Crews from Coast Guard cutters Hamilton (WMSL 753) and Munro (WMSL 755) conduct at-sea training in the Pacific Ocean, March 12, 2024. Hamilton returned to its homeport in Charleston, S.C., Friday, March 29. (Ray Corniel/U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton returned to its homeport in Charleston, S.C., last week after four months at sea.

The Hamilton, which arrived home Friday, was busy while deployed: The crew interdicted four vessels trafficking illicit narcotics, apprehended 10 suspected drug smugglers, rescued 47 migrants on an unsafe voyage at sea and assisted six mariners in distress.

The Hamilton patrolled in support of Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast’s Operation Vigilant Sentry and Joint Interagency Task Force-South’s counterdrug mission in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.

Hamilton interdicted 7,448 pounds of marijuana from four drug trafficking ventures worth more than $7 million. In support of JIATF-S, Hamilton assisted Panamanian and Costa Rican partners with two additional interdictions for a combined 5,800 pounds of cocaine, worth approximately $76 million.

Among its rescue missions, Hamilton’s crew spotted a U.S.-flagged sailing vessel with three people aboard on Christmas Eve. Hamilton sent over a rescue and assistance team to help restore the boat’s engines, offer medical aid and provide an escort back to Florida.

“I am so proud of our crew’s flexibility, resiliency and superb execution of duty,” said Capt. Justin Carter, commanding officer of Hamilton. “We accomplished every task asked of us, whether countering drug smugglers, responding to unsafe migrant ventures, or aiding mariners at sea.”

Hamilton also conducted at-sea trainings with Coast Guard cutters Munro and Bear and an MH-65 helicopter crew from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron.

In January, the Hamilton arrived at the newly constructed Amador Cruise Terminal, in Panama City, Panama, to become the first U.S. government vessel to moor at the facility.

Hamilton is one of four 418-foot National Security Cutters (NSC) homeported in Charleston. NSCs are a worldwide deployable asset that supports Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and national objectives through drug interdiction, migrant interdiction, national defense, search and rescue, fisheries enforcement and national intelligence collection.