This is a SAR( search-and-rescue) case that I'm going to remember for the rest of my life, I'm probably not going to see something like this again.

Coast Guard

Nearly 80 [ percent ] of all known illegal narcotics coming into North America are smuggled by international cartels through the Eastern Pacific corridor, an area greater in size than the entire United States, the profits from cocaine allow drug cartels to diversify and fund other illicit trafficking activities including the smuggling of opioids, synthetics, methamphetamines, persons and weapons.

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An estimated 25,000 barrels of gasoline blend stock were loaded on each barge. An unknown amount of product has been released from the damaged barge, air monitoring is being conducted along the shoreline from Sylvan Beach to Kemah.

We’re averaging about 12 of these per month. by Coast Guard

We’re averaging about 12 of these per month.

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The debris is scattered about over several miles, it's going to take some time to verify. The items would appear to be consistent with the missing ship.

The decision to suspend was excruciating and gut-wrenching. by Coast Guard

The decision to suspend was excruciating and gut-wrenching.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones affected. by Coast Guard

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones affected.

It's a long process, these types of things continue on, perhaps for months, to make sure the environment is restored to its original condition.

The situation was dire, had the Polar Star not reached the Chieftain, it would have had to winter in the ice.

The seas of Antarctica are treacherous and unforgiving, this incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of the U.S. icebreaker fleet as we see increased human activity in the polar regions.

The Administration's recent announcement regarding Cuba does not affect immigration policies including wet foot/dry foot or the Cuban Adjustment Act, which only Congress can change.

Navigating the seas in unseaworthy vessels is extremely dangerous and can lead to loss of life.

Other reports of oiled wildlife are being investigated.

The man had reportedly been untangling fishing nets from the vessel's propeller when he fell overboard and was bitten by a shark of an unknown size and species.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka located the wreckage at 2:37 p.m. and lowered two rescue swimmers who reported no survivors.

The Coast Guard does not recommend anyone taking to the seas in vessels that are not seaworthy. The vessels are often overloaded, the seas are unpredictable and the risk of loss of life is too great.

It should be forever memorialized as the symbol of strength of the American spirit, of the strong, resilient response.

This event is the perfect example of numerous key partners unifying our efforts to counter transnational criminal organizations who look to exploit the maritime environment.

This is a very difficult decision to suspend the search, the Coast Guard focuses on rescue activities to find a live person and we suspend the search when we are no longer confident that we’re going to be able to rescue the victim.

Cases like this... illustrate the importance of labeling your kayaks, canoes, kite boards and other recreational marine vehicles, so that in the event they are lost, or you are missing, we can reach out to contact you or return it.