The Coast Guard Cutter Munro made a stop in Juneau for a scheduled port visit Monday before returning to its homeport in Alameda, California after 11,500 miles and 105 days away from homeport.
According to the Coast Guard, the Munro partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement to conduct 24 boardings of commercial fishing vessels with the goal of enforcing sustainable fishing practices and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
“The continued existence of these fisheries depends on a healthy and productive ecosystem,” said Capt. Rula Deisher, Munro commanding officer in a news release. “As a federal law enforcement agency, it is the Coast Guard’s responsibility to ensure the longevity of these resources and safety of the fishing fleet. We’re happy to do our part combating unsustainable fishing and promoting maritime commerce that is essential to a strong U.S. economy.”
Munro also served as the primary search and rescue asset in the Bering Sea, performing 452 flight evolutions with five separate aircraft from Air Station Kodiak, qualifying seven pilots and ensuring SAR readiness, according to the Coast Guard. Additionally, it was present for the opening of the Pacific Cod Pot derby and the Alaska Pollock trawl season, two of the nation’s most valuable fisheries.
Commissioned in 2017, Munro is one of four Coast Guard legend-class national security cutters homeported in Alameda, according to the Coast Guard. The cutter is named for Signalman 1st Class Douglas A. Munro, the only Coast Guardsman awarded the Medal of Honor in 1942 for his actions and sacrifice in the defense, rescue, and evacuation of a U.S. Marine battalion from Point Cruz at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
• Contact reporter Jonson Kuhn at jonson.kuhn@juneauempire.com.
