Week 4 on board the NORTHLAND proved to be yet another busy week! After leaving San Juan, the crew was rested and ready to go. We began the week with a lot of training, conducting damage control drills, flight operations, engine room drills, small boat training and a .50 cal gunnery exercise! All of the drills and exercises helped much of the crew with their qualifications and kept those already qualified up to par.

Although the crew was excitedly awaiting a port visit to Aruba, NORTHLAND never made it there this week. Instead, our HITRON helicopter spotted another go-fast! The go-fast was intercepted after it failed to heave-to upon being ordered to stop by our helicopter. After successfully deploying warning shots and disabling fire to bring the go-fast to a halt, the vessel began taking on water. As the vessel began to sink, the helo deployed a life raft for the crew and several bales of contraband began floating in the water.

We arrived on scene soon after and launched our small boat to rescue the five crewmembers in the water and then worked on picking up the bales of contraband. Our small boat crews were able to find 41 bales of cocaine, which are estimated to have a street value of $50 million.

This drug bust was our THIRD go-fast case in just over 2 weeks—this week was certainly memorable and exciting for our crew, but everyone is looking forward to our next port call. Right now it looks like we’ll be visiting Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to transfer our detainees to federal authorities, refuel, reprovision, and enjoy a little time ashore.

Congratulations to many crew members who got qualified this week: