounds, contained more than 3,100 pounds of high-grade southeast Asia marijuana, with an estimated street value of $3 million. A shotgun, rifle, and .45 caliber handgun, as well as a small amount of cash were also found onboard. After transferring the Orca crew to Boutwell, the ship was placed in tow and Boutwell set her course for Dutch Harbor. The Orca interdiction marked the first marijuana interdiction by an Alaskan-waters cutter in the Coast Guard’s history.¹²⁶

After the interdiction, crewmembers regularly joked about stealing the Orca’s leafy green cargo. Unfortunately for Captain Krumm, the joke quickly became a sad reality that plagued the Boutwell on its transit to offload the contraband. On the night of June 22^nd, a watchman on a round of the ship discovered 50 gallons of fuel sloshing around in Boutwell’s steering room. The casualty was suspicious and it didn’t take long before other signs of trouble were found including a severed fuel line and damaged electrical connecters to the emergency gas turbine generator, Boutwell’s emergency power supplier.¹²⁷ In the  engine room, lubricating oil had been drained from one of Boutwell’s primary generators in an attempt to permanently damage the engine.¹²⁸ Crewmen also discovered a fire hose shoved into a fuel tank opening in an attempt to contaminate and disable Boutwell’s propulsion engines. Fireman D**** B**** was found nearby and immediately questioned for his involvement. It didn’t take long for B** to implicate himself  and  another,  Seaman  Apprentice M***** G*****          in a sabotage attempt which could have disabled Boutwell hundreds of miles from land with no means of power generation or propulsion.  B*  and his accomplice had planned to disable Boutwell before floating back to the Orca, cutting the tow, and hijacking the vessel.¹²⁹ G***** would later admit to conspiring with B**** to commandeer the sailboat, stealing two survival suits as well as paint and brushes so that the Orca could be repainted after it was stolen.¹³⁰ After the discovery of the ill planned sabotage attempt, Boutwell changed course for Kodiak, fearing that other smugglers associated with the Orca might be in the area.¹³¹

On June 29^th, seven days after the failed sabotage attempt, a second attempt was made on the Orca’s marijuana.  Seaman  H******   donned a wetsuit and lifejacket that night and attempted to  get his hands on some of the Orca’s cargo by floating down the towline. During the attempt, he fell into the water and became entangled in approximately 100 feet of line. One of the watchmen on duty that night thought he heard a shout for help which initiated a search of the area.¹³² Boutwell came dead in the water for five minutes, illuminating the entire area around the ship in search of the possible man overboard.¹³³    As  Boutwell  remained  stopped,  accountability  was  taken  but was reported sleeping  below  decks by Seaman his accomplice in the scheme to retrieve the marijuana. The search was briefly called off since everyone was reportedly accounted for. Soon after, a head count was conducted and H the ship’s intercom system, requesting H was discovered missing.¹³⁴ An announcement was made over report to the bridge. When no response was received,¹³⁵ an intensive search was initiated by Boutwell, a C-130 transport plane, and a helicopter. H***** ’s lifeless body was discovered seven hours later, having succumbed to exposure in the frigid Alaskan waters.¹³⁶

C*****   would later admit to the scheme as well as for assisting H***    into the water from    the ship’s fantail.   In order to prevent the attempt  from being reported, C**    threatened the tow     watch, Seaman D*** J****, and told him “to keep his mouth shut and see nothing.”                                            later failed on three occasions to report seeing H****** go overboard when questioned by officers during the search, fearing  repercussions  from C****.¹³⁷     B****,   G*****,   C*****,  and J***** were all later convicted at Courts-Martial for their various involvements in the separate schemes.¹³⁸

Boutwell finally arrived in Kodiak on July 2^nd, ending an ordeal plagued by saboteurs and death. The marijuana was offloaded and turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration with the  Orca placed in the custody of U.S. Customs.¹³⁹ Boutwell returned home to Seattle on July 8^th. Instead of the normal welcome afforded to cutters who have made notable drug interdictions, Boutwell and her Captain were instead greeted by reporters eager to hear of the unfortunate events which had overshadowed her historic seizure. For Captain Krumm, the patrol marked his last voyage on Boutwell, ending his highly successful tenure that included the Prinsendam and Dan Prince rescues.¹⁴⁰

During the Orca crews’ trial the following year, it was learned that the vessel had set sail from Singapore on April 30^th, 1982, making a stop in the Philippines as well as a suspected stop in Thailand to onload marijuana. Based on navigational charts discovered on the vessel, it was determined that the smuggling crew had planned on sailing the Orca to the San Francisco area.¹⁴¹ During the investigation, it was learned that the Orca was leased through a broker out of San Francisco and that the vessel’s actual name was Golden Egg. The broker claimed no part in the smuggling attempt.¹⁴² Humphrey and his two crewmen, Robert Smith and William Garbez, were later convicted of drug running and sentenced to eight, five, and four years in prison, respectively. At the time, the Orca interdiction had the largest amount of drugs ever to be the subject of a criminal case in the Alaskan federal court system.¹⁴³

On July 22^nd, less than a month after the Orca interdiction, Captain Krumm was relieved by Commander Peter A. Joseph¹⁴⁴ who had served as Boutwell’s Executive Officer for 10 months before assuming Command. Commander Joseph was later promoted to the rank of Captain in August of 1982. His most recent assignments prior to Commanding Boutwell included Commanding Officer of the Cutter Valiant (WMEC 621) and Deputy Chief of Intelligence and Security at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.¹⁴⁵

While on an Alaska Patrol, on March 12^th, 1983, Boutwell was diverted to a search and rescue case after the fishing vessel Sea Hawk was reported in distress approximately 80 miles southwest of Dutch Harbor. The 72-foot vessel suffered a rudder casualty and later capsized. All six crewmembers were thrown into the water, with only five managing to don survival suits. The ship’s cook, who was unable to don a survival suite prior to entering the water, was blown away from the other five members, and later perished. ¹⁴⁶ In order to stay afloat, the Sea Hawk’s five remaining crewmember’s gathered barrels, pallets, buoys, and other debris from their sunken ship.¹⁴⁷ Battling blizzard-like conditions,

Boutwell made best speed towards the fishing vessel’s last known position. Despite a 20-mile error in reported distress position, Boutwell located the survivors who had spent over an hour in the 33 degree water, promptly bringing them aboard.¹⁴⁸

During a subsequent patrol to Alaska on July 25^th, 1983, the 44-foot halibut trawler Comet made a distress call stating that she was in danger of capsizing and was taking water over the stern. ¹⁴⁹ At the  time the Comet, which was loaded with 30,000 pounds of Bering Sea halibut, was just 14 miles from the safety of Dutch Harbor, battling 30-plus-knot winds and 15-foot seas.¹⁵⁰ Boutwell, who happened to be in the area 20 miles north of Dutch Harbor, quickly responded and made preparations to assist.¹⁵¹ In what may be Boutwell’s fastest rescue, all four passengers were safely recovered from the water less than five minutes after abandoning the sinking boat.¹⁵² For her rescue of the crews of the fishing vessels Sea Hawk and Comet, as well as her performance during the yearly refresher training and joint summer exercises, Boutwell was awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation on March 5^th, 1984.¹⁵³

On August 25^th, 1983, at a Change of Command Ceremony in Seattle, Captain Joseph was relieved by Captain John C. Trainor.¹⁵⁴ After serving two years as Boutwell’s Commanding Officer, Captain Trainor was relieved by Captain Leo N. Schowengerdt Jr. in August of 1985. Captain Schowengerdt, a 1960 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, was previously assigned as the Assistant to the Vice President and Director, National Narcotics Border Interdiction System in the White House, as well as Commanding Officer of the Cutter Duane (WHEC 33).¹⁵⁵

In early September 1986, Boutwell participated in the tragic search for the crew of the fishing vessel Normar II. The 82-foot vessel had been reported missing by a Korean processing vessel on September 11^th, which initiated a four day search by Boutwell, two C-130 aircraft, a helicopter, and 38 fishing vessels. The Normar II was discovered partially submerged about 120 miles northeast of St. Paul Island but sank before rescuers could arrive.¹⁵⁶ The search was briefly called off before being reopened for another two days the following week upon request from the family and friends of the four-person crew. Battling 40 mile per hour winds and 20-foot seas, Boutwell’s search ended on September 17^th.¹⁵⁷

While underway in the Bering Sea in the winter of 1987, Boutwell was diverted on a rescue and assistance case approximately 200 miles southwest of Sitka.¹⁵⁸ The 125-foot trawler Atlantic Pride reported losing power in the area on February 3^rd. In 30-foot seas and 40-knot winds, a wave had struck the trawler causing water to spill into her exhaust stack, subsequently disabling both of the ship’s generators. With no power, the ship drifted in the heavy seas and began flooding until a C-130 cargo plane from Kodiak was able to successfully deliver dewatering pumps. The five-person crew was able to keep the flooding under control until the next day at midnight when Boutwell arrived. A rescue and assistance team was dispatched to the Atlantic Pride with the hopes that power could be restored and she could continue under her own power.¹⁵⁹ After those efforts failed, Boutwell placed the trawler in tow and steamed towards Sitka, safely delivering the ship on February 7^th.¹⁶⁰

Less than a week after the Atlantic Pride case, Boutwell was tasked with assessing a vessel abandoned and adrift 120 miles northwest of Dutch Harbor. The Fukuyoshi Maru No. 85, a 185-foot Japanese long-liner, was believed to have had a propane tank explode in the ship’s galley, killing one man and injuring two other crewmen before the entire ship was engulfed in flames. Twenty-five other crewmembers safely abandoned ship to the safety of a sister ship operating nearby. When Boutwell arrived on scene, two crewmembers were sent over to the stricken ship to determine the feasibility of placing it in tow. After the assessment, it was determined that the vessel could only be safely towed to port in ideal weather conditions. Since a weather front was quickly approaching, Boutwell received permission from the vessel’s owners to sink her. On Friday, February 13^th, Boutwell shelled the  Fukuyoshi Maru No. 85 with her 5-inch deck gun, successfully sinking her.¹⁶¹ Boutwell returned home from the patrol in late February.¹⁶²

At the end of March, 1987, Boutwell arrived at the Fairhaven Terminal in Bellingham, Washington, for a seven-week drydock. During the drydock, Boutwell underwent nearly $1 million worth of maintenance including a hull inspection, reduction gear maintenance, engine maintenance, and overhauls of her sewage system and anchors. The drydock availability had to meet stringent deadlines so that Boutwell could sail on schedule for another fisheries patrol in Alaskan waters on June 1^st.¹⁶³ On May 28^th, with the drydock work winding down, a Change of Command ceremony was held in Bellingham at which Captain Schowengerdt was relieved by Captain Cecil W. Allison. Captain Allison’s previous  duties included Coast Guard Liaison Officer to Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, Liaison for Officer Maritime Defense Naval Zone to Commander, Third Fleet, and Executive Officer of the cutters Vigilant (WMEC 617) and Hamilton (WHEC 715).¹⁶⁴

Following the drydock, Boutwell departed on an Alaska Patrol in the summer of 1987. On July 15^th, while underway in the Bering Sea, Boutwell was diverted after receiving a distress call from the vessel Galaxy stating that they had a medical emergency onboard. Once on scene, a medic  was dispatched to assess and assist the injured man. The crewman had been struck in the head by a swinging boom, gravely injuring him. While attempting to stabilize the crewman, the man died, succumbing to the injury four hours after the accident.¹⁶⁵ Following the Alaska Patrol, Boutwell sailed to San Diego for yearly refresher training. At the conclusion of the six-week training period, Boutwell returned to Seattle for a much-welcomed inport during Christmas and New Years.¹⁶⁶

In January 1988, Boutwell set sail for Alaska. Around that time the Coast Guard was receiving reports of numerous suspected illegal incursions by foreign fishing vessels into the U.S. exclusive economic zone. From July to November of the previous year, Coast Guard and civilian surveillance flights discovered 94 foreign fishing vessels inside U.S. waters with another 75 observed fishing in the area known as the “doughnut hole.” The “doughnut hole” is a nickname used to describe the area of  ocean that is surrounded by, but outside of, the exclusive economic zones of Russia and the United States. These numbers led to suspicion that the doughnut hole was being used as a staging ground for foreign fishing vessels to sneak into U.S. waters under cover of darkness or severe weather and exploit its resources. By following these tactics, it became extremely difficult for Coast Guard cutters and surveillance aircraft to actually catch foreign vessels actively fishing in the U.S. waters.¹⁶⁷

After attending training on foreign fishing vessels in Juneau, followed by fish identification school in Kodiak, Boutwell officially commenced her winter Alaska Patrol. Just two days after departing Kodiak, Boutwell was dispatched on her first of three search and rescue cases. Fighting heavy seas, Boutwell served as a landing and refueling platform for a helicopter that rendered assistance to the fishing vessel Wayward Wind, which reported taking on water south of Kodiak. Later in the patrol, the fishing vessel Captain Billy ran aground near Yunaska Island, requiring Boutwell to again serve as a landing and refueling platform for the assisting helicopter. ¹⁶⁸

During the patrol, on February 2^nd, Boutwell seized the 200-foot U.S. fishing vessel Alaskan Hero for illegally transferring 450 metric tons of fish to a Japanese cargo ship on January 24^th. The 499-ton Japanese cargo ship Shinwa Maru had been seized on January 30^th while inport Dutch Harbor by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The ship, which did not have permits to operate in the Gulf of Alaska let alone permits to take cargo from U.S. ships, only held permits to serve as a support ship for foreign flagged vessels in the Bering Sea.¹⁶⁹ Boutwell escorted the Alaskan Hero into Dutch Harbor and stood by until the U.S. Marshall arrived. Both vessels were later bonded and released. In addition to the seizure of the Alaskan Hero, Boutwell also conducted numerous fishing vessel boardings throughout the patrol, issuing four warnings. ¹⁷⁰

During the second half of the patrol, Boutwell participated in an icing prevention and removal research project conducted by an engineer from the Navy’s David Taylor Research Center in Annapolis, Maryland. The research included the testing of different ice phobic coatings as well as a deck deicer. In order to facilitate the project, Boutwell ventured into ice storms as well as purposely steered into the elements in order to force freezing ocean spray onto the ship. ¹⁷¹ Boutwell ended her Alaska Patrol with the rescue of a critically injured crewman from the Panamanian freighter, Ikan Acapulco. The Korean crew member had fallen, sustaining a critical head injury and breaking both arms. Boutwell steamed over 200 miles to reach the vessel, transferring a corpsman and interpreter to assist the patient. After the transfer, Boutwell and the Ikan Acapulco made best speed towards Kodiak, arriving 11 hours later in range of the air station. The patient, accompanied by Boutwell’s corpsman and translator, were then  flown to a nearby hospital for treatment.¹⁷²

Following the Alaska Patrol, Boutwell returned to Seattle before departing in the early summer for the Portland Rose Festival. On June 8^th, Boutwell kicked off the 80^th Annual Rose Festival with her arrival to Portland, Oregon. Boutwell, led by the Portland’s Fire Boat David Campbell, was the first U.S. military ship to make its way down the Willamette River.¹⁷³ She was followed closely by the guided missile cruiser USS Valley Forge, the Coast Guard Cutter Iris (WLB 395), the replenishment tanker USS Kansas, and the dock-landing ship USS Mount Vernon.¹⁷⁴ During the weekend, Boutwell hosted tours of the ship and a wardroom luncheon for the Junior Miss Rose Festival Princess and her court. ¹⁷⁵ Boutwell departed Portland at the conclusion of the festival on June 13^th. ¹⁷⁶ For being “such great Coast Guard ambassadors” during the Festival, the crew received a personal thank you letter from Rear Admiral Theodore J. Wojnar, the Coast Guard’s Thirteenth District Commander.¹⁷⁷

Record Breaking Bust: The Encounter Bay Seizure

On June 28^th, 1988, with the ship in port Seattle, the Boutwell Command was summoned by Coast Guard officials to be briefed on a developing drug shipment from the Far East. Attending the briefing were Boutwell’s Executive Officer, Commander Dan San Romani, as well as the Operations Officer and Weapons Officer.¹⁷⁸ Captain Allison would later get Boutwell underway but not before telling his wife, Mrs. June Allison, “Have a happy Fourth of July…watch the news.” Boutwell would later be involved in what was, at the time, the largest maritime drug raid in West Coast History.¹⁷⁹

Two days after the briefing, a Coast Guard C-130 patrol aircraft from Sacramento, California, was dispatched and located a flagless offshore oil rig supply ship approximately 500 miles west of the Straits of Juan de Fuca.¹⁸⁰ Quickly recognizing the aircraft as a Coast Guard surveillance flight, the suspect vessel came about, making best course and speed away from the Washington Coast. Boutwell quickly responded, running down and intercepting the fleeing 187-foot vessel.¹⁸¹ Despite signaling the vessel by radio, flag, light, and bullhorn, the ship refused to respond to Boutwell’s presence and orders to stop. While alongside, Boutwell’s crew was able to make out the word “Panama” in obscured lettering.¹⁸² With an indication of the vessel’s nationality, Boutwell’s command requested a Statement of No Objection from the Commandant of the Coast Guard to stop and board the vessel.¹⁸³

After receiving permission from the Panamanian Embassy to conduct a law enforcement boarding, Boutwell ordered the Encounter Bay to heave to so that she could be boarded. Again, no indication of compliance was received from the Encounter Bay. Faced with mounting evidence of illegal activity, Boutwell requested and received permission from the Coast Guard’s Thirteenth District Commander to fire warning shots in an attempt to stop the vessel. Even after firing numerous bursts from the .50 caliber machine gun across the vessel’s bow as well as one inert round from the 5-inch deck gun, the ship continued to ignore orders to stop. Frustrated by the vessel’s attempts to avoid a boarding, another Statement of No Objection was requested and received from the Commandant, this time for the employment of disabling fire.¹⁸⁴ After receiving permission to disable the Encounter Bay,  Captain Allison warned the ship’s crew that their ship would be disabled and that they needed to evacuate the engine room.¹⁸⁵ The gun crew took aim, not only unleashing 60, .50 caliber rounds into the Encounter Bay’s rudder and engine room, but also making history as the first cutter to employ disabling fire on the West Coast. ¹⁸⁶ Immediately after firing the 60 rounds, and with still no response from the Encounter  Bay, Captain Allison warned the ship that the next string of fire would be from Boutwell’s 20 mm machine guns. A response was immediately received. The Encounter Bay made an indication of  surrender and stated that they had lost engine control, a result of the disabling fire. ¹⁸⁷

LT Thomas Rogers, Boutwell’s lead boarding officer and Weapons Officer, hastily led a boarding team over to the Encounter Bay.¹⁸⁸ Once onboard, the boarding party detained the ship’s 18-man crew, which included three Americans, one from New Zealand and one from England, and 13 men from Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.¹⁸⁹ Once the crew was mustered, the boarding team, assisted by the Encounter Bay’s Master and Chief Engineer, surveyed the damage from the disabling fire to ensure that the vessel was safe for the boarding team and those detained. ¹⁹⁰ While surveying the damage, it was determined that a cooling line had been ruptured on the ship’s diesel generator. As cooling water drained, the generator overheated and secured, disabling the Encounter Bay’s engine controls.¹⁹¹ Once it was determined that the vessel was in no immediate danger, the boarding and search of the vessel commenced. ¹⁹²

During the ensuing search, the boarding party discovered empty file cabinets as well as missing storage disks from the ship’s two computers. It became apparent that the ship’s crew had used their time wisely while resisting the Coast Guard’s orders to stop. Based on the amount of smoke emanating from the ship’s stacks, it was believed that all records were burned in an attempt to prevent disclosure of the ship’s origin and destination. As the search continued, the boarding party gained access to the four shipping containers on the Encounter Bay’s deck. They found their prize. Although only estimated at the time, it would later be confirmed that the containers housed 72 tons of marijuana. The shipment was comprised of 8,000 individual blue nylon packages, each with a label reading “passed inspection.”¹⁹³ Ripping open one of the packages, the boarding team quickly verified the leafy substance as marijuana of the highest quality. Despite the immense size of the shipment, very few stems and very few seeds were found.¹⁹⁴

Later that day, the Encounter Bay was placed in tow with Boutwell making best speed towards Seattle. ¹⁹⁵ During the six day transit, the boarding party spent much of their time collecting evidence and preparing the case file package for later use in court.¹⁹⁶ On July 6^th, Boutwell arrived in Seattle where she was greeted at Pier 36 by more than a dozen Drug Enforcement Administration agents, members of the press, and Boutwell families. Prior to arriving, a makeshift flag was displayed on Boutwell’s mast of a marijuana leaf with a red circle and line through it and the slogan, “We Came. We Saw. We Busted.” Despite having been briefed prior to the operation, Captain Allison insisted to the press that the Encounter Bay seizure was merely a random sighting, and not based on intelligence information. Instead, the reason for intercepting the vessel included the fact that it wasn’t flying a flag, the name and homeport being obscured, and a ship type that appeared out of place off the Washington coast.¹⁹⁷ For their exceptional planning and execution of the Encounter Bay interdiction, the Boutwell crew was awarded the Special Operations Service Ribbon.¹⁹⁸

In the months that followed the interdiction, Boutwell’s boarding team would come under intense legal scrutiny by the defense lawyers of the Encounter Bay’s crew. As questioning intensified, the truth behind both the Coast Guard’s intelligence prior to the operation as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s involvement prior to the seizure, slowly came to light.  In documents filed during  federal court proceedings, the full story behind the Encounter Bay seizure was told. ¹⁹⁹

On May 5^th, 1988, Brian Daniels, a wealthy New York-born U.S. citizen, who had lived in Thailand for years, met with five other men at a hotel room in Kowloon, Hong Kong, to plan one of the biggest marijuana shipments of his career. Present at the meeting were two Pacific Northwest fishermen who had volunteered their vessels to meet and offload the Encounter Bay in view of Washington. What the New Yorker turned marijuana kingpin failed to realize is that these two fishermen were undercover agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Also present at the meeting were Samuel J. Colflesh and Robert Colflesh, twin-brothers and former Green Berets who had been living in the Far-East for the past few years. Also at the meeting was Michael Forwell, an Australian who had formed a front company in Hong Kong called Trademax. Apart from laundering money in Hong Kong, the company  also served as the hiring agent for the Encounter Bay’s crew. During the meeting, Samuel, the skipper of the Encounter Bay, described his 15-year career in the smuggling business, including yearly trips to the U.S. He also described the smuggling vessel’s characteristics and communications capabilities. ²⁰⁰

On April 15^th, a month prior to their meeting with Daniels, the Drug Enforcement Administration agents had met with Forwell and the Colflesh brothers in order to inspect a vessel in Hong Kong harbor that closely resembled the Encounter Bay. At this meeting, the agents were able to obtain knowledge of the Encounter Bay’s name as well as its registry in Panama. The registry was made under Countess Shipping Corporation, a company that was later found to be nothing more than a piece of paper created by Trademax. ²⁰¹

On June 2^nd, the Encounter Bay departed Singapore for the South China Sea. While off the coast of De Nang, Vietnam, Daniels’ vessel, the Meridian, which had been loaded by Vietnamese soldiers, rendezvoused with the Encounter Bay to transfer the 72-tons of marijuana. Later that month, on June  25^th, the Drug Enforcement Administration agents met with Robert at an inn near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in order to receive the detailed operations plan as well as a hand-held VHF radio, pre-tuned with a specified frequency so that they could make contact with the Encounter Bay. ²⁰²

Daniels was later arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Zurich, Switzerland, where he fled following the Encounter Bay seizure. In order to avoid raising his suspicion, the Coast Guard, including Boutwell’s Captain, indicated during multiple press briefings that they had no prior knowledge of the Encounter Bay before the June 30^th interdiction.²⁰³ The Colflesh brothers and the rest of the Encounter Bay crew would later plead guilty to drug smuggling. In exchange for cooperating in further drug-smuggling investigations, the prison term sentence for the brothers was limited to 10 years.²⁰⁴ Daniels, on the other hand, was extradited to the United States and sentenced on October 29^th, 1990, to 25 years in prison and a $6.25 million fine.²⁰⁵ Forwell evaded authorities for nearly five years following the interdiction. In January 1993 he was arrested in London by Scotland Yard and extradited to the U.S. seven months later. He was tried and convicted for smuggling in on March 15^th, 1996, receiving a 15 prison sentence.²⁰⁶

After nearly 21 years of service, Boutwell entered the Fleet Renovation and Modernization (FRAM) program in order to extend her service life. In March 1989, a joint ceremony was held for placing Mellon (WHEC 717) In Commission Special and the Decommissioning of Boutwell. Mellon had entered FRAM in 1985 and was finally ready for sea. Captain Allison assumed Command of the Mellon with a majority of Boutwell’s crew also cross-decking to the newly refurbished cutter.²⁰⁷

Post-FRAM Operations (1990 – 2000)

After over a year and a half of extensive maintenance and overhauls costing over $70 million, Boutwell was ready to return to service.²⁰⁸  Upon Boutwell’s completion of FRAM in the summer of 1990, the crew of Midgett (WHEC 726), which was entering FRAM that year, made preparations to take over Boutwell.  On September 3^rd, the cross-decking between Midgett and Boutwell commenced in Seattle.  Ten days later, at a joint ceremony on September 13^th, Boutwell was placed In Commission Special and Midgett was decommissioned for FRAM. In conjunction with the cross-decking, Midgett’s Commanding Officer, Captain Stanley Winslow, took Command of Boutwell. Captain Winslow was a 1966 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, with previous duties including Coast Guard Liaison Officer Afloat with Commander, Third Fleet, and Coast Guard Liaison Officer Afloat with Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet. His afloat assignments included Executive Officer of Cutter Munro (WHEC 724) and  Commanding Officer of cutters SPAR (WLB 403) and Midgett (WHEC 726).²⁰⁹

Ready-for-Sea Preparations

Throughout the cross-decking phase, the new crew participated in daily training on the new safety and electronic systems installed during the overhaul. Upon completion of the transfer, in October 1990, Boutwell sailed to its new homeport in Alameda, California. After arriving in Alameda, Boutwell’s new crew entered the Ready-for-Sea phase of the post-FRAM workups. During the workups, Boutwell’s crew received excellent marks in the Weapons System Accuracy Test and the highest marks of any cutter on the Communications System Operability Test. Despite a significant casualty to the newly installed Mk­ 75, 76-mm deck gun during the Combined Systems Qualification Test, the evaluator reported Boutwell to be the best prepared post-FRAM cutter. Boutwell continued its string of excellent performance during training readiness evaluation and subsequent refresher training, the Navy’s underway training program in San Diego. Despite the training readiness evaluation starting a month early due to scheduling conflicts, and refresher training beginning a week early for the same reason, Boutwell’s crew managed an exceptional performance during both, earning the Pacific Area Commander’s Award of Excellence in all graded categories.²¹⁰    With the Ready-for-Sea workups finalized on April 25^th, Boutwell set sail for Alameda, arriving on April 27^th.²¹¹

Upon returning home, Boutwell’s crew had less than two weeks to make preparations for the commissioning ceremony, a trip to Tokyo, and a 90-day Alaska Patrol.²¹² On May 2^nd, 1991, Boutwell was Commissioned for the second time at a ceremony held at Coast Guard Island in Alameda.²¹³ A few days after the ceremony, Boutwell set sail for Tokyo to participate in the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency’s Annual Sea Review. During the visit, Boutwell served as the Commandant’s host ship for a reception of Japanese dignitaries. The visit was a huge success for the newly commissioned Boutwell, receiving outstanding praise from Boutwell’s first Engineer Officer and the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral John W. Kime.²¹⁴

Return to Alaska

After the visit to Tokyo, Boutwell departed for her first operational post-FRAM patrol to the Bering Sea.²¹⁵ On June 26^th, Boutwell participated in a tragic search and rescue case after the fishing vessel Betty B struck a rock and immediately sank near Atka Island. A C-130 patrol aircraft located the three-man crew’s only survivor who managed to don a survival suite and swim to a nearby island. The man was later recovered by Boutwell’s embarked helicopter.²¹⁶ Additionally, during the patrol, Boutwell seized two fishing vessels, intercepting the Endurance after she was discovered actively fishing in a closed fishing area, and later interdicting the fishing vessel Hi Seas I. During the boarding of the High Seas I, numerous, flagrant safety violations were discovered, requiring her to be towed by Boutwell to the nearby port of Dutch Harbor. Boutwell returned home to Alameda on August 16^th.²¹⁷

Immediately after returning to Alameda, a Change of Command ceremony was held, at which Captain Donald R. Grosse relieved Captain Winslow as Commanding Officer of Boutwell. Captain Grosse, a 1969 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, had previously served in various afloat assignments including navigator of the Barque Eagle, Executive Officer of Cutter Jarvis (WHEC 725), and Commanding Officer of Cutter Vigorous (WMEC 627).²¹⁸

During the inport, Boutwell participated in San Francisco’s annual Fleet Week beginning on October 10^th. During the five-day event, Boutwell provided tours to over 5,000 visitors.  Immediately  after Fleet Week, on October 19^th, Boutwell sailed on a glory cruise with over 300 Coast Guard Auxiliarists, members of the Navy League, as well as families and friends of the crew. Also hosted  during the cruise was the reigning Miss California, Ms. Cheryl Derry.²¹⁹

After a nearly five month inport, Boutwell once again returned to Alaska for a patrol beginning on January 22^nd, 1992. On January 25^th, Boutwell came upon a U.S.-flagged fishing vessel illegally trawling in a protected stellar sea lion rookery north of Unimak Island. The 236-foot trawler, Pacific Scout, was subsequently boarded and seized due to multiple federal infractions including 41 counts of improper record keeping and reporting as well as unlawful transportation of fish.²²⁰ The vessel was released a month later following a settlement between the federal government and the ship’s owner.²²¹

During the patrol, Boutwell also served as a mediator for a growing gear conflict between domestic trawlers and crab boats near the Pribilof Islands. Captain Grosse was later commended by the Coast Guard’s Seventeenth District Commander, Rear Admiral David E. Ciancaglini, for his ability to diplomatically diffuse a potential volatile situation.²²² Boutwell also participated in two search and rescue cases including the medical evacuation of an injured crewman from the motor vessel Ocean Grace and in response to a fire onboard the fishing vessel Arctic III. ²²³ Near the end of the patrol,  Boutwell participated in a multiagency effort to identify and prosecute fishing vessels suspected of illegal bottom trawling in state waters off the Alaskan Peninsula.²²⁴ In close coordination with Alaska Fish and Wildlife Protection officers and National Marine Fisheries Service agents,²²⁵ Boutwell targeted over 40 fishing vessels suspected of illegal fishing. At the end of the operation, 27 vessels were identified for illegal fishing and subsequently charged with significant fisheries violations. ²²⁶

Boutwell completed the patrol on March 7^th,²²⁷ retuning to Alameda three days later.²²⁸ After less than a month inport, Boutwell sailed to San Diego for five weeks of refresher training.²²⁹ During the intensive evaluation period, from April 6^th to May 3^rd, Boutwell executed every exercise superbly, earning a clean sweep in all fields as well as accolades from the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area Commander, Vice Admiral Arnold Beran.²³⁰

Following refresher training, Boutwell remained in San Diego to serve as the command center  and visual reference point for security forces at the 1992 America’s Cup sailing race. During the race, Boutwell remained anchored at the start-finish line, coordinating the enforcement of the 14 mile safety zone around the race. ²³¹ The event, which was attended by over 6,000 spectator vessels, provided a unique and challenging mission for the Boutwell crew. Throughout the week, Boutwell conducted numerous law enforcement boardings and assisted in tracking gray whales during the race. In addition to her mission, Boutwell also hosted numerous visitors including U.S. Navy Rear Admiral R. R. Morgan from the Naval Reserve Readiness Command, retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral James Hirshfield, Presidential Drug Enforcement Task Force Coordinator Ron Warmbier, Navy League President Larry Matson, and many others.²³² Boutwell completed her assignment on May 16^th,²³³ at which point she headed home to Alameda for a very welcomed inport.²³⁴

On December 13^th, 1992, Boutwell was battling 30-foot seas as she transited North on an Alaska Patrol when she was stuck by a rogue wave that crested at more than 40-feet.²³⁵ The pilothouse watch standers reported green water breaking over the bridge when the wave struck. The wave’s crashing force caused heavy damage to Boutwell’s rigid hull inflatable small boat, smashed in a watertight door and the port light in the Executive Officer’s stateroom, and carried away a weatherdeck ladder and P-250 pump.²³⁶

On May 9^th, 1993, the Honduran-registered fishing trawler Chin Lung Hsiang (Golden Dragon) was intercepted by the Mexican Navy and boarded approximately 60 miles southwest of Ensenada. The vessel, loaded with 200 Chinese migrants, was given 1,000 gallons of fresh water and told to steer northward. A day later, Boutwell intercepted the trawler and continued to monitor its progress until it entered U.S. waters near San Diego’s Point Loma. The 200-foot dilapidated vessel was subsequently boarded and escorted into San Diego Harbor. Despite cramped living quarters, all migrants were reported in good health, living in a converted freezer below decks. Upon its arrival, the illegal migrants were immediately bussed to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service facility in El Centro and processed for deportation. The seven suspected smugglers and nine Taiwanese crewman of the Chin  Lung Hsiang were detained and transferred to local authorities to face federal smuggling charges.²³⁷

A month after the interdiction, in June 1993, Captain Grosse was relieved by Captain James J. Shaw Jr.²³⁸ Captain Shaw had previously commanded the Cutter Acacia (WLB 406) out of Grand Haven, Michigan.²³⁹ After a little over a year in command of Boutwell, in August 1994, Captain Shaw was relieved by Captain Terry W. Newell.²⁴⁰

Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY

From September 19^th, 1994, to March 31^st, 1995, the U.S. successfully executed an armed intervention in Haiti to remove a military regime that had overthrown the elected Haitian President, Jean- Bertrand Aristide.²⁴¹ Following his downfall in 1991, tens of thousands of Haitian citizens fled the country after facing significant economic hardships and political repressions as a result of the coup.²⁴² Dubbed Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, the effort was spearheaded by elements of the U.S. Special Operations Command and 82^nd Airborne Division who were directed by Joint Task Force 120. Not long after entering the country, U.S. forces quickly transitioned from combat to peace-keeping and nation- building operations as President Aristide was reinstated. Throughout the operation, Coast Guard cutters provided command, control, and communication services as well as assisted in repatriation efforts.²⁴³

Although not directly assigned to the operation, Boutwell was dispatched to the Caribbean at the end of 1994 and beginning of 1995. On the evening of December 22^nd, while underway 27 nautical miles east of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Boutwell spotted the sailboat Honora, a 35-foot Irish vessel en route from St. Martin to St. Thomas. As the ship approached, Boutwell’s crew noted that the boat was riding low in the water, deciding to dispatch a boarding team the following day to inspect her. Once onboard, the boarding team discovered 33 migrants from China, Haiti, Colombia, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. After this discovery, the sailboat was seized and the Irish master and Canadian crewman were detained. The ship was later towed to St. Thomas where the 33 migrants were turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the crew to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution.²⁴⁴

In early January, Boutwell participated in the repatriation of Haitian migrants from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Boutwell arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on January 7^th with 289 illegal Haitian migrants from the U.S. refugee camp in Guantanamo Bay. Flanked by Bangladeshi United Nations soldiers, the immigrants were escorted to the Haitian immigration processing center and given money by the American Red Cross. During the highly emotional evolution, the glum refugees were escorted down the pier, with two needing to be forcibly removed from the ship. The repatriation was part of an effort by the U.S. government to clear out its Guantanamo Bay camp which had peaked in July 1994, to almost 20,000 refugees.²⁴⁵

During the patrol, Boutwell also conducted military and law enforcement exercises with the Dominican Republic. Teaming up with the Coast Guard Cutter Nunivak (WPB 1306), Boutwell  conducted mock boardings, formation steaming and maneuvering, as well as night and day helicopter hoisting with the Dominican Republic vessels Orion and Colon.²⁴⁶ For her contributions in support of Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, Boutwell was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.²⁴⁷

Alaska and Eastern Pacific Patrols

In September and October of 1995, Boutwell participated in one of her more unique Alaska Patrols. In addition to her normal assignments, Boutwell took part in a scientific study to determine the feasibility of deploying the Coast Guard’s 270-foot Famous-Class cutters in the turbulent Alaskan waters.²⁴⁸ Titled Operation OCEAN MOTION, the Harriet Lane, commanded by then Commander Paul E. Zukunft, future Commandant of the Coast Guard, ²⁴⁹ became the first 270 to conduct an Alaska Patrol. Both ships were outfitted with an array of motion sensors with all data collected by three naval architects from Coast Guard Headquarters. The goal of the operation was to collect data that would “help relate  ship response, ship heading and ship speeds to crew and mission performance, and help determine the relative ability of the two crews to perform for long periods in adverse conditions.”²⁵⁰

During the patrol, on October 2^nd, Boutwell’s law enforcement team conducted a routine inspection of the fishing vessel Liberty Bay approximately 20 miles north of Dutch Harbor. During the boarding, the team discovered that 10 of the 25 crew members had falsified immigration documents. Additionally, the boarding team found numerous fishing violations including a failure to properly maintain fishing logs. The ship was subsequently escorted to Dutch Harbor where it was met by agents from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The 10 illegal aliens, all from Mexico, were later processed for deportation.²⁵¹

While on patrol in the Gulf of Alaska on July 6^th, 1996, Boutwell detected a vessel on radar approximately 250 miles southwest of Attu, deciding to maneuver close to the vessel and decide on whether to board her. Upon sighting the Boutwell, the 110-foot fishing vessel cut her two-mile-long driftnet and immediately began steaming away. The vessel, displaying no name and no flag, had been caught fishing with a net that was nearly 500 yards longer than what was permitted under a 1991 United Nations resolution for fishing in international waters.²⁵²

Boutwell pursued the vessel for ten days,²⁵³ making numerous attempts to contact her over the radio. Three days into the pursuit, Boutwell launched one of its small boats to get a closer look while attempting to make contact. As the small boat approached, a bottle with a message inside was lobbed towards the small boat, who recovered it. The message, written in Chinese, was faxed to Coast Guard Headquarters where it was quickly translated. The note identified the vessel as the Chang Fu 31, a Taiwanese ship with 23 crew members. The message also stated that the vessel had a broken freezer, was not fishing, and was currently on its way home to Taiwan. Boutwell continued shadowing the vessel  while the Coast Guard, working closely with the U.S. State Department, sought permission from the Taiwanese government to board the vessel.²⁵⁴

Boutwell continued to escort the Chang Fu 31 until approximately 420 miles off the Japanese coast, where the two ships were met by Taiwanese patrol vessels. Upon turning over all evidence, including a six-foot section of the driftnet with two salmon caught in it, Boutwell headed back to Alaskan waters to continue her patrol.²⁵⁵ The crew of the vessel, whose name was actually the Charngder No. 2, later admitted to using the net in addition to catching and selling six tons of salmon to another ship and tossing another 60 tons overboard when they were spotted by the Coast Guard. The crew was eventually prosecuted by Taiwanese authorities.²⁵⁶

After returning to port at the end of the summer, Captain Newell was relieved by Captain Ken A. Ward as Commanding Officer of Boutwell.²⁵⁷ Captain Ward, a 1974 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, had recently departed his Headquarters post as the Deputy, Office of Military Personnel, where he had served for two years. Captain Ward’s previous afloat assignments included Executive Officer of the cutters Sassafras (WLB 401), Cowslip (WLB 407), and Rush (WHEC 723), as well as Commanding Officer of the Ironwood (WLB 297).²⁵⁸

Later that year, in the winter of 1996, Boutwell was deployed to the Eastern Pacific on a Counterdrug Patrol. During the patrol, on December 12^th, Boutwell successfully interdicted a drug laden go-fast from Mexico in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. As part of the case, Boutwell seized 2,000 pounds of marijuana and detained the vessel’s three crewmembers. The drugs and detainees were later transferred  to the Mexican Navy for prosecution.²⁵⁹

In early June of 1997,²⁶⁰ Boutwell sailed into Portland for the annual Rose Festival. During the Festival, Boutwell hosted a live news show, served breakfast to the Festival Royal Court and a luncheon for the Coast Guard’s Thirteenth District Commander, as well as provided tours to thousands of visitors. Shortly after departing the festival, Boutwell was diverted to serve as the On Scene Commander after a Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter, CG6549,²⁶¹ with four persons aboard, went missing while responding to a Canadian sailboat that was in distress 40 miles off Cape Mendocino near Humboldt Bay. Over a three  day period, Boutwell coordinated search and recovery efforts²⁶² with other Coast Guard units including the cutters Sapelo (WPB 1314) and Buttonwood (WLB 306). During the search, debris from  the wreckage was found including a helmet, door, and part of the tail rotor housing. Despite covering over 70,000 square miles, the four-man aircrew was never found.²⁶³

On August 11^th, 1997, while supporting Operation BORDER SHIELD, a counterdrug operation off the coasts of Mexico and the U.S., Boutwell received word from Joint Interagency Task Force West of a possible smuggling operation south of Acapulco with a suspected transfer of drugs from a mothership to a go-fast vessel. Boutwell maneuvered to intercept the vessel as a U.S. Customs Service P-3 patrol  aircraft arrived in the area and began tracking the suspected go-fast. Three vessels from the Mexican Navy as well as one of their aircraft were also dispatched to assist with the chase. Despite a continuous pursuit by the P-3, a Navy P-3, Boutwell’s embarked HH-65 helicopter, the go-fast vessel Ramon and its five-person crew managed to escape, jettisoning their illicit cargo as they fled. Working through the  night, Boutwell and the Mexican naval vessels began recovering the jettisoned contraband, eventually retrieving over 2,400 kilograms of cocaine. Once inventoried, the cocaine was transferred to the Mexican Navy for processing.^264,265 For her efforts during the interdiction, as well as other operational and public affairs related achievements in 1997, Boutwell was awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation on July 14^th, 1998.²⁶⁶

In mid-November 1997, Boutwell departed Coast Guard Island en route to familiar Alaskan waters. During the patrol, Boutwell encountered weather consistent with that time of the year, with winds reaching 35 to 40-knots and seas as high as 18 feet. When not avoiding severe weather, the ship managed to complete 12 boardings and 33 sorties with its embarked helicopter. Additionally, Boutwell conducted two medical evacuations including the transfer of a Korean fisherman to a medical facility in Dutch Harbor on Christmas Day.²⁶⁷

In early May 1998, Boutwell was just completing a routine fisheries patrol in Alaska when she was redirected on May 21^st to assist with interdicting various foreign vessels suspected of illegal driftnet fishing. Boutwell had been scheduled to return home to Alameda on May 30^th and was transiting to its final port call in Kodiak when she received word that the patrol had been extended. ²⁶⁸ Other units involved in the operation included the Cutter Jarvis (WHEC 725), icebreaker Polar Sea (WAGB 11), Coast Guard aircraft, two Russian patrol vessels,²⁶⁹ Canadian Coast Guard aircraft, and members of the

Japanese Maritime Safety Agency. In addition to nabbing illegal driftnet fishing, the operation sought to catch violators of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Convention, which prohibited fishing for Pacific salmon and steelhead trout in the North Pacific. ²⁷⁰ While transiting to the area, Boutwell received an enforcement officer from the Chinese Bureau of Fisheries who was flown from Adak by helicopter to assist in the operation. ²⁷¹

The international operation to nab fisherman engaged in illegal fishing practices began on May 19^th, 1998, when a Coast Guard C-130 patrol aircraft out of Kodiak spotted five ships engaged in illegal driftnet fishing 360 miles southwest of Attu. ²⁷² During the operation, Coast Guard and Russian forces seized four fishing vessels engaged in high-seas driftnet fishing. Boutwell was the first to make her mark, intercepting a Russian trawler engaged in illegal fishing; later transferring the vessel to Russian authorities for prosecution. ²⁷³ On May 25^th, the Polar Sea gave chase to the Chinese fishing trawler Zhong Xin 37,²⁷⁴ which fled deep into Russia’s exclusive economic zone. After pursuing the vessel for three days in heavy fog and rain, Polar Sea relented and turned to head back towards Alaskan waters.  Not long after breaking her pursuit, one of the Russian patrol boats opened fire on the vessel, killing the trawler’s skipper and navigator, and wounding three others. The vessel was subsequently boarded and seized by Russian officials.²⁷⁵

On May 28^th, Boutwell spotted the 150-foot Chinese fishing vessel Tai Sheng using a driftnet that measured 9.4 miles in length. ²⁷⁶ Boutwell pursued the vessel for four days, covering 1,200 before finally stopping and boarding the vessel. ²⁷⁷ Boutwell’s interdiction was later recognized as the largest high-seas driftnet case in Coast Guard history. ²⁷⁸ A day later, on June 2^nd, ²⁷⁹ Jarvis interdicted another fishing trawler engaged in illegal high-seas driftnet fishing. The Chinese fishing vessel Shan Ya 16 was boarded and seized by Jarvis 700 miles northeast of Japan.²⁸⁰ Jarvis later took custody of Boutwell’s seized  vessel, escorting both for transfer to Chinese authorities in Shanghai. Shortly after Boutwell’s  interdiction, on June 9^th, she stopped briefly in Japan in order to resupply as well as embark a Senior Airman from Yokota Air Base to serve as a mandarin linguist.²⁸¹ Boutwell returned from the extended patrol in the late summer. Soon after returning to Alameda, Captain Herbert H. “Chip” Sharpe took Command of Boutwell, relieving Captain Ward in August 1998.²⁸²

On October 5^th, 1998, Boutwell was diverted from an Eastern Pacific Deployment to intercept a Liberian tanker suspected of leaking oil off the California Coast. The 717-foot tanker Command had suffered a six-inch crack in one of its fuel tanks while in San Francisco Bay on September 24^th. Port authorities  ensured  containment  of  the  oil  spill,  taking  a  sample  for  use  in future analyses. Upon completion of repairs, the ship was inspected and authorized to depart the bay. On September 27^th, a 15­ mile oil slick was discovered several miles from the Farallon Islands. A sample collected from the site was sent in to the Coast Guard Marine Safety and California Petroleum Chemistry Laboratories, along with the sample from Command’s first spill. Both samples matched, implicating the Command in the second spill which killed off 96 seabirds, including two endangered brown pelicans, and cost over $1 million in cleanup expenses. ²⁸³ In all, 1,300 gallons of oil was skimmed off the ocean with four tons of tar balls removed from the nearby San Mateo County beaches.²⁸⁴

Boutwell later intercepted the Command 200 miles south of Guatemala. Upon boarding the ship, the team inspected the vessel in addition to collecting oil samples for inclusion as evidence. These samples also matched the two previous samples collected.²⁸⁵ Boutwell later accompanied the Command  to Panama, where she was met by Liberian authorities. While pier side, the Coast Guard continued to gather evidence over the next few days until they were ordered off by Liberian authorities.²⁸⁶ The Command’s skipper and chief engineer voluntarily returned to the U.S. on January 26^th, 1999, to face charges of deliberately dumping fuel oil and polluting the environment. ²⁸⁷ Boutwell’s interception of the vessel and the case that followed marked the first prosecution of a violation of U.S. pollution laws on the high seas.²⁸⁸

On July 13^th, 2000, at a Change of Command ceremony on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Captain Beverly G. Kelley relieved Captain Sharpe as Commanding Officer of Boutwell.²⁸⁹ Captain Kelley made Coast Guard history in 1979, becoming the first female to command a U.S. military vessel when, as a Lieutenant Junior Grade, she became the Commanding Officer of Cutter Cape Newagen (WPB 95318).²⁹⁰ Previous afloat assignments included Executive Officer of the Cutter Legare (WMEC 912)  and Commanding Officer of the Cutter Northland (WMEC 904).²⁹¹

Boutwell in the 21^st Century (2001 – 2016)

During a Bering Sea patrol, on April 2^nd, 2001, Boutwell and the Coast Guard heavy icebreaker Polar Star (WAGB 10) participated in a tragic search for the fishing vessel Arctic Rose. The Coast Guard picked up an emergency locator beacon signal at 3:30 am from the 92-foot fishing vessel approximately 775 miles southwest of Anchorage. No distress call was ever received. The last noted contact from the ship was a late night check-in with the vessel’s sister ship, the Alaskan Rose, on April 1^st. In the face of 40-knot winds, 20-foot seas, and freezing sea spray, the cutters searched for the ship’s survivors, later finding an oil sheen, empty life raft, and six survival suits. In what became the worst fishing disaster  since 1982, the Arctic Rose was believed lost, with all 15 crewmembers perishing. One body was later recovered by the Alaskan Rose with another located but unrecoverable due to the turbulent weather conditions.²⁹²

On September 11^th, 2001, the United States was shaken by the tragic terrorist attacks that collapsed the World Trade Centers, damaged the Pentagon, destroyed three airliners, and killed nearly 3,000 people. In the wake of the attacks, the Coast Guard immediately mobilized more than 2,000 Reservists in the largest homeland defense and port security operation since the Second World War.²⁹³ For Boutwell, the realities of the terrorist attacks touched off a series of events which would eventually lead to her participation in operations through the world.

At the beginning of 2002, Boutwell departed Alameda as part of the first Operation NEW FRONTIER deployment in the Eastern Pacific.²⁹⁴ Operation NEW FRONTIER, which introduced armed helicopters and over-the-horizon small boats, served as a test platform for enhancing interdiction rates on drug-laden go-fast vessels. The helicopters, which were armed with M240 machine guns, .50 caliber sniper rifles, and night vision capabilities, proved highly effective against the vessels, forcing them to stop with either warning shots or disabling fire. Before Operation NEW FRONTIER, the Coast Guard only had about a one in 10 chance of stopping a go-fast. With the new equipment and tactics, the Coast Guard was stopping all go-fast vessels targeted.²⁹⁵ One of the largest contributors to this success, was the Coast Guard’s establishment of the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) in Jacksonville, Florida in 1998. HITRON Jacksonville, led by Commander Mark “Roscoe” Torres, pioneered a majority of the operating tactics and procedures used during Operation NEW FRONTIER.²⁹⁶

During the counterdrug deployment, on February 4^rd, Boutwell interdicted a Columbian go-fast vessel 20 nautical miles from Guatemala’s territorial waters. During the operation, Boutwell seized over 2,300 kilograms of cocaine and detained four crewmen. Seven days later, Boutwell and Hamilton  (WHEC 715), along with their HITRON helicopters, interdicted a second Columbian go-fast vessel 150 nautical miles southwest of Costa Rica, seizing over 3,000 kilograms of cocaine and detaining six smugglers.²⁹⁷ A month later, on March 12^th, Boutwell and Hamilton chased two go-fasts, stopping one²⁹⁸ 20 nautical miles west of Cabo San Lazarro, Mexico, ²⁹⁹ seizing 1.5 tons of marijuana and detaining the three person crew. The three crewmen were later turned over to Mexican authorities for prosecution.³⁰⁰ Boutwell returned to Alameda in mid-March, later receiving the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation for their outstanding mission performance in support of Operation NEW FRONTIER. ³⁰

Following the historic counterdrug patrol, Captain Kelley was relieved by Captain Scott D. Genovese as Boutwell’s Commanding Officer in July, 2002.³⁰² Two months after the Change of Command, Boutwell participated in San Francisco’s Fleet Week 2002. As a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11^th, 2001, San Francisco’s Fleet Week was cancelled that year. On October 11^th, 2002, Fleet Week resumed amid tighter security which included additional requirements for ship tours and the creation of a 100 yard security zone around all Navy and Coast Guard vessels, both moored and underway. Boutwell participated in the festivities that year, providing tours to the public, as well as  sailing in the Parade of ships with four Navy vessels and the World War II Liberty Ship Jeremiah O'Brien on October 12^th.³⁰³

Operation IRAQI FREEDOM

Towards the end of 2002, Boutwell was notified by the Coast Guard Pacific Area Command that she would deploy to the Persian Gulf as part of a U.S. Central Command request for Coast Guard support in preparation for possible combat operations in Iraq.³⁰⁴ At 1030 am on January 3^rd, 2003, Boutwell departed Alameda, California, with a teary-eyed send off from family members and friends of the crew. After departing Alameda, Boutwell sailed for ten days to Hawaii where additional provisions and fuel were onloaded.³⁰⁵ While in Hawaii, Boutwell also embarked an HH-65A helicopter and aviation detachment from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, which included two pilots, a rescue swimmer, and five flight mechanics.³⁰⁶ After leaving Hawaii on January 13^th307, Boutwell joined the Tarawa (LHA 1) Amphibious Ready Group en route to the Persian Gulf.³⁰⁸

During the transit, Boutwell made two additional stops in Singapore and Bahrain before commencing operations.³⁰⁹ In all, Boutwell sailed approximately 15,000 miles, joining U.S. Navy and Coalition warships in the Persian Gulf³¹⁰ on February 6^th under Task Force 55. Once in the Gulf,  Boutwell joined the Constellation (CV 64) Battle Group ³¹¹ where her primary mission was to assist in enforcing United Nation Resolution 986, which ordered sanctions on Iraqi shipping.³¹² The sanctions, which were enacted in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, prevented contraband goods, weapons, and oil from being trafficked in and out of Iraq.³¹³ In mid February, Boutwell received orders to patrol south of the Khawr al-Amaya and Mina al Bakr Oil Terminals, executing Maritime Interdiction Operations in support of the United Nations’ sanctions.³¹⁴

In all, the Coast Guard deployed 11 cutters and 1,300 active duty and activated reservists to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. This became the largest overseas commitment of Coast Guard forces since the Vietnam War. In the Mediterranean under the Navy’s Sixth Fleet, Port Security Units 304 and 309, the Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716), and four Island- class Patrol Boats, Pea Island (WPB 1347), Knight Island (WPB 1348), Bainbridge Island (WPB 1343), and Grande Isle (WPB 1338), provided port security and escorts to coalition ships operating from the Strait of Gibraltar to the eastern edge of the Mediterranean. In addition to conducting boardings in the area and plane guard duty, the Dallas also served, for a time, as the only surface asset protecting two U.S. aircraft carries, the Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). During one particular operation, in the midst of a late night sandstorm, Dallas provided critical illumination using her masthead lights to guide jets back to the carrier decks.³¹⁵

In the Persian Gulf, under the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, in addition to Boutwell, Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments aboard U.S. Navy and coalition vessels, Port Security Units 311 and 313, four Island-class Patrol Boats, Adak (WPB 1333), Aquidneck (WPB 1309), Baranof (WPB 1318), and Wrangell (WPB 1332), the buoy tender Walnut (WLB 205), and elements of the National Strike Force³¹⁶ provided port and waterway security in Iraq’s main port of Umm Qasr and along the Khawr Abd Allah

Waterway, guarded oil platforms, and revitalized and replaced critical aids to navigation. As the Island- class patrol boats inspected fishing dhows and shipwrecks which littered the Khawr Abd Allah Waterway, Port Security Unit 311 guarded the port of Umm Qasr, and Port Security Unit 313 guarded offshore oil platforms. The Walnut, nicknamed the “Warnut,” was originally deployed to assist with oil spill containment believing the Iraqi Forces would use environmental warfare as they had in the First Gulf War. The spills never happened. Instead, the Walnut replaced 30 navigation aids along the Khawr Abd Allah Waterway which were discovered untouched in a warehouse in the port city of Umm Qasr. For the first time in over 10 years, the waterway and its associated navigation aids reflected published navigation charts. ³¹⁷

On February 15^th, Boutwell conducted its first of many law enforcement boardings with an inspection on an anchored container ship, the Manta-registered Marathon II. The two day inspection ensured that the ship’s manifest and cargo, which included 450 containers, was in keeping with shipments allowed by the United Nations.³¹⁸ With this inspection, and the many that followed, an eight to ten man team was dispatched, verifying the ship’s manifest and inspecting each of the ship’s containers. In the beginning, the inspections were time consuming and dangerous since many of the boarding team members had little or no experience with inspecting ships of this type. The inspections also required a great deal of physical exertion, with boarding teams employing rock climbing gear to reach the containers at the highest levels. Faced with foreign crews with unknown allegiances, poor lighting, and rat and  insect infested holds, the boarding teams quickly honed new skill sets. As their proficiency increased, the teams were able to complete as many as three large vessel inspections in a single day.³¹⁹ By the end of their time in the Persian Gulf, Boutwell logged 123 boardings, ranging from large shipping vessels to small wooden dhows.³²⁰

A few days after their first inspection, Boutwell trailed a darkened ship that was attempting to avoid detection during the night. Silhouetted by the moon and back-lighted by natural gas flares from offshore oil platforms, Boutwell was able to easily track the vessel despite the dark night. Trailing the vessel for 20 miles, Boutwell quietly maneuvered alongside and illuminated the ship’s bridge with its spotlight. The ship, which was later identified as the North Korean-flagged tanker Al Noor, was ordered  to proceed to a holding area under escort by the Boutwell. Once onboard the vessel, Boutwell’s law enforcement team discovered illegal Iraqi oil resulting in the seizure of the vessel and detainment of the crew. The Al Noor was then escorted to Kuwait where it remained under Navy and Coast Guard surveillance.³²¹

On March 7^th, a horde of approximately 60 dhows broke out of the Khawr Abd Allah Waterway in an attempt to evade coalition forces. As the dhows scattered, the Cutters Wrangell and Adak, aided by Boutwell’s HH-65 helicopter, managed to coral and inspect all of the vessels which were suspected of carrying mines or fleeing Iraqi officials.³²² On March 19^th, less than two weeks after the major breakout attempt, and two days after warnings from President George W. Bush demanding the surrender of Saddam Hussein and his sons, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM commenced with the U.S.-led coalition bombing of Baghdad.³²³ Boutwell’s crew watched as U.S. warships launched Tomahawk missiles from the Persian Gulf, later seeing them hit their mark on CNN.³²⁴

With the onset of hostilities, it became increasingly important for the U.S. and coalition forces to secure the Khawr al-Amaya and Mina al Bakr Oil Terminals. Believing the Iraqi military would employ environmental warfare as it had done in the First Gulf War, coalition forces needed to secure the terminals to neutralize that treat as well as maintain a faucet for future revenues that would help fund reconstruction efforts after the war had ended. On March 20^th, U.S. Navy SEALs and Polish Special Forces stormed the terminals, taking control without incident. Once the terminals were secured and all prisoners removed, Coast Guard Port Security Units 311 and 313 took over care taking and guard duties. Two days later, a severe sand storm struck, forcing the Port Security Units to get their 25-foot patrol boats underway.

Exhausted from navigating in the treacherous waters for hours, and running low on fuel, the small boat crews called for assistance. Boutwell and Walnut quickly responded, rendering assistance until the boats could safely return to the terminals.³²⁵

As the initial phase of naval combat operations drew to a close, the focus shifted to restoring the Khawr Abd Allah Waterway for shipping and the arrival of humanitarian aid. On March 28^th,³²⁶ Boutwell’s embarked helicopter served as an escort for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Sir Galahad³²⁷ which was transporting nearly 200 tons of humanitarian aid to Iraq. The mission, which  aimed to provide aid and win the trust of Iraqis, ³²⁸ was the first arrival of provisions to Iraq since the war started.³²⁹ A few days later, Boutwell’s helicopter conducted the first assessment of buoys along the Khawr Abd Allah Waterway, providing critical assistance to the Walnut crew who were planning the servicing and replacement of all navigation aids. ³³⁰

Throughout its time in the Persian Gulf, Boutwell served as a logistics hub for the four Island- class patrol boats and their crews which began regular patrols in the Persian Gulf on March 9^th.³³¹ Boutwell’s support included providing fuel, food, laundry, and shower services.³³² Navy helicopters would also deliver mail, supplies, and spare parts to Boutwell who would then send its small boats out to distribute them among the other Coast Guard cutters in the region. As the only Coast Guard helicopter in the Persian Gulf, Boutwell’s embarked helicopter became the aerial unit of choice for numerous mission including logistics flights, patrol duties, medical evacuations, and transporting passengers between coalition vessels. By the end of its time in the region, Boutwell’s helicopter had flown as far north as Umm Qasr and Basrah, executed 12 search and rescue missions,³³³ and logged 181 flights.³³⁴

On May 1^st, with the end of major combat operations in Iraq,³³⁵ Boutwell’s mission in the area drew to a close. Departing on May 14^th,³³⁶ Boutwell transited the Suez Canal for port calls in the Mediterranean, followed by a transit across the Atlantic, and finally into the Pacific via the Panama Canal.³³⁷      On July 14^th, 2003, Boutwell returned home to Alameda, welcomed by over 600 family members and friends anxiously waiting on the pier. As the ship made its final approach to the pier, a 15­ cannon salute exploded in the bay, commemorating their long voyage. During the 192-day deployment, Boutwell sailed over 41,000 miles, circumnavigating the globe, crossing 23 time zones, and making port calls in Sicily, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Malta and Rota, Spain. At one point during the deployment, Boutwell spent 70 days without a port call.³³⁸

On March 1^st, 2003, in the midst of the Boutwell’s service in the Persian Gulf, the Coast Guard transitioned from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security as part of  the largest reorganization of the federal government in over 50 years. As attested by Admiral Thomas Collins, the 22^nd Commandant of the Coast Guard, the transition was considered one of the primary contributing factors to the Coast Guard’s many successes in support of combat operations in Iraq.³³⁹

After returning home, Captain Genovese was awarded the Bronze Star for his “extraordinary determination and bravery” as Commanding Officer of Boutwell in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.³⁴⁰ At a ceremony on Coast Guard Island, Vice Admiral Terry Cross, the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area Commander, officially presented the award. After being pinned, Captain Genovese stated he would wear it in honor of those who served under him and those who continue to serve in the Middle East.³⁴¹

Counterdrug and Bering Sea Operations

With its first regular patrol since Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Boutwell departed on an Eastern Pacific Counterdrug Deployment on February 14^th, 2004. On March 7^th, while on patrol approximately 270 miles off the Mexico – Guatemala border, Boutwell was notified by an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement patrol aircraft of two suspect fishing vessels operating in the area. Boutwell quickly intercepted the two vessels, finding 133 bales onboard containing over 3,000 kilograms of cocaine. The Guatemalan-based El Almirante and Columbian-based Siete Mares were subsequently seized and all 12 crew members detained. Both the drugs and suspected traffickers were later transferred to authorities in San Diego. Boutwell returned to Alameda from the 49-day deployment on April 3^rd.^342,343

In June 2004, Captain Lance L. Bardo relieved Captain Genovese as Boutwell’s Commanding Officer.³⁴⁴ Captain Bardo, a 1981 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, had previously commanded the Cutters Courageous (WMEC 622), Neah Bay (WTGB 105), and Cape Wash (WPB 95310) as well as served as the Executive Officer of the Cutter Confidence (WMEC 619).³⁴⁵ Following the Change of Command, in the fall of 2004, Boutwell again participated in an Eastern Pacific Counterdrug Deployment. While patrolling approximately 80 miles south of El Salvador, Boutwell’s embarked helicopter discovered a suspicious fishing vessel. The following day, on November 19^th, Boutwell approached the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Kodiac, finding it abandoned and partially submerged. Once onboard, Boutwell’s crew seized 2,100 kilograms of cocaine. On December 9^th, Boutwell located a second partially submerged vessel. The 80-foot fishing vessel Jami was loaded with 108 bales of cocaine. Boutwell returned to Alameda just in time for the Holidays, arriving on December 21^st.^346,347

In mid February 2005, after a brief inport, Boutwell departed on a 90-day Counterdrug Deployment in the Eastern Pacific. While on patrol on March 29^th, Boutwell, working with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft, located and intercepted the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Lesvos approximately 300 miles west of Mexico. Once on board, Boutwell’s boarding team discovered and seized over 4,500 kilograms of cocaine, detaining the vessel’s six-man crew. Over two weeks later, on April 17^th, Boutwell and its HH-68 HITRON helicopter intercepted and boarded the Venezuelan-flagged fishing vessel Isis. During that boarding, Boutwell’s law enforcement personnel discovered 141 bales containing over 3,200 kilograms of cocaine. The ship’s 12-man crew was detained and their cargo seized. Apart from counter drug operations, Boutwell also participated in the rescue of a Mexican national 150 miles west of the Galapagos. The man, who had been adrift in his 28-foot fishing vessel Iris II for 23 days, was spotted waving a makeshift flag by Boutwell’s lookout. The man was later brought aboard and treated for dehydration. On May 14^th, Boutwell returned home to Alameda to offload more than 7,800 kilograms of cocaine.^348,349

In late November, Boutwell again departed Alameda on a Counterdrug Deployment in the Eastern Pacific. ³⁵⁰ During the transit south, Boutwell stopped in San Diego to onload fuel as well as load supplies in support of Project Handclasp. The supplies, which were delivered to Tocumen, Panama, on December 31^st, included medical supplies, hygiene products, school supplies, and toys for the local children. While in Tocumen, Boutwell crewmembers also assisted in painting classrooms and repairing electrical wiring at the Escuela Fuente de Amor.³⁵¹ While patrolling on January 16^th, Boutwell and its HITRON, working  with the USS De Wert (FFG-45) and its embarked Law Enforcement Detachment 406, pursued and intercepted two go-fast vessels carrying a combined load of over 2,400 kilograms of cocaine, detaining their nine crewmembers.^352,353 Four days later, Boutwell intercepted the 63-foot Columbian fishing vessel Angie Mar, employing warning shots from the embarked helicopter, as well as an entangling device from the small boat in order to stop the vessel.³⁵⁴ Upon boarding, Boutwell’s law enforcement team seized nearly 2,300 kilograms of cocaine, detaining the vessel’s 12 crewmembers. The crewmembers and contraband were later turned over to Columbian authorities. Boutwell returned home to Alameda on February 8^th, having completed a highly successful 74-day patrol.³⁵⁵

On March 21^st, following an 80-year relationship with the city, the Coast Guard officially designated Boutwell’s homeport of Alameda as a “Coast Guard City.” The designation was in recognition of the support Alameda provided to more than 2,600 active duty, reserve, and civilian employees stationed on Coast Guard Island. At the time, only five other cities had received this honorary distinction.³⁵⁶

In June 2006, Captain Peter J. Brown relieved Captain Bardo as Boutwell’s Commanding Officer.³⁵⁷ Captain Brown, a 1985 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, had been assigned to three previous afloat units and had recently been Commanding Officer of Tactical Law Enforcement Team South in Miami, Florida.³⁵⁸ Shortly after taking command, Captain Brown led Boutwell on a routine Counterdrug Deployment in the Eastern Pacific. During the deployment, on August 24^th, Boutwell interdicted the sinking fishing vessel Mi Panchito which was carrying over 6,700 kilograms of cocaine.^359,360 On September 12^th, Boutwell, along with its embarked helicopter, interdicted a go-fast vessel approximately 120 miles west of Puerto Quetzal. After intercepting the vessel, Boutwell seized over 2,900 kilograms of cocaine and detained four suspected smugglers. Five days later, Boutwell teamed with its helicopter to interdict a second go-fast vessel approximately 460 miles northeast of the Galapagos Islands. During that seizure, Boutwell recovered 590 kilograms of cocaine and detained three suspected smugglers. ^361,362 On October 17^th, almost a month after its previous interdiction, Boutwell intercepted and boarded the Ecuadorian fishing vessel, Ludemar, finding and seizing 90 kilograms of cocaine.³⁶³

On November 30^th, 2006, Boutwell was honored at a ceremony in Alameda for her tremendous success in counterdrug operations in the fall of 2006. During the ceremony, Boutwell received four cocaine interdiction stickers for seizing nearly 23,000 pounds of cocaine related to four different cases which included the apprehension of 16 suspected smugglers. The stickers were then affixed to the ship’s bridge wings on either side of the pilothouse.³⁶⁴

In the early months of 2007, Boutwell departed on another Eastern Pacific Counterdrug deployment. During the patrol, in mid February, Boutwell participated in the rescue of five sea turtles which were caught in an abandoned fishing net. After releasing the turtles, Boutwell’s crew proceeded to remove debris from the area to prevent any further impact on marine life.³⁶⁵

Beginning July 22^nd, 2007, Boutwell embarked on a multinational Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fisheries enforcement patrol in the High Seas Drift Net (HSDN) High Threat Area with an embarked shiprider from the Peoples Republic of China³⁶⁶ and South Korean observers.³⁶⁷ The multinational effort included cooperation from Canada, China, Russia, and Japan under the authority of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum. The Forum, which served as a venue to foster “multilateral cooperation through the sharing of information on matters related to combined operations, exchange of information, illegal drug trafficking, maritime security, fisheries enforcement, illegal migration, and maritime domain awareness,” bolstered efforts in 2007 to enforce the United Nation General Assembly’s 1991 resolution against high seas driftnet fishing in the Pacific. ³⁶⁸ As part of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum, Boutwell visited Shanghai, China³⁶⁹ on August 16^th370, joining the Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander, Vice Admiral Charles Wurster, to discuss joint operations.³⁷¹ Boutwell departed Shanghai on August 20^th.³⁷²

On August 28^th, Boutwell moored in Yokosuka, Japan, to embark an officer from the China Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (CFLEC), who would assist in enforcing the United Nation’s resolution on Chinese-flagged vessels.³⁷³ Six days later, Boutwell intercepted the Chinese fishing vessel Lu Rong Yu 6007 for illegal high seas driftnet fishing, turning the vessel over to Chinese authorities on September 13^th. ³⁷⁴ On September 14^th, Boutwell, with the help of her embarked helicopter, located and intercepted the Indonesian fishing vessel Fong Seng No. 818, which was rigged for illegal high seas drift net fishing. Upon counter-detecting the Coast Guard, the Fong Seng No. 818 began evasive maneuvers while attempting to hide her gear on deck. After intercepting the vessel, Boutwell determined its registry through Right of Approach questioning. Boutwell’s efforts enabled the State Department to initiate a dialogue with the Government of Indonesia for prosecuting the Fong Seng No. 818. ³⁷⁵

During the patrol, from September 15^th through the 21^st, a meeting was held in Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky, Russia, known as the U.S. Coast Guard / Russian Northeast Border Guard Directorate Joint Working Group. As part of the meeting, Boutwell moored in Petropavlovsk for a mid-patrol break. Led  by the Pacific Area Commander, Vice Admiral Charles Wurster, and the Seventeenth District Commander, Rear Admiral Arthur Brooks, Coast Guard representatives met with the Chief, Northeast Border Guard Directorate Lieutenant General Aleksandr Lebedev. During the meeting, personnel exchange opportunities, joint patrols, and scientific, technological, and tactical information sharing were discussed.³⁷⁶

After departing Russia, on September 24^th, Boutwell’s embarked helicopter observed the Chinese fishing vessel Zhe Dai Yuan Yu 829 concealing net spreaders, evidence of illegal driftnets onboard. Upon boarding by Boutwell’s law enforcement team and the Chinese shiprider, the ship’s captain admitted to having two groups of nets approximately 18,000 to 21,000 feet in length. On October 1^st, Boutwell intercepted and boarded the Chinese fishing vessel Lu Rong Yu 1961, which was also engaged in high seas driftnet fishing. Both vessels were placed in the custody of the Chinese shiprider and later escorted  to the Tsugaru Straight and transferred to Chinese authorities on October 3^rd.³⁷⁷ Two days later, Boutwell seized three fishing vessels, the Lu Rong Yu 2659, Lu Rong Yu 2660, and Lu Rong Yu 6105, under the authority of the Chinese shiprider. Together, the three vessels were holding nearly 80 tons of squid³⁷⁸  with all suspected of engaging in illegal high seas driftnet fishing. Boutwell later transferred custody of  all three ships to the Midgett (WHEC 726) for escort and transfer to Chinese authorities.³⁷⁹

During the months of September and October alone, Boutwell and one of her sister ships, Midgett, interdicted six Chinese-flagged vessels engaged in illegal driftnet fishing, transferring custody of all to Chinese authorities for investigation and prosecution. ³⁸⁰ In 2007, the U.S. and China intercepted and seized ten Chinese illegal high-seas driftnetters, with an additional three fined.³⁸¹ In conjunction with the 108-day patrol, Boutwell’s crew enjoyed port calls in Honolulu, Hawaii; Midway Island; Shanghai, China; Yokosuka and Nagoya, Japan; and Petropavlovsk, Russia. Following the patrol, Boutwell returned to Alameda on November 6^th. ³⁸² For their innovative employment of interdiction tactics as well as efforts in building international partnerships during the patrol, Boutwell was awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation.³⁸³

In June 2008, Captain Brown was relieved by Captain Kevin Cavanaugh as Boutwell’s Commanding Officer.³⁸⁴ Captain Cavanaugh, a 1980 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, had previously served as the Coast Guard’s Eleventh District Chief of Planning and Force Readiness, Pacific Area Branch Chief, Response Division, as well as a Project Manager at the Coast Guard’s Research and Development Center.³⁸⁵

Around the World Tour

On January 12^th, 2009, Boutwell departed Alameda on its second around-the-world deployment as part of the USS Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group. The purpose of the deployment was to conduct training and professional exchanges with foreign militaries in the Western Pacific as well as bolster cooperative maritime strategy between the Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps.³⁸⁶ Following the departure, Boutwell sailed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, arriving on the 21^st. Boutwell would later depart Pearl Harbor, crossing the International Date Line on January 23^rd.³⁸⁷

On February 4^th, Boutwell moored in Kato Kinabalu, Malaysia, in order to provide maritime law enforcement training to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. In addition to an in-depth overview of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Use of Force Policy, continuum, and boarding procedures, the Malaysian Coast Guard received hands on training as well as a culminating exercise which included a mock boarding of a fishing vessel. The mock boarding provided the Malaysians an opportunity to apply the techniques learned throughout the training and included a felony arrest of the fishing vessel’s master. Apart from training, Boutwell crewmembers also assisted in a restoration project of a wetlands conservation park in Kato Kinabalu.³⁸⁸

Following the stop in Malaysian, Boutwell sailed on to Cochin, India, arriving on February 17^th. During the visit, Boutwell crewmembers attended cultural events, assisted with refurbishing a Good Hope Relief Home, and attended various presentations by the Indian Coast Guard. Later, a formal reception  was held onboard Boutwell to provide the Indian Coast Guard with a brief of U.S. culture. On the final day of the visit, Boutwell participated in a training exercise with the Indian Coast Guard which included search and rescue and anti-piracy operations. Boutwell departed Cochin on February 20^th.³⁸⁹ A day later, Boutwell arrived in the Republic of Maldives for a scheduled port visit. During their stay, Boutwell provided law enforcement and search and rescue training³⁹⁰ to the Maldivian National Defense Force. ³⁹¹ After the short visit, Boutwell departed the Maldives on February 24^th en route to Pakistan. ³⁹²

On March 5^th, Boutwell arrived in Karachi, Pakistan, for a four day port visit in conjunction with a 10-day international naval exercise titled AMAN 2009. Representatives of 38 countries participated in AMAN 2009, as well as ships from 11 nations including the U.S., United Kingdom, Pakistan, and Australia. The purpose of the exercise was to bolster maritime security in the region, strengthen international partnerships, and emphasize the importance of maritime cooperation through naval surface exercises, air-defense training, explosive ordnance disposal training, and foreign officer exchanges. For the U.S., AMAN 2009 was part of Maritime Security Operations in the region with the goal of improving the interoperability and tactical proficiency between Coalition nations. After departing Karachi on March 9^th, Boutwell, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and USS Lake Chaplain (CG 57), under U.S. 5^th Fleet, commenced the underway portion of the exercises off the coast of Pakistan.³⁹³ Following the exercises, Boutwell returned to Karachi on March 12^th for the AMAN 2009 closing ceremonies.³⁹⁴

Following the exercises, Boutwell headed for Bahrain for a much needed logistics stop. During the transit of the Strait of Hormuz, Boutwell, which was steaming with USS Lake Champlain and Australian frigate HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152), was approached by several high-speed Iranian patrol craft. Despite raising the alarm of the Coalition vessels, the transit was completed without incident. On March 19^th, Boutwell arrived in Bahrain to receive supplies, personnel, and fuel. ³⁹⁵

After departing Bahrain on March 23^rd, Boutwell was tasked with patrolling the “hash highway” off the coast of Iran and Pakistan. On March 27^th, Boutwell encountered a skiff with 22 Iranian men in  the Gulf of Oman. The skiff, which had run out of fuel, had been adrift for three days without food or water. After providing medical assistance to four Iranians, Boutwell supplied the skiff with food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. After the vessel returned home, the Government of Iran issued a official message of gratitude to the Omani Coast Guard which thanked “Coalition Warship 719” for the humanitarian aid it provided to its sailors. ³⁹⁶ Shortly after, Boutwell suffered an engine-room fire which damaged one of its main gas turbine engines beyond repair, forcing her to return to Bahrain for maintenance.³⁹⁷ From the April 7^th to the 18^th, Boutwell replaced the damaged engine, departing Bahrain on April 19^th. ³⁹⁸

Following a brief stop for fuel in Muscat, Oman, Boutwell sailed to the Gulf of Aden, stopping in Djibouti, Djibouti on April 24^th. During the brief stop, Boutwell was visited by Admiral Thad W. Allen, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, as well as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Master Chief Charles “Skip” W. Bowen. Boutwell departed Djibouti on the 25^th. On April 28^th, Boutwell received a distress call from the motor vessel³⁹⁹ Skaftafell⁴⁰⁰ stating that they were under pirate attack. Boutwell’s HH-65 helicopter, which was already airborne, diverted to intercept the pirate skiff. With the assistance of the helicopter, and a French Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Boutwell was able to pursue the skiff and launch both of its small boats. After sighting the helicopter, the pirates attempted to flee but were intercepted and boarded by Boutwell’s law enforcement teams just outside of Somali territorial waters. The boarding teams apprehended and questioned the seven suspected pirates who were later released. ⁴⁰¹

Following operations in the Gulf of Aden, Boutwell sailed into the Red Sea, stopping for 24 hours in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on May 13^th. During the short visit, Boutwell provided maritime  law  enforcement and shipboard damage control tactics training to the Saudi Royal Naval Forces. Three days later, Boutwell moored in Aqaba, Jordan, providing maritime law enforcement training to the Royal Jordanian Navy. Following its visit to Jordan, Boutwell commenced its 100-mile journey through the  Suez Canal, later transiting to Santorini, Greece, for a five day port call. ⁴⁰²

On May 31^st, Boutwell made history, sailing into Tubruq, Libya, and becoming the first U.S. military ship to visit the country in over 40 years. The three day visit included numerous leadership exchanges, formal and informal dinner receptions, and training with Libyan maritime enforcement personnel. The visit and training, which ranged from international search and rescue to damage control training, was part of a mission to help strengthen the maritime partnerships between the two countries. In addition to the Commanding Officer, Captain Kevin Cavanaugh and Commander, Task Force 68, Captain “Red” Smith, making visits with local military and civilian leaders, Boutwell held a luncheon onboard which was attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Gene A. Cretz.⁴⁰³

Following its historic trip to Libya, Boutwell made two additional stops in the Mediterranean: Civitavecchia, Italy, and Gibraltar. After leaving Gibraltar on June 14^th, Boutwell commenced its 3,800 mile, transatlantic trip home. Before making its transit through the Miraflores locks in Panama, Boutwell made one final port call in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. On June 27^th, Boutwell returned to the Pacific Ocean, steaming south for a brief period to cross the Equator before heading north. Boutwell made one final stop in San Pedro, California, in order to onload fuel and supplies as well as pickup family members of the crew for the final leg of the journey. On the evening of July 7^th, Rear Admiral Timothy S. Sullivan, Deputy Commander, Pacific Area, arrived via helicopter to participate in Boutwell’s transit into San Francisco Bay. On the morning of July 8^th, Boutwell arrived in Alameda having spent 178 days away from home, traveling 41,000 nautical miles, and circumnavigating the globe for the second time in its career. ⁴⁰⁴ For their exceptionally meritorious service during this period, Boutwell’s crew was awarded  the Coast Guard Unit Commendation. ⁴⁰⁵

On October 6, 2009, only a short time after returning home from the around-the-world patrol, Boutwell participated in San Francisco Fleet Week 2009. Boutwell was joined at the city celebration by the Canadian ships HMCS Edmonton (MM 703), HMCS Brandon (MM 710), and HMCS Whitehorse (MM 705), as well as the USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and SS Jeremiah O’Brien.⁴⁰⁶

On June 17^th, 2010, at a ceremony in Alameda, Captain Cavanaugh was relieved by Captain Thomas E. Crabbs as Boutwell’s Commanding Officer. Following his relief, Captain Cavanaugh retired from the Coast Guard after 30 years of service.⁴⁰⁷ Captain Crabbs, who received his commission from Officer Candidate School in 1987, had previously served as the Commanding Officer for the Cutter Thetis (WMEC 910).⁴⁰⁸

With the decommissioning of Hamilton (WHEC 715) and new arrival of National Security Cutters to Alameda, Boutwell shifted homeports to San Diego.⁴⁰⁹ Before departing, a Change of Command was conducted in Alameda on May 12^th, 2011, at which Captain Crabbs was relieved by Captain Matthew J. Gimple as Commanding Officer of Boutwell.⁴¹⁰ Captain Crabbs would remain in Alameda, assuming Command of the Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), one of the new National Security Cutters.⁴¹¹ Captain Gimple, a 1989 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, had a storied afloat career including Commanding Officer of the cutters Steadfast (WMEC 623), Sturgeon Bay (WTGB 109), and Point Sal (WPB 82352) as well as Executive Officer of the cutters Mellon (WHEC 717) and Willow (WLB 202).⁴¹² Prior to taking Command of Boutwell, Captain Gimple served as Hamilton’s last Commanding Officer when she was decommissioned on March 28, 2011.⁴¹³

Shortly after the Change of Command, on July 29^th, Boutwell and Sherman marked the formal change of their homeports from Alameda to San Diego. The ceremony was attended by Captain Winton Smith, Commanding Officer of Naval Base San Diego, Mayor Ron Morrison of National City, and members of the Southern California Navy League chapters. During the ceremony, both cutters were formally adopted by the Navy League.⁴¹⁴

From October 16^th to December 14^th, 2011, Boutwell conducted a two month Eastern Pacific Deployment in support of Operation MARTILLO, its first since changing homeports to San Diego. During the deployment, Boutwell’s crew seized or disrupted 3,400 pounds of cocaine. Her first case took place on November 2^nd, approximately 155 miles from the Galapagos Islands. While monitoring a suspicious fishing vessel, the boarding team noticed three pangas tied off along side. As the Boutwell’s small boats maneuvered towards the fishing vessel, one of the pangas immediately broke off and began fleeing. Boutwell’s small boats pursued the panga which eventually jettisoned an estimated 300  kilograms of cocaine. A week later, Boutwell disrupted an at sea rendezvous after spotting numerous suspicious fishing vessels in the area. Another estimated 300 kilograms of cocaine was recovered after one of the vessels jettisoned its cargo upon sighting the Coast Guard. The final, and most successful counterdrug operation of the patrol occurred on the day before Thanksgiving while conducting a boarding on the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Soberano approximately 230 miles west of El Salvador. During the boarding, Boutwell’s law enforcement team discovered over 900 kilograms of cocaine, subsequently detaining all nine persons onboard. The vessel, suspected traffickers, and cocaine were later transferred  to Ecuadorian officials for prosecution.^415,416

After returning from deployment, Boutwell quickly shifted gears as she entered the 2012 Tailored Ships Training Availability, the Coast Guard’s assessment of a vessel’s operational readiness.  During  this period, the Boutwell crew proved superior in all major areas including damage control, navigation, combat, and weapons employment, earning a “clean sweep” and passing all drills; the first Hamilton- Class cutter to do so in three years. For the exceptional performance, Boutwell earned the Overall Operational Readiness Excellence Award from the Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander.⁴¹⁷

On June 5^th, 2012, Boutwell again shifted focuses as she entered the graving dock at Naval Base San Diego for a three month, $5.8 million dry dock availability.⁴¹⁸ The dry dock included critical maintenance to the then 46 year-old cutter, including a full hull inspection, cleaning, and preservation, rudder overhaul and preservation, bow propulsion unit overhaul, anchor chain inspection, and the removal and overhaul of the main propulsion shafts and propellers.⁴¹⁹ During the dry dock, Captain Jim Munro relieved Captain Gimple as Boutwell’s Commanding Officer.⁴²⁰ Captain Munro enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1977, advancing to the rank of Chief Petty Officer before being selected for Officer Candidate School in 1987. His previous assignments included Commanding Officer of the cutters Dallas (WHEC 716), Campbell (WMEC 909), and Ocracoke (WPB 1307) and Executive Officer of the cutters Reliance (WMEC 615) and Vashon (WPB 1308).⁴²¹

Boutwell was refloated in late August and a few weeks later, on September 4^th, she set sail for deployment to the Eastern Pacific in support of Operation MARTILLO.⁴²² On September 16^th, less than two weeks into the patrol, and only a short time after arriving in the Main Threat Vector, Boutwell received notification from a Navy maritime patrol aircraft of a suspected smuggling vessel transiting at a high rate of speed approximately 50 miles off the coast of Guatemala. Boutwell maneuvered for intercept and, once in range, launched both of its small boats in pursuit of the vessel. It didn’t take long for the pursuit boats to out run and intercept the go-fast vessel Blanca Mishel I, but not before the smugglers had managed to jettison their entire load of contraband. In the end, nearly 600 kilograms of cocaine was recovered from the water and all five crewmembers were detained. Later in the patrol, Boutwell’s crew enjoyed a relaxing port call in Golfito, Costa Rica. During the visit, the crew participated in a soccer  game with the Costa Rican Coast Guard, the Guardacosta, as well as participated in a joint effort to refurbish a local school. The two coast guards painted the current school house, removed significant debris and foliage from the grounds, and even neutralized a large wasp nest in a nearby abandoned building. Boutwell returned from the deployment on November 20^th.^{423, 424}

On April 10^th, 2013, Boutwell set sail from San Diego for a 92-dayAlaska Patrol, its first in over two years. During the patrol, Boutwell served as the sole Bering Sea cutter, executing 25 living marine resource and commercial fishing industry vessel safety boardings along the Aleutian chain and 100­ fathom curve. Additionally, Boutwell conducted a patrol of the Maritime Boundary Line between the United States and Russia, deterring foreign fishing vessels from entering the U.S. exclusive economic zone and exploiting its resources. Throughout the patrol, Boutwell conducted three medical evacuations, using its embarked HH-65 helicopter and aviation detachment from Kodiak to transfer sick and injured fisherman to medical facilities. The patrol served in stark contrast to Boutwell’s many recent counterdrug deployments in the Eastern Pacific. The crew enjoyed many new port calls in Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, Juneau, and the remote city of Adak. On July 4^th, Boutwell celebrated Independence Day in Juneau, offering tours to the general public and, later that night, she served as a platform for Coast Guard personnel and their families to view fireworks.⁴²⁵ A day later, she set sail for home, arriving in San Diego on July 11^th.

During the inport period, Boutwell executed an extensive, non-drydock maintenance availability. During the maintenance period, over $1.7 million in repairs and overhauls were completed, not including the replacement of the gas generator on the number two main gas turbine, which had been plagued since 2011 with high vibrations that prevented its sustained operation.⁴²⁶

On December 16^th, 2013, Boutwell got underway from San Diego for a two-month Eastern Pacific Deployment. While inport Acajutla, El Salvador, for a brief stop for fuel, Boutwell’s Combat Information Center watchstander received word of a go-fast vessel 140 nautical miles southwest of Acajutla, proceeding northbound with suspected contraband onboard. The crew quickly completed fueling and got underway from the pier just eight hours after arriving. Immediately after securing from Special Sea Detail, the scream of the turbines could be heard as both were brought online at a flank bell just outside Acajutla’s sea buoy. As the sun quickly set, Boutwell steamed away from El Salvador at  speeds exceeding 27 knots, maneuvering for intercept of the fast moving panga. Just before 11 pm, the Go-Fast Response Bill was set and both small boats were launched as a Navy maritime patrol aircraft flew overhead. Just after midnight, on December 31^st, both small boats located the panga Tati and commenced a short lived pursuit. After jettisoning its cargo, the Tati’s crew quickly surrendered to Boutwell’s boarding team. After recovering 14 bales containing over 630 kilograms of cocaine from the water, Boutwell’s boarding team detained all three crew members and seized the smuggling vessel.^{427, 428}

A week after the interdiction, Boutwell was notified by the bulk cargo carrier New General of a possible vessel in distress 100 nautical miles southwest of Panama. The vessel had been flagged down by the fishing vessel El Apache, apparently in distress. Boutwell quickly confirmed that the vessel had been reported overdue after failing to return home to Panama City, Panama, on December 28^th. Once onscene, four tired fishermen were found onboard, having drifted for 14 days after experiencing an  engine casualty. The fishermen were quickly transferred to Boutwell and provided with fresh water, food, showers, and a phone call home. During the 14 days, the fishermen had survived off rainwater, fish and rice, as well as their fishing bait. After Boutwell’s rescue and assistance team attempted to restore the engine, it was determined that the vessel would need to be placed in tow. The vessel was placed in tow and Boutwell made way towards Panama. The following day, the four men were handed over to the Panamanian Coast Guard for transport home.⁴²⁹

A few weeks later, on January 17^th, Coast Guard officials received a request for assistance from Costa Rica in locating the 40-foot fishing vessel Calipso IV, which had been reported adrift 40 miles off the coast of Nicaragua. After an extensive search by two Joint Interagency Task Force-South patrol planes, the search was suspended pending further information on the vessel. On January 22^nd, a Coast Guard C-130 located the vessel approximately 200 miles west of Nicaragua. Boutwell quickly arrived on scene, rendering aid to four crewmembers onboard. After a quick assessment, it was determined that the vessel would need to be placed in tow. A short time after the towing evolution began, the Calipso IV suddenly listed and began to sink. After determining the vessel to be unsalvageable, it was cut loose and left adrift, eventually sinking. On January 24^th, the four men were safely delivered ashore in Acajutla.⁴³⁰ Boutwell returned from the 59-day deployment on February 14^th.⁴³¹

Shortly after returning home, Boutwell entered the 2014 Tailored Ships Training Availability to evaluate the crew’s ability to operate the ship across the full range of her capabilities. During the training cycle, Boutwell achieved a clean-sweep in all graded categories, earning accolades from the Afloat Training Group. For her outstanding performance both leading up to and in executing all required evaluations and assessments, Boutwell was awarded the Overall Operational Readiness Excellence Award.⁴³²

The Final Years

On June 6^th, 2014, Boutwell conducted its last Change of Command at a ceremony held at Naval Base San Diego, with Vice Admiral Charles W. Ray, Commander Pacific Fleet and Defense Force West, presiding. During the ceremony, Captain Edward A. Westfall relieved Captain Munro as the final Commanding Officer of Boutwell. Prior to taking command, Captain Westfall was stationed at the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, where he served as the Arctic Strategy Branch Chief.⁴³³ A Permanent Cutterman and prior Chief Quartermaster, Captain Westfall had a storied afloat career and many previous commands including Commanding Officer of the cutters Escanaba (WHEC 907), Aspen (WLB 208), William Tate (WLM 560), and Red Cedar (WLM 688).⁴³⁴

A month later, on July 7^th, Boutwell departed San Diego on a 91-day Eastern Pacific Counterdrug Deployment. During her transit south, Boutwell embarked an HH-65 HITRON helicopter from Jacksonville, Florida, a valuable force multiplier which would see record action during the upcoming deployment. On July 21^st, in close coordination with its embarked helicopter, Boutwell interdicted the go- fast vessel Rocio, apprehending three smugglers and recovering 560 kilograms of cocaine from the water. On August 10^th and 11^th, Boutwell again teamed up with its embarked helicopter to conduct three separate go-fast pursuits, interdicting the go-fast vessel La Fe de Dios and go-fast vessel Reinita III, and disrupting a shipment carried by the go-fast vessel Yuli. In all, seven smugglers were detained and 662 kilograms of cocaine were seized. Between August 22^nd and 29^th, Boutwell and its embarked helicopter conducted  three additional pursuits, interdicting the go-fast vessel Dios es Amor carrying 500 kilograms of cocaine and three smugglers, and disrupting shipments carried by the go-fast vessel Nina-Jordana and an unnamed go-fast vessel.⁴³⁵

Less than two weeks later, Boutwell conducted its eighth and most significant pursuit of the deployment. On September 11^th, in close coordination with Joint Interagency Task Force South, Coast Guard District 11, its embarked HITRON, Alert (WMEC 630), and a Navy P-3C Maritime  Patrol Aircraft, Boutwell orchestrated the joint interdiction of two go-fast vessels, resulting in the seizure of 440 kilograms of cocaine and the detention of seven smugglers. While patrolling 135 nautical miles south of Guatemala, Boutwell and Alert were notified by the Navy P-3C of two go-fast vessels rendezvousing and conducting a suspected transfer of contraband. After completing the transfer, the go-fast vessel Yeny Arg proceeded at a high rate of speed towards land while the go-fast vessel La Galosa remained dead in the water. Acting as Officer in Tactical Control, Boutwell tasked its helicopter and Alert with intercepting the Yeny Arg while the Navy P-3C maintained oversight of the La Galosa. The helicopter quickly arrived on scene and forced the Yeny Arg to heave to as Alert’s over the horizon small boat arrived to conduct the boarding. Once the boarding team had positive control of the go-fast, the helicopter returned to Boutwell for a hot refuel and was re-launched in pursuit of the La Galosa.⁴³⁶

As the helicopter was launched, the La Galosa began making way at a high rate of speed away from the rendezvous point. Boutwell raced to intercept the vessel as its helicopter conducted warning shots and disabling fire to stop the vessel. As the helicopter attempted to compel compliance, the crew of the go-fast began jettisoning their payload of suspected contraband. Quickly prioritizing assets, Boutwell launched both of its small boats, one to search for jettisoned contraband, and the other to intercept the fleeing go-fast. Through effective use of disabling fire by the helicopter, the La Galosa came dead in the water. Once the boarding team arrived on scene, Boutwell changed course and immediately proceeded at top speed to the jettison location. Utilizing its other small boat and the helicopter, Boutwell commenced a thorough search of the area. Through the outstanding efforts of its lookout, eight bales of contraband  were spotted by Boutwell and recovered by the small boat. During the subsequent law enforcement boarding of both vessels, evidence was discovered tying the two cases together, allowing for the future prosecution of both as a single counterdrug case.⁴³⁷

Boutwell would complete the deployment in similar fashion, executing three pursuits between September 20^th and 23^rd, interdicting the go-fast vessel Cristo y Sadith and disrupting shipments carried by two go-fast vessels without nationality. During the Cristo y Sadith case, Boutwell’s small boat employed warning shots, forcing the vessel to heave to, and allowing the boarding team to detain three smugglers and seize 119 kilograms of cocaine.⁴³⁸

Aside from the numerous counterdrug cases, Boutwell also participated in an international engagement during a port visit on September 4^th and 5^th in Puerto Chiapas, Mexico. Upon arrival, Boutwell hosted Captain Pedro Gabriel Pineda Berdeja, the 14^th Naval Zone Chief of Staff. During the two day visit, members of the Boutwell crew toured the 14^th Naval Zone Headquarters, Puerto Chiapas Search and Rescue Station and the Tapachula Naval Air Base. On the first day of the visit, the entire Boutwell crew was invited to a reception at the Officer’s Club on the 14^th Naval Zone Base. During the reception, Captain Westfall and the 14^th Naval Zone Commander, Vice Admiral Francisco Ramon Tiburcio Camacho, exchanged remarks on the importance of international cooperation in both search and rescue and in the battle against transnational criminal organizations. The highly productive visit concluded with a soccer and basketball game between the 14^th Naval Zone and Boutwell crew. ⁴³⁹

Throughout the deployment, and separate from its own counterdrug efforts, Boutwell also served as the custodian for 19 additional cases, including 36 suspected smugglers and over 11,000 kilograms of cocaine from the Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) and Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments aboard the USS McClusky (FFG 41), USS Vandergrift (FFG 48), and USS Ingraham (FFG 61).^440,441 Boutwell returned to San Diego on October 6^th to transfer over 14 tons of cocaine to the Drug Enforcement Administration, receiving a warm welcome from Vice Admiral Charles Ray, Commander Pacific Area

and Defense Force West. During the offload ceremony, Boutwell was awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation for her superior counterdrug efforts and for bolstering international partnerships with Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico.⁴⁴² For her efforts during the deployment, Boutwell would later receive recognition from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. With the La Galosa and Yeny Arg interdiction as its centerpiece, Boutwell was awarded for her significant contributions to the continuing effort to counter the increasing international and asymmetric threat posed by the trafficking of narcotics, receiving the 2014 U.S. Interdiction Coordinator Award in the Maritime Interdiction/Apprehension category.⁴⁴³

After a four month inport, Boutwell departed San Diego on January 27^th, 2015, for her final Counterdrug Deployment. During the transit south, she once again embarked a HITRON from Jacksonville, Florida. Despite a slow start to the deployment, Boutwell saw increased action during the last week of February. While on routine patrol on February 25^th, Boutwell came upon and subsequently recovered a bale containing 30 kilograms of cocaine. The next day, in the late night hours of February 27^th, Boutwell and its embarked helicopter successfully pursued and disabled the go-fast vessel Trueno, detaining three smugglers and seizing 417 kilograms of cocaine. On February 28^th, while operating in the cover of darkness, Boutwell and its embarked helicopter successfully surprised and boarded the fishing vessel Cylberik, which had a load of contraband ready for immediate jettison and rigged with an array of cement sinkers. Five crew members were detained and the vessel and 164 kilograms of cocaine were seized. The vessel, its crew, and the contraband were later transferred to Guatemala.⁴⁴⁴

In the midst of these operations, Boutwell executed a full scale interdiction exercise with the Guatemalan Navy Special Forces and U.S. Navy SEALS on February 26^th. This exercise, which involved the combined interdiction of a simulated go-fast vessel with U.S. and Guatemalan assets, helped to promote partner nation cooperation, the exercise of bilateral agreements, and the verification of established communication plans. Throughout the exercise and the subsequent debriefing, Boutwell hosted Vice Admiral Carlos Adolfo Thomas Ramirez, Commandant of the Guatemalan Navy. The operation was a huge success, solidifying ties with the Guatemalan Navy and promoting future joint counterdrug operations.⁴⁴⁵

On March 6^th, during a mid patrol break in Puerto Chiapas, Mexico, Boutwell was notified of a suspicious 266-foot coastal freighter being pursued by the USS Gary (FFG 51) and its embarked Coast Guard team, Law Enforcement Detachment 102. After finding numerous indicators of suspicious  activity, Gary instructed the vessel to prepare to receive a boarding team. During the exchange, the Altic began jettisoning suspected contraband and continued to ignore orders to lower a pilot ladder to facilitate the boarding. While waiting for compliance from the Altic, Gary’s small boat recovered several of the jettisoned bales, all containing cocaine. Eventually, the Altic complied, lowering its boarding ladder and allowing the Coast Guard’s team aboard. After detaining the ship’s 14-person crew, Gary conducted an extensive search of the area, later recovering 5,284 kilograms of cocaine from the water.⁴⁴⁶ The Altic interdiction was later hailed as the largest maritime cocaine seizure in the Eastern Pacific Ocean since 2009.⁴⁴⁷

In the days that followed, Boutwell was tasked to assist Gary in determining the seaworthiness of the vessel and the feasibility of towing the 2,200 long ton freighter to port. After a small fire onboard and after finding significant safety hazards posed by continued operation of its emergency generator, the Altic’s power was secured, removing the possibility of sailing the ship to port under its own power. Boutwell would later take custody of the Altic, its 14 crewmembers, and the seized contraband, immediately commencing preparations to tow the vessel. On March 10^th, Boutwell successfully placed in the ship in tow, commencing a 550 nautical mile journey to Balboa, Panama. After a 10-day transit, Boutwell safely arrived in Balboa, turning the vessel over to U.S. officials for prosecution. Boutwell completed the deployment with two final cases, recovering an abandon shipment of 660 kilograms of cocaine on March 28^th, and disrupting a shipment carried by an unnamed go-fast vessel the following day.⁴⁴⁸

Due to the outstanding success of her previous bulk offload of cocaine in October, 2014, Boutwell was again tasked to serve as custodian for all contraband interdicted by U.S. and partner nation assets between December 2014 and March 2015. Throughout the patrol, Boutwell received custody of 12,741 kilograms of cocaine related to 19 separate cases conducted by Boutwell, Bertholf (WMSL 750), and Active (WMEC 618) and Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments 102, 103, and 408 embarked on the USS Gary and the Canadian Kingston-class coastal defense vessels HMCS Nanaimo (MM 702) and HMCS Whitehorse (MM 705).⁴⁴⁹

Boutwell returned home to San Diego on April 16^th, greeted by the family and friends of the crew, and numerous distinguished guests, including Vice Admiral Kenneth Floyd, Commander, U.S. Navy 3^rd Fleet; Vice Admiral Charles Michel, U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations; Rear Admiral Bill Truelove, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific; Ms. Laura Duffy, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California; and Mr. Lothar Eckardt, Executive Director, National Air Security Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine. During the ceremony, and subsequent offload of all contraband to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the efforts of Boutwell, other U.S. entities, and partner nation assets were celebrated for their monumental successes in the continued battle against transnational organized crime.⁴⁵⁰ For the exemplary professionalism, expertise, and dedication displayed by Boutwell and her crew throughout the deployment, she was awarded the Coast Guard’s Special Operations Service Ribbon by Vice Admiral Charles Ray, Commander Pacific Fleet and Defense Force West.⁴⁵¹

After a brief inport, Boutwell returned to Alaska for the first time in over two years, departing San Diego on July 2^nd. Throughout the patrol, Boutwell executed 26 fisheries boardings ranging from small halibut fishing boats to large factory and mother ships. While operating in the vicinity of Dutch Harbor, Boutwell responded to two search and rescue cases, employing its embarked HH-65 helicopter from Air Station Kodiak to evacuate two ailing patients from Kings Cove and False Pass to higher medical facilities in Cold Bay. After these cases, Boutwell headed west, providing oversight of the Maritime Boundary Line and preventing the illegal incursion by foreign trawlers into the U.S. exclusive economic zone. While transiting North, Boutwell crossed into the Arctic Circle, eventually meeting up with and providing safety zone enforcement for the Royal Dutch Shell oil rigs operating in the Chukchi Sea. During her return south, she patrolled the waters near Kotzebue, Alaska, providing additional security during President Barack Obama’s visit on August 31^st.⁴⁵² The historic event marked the first visit by a

U.S. President to America’s Arctic.⁴⁵³ When not on patrol, the crew enjoyed port calls in Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, and Adak. Boutwell returned from the 75-day patrol on September 14^th.⁴⁵⁴  For participating in  the protection of oil platforms in support of Operation ARCTIC SHIELD, Boutwell was awarded the Coast Guard’s Special Operations Service Ribbon.⁴⁵⁵

With just two weeks inport, Boutwell returned to sea on a West Coast engagement, participating in events in Seattle, Washington, and San Francisco, California. On October 2^nd, Boutwell arrived at its former homeport of Seattle in order to participate in the 35^th Anniversary Celebration of the Prinsendam Rescue. In addition to the current Commanding Officers and crew of Boutwell and Mellon, the ceremony was attended by a number of passengers, rescue workers, aviators, and former sailors who participated in and witnessed the miraculous rescue of 519 people from the luxury liner Prinsendam after it caught fire on October 4^th, 1980. Also in attendance was Boutwell’s former Commanding Officer, retired Captain Leroy Krumm, who provided the closing remarks.⁴⁵⁶

Immediately after departing Seattle for the last time, Boutwell headed south to participate in San Francisco’s 35^th Annual Fleet Week, arriving on October 7^th.⁴⁵⁷ Joining Boutwell at the annual event were several U.S. Navy ships including the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), guided- missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106), and littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4), as well as the Canadian ship HCMS Calgary (FFH 335).⁴⁵⁸ On October 11^th, joined by more than 100 family and friends of the crew, Boutwell participated in the annual Parade of Ships, sailing around the Bay, and passing in review in front of local and military officials. Throughout Fleet Week, Boutwell was toured by over 2,000 visitors who were provided with information on the ship’s capabilities, missions, and storied history.⁴⁵⁹ In the final days of Fleet Week, Boutwell’s was notified by the Pacific Area Command that she was needed to fill a critical gap in the Bering Sea after one of her sister ship’s suffered a mission limiting casualty that prevented her from sailing. On October 13^th, Boutwell quickly steamed home to complete much needed maintenance and to prepare for her final deployment, arriving on October 14^th.⁴⁶⁰

Three weeks later, on an unseasonably warm morning on November 6^th, Boutwell set sail for Alaska for the last time. While on patrol, Boutwell executed three fisheries boardings to ensure compliance with federal fishing and safety laws. For Thanksgiving, the crew enjoyed a mid-patrol break in Dutch Harbor, where many were hosted by local families. On her transit home, she made a brief stop  in Juneau, Alaska, before heading south. Boutwell returned home to San Diego from then 41-day patrol  on December 16^th, marking its final day at sea as a commissioned Coast Guard Cutter.^461,462  In 2015, in its 47^th and final year of Coast Guard operation, Boutwell spent 219 days away from homeport, participating in four deployments, and traveling over 40,000 nautical miles, spanning 70 degrees of latitude, in support of more than half of the Coast Guard 11 statuary missions.⁴⁶³

During the subsequent inport, the crew hastily made arrangements to decommission the ship and prepare her for future Foreign Military Sale to the Philippine Navy. On March 16^th, at a ceremony held at Naval Base San Diego, Boutwell was decommissioned in the presence of many former Commanding Officers and crew, family and friends, and representatives from the numerous Coast Guard units and Commands that provided support during her final years of operation. Vice Admiral Charles Ray, Commander Pacific Fleet and Defense Force West, presided over the ceremony which honored Boutwell’s storied Coast Guard career and many accomplishments. During the ceremony, Boutwell was awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation for superior dedication and professionalism while engaged in counterdrug and fisheries enforcement throughout the Pacific.⁴⁶⁴

Conclusion

As Boutwell’s service to the Coast Guard and the United States draws to a close, she will be remembered as an ambassador for global maritime cooperation, fierce combatant of narco-terrorism, protector of living marine resources, and safe haven for those in distress. In her nearly 48-year career, Boutwell seized or disrupted over 260,000 lbs of illicit narcotics, participated in international engagements with 23 foreign nations, protected an unquantifiable number of marine resources, and battled tumultuous seas to save over 850 lives. In the end, the physical hull that is Boutwell only provided one of two essential elements which enable ships to achieve operational success. As Captain Westfall stated at her decommissioning ceremony, “each and every Boutwell accomplishment was because of the work of those assigned, the work of those who are the other essential element, the crew.” By the exceptional efforts of the 3,200 crewmembers that walked her decks, and dedicated themselves to operating and maintaining her, Boutwell exceeded the expectations of Lieutenant Commander Russell and Captain Lessing. Through the way her crew handled what was, in 1973, future events, she achieved some claim to fame, and not just within the Coast Guard, sailing swiftly into the 21^st Century and maintaining a legacy of excellence to the very end.

References

Unless otherwise indicated, all internet references and associated links were accessed between September 2015 and June 2016.

1 Lessing, F. J. (1973). MEMO to future CO’s. XO’s and Officers assigned to USCGC BOUTWELL (WHEC 719). Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

2 Russell, H. E. (1963). Naval Engineering: High Endurance Cutter 1963. The U.S. Coast Guard Engineer’s Digest, 141.

3 Couhat, J. L. & Prézelin B. (Eds.). (1988). Combat Fleets of the World 1988/1989: Their Ships, Aircraft,

and Armament. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.

4 Oliver, E. F. (1969). The USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715) Coast Guard Ship of the Future. United States Naval Institute Proceedings, pp. 86-99.

5  See Oliver, 1969.

6  See Oliver, 1969.

7 Russell Jr., G. A. (1986). The U.S. Coast Guard 378’ WHEC FRAM. Retrieved http://www.uscg.mil/history/cutters/378/378WHECIndex.asp

8  See Russell, 1986.

9  See Russell, 1986.

10  See Russell, 1986.

11  See Russell, 1986.

12  See Russell, 1986.

13  See Russell, 1986.

14 Johnson, R. E. (1992). Coast Guard Cutter Design, 1941-1990. The U.S. Coast Guard Engineer’s Digest, 30 (248), 17-18.

15 U.S. Coast Guard. (1992). Message from Commandant. Commandant Note (COMDTNOTE) 1430.

16 Waugh, J. (Ed.). George S. Boutwell (1869–1873). Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia. Retrieved from http://millercenter.org/president/essays/boutwell-1869-secretary-of-the-treasury 17 Canney, Donald (1995). U.S. Coast Guard and Revenue Cutters, 1790-1935. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.

18 U.S. Coast Guard. (1934). Record of Movements: Vessels of the United States Coast Guard: 1790- December 31, 1933. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

19 Cutter History File. USCG Historian’s Office. Washington, D.C: USCG HQ.

20 Scheina, R. (1982). U.S. Coast Guard Cutters & Craft of World War II. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.

21 Scheina, R. (1990). U.S. Coast Guard Cutters & Craft, 1946-1990. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.

22 Benedetto, W. R. (2005). Sailing into the Abyss: A True Story of Extreme Heroism on the High Seas. New York: Kensington Publishing Corp.

23 Morison, S. E. (1947). History of United States Naval Operations in World War II: The Battle of the Atlantic. Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Press.

24 See Cutter History File; Scheina, 1982, and Scheina 1990.

25 Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

26 (1968). Commissioning Program. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

27 Personal account of Mr. Louie Jones, USCGC Boutwell sailor (1968 - 1970).

28 Kime, J. (1971). You Could Suddenly Find Yourself Involved in a…GAS GENERATOR RENEWAL.

Coast Guard Engineer’s Digest, pp. 33-41.

29 Dinsmore, R. (1996). Alpha, Bravo, Charlie…Ocean Weather Ships 1940-1980. Oceanus Magazine, 39 (2).

30 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

31 Associated Press. (1971, April 11).Physician Airlifted. The Dominion-Post, pp. 3-A.

32 (1972). Change of Command Invitation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

33 (1994, November 22). Captain Frederick James Lessing. Hartford Courant. Retrieved from http://articles.courant.com/1994-11-22/news/9411220734_1_coast-guard-korean-war-memorial-service 34 Associated Press. (1972, February 29). Soviet Nuclear Sub in Trouble. El Paso Herald-Post, pp. A13. 35 See Associated Press, February 29, 1972.

36 See Associated Press, February 29, 1972.

37 Worth, J. D. (1972). Two U.S. Ships Praised for Responding to Disabled Soviet Sub. Coast Guard News,

161-72.

38 (1972). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

39 Associated Press. (1973, April 2). Coast Guard Plans Big Cutback. Santa Cruz Sentinel, pp. 5.

40 See Dinsmore, 1996

41 Associated Press. (1973, April 4). Ocean Stations Being Discontinued – 10 Coast Guard Cutters to be Retired Next Year. The Indiana Gazette, pp. 27.

42 (1973). Message from U.S. Coast Guard District One (242040ZJUL73). Cutter History File. USCGC Boutwell, San Diego, CA.

43 Meidt, R. (1973). Coast Guard News, 137-73.

44 Associated Press. (1973, September 25). Coast Guard Boat Comes to Alaska. Fairbanks Daily News- Miner, pp. 17.

45 (1973). Weather Batters KAVIK, SUNDANCE, KAREN SUE II. Kodiak Mirror, 34 (96), 1 & 4.

46 Stevens, T. (1973, October 30). Letter to Mr. William R. Rabick. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

47 (1973, October 30). Crab Boat Still Missing. The Seattle Times, C16.

48 Carter, G. (1973, November 14). Hope is Gone. The Seattle Times, E16.

49 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

50 Carter, G. (1973, December 19). Seattle-Based Cutter Races to Sinking Ship. The Seattle Times, pp. E14. 51 Associated Press. (1973, December 24). Bodies Identified after Liberian Freighter Sinks. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

52 Carter, G. (1973, December 19). Seattle-Based Cutter Races to Sinking Ship. The Seattle Times, pp. E14.

53 Larsen, R. W. (1973, December 23). 31 Bodies From Ship Tragedy Brought Here. The Seattle Times, pp. A14.

54 Carter, G. (1974, January 4). Questions Linger About Fatal Sinking. The Seattle Times, pp. B2.

55 Associated Press. (1973, December 20). No Survivors Spotted From Sunken Ship. Portland Press Herald.

56 Associated Press. (1973, December 24). Oriental Monarch, 25 Bodies from Ship Identified; Search Ends. The Daily Chronicle, pp. 6.

57 Stover, S. (1974, March 10). Military Men in the News. Beckley, WV. Beckley Post-Herald, The Raleigh Register.

58 (1974, April 7). Exercise Participant. The Daily Herald, pp. 25.

59 Carter, G. (Ed.). (1974, June 12). Cutter on Way Home After Engine Fire. The Seattle Times, pp. H6.

60 (1974, September 29). Service Men in the News: Area Men Receiving Sea Duty. The Daily Herald, pp. 8.

61 (1974, November 21). In the Service. Port Angeles, WA: The Daily News, pp. 10.

62 (1974, November 24). Local Military News, Patrols Alaska Seas 6 Weeks. The Daily Herald, pp. 49.

63 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell. 64 Staten Island, 1965. Coast Guard Historian’s Office. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/statenisland_1965.asp

65 Donahue, J. (2002). USCGC Kukui (WAK 186): Workhorse of the Pacific. Evening Colors.

66 (1975, February 24). The Piqua Daily, pp. 36.

67 (1975, May 6). Piqua Officer Reassigned to Texas Base. The Piqua Daily, pp. 3.

68 (1975, September 3). To Seattle. San Mateo, CA: The Times, pp. 43.

69 (1975, June 11). In U.S. Service. New Castle News, pp. unk.

70 Associated Press. (1976, January 16). Coast Guard Racing to Stricken Vessel. Progress Bulletin, pp. 1. 71 Associated Press. (1976, January 20). Freighter in Danger of Sinking. Santa Cruz, CA: Santa Cruz Sentinel, pp. 2.

72 Associated Press. (1976, January 24). Crippled Freighter Safe in S.F. Harbor. The Seattle Times, pp. B14.

73 (1976). Message from U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area: M/V Caspian Career (231742ZFEB76). Cutter History File. USCGC Boutwell, San Diego, CA.

74 Handy, N. L. (1976, February 12). Letter from Vice Admiral J. J. McClelland. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

75 (1976, July 28). Service News. The Daily Mail, pp. 17.

76 Lippold, H. R. Jr. (1976, May 17). Letter to R. Adm. John B. Hayes. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

77 USS Enterprise. (1977). 1976 Command History; Forwarding Of. Retrieved from http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/enterprise/Documents/Enterprise/1976.pdf

78 (1976, July 29). Participates in Naval Maneuvers. Belleville, KS: The Belleville Telescope, pp. 3.

79 (1976). Change of Command Invitation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell. 80 Richard T Brower, 1931 – 2011. Retrieved from http://www.coffeltfuneral.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10979/id/1056233

81 Carter, G. (Ed.). (1976, October 11). Cutters, Pumps Keep Fishing Boat Afloat. The Seattle Times, pp. A10.

82 Williams, B. (1977, March 9). Military Briefs. The Daily Inter Lake, pp. 6.

83 (1977, September 22). Husband of Formoso Woman on Alaskan Patrol. The Belleville Telescope, pp. 22. 84 (1977, June 30). Husband of Formoso Woman Aids Japanese Fisherman. The Belleville Telescope, pp. 19.

85 Associated Press. (1977, June 30). Four Crew Members Found on Raft. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, pp. 6.

86 Personal account of Mr. Doug Meharry, USCGC Boutwell sailor (1977 – 1979).

87 (1977, November 10). Husband of Formoso Woman on Alaskan Fisheries Patrol. The Bellville Telescope, pp. 5.

88 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

89 Associated Press. (1985, August 21). Academy Names Assistance Superintendant. The Day, pp. B12.

90 Page, D. (1978, unk). Flying Privies for CG Cutter. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, pp. unk.

91 (1978, August 29). Military Personnel. San Bernardino County Sun, pp. 23.

92 (1978, December 20). In Uniform. Ukiah Daily Journal, pp. 6.

93 (1979, May 13). Military Personnel. San Bernardino County Sun, pp. 26.

94 (1976, August 16). Military Personnel. San Bernardino County Sun, pp. 18.

95 See San Bernardino County Sun, August 29, 1978.

96 Lane, B. (1979, June 2). Coast Guard Cutter Dumping Sewage into Lake Union. The Seattle Times, pp. A13.

97 (1979, August 19). Blue-Nosed Cutter Due from Arctic. The Seattle Times, pp. D6.

98 (1980, September 10). In Uniform. Ukiah Daily Journal, pp. 11.

99 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

100 Chapman, S. L. (1985). The Prinsendam. Proceedings of the Marine Safety Council, 42, 5, 107-112.

101  See Chapman, 1985.

102  See Chapman, 1985.

103  See Chapman, 1985.

104  See Chapman, 1985.

105 McFadden, R. D. (1980, October 6). 20 Missing in Sea Rescue Are Found. The New York Times, pp. 1, 29.

106 See Chapman, 1985.

107 (1980). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Coast Guard Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

108 Associated Press. (1980, October 18). 18 Men Adrift on Oil Drilling Platform. The Kokomo Tribune, pp. 1.

109 Associated Press. (1980, October 20). Oil Rig is Taken in Tow While Drifting Off Alaska. The New York Times, pp. A6.

110 Associated Press. (1980, October 22). High Waves, Wind Threaten Oil Rig. Wisconsin State Journal,

pp. 1.

111 Associated Press. (1980, October 23). Drilling Rig Lost in North Pacific; 18-Member Crew Rescued Earlier. The New York Times, pp. A7.

112 Carter, G. (1980, November 7). Cutter Earns Gala Greetings for Rescue. The Seattle Times, pp. B6.

113 (1981, January 28). In Uniform. Ukiah Daily Journal, pp. 26.

114 USS Sterett. (1981). OPNAV Report 5750-1; Forwarding of. Retrieved from http://www.sterett.net/command-reports/cr-1980.pdf

115 Davis Jr., T. C., & Veatch, D. M. (Eds.). (1981). Kernel Usher Hits the Beach. Surface Warfare, 5 (1­ 12), 42.

116 (1981, April 30). Military News. The Hondo Anvil Herald, pp. 12.

117 Associated Press. (1981, March 9). Coast Guard to Tackle Grounded Korea Ship. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

118 Nelson, E. Shipwrecks on Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Retrieved from http://www.amnwr.com/ShipwreckList.htm (with sub-references to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service memorandum 6/2/81 and Anchorage Daily News 3/26/84).

119 (1981, September 24). Coast Guard Crewman Returns From Two-Month Alaska Patrol. The Hondo Anvil Herald, pp. 15.

120 Associated Press. (1981, September 3). Soviet Ships Near Pacific Coast. Kokomo Tribune, pp. 33.

121 Associated Press. (1981, September 3). Soviet Ships Off Coast No Threat?. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 6.

122 (1981, September 3). Russian Ships off Coast Just ‘Showing Flag,’ Says Admiral. The Seattle Times, pp. C2.

123 See Associated Press, September 3, 1981.

124 (1981, December 31). Local Navyman Trained For Battle Situation. The Hondo Anvil Herald, pp. 9.

125 Associated Press. (1982, November 2). CG Officer Testifies on Drug Seizure. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

126 (1982, July 8). SC Men In Custody, Drug Scheme On the High Seas. Santa Cruz Sentinel, pp. 2. 127 Associated Press. (1982, July 12). Coast Guard Skipper Tells of Incident on Boutwell. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 3.

128 Empire Staff. (1982, July 6). Sabotage Linked to Drug Boat Seizure. Juneau Empire.

129 See Associated Press, July 12, 1982.

130 Carter, G. (1983, February 24). Coast Guard Seaman Pleads Guilty of Theft. The Seattle Times, pp. C3. 131 Associated Press. (1982, July 2). Coast Guard Takes Boat with Marijuana to Kodiak. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

132 United Press International. (1983, May 13). Coast Guardsman Pleads Guilty. The Seattle Times, pp. B4.

133 Siegel, L. (1982, July 9). Coast Guard Seaman Faces Charge. Spokane Chronicle, pp. 4.

134 See United Press International, May 13, 1983.

135 See Siegel, July 9, 1982, July.

136 Associated Press. (1982, July 8). Coast Guard Captain Blames Seaman’s Death on Bad Info. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 3.

137 United Press International. (1983, May 13). Coast Guardsman Pleads Guilty. The Seattle Times, pp. B4.

138 Associated Press. (1983, May 25). Boutwell Crewman Pleads Guilty to Plot. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 5.

139 See Empire Staff, 6 July 1982.

140 Guillen, T. (1982, July 9). Death, Sabotage Mar Coast Guard Skipper’s Last Voyage. The Seattle Times, pp. B1.

141 See Santa Cruz Sentinel, 8 July 1982

142 (1982, July 21). Alaska Marijuana Case: Grand Jury Indicts Three County Men. Santa Cruz Sentinel, pp. 2.

143 Associated Press. (1983, March 1). Californians Sentenced in Drug Scheme. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 6.

144 (1982). Change of Command Invitation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

145 (1982, August 20). Peter A. Joseph, Promoted to Captain, Commands CG Cutter Out of Seattle. The Falmouth Enterprise, pp. 2B.

146 Parshall, S. (1982). ‘I’m Gonna Die’. Journal-American, pp. unk.

147 Ferreri, M. (2009, June 15). ‘It Could Have Been Over for Me at 18’. Komo News. Retrieved from http://www.komonews.com/news/local/48072392.html.

148 (1984, March 5). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

149 Associated Press. (1983, July 26). Fisherman Rescued from Bering Sea. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 3.

150 Pullar, G. (1983, August 4). Dreams Shattered as COMET Goes Down. Kodiak Times, pp. 6.

151 (1984, March 5). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

152 See Associated Press, July 26, 1983.

153 (1984, March 5). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

154 (1983). Change of Command Invitation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

155 (1987). Change of Command Program. History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

156 Associated Press. (1986, September 16). Search Reopens for Ship’s Crew. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 3. 157 Associated Press. (1986, September 17). Search Goes on For Missing Crew. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 6. 158 Sentinel Staff. (1987, February 6). Trawler On Way to Sitka. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

159 Sentinel Staff. (1987, February 5). Disabled Fishing Boat May be Towed to Sitka. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

160 See Sentinel Staff, February 6, 1987.

161 Associated Press. (1987, February 17). CG Sinks Burned Ship. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 8.

162 (1987, February 26). People in Service. Chronicle-Telegram, pp. C3.

163 See Berkeley, 1988.

164 (1987). Change of Command Program. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

165 Associated Press. (1987, July 15). Fisherman Killed. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 6.

166 See Berkeley, 1988.

167 Blumenthal, L. (1988, January 21). Coast Guard Hikes Bering Sea Patrols. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

168 See Berkeley, 1988.

169 Associated Press. (1988, February 3). CG Seizes U.S. Factory Ship, The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

170  See Berkeley, 1988.

171  See Berkeley, 1988.

172  See Berkeley, 1988.

173 Pimental, B. A. (1988). Kids and the Coast Guard: Rose Festival 1988. Discovered in Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

174 Blackmun, M. (1988, June 9). Crowds See First of the Fleet Arrive in City. The Oregonian, pp C11, C12.

175 See Pimental, 1988.

176 See Blackmun, June 9, 1988.

177 Wojnar, T. J. (1988, June 14). Letter from RDML Wojnar. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

178 San Romani, D. (2008). The Story of the U.S. Coast Guard and Encounter Bay. Plane Talk, 24 (5), 6-14.

179 Associated Press. (1988, July 12). Lawyer Calls Seizure of Pot Ship ‘Piracy.’ The Daily Sentinel, pp. 2. 180 Miletich, S. (1988, July 13). Viet Army Loaded Pot on Ship, Court is Told. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, pp. A1.

181 Torsone, A. R. (2008). South of the Thunder. Lulu.com.

182 Associated Press. (1988, July 7). Pot Ship Towed to Port With 72 Tons of High-Grade Marijuana. The Gettysburg Times, pp. 5A.

183 (1988). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

184 See SOS Award Citation, 1988.

185 See Torsone, 2008.

186 See SOS Award Citation, 1988.

187 See San Romani, 2008.

188 Miletich, S. (1988, July 13). Viet Army Loaded Pot on Ship, Court is Told. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, pp. A1.

189 Blackburn, K. (1988, July 7). Records on Pot Ship Destroyed. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 5.

190 (Unknown). CGC Boutwell: MJ Record Setting Bust. LE OPS. Discovered in Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

191 See San Romani, 2008.

192 (Unknown). CGC Boutwell: MJ Record Setting Bust. LE OPS. Discovered in Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

193 Whitely, P. (1988, July 6). Records of Drug-Laden Ship Missing, Coast Guard Says. Seattle Times.

194 See Godchaux, July 7, 1988.

195 See Whitely, July 6, 1988.

196 See LE OPS.

197 See Whitely, July 6, 1988.

198 See SOS Award Citation, 1988.

199 Miletich, S. (1988, July 27). The Huge Pot Deal That Went Up in Smoke, How U.S. Drug Agents Posing as Fishermen Hooked a Big One. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, pp. A1.

200  See Miletich, July 27, 1988.

201  See Miletich, July 27, 1988.

202  See Miletich, July 27, 1988.

203  See Miletich, July 27, 1988.

204 Associated Press. (1988, October 2). 19 of 23 Plead Guilty in Drug-Running Case. The Register-Guard, pp. 2C.

205 Lewis, P. (1990, October 20). Marijuana Bigwig Sentenced – Described as World’s Largest Broker, He Gets 25 Years. The Seattle Times. Retrieved from http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19901020&slug=1099217 206 See San Romani, 2008.

207 (1989). Decommissioning of Boutwell & Recommissioning of Mellon Ceremony Program. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

208 Bender, B. (1991). Months of Training Add Up to a 45-Minute Clean Sweep. BAYEXPRESS, 2 (11), 1, 3.

209 (1991). Change of Command Ceremony Program. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

210 See Change of Command Ceremony Program, 1991.

211 Bender, B. (1991). Months of Training Add Up to a 45-Minute Clean Sweep. BAYEXPRESS, 2 (11), 1, 3.

212 See Bender, 1991.

213 (1991). Commissioning Ceremony Invitation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

214  See Change of Command Ceremony Program, 1991.

215  See Change of Command Ceremony Program, 1991.

216 Sentinel Staff. (1991, June 27). Search for 2 Suspended After Sitka Boat Sinks Off Aleutians. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

217 (1991, August 13). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

218 (1991, August 16). Change of Command Ceremony Program. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

219 Borden, B. (1991). Beauty Queen Joins Auxiliarists aboard Boutwell. BAYEXPRESS, pp. 1, 3.

220 Associated Press. (1992, February 10). Seattle-Based Ship Seized Near Rookery. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 8.

221 Associated Press. (1992, February 12). CG Releases Seized Boat. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 9.

222 Ciancaglini, D. (1992, April 1). Letter OER on Captain Donald A. Grosse. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

223 (1992, March 7). ALPAT Performance Message (070223Z MAR 92). Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

224 See Ciancaglini, 1992.

225 See ALPAT Performance Message, 1992.

226  See Ciancaglini, 1992.

227  See Ciancaglini, 1992.

228 (unk). Cutter Boutwell Returns from Alaskan Fisheries Patrol. Unknown. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

229 Godfrey, D. (1992, May 29). Boutwell Gets Starting Position at Cup. BAYEXPRESS, 3 (11), 1, 4.

230 (1992, May 19). COMPACAREA Cutter Achievement Awards (192348Z MAY 92). Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

231 See Godfrey, May 29, 1992.

232 Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

233 (1992). Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1993, Hearings Before a Subcommittee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Second Congress, Second Session on H.R. 5518. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

234 See Godfrey, May 29, 1992.

235 DeAngelis, R. M. (Ed.). (1993). Marine Weather Review. Mariner’s Weather Log, 37(2), 76.

236 Cutter Accidents. Coast Guard Historian’s Office. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/CutterAccidents.asp

237 Perry, T. (1993, May 13). Migrant Smuggling Ship Seized: Immigration: Vessel Carrying 200 Chinese

is Intercepted in Territorial Waters off San Diego. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/print/1993-05-13/news/mn-34689_1_san-diego

238 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

239 Ewing, W. & Seibold, D. (2006). Images of America: Maritime Grand Haven Coast Guard City USA. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing.

240 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

241 Operation Uphold Democracy. World Heritage Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.us/articles/Operation_Uphold_Democracy

242 Associated Press. (1995, January 8). Boat People Ousted from U.S. Camp. Daily Herald, pp. 11.

243 See World Heritage Encyclopedia.

244 Associated Press. (1994, December 23). Coast Guard Seizes Irish Sailing Vessel. United Press International, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/12/23/Coast-Guard-seizes-Irish­ sailing-vessel/1079788158800/

245 See Associated Press, January 8, 1995.

246 Terrill, B. (Ed.). (1995). In the News. Commandant’s Bulletin, 6-95, 14.

247 (2008). Medals and Awards Manual, Commandant Instruction Manual 1650.25D.

248  Sheinberg, R. & Minnick, P. (1996). Operation Ocean Motion. Commandant’s Bulletin, 2, 6-7. 249 Dorsey, J. (1995, November 15). Ship Shows it Can Cut it in Alaska. The Virginian Pilot, pp. A6. 250 See Sheinberg & Minnick, 1996.

251 Associated Press. (1995, October 4). Illegal Aliens Found on Vessel. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 5.

252 Germain, D. (1996, July 6). Coast Guard Pursues Boat Dragging Driftnet. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

253 Associated Press. (1996, Jul 22). CG Cutter Returns to Alaska. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 3.

254 Germain, D. (1996, July 10). Pursued Fish Boat Lobs Message in Bottle to CG. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

255 Associated Press. (1996, Jul 22). CG Cutter Returns to Alaska. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 3.

256 Associated Press. (1996, July 25). Taiwan Crew Admits to Fishing With Illegal Nets. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 1.

257 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

258 Information provided by Captain Ken Ward, USCG (Retired).

259 Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015. Data provided by the Department of Homeland Security, Joint Task Force Investigations (JTF-I). Washington, D.C.

260 Bailey, M. (1997, May 30). Just for Fun. The Columbian. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23378642.html

261 (1998, July 14). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Coast Guard Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

262 Associated Press. (1997, June 10). Debris From Missing Copter Found Off Coast. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-10/news/mn-1966_1_coast-guard

263 (1997, June 10). Four U.S. Coast Guard Personnel Missing After Helicopter Crash. World Maritime News.

264 (1997). United States and Mexico Counterdrug Cooperation. Executive Office of the President Office of National Drug Control Policy: Report to Congress, Volume I.

265 See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

266 (1998, July 14). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Coast Guard Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

267 Mckeown, N. (1997). AG Chief Rides Alaskan Waters with a Coast Guard Cutter. Naval Meteorology & Oceanography Command News, 17 (6), 9.

268 Kelly, R. (1998, June 11). Cutter Hunts High Seas for Illegal Net Use. Pacific Stars and Stripes, pp. 1, 7.

269 (2014). U.S. Coast Guard: Historical Overview. Coast Guard Historian’s Website. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/h_uscghistory.asp

270 Kelly, R. (1998, June 5). Coast Guard Boards Another Chinese Drift-Net Fishing Boat. Pacific Stars and Stripes, pp. 3.

271 See Kelly, June 11, 1998.

272 Associated Press. (1998, May 27). Russians Intercept Chinese Driftnet Vessel, Kill 2 Crew. The Daily Sentinel, pp. 3.

273 Associated Press. (1999, May 23). America’s Armed Fish-Patrol Guards a Perilous, Frigid Frontier.

Hutchinson News, pp. C9.

274 See Associated Press, May 27, 1998.

275 See Associated Press, May 23, 1999.

276 See Kelly, June 11, 1998.

277 See Associated Press, May 23, 1999.

278 (2014). U.S. Coast Guard: Historical Overview. Coast Guard Historian’s Website. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/h_uscghistory.asp

279 See Associated Press, May 23, 1999.

280 See Kelly, June 5, 1998.

281 See Kelly, June 11, 1998.

282 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

283 Rafferty, C. (1998, October 9). Liberian Tanker Accused in Oil Spill. Mercury News, pp. unk.

284 Lynem, J. (1999, January 27). Oil Tanker Crew Accused in Spill Arrested in S.F. / Greek Sailors Come Back Voluntarily. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved from http://www.sfchronicle.com/green/article/Oil­ Tanker-Crew-Accused-in-Spill-Arrested-in-S-F-2950722.php.

285 See Rafferty, October 9, 1988.

286 Barnum, A. (1998, December 3). Owner, Officers of Tanker Indicted After Big Oil Spill. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved from http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Owner-Officers-of-Tanker-Indicted­ After-Big-Oil-2975062.php

287 See Lynem, January 27, 1999.

288 (2002). Integrated Deepwater System Project Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.

U.S. Coast Guard Deepwater Program Directorate. Retrieved from http://www.fargisinfo.com/FargisForum/DeepWaterInfo/Deepwater_Final_PEIS_rev_03-2002.pdf 289 (2006, April 22). Captain Beverly G. Kelley Retirement Ceremony Program. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/history/people/women/bios/kelley-beverly-ret.pdf

290 McCall, C. (1979). She’s Beverly, Not Shipwreck, Kelley – and the First Woman Ever to Command a

U.S. Man-of-War. People, 11 (17). Retrieved from http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20073526,00.html

291 Captain Beverly G. Kelley, USCG (Ret.). USCG Historian’s Office. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/history/people/women/bios/kelleybgbio.pdf

292 Associated Press. (2001, April 1). Alaskan Fishing Boat Sinks; Body Recovered. Union Bulletin, pp 1, 2.

293 Coast Guard Historian’s Office. The Coast Guard & Homeland Security. Retrieved from

http://www.uscg.mil/history/uscghist/homeland_security.asp

294 (2002, June 10). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

295 Thompson, P. (2000, August 1). A War Every Day. Sea Power. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-72564759.html

296 Neubecker, C. (2004). Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON-Jacksonville).

Retrieved from https://www.uscg.mil/history/aviation/HITRON/USCG_HITRON_History_Neubecker.pdf

297 See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

298 (2002, July 1). Operation New Frontier. Naval Aviation News. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-144437911.html

299 See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

300 See Naval Aviation News, July 1, 2002.

301 (2002, June 10). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

302 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

303 Nolte, C. (2002, October 11). S.F.’s Fleet Week Resumes Amid Tight Security / Tickets Required for Some Tours. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved from http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/S-F-s­ Fleet-Week-resumes-amid-tight-security-2786305.php

304 Thiesen, W. T. (2009). Guardians of the Gulf: A History of Coast Guard Combat Operations in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2002-2004. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Historian’s Office. Retrieved from https://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/USCGinOIF.pdf

305 Bender, K. (2003, January 4). Families See of Sailors in Alameda. The Oakland Tribune, Headline News.

306 Fuller, G. (2004, May 1). Barbers Point Dolphin Deploys as Jaws in the Gulf. Naval Aviation News.

Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-642081641.html

307 See Thiesen, 2009.

308 See Fuller, May 1, 2004.

309 Associated Press. (2003, February 17). Coast Guard Prowls Gulf for Smugglers. Lodi News-Sentinel, pp. 24.

310 Mellgren, D., Associated Press. (2003, February 15). Coast Guard Cutter on Duty in Gulf. The Berkshire Eagle, pp. A8.

311 See Fuller, May 1, 2004.

312 See Thiesen, 2009.

313 See Mellgren, February 15, 2003.

314 See Thiesen, 2009.

315 Brown, D. (2003, August 1). Aquidneck Probes Iraqi Shipwrecks for Arms, Spies. Sea Power. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-386156951.html

316 Papp Jr., R. J. (2003, December 1). At Home and Abroad: The War on Terrorism. The Officer. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-522800441.html

317 See Brown, August 1, 2003.

318 Mellgren, D. (2003, February 16). U.S. Coast Guard Makes First Sanctions Inspection. Victoria Advocate, pp. 6C.

319 Ross, A. M. (2003). PACAREA Historian Seeking Impressions from Persian Gulf Deployment. Email from BM2 Ross to Mr. David Rosen, PACAREA Historian.

320 (2006). Welcome Aboard Program. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC BOUTWELL.

321 Mellgren, D., Associated Press. (2003, February 17). Coast Guard Cutter Prowls the Gulf for Smugglers. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71815028.html

322 See Thiesen, 2009.

323 Singal, J., Lim, C., and Stephey, M.J. (2010, March 19). March 2003 Shock and Awe. Time. Retrieved from http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1967340_1967342_1967398,00.html. 324 See Fuller, May 1, 2004.

325 See Thiesen, 2009.

326 (2003, March 28). British Aid Ship Docks in Iraq. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/28/sprj.irq.iraq.aid.delay/index.html 327 See Fuller, May 1, 2004.

328 See British Aid Ship Docks in Iraq, March 28, 2003.

329 See Fuller, May 1, 2004.

330 See Thiesen, 2009

331 See Thiesen, 2009.

332 Bonner, K. & Bonner, C. (2004). Always Ready: Today’s U.S. Coast Guard. St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing Company. Cutter History File.

333 See Thiesen, 2009.

334 (2006). Welcome Aboard Program. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC BOUTWELL.

335 (2015, April 21). Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn Fast Facts. CNN Library.

Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/meast/operation-iraqi-freedom-and-operation-new­ dawn-fast-facts/

336 See Brown, August 1, 2003.

337 See Thiesen, 2009.

338 Bender, K. (2003, July 15). Friends, Family Welcome Back the ‘Big Fish’ With Open Arms. The Oakland Tribune, Local & Regional News.

339 Collins, T. (2004). Change and Continuity: Today’s U.S. Coast Guard. Joint Center for Operational Analysis and Lessons Learned, VI (4), 2-3.

340 United States Coast Guard Academy “Wall of Gallantry”. Retrieved from http://www.uscga.edu/gallantry.aspx?id=4592

341 Bender, K. (2003, October 17). Cutter Captain Gets Bronze Star, Boutwell Officer Honored for Service in Persian Gulf. Oakland Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-6973011.html

342 Staff Writer. (2004, April 3). Local Coast Guard Nabs. The Oakland Tribune, Unspecified.

343 See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

344 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell. 345 (2010). USCGC Waesche (WMSL 751): Commissioning May 10, 2007. Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/external/content/document/4007/540855/1/Waeschesmall.pdf

346 Carroll, C. (2004, December 22). Coast Guard Cutter Home After Drug Busts. Mercury News, pp. 6B.

347  See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

348 (2005, May 12). Alameda-Based Coast Guard Cutter Seizes Over 8-Tons Cocaine, Returns Home. Military.com. Retrieved from http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,uscg2_051205.00.html 349 See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

350 (2006, February 8). Local Cutter Returns Home After 74-Day Law Enforcement Patrol. U.S. Federal News Service. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-985814571.html

351 Koch, K. (2006, February 1). Charitable Crew Delivers Aid to Panamanian Children’s Home. Coast Guard Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-145832752.html

352 See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

353 See U.S. Federal News Service, February 8, 2006.

354 (2006, July 7). Citation to Accompany the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

355 See U.S. Federal News Service, February 8, 2006.

356 Eng, S. (2006, April 1). Alameda Designated a “Coast Guard City.” Coast Guard Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-151754814.html

357 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

358 Rear Admiral Peter J. Brown Biography. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/flag/biography/PeterJBrown.pdf

359 (2006, November 29). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell to be Recognized for Drug Seizures. Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-to-be-recognized-for-drug­ seizures/2006/11/29/

360 See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

361 Coast Guard News. (2007, January 10). 21.71 Tons of Cocaine to be Offloaded in Mayport. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/2171-tons-of-cocaine-to-be-offloaded-in-mayport/2007/01/10/

362  See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

363  See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

364 See Coast Guard News, November 29, 2006.

365 (2007, February 23). Local Coast Guard Cutter Rescues Four Sea Turtles. U.S. Federal News Service. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1222055421.html

366 (2007). Oil Spills from No-Tank Vessels: Threats, Risks, and Vulnerabilities. Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmospheres, Fisheries, and Coast Guard of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session (S. Hrg. 110-1187). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

367 Coast Guard Response and Enforcement Branch. (2007). 17^th Coast Guard District Enforcement Report: 01 Jun – 30 Sep 07.

368 Erickson, A., Goldstein, L., and Nan, L. (Eds.). (2012). China, the United States, and 21^st-Century Sea

Power: Defining a Maritime Security Partnership. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.

369 Coast Guard Response and Enforcement Branch. (2007). 17^th Coast Guard District Enforcement Report: 01 Jun – 30 Sep 07.

370 Halloran, R. (2007, August 17). U.S. Collaborates on Pacific Maritime Network. The Washington Times. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-167700672.html

371 Coast Guard Response and Enforcement Branch. (2007). 17^th Coast Guard District Enforcement Report: 01 Jun – 30 Sep 07.

372 (2007, September 1). All Coast. Coast Guard Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-179746935.html

374 (2007, October 3). Chinese Fishing Boats Suspected of High-Seas Driftnet Fishing Intercepted. Sit News: Stories in the News. Retrieved from http://www.sitnews.us/1007news/100307/100307_driftnet_fishing.html

375 (2007). Oil Spills from No-Tank Vessels: Threats, Risks, and Vulnerabilities. Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmospheres, Fisheries, and Coast Guard of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session (S. Hrg. 110-1187). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

376 Coast Guard Response and Enforcement Branch. (2007). 17^th Coast Guard District Enforcement Report: 01 Jun – 30 Sep 07.

377 See Sit News: Stories in the News, 2007.

378 Coast Guard Response and Enforcement Branch. (2007). 17^th Coast Guard District Enforcement Report: 01 Oct – 30 Nov 07.

379 Coast Guard News. (2007, October 11). Coast Guard and Chinese Fisheries Enforcement Cooperation Intercepts 3 Chinese Drift Net Fishing Vessels. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard­ and-chinese-fisheries-enforcement-cooperation-intercepts-3-chinese-drift-net-fishing-vessel/2007/10/11/ 380 (2007). Oil Spills from No-Tank Vessels: Threats, Risks, and Vulnerabilities. Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmospheres, Fisheries, and Coast Guard of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session (S. Hrg. 110-1187). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

381 See Erickson et al, 2012.

382 Coast Guard News. (2007, November 6). Coast Guard Cutter Returns from Far East. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-returns-from-far-east/2007/11/06/

383 (2007). Citation to Accompany the Coast Guard Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

384 Engraved Silver Tray. Commanding Officer’s Cabin, San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

385 Kevin Cavanaugh Linkedin Profile.

386 (2009, January 9). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell to Deploy in Support of DOD Operations and International Training. Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter­ boutwell-to-deploy-in-support-of-dod-operations-and-international-training-exercises/2009/01/09/.

387 Vinson, M. (2009). USCGC BOUTWELL OOH 2009 Deployment Summary. iCommandant. Retrieved

from http://www.uscg.mil/history/allen/iCommandant/2009/iCommandant_%20July%202009.pdf

388 (2009, March 11). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell Provides Training to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement. Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-provides­ training-to-malaysian-maritime-enforcement/2009/03/11/

389 Chapman, K. (2009, February 23). Boutwell Departs Cochin After Three Days of Engagements.

Navy.mil. Retrieved from http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=42808

390 (2009, February 23). Boutwell Arrives in Republic of Maldives. U.S. Federal News Service. Retrieved from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1650942231.html

391 See Chapman, February 23, 2009.

392 See Vinson, 2009.

393 (2009, March 9). Coast Guard Cutter Participates in Exercise Aman 2009, Visits Pakistan. Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-participates-in-exercise-aman-2009­ visits-pakistan/2009/03/09/

394 (2009, March 13). Cutter Boutwell Arrives in Pakistan to Participate in AMAN ’09 Closing Ceremonies.

Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/cutter-boutwell-arrives-in-pakistan-to­ participate-in-aman-09-closing-ceremonies/2009/03/13/

395  See Vinson, 2009.

396  See Vinson, 2009.

397 (2009). Department of Homeland Security Appropriates for 2010, Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

398  See Vinson, 2009.

399  See Vinson, 2009.

401  See Vinson, 2009.

402  See Vinson, 2009.

403 Staff Reporters. (2009, June 4). Boutwell Visits Libya. The Oakland Tribune, My Town.

404 See Vinson, 2009.

405 (2009, June 29). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

406 (2009, October 6). Mayor Gavin Newsom Kicks Off Fleet Week 2009. States News Service. Retrieved

from https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-216096874.html

407 (2010, June 17^th). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell to Hold Change of Command Ceremony. Coast Guard

News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-to-hold-change-of­ command-ceremony/2010/06/17/

408 Captain Thomas E. Crabbs Biography. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/docs/Capt_Crabbs_bio.pdf

409 (2011, July 29). Coast Guard Cutters Boutwell and Sherman Change Homeports. U.S. Coast Guard

Newsroom: Public Affairs Detachment San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1376359/

410 (2011, May 11). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell to Hold Change of Command Ceremony. U.S. Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-to-hold-change-of­ command/2011/05/11/

411 (2013, March 14). Coast Guard Cutter to Receive New Commanding Officer. U.S. Coast Guard

Newsroom. Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1722767/Coast-Guard-Cutter-to­ receive-new-commanding-officer

412 Captain Matthew J. Gimple Biography. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/d11/DCS/MattGimple.asp

413 (2011, March 24). Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton to be Decommissioned. U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom.

Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1375955/Coast-Guard-Cutter-Hamilton-to-be­ decommissioned­

414 (2011, July 29). Coast Guard Cutters Boutwell and Sherman Change Homeports. U.S. Coast Guard

Newsroom: Public Affairs Detachment San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1376359/

415 (2011, December 12). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell Scheduled to Return Home. U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom: Public Affairs Detachment San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1376143/

416  See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

417 (2012, June 20). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell to Hold Change of Command. U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom. Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1476431/

418 (2012). Docking Agenda. Cutter Files. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

419 (2012). USCGC BOUTWELL (WHEC 719), 378 Foot W High Endurance Cutter, Specification for Drydock Repairs. Cutter Files. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

420 See U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom, June 20, 2012.

421 Captain Jim Munro Biography.

422 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

423(2012, November 16). 44-Year-Old Coast Guard Cutter Returns from Multi-Mission Patrol. U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom: Public Affairs Detachment San Diego. Retrieved from

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1610899/

424  See Boutwell: Maritime Seizures 1973 – 2015.

425 (2013, July 11). San Diego Based Cutter Returns from 92-Day Deployment. U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom: Public Affairs Detachment San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1842826 /

426 Personal Account of LTJG Gene Storer.

427 Stewart, L. (Ed.). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell Seizes 1,375 Pounds Cocaine in Eastern Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom. Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2067878/

428 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

430 (2014, January 24). Coast Guard Rescues Stranded Boaters off El Salvador. Coast Guard News.

Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-rescues-stranded-boaters-off-el­ salvador/2014/01/24/

431 (2014, February 11). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell to Return Home From Eastern Pacific Patrol. U.S. Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-to-return­ home-from-eastern-pacific-patrol/2014/02/11/

432 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

433 (2014, June 4). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell to Hold Change of Command on Friday. U.S. Coast Guard

News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-to-hold-change-of­ command-on-friday/2014/06/04/

434 Decommissioning Ceremony Program. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

435 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

436 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

437 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

438 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

439 Dixon, A. (2014, September 18). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell Visits Puerto Chiapas, Mexico. U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom. Retrieved from http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2246154/

440 (2014, October 6). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell Returns Home with More than 28,000 Pounds of Cocaine. U.S. Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell­ returns-home-with-more-than-28000-pounds-of-cocaine/2014/10/06/

441 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

442 (2014, October 4). Citation to Accompany the Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

443 Honings, D. (2015, October 10). White House Recognition for Setting the Bar in Drug Interdiction.

Coast Guard Compass. Retrieved from http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2015/11/white-house-recognition-for­ setting-the-bar-in-drug-interdiction/

444 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

445 De Nyse, M. (2015, March 25). In the Zone: U.S. Military, Partner Nations Test Capabilities in Eastern

Pacific. Coast Guard Compass. Retrieved from http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2015/03/in-the-zone-u-s­ military-partner-nations-test-capabilities-in-eastern-pacific/

446 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

447 (2015, April 2). U.S. and Canada Team Up for Five and a Half Ton Cocaine Seizure. U.S. Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/u-s-and-canada-team-up-for-five-and-a-half-ton-cocaine­ seizure/2015/04/02/

448  Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

449  Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

450 (2015, April 16). U.S., Canada Announce Record Drug Seizure Rates. U.S. Coast Guard News. Retrieved from http://coastguardnews.com/u-s-canada-announce-record-drug-seizure-rates/2015/04/16/ 451 (2015, April 17). CG PACAREA (PAC-00) Memo 1650. Authorization to Wear the Coast Guard Special Operations Service (SOS) Ribbon. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

452 Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

453 President Obama’s Trip to Alaska. The White House. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/2015­ alaska-trip

454 USCG Public Affairs San Diego. (2015, September 15). Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell Returns from 75­ Day Alaska Patrol. U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom. Retrieved from

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2598158/

455 (2016, January 20). CG PACAREA (PAC-00) Memo 1650. Authorization to Wear the Coast Guard Special Operations Service (SOS) Ribbon. Cutter History File. San Diego, CA: USCGC Boutwell.

456  Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

457  Personal Account of LT Gene Storer.

458 U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs. (2015, October 13). 35^th San Francisco Fleet Week Concludes.

Navy.mil. Retrieved from http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91507