CGC Morgenthau rescues injured fishermen

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Posted by: LT Connie Braesch

USCGC Morganthau rescues fishermen

Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau carefully transfer an injured fisherman from a Coast Guard small boat to the cutter after responding to a call from the fishing vessel Ventuari 1,200 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon Ray San Agustin.

USCGC Morganthau rescues fishermen

Petty Officer 1st Class Darrell Strickland tends to an injured fisherman from the fishing vessel Ventuari. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Harrington.

Working on the high seas is inherently dangerous and circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. Such was the case on Wednesday afternoon for the crew of the 200-foot fishing vessel Ventuari.

As Ventuarit’s crew hauled in their catch approximately 1,200 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the vessel’s boom collapsed, landing on and injuring four of the crewmembers.

On patrol in the region, Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau was immediately diverted to assist the Ventuari. Making its best possible speed, the 378-foot cutter arrived on scene early Friday, launched its interceptor boats, triaged the four fishermen and medically evacuated two of the men to the cutter. Morgenthau will transport the two injured men to medical personnel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The other two fishermen’s injuries did not require immediate evacuation and they remained aboard the Venezuelan-flagged Ventuari.

USCGC Morganthau rescues fishermen

Boat crews from Morgenthau approach the fishing vessel Ventuari to assist it's crew. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class James Gibbons.

“The ability of a high-endurance cutter like Morgenthau to instantly shift from a counter-drug patrol to providing life-saving assistance so far offshore demonstrates one of the Coast Guard’s greatest strengths,” said Capt. Anthony Gentilella, commanding officer of Morgenthau. “We are all grateful we have a ship capable of helping fellow mariners in distress. The flawless transfer of these injured men and the expert care they’ve received is a credit to the ship and to the flexibility, compassion, and dedication to duty of my crew.”

The Morgenthau, homeported in Alameda, Calif., and equipped with both small boats and a helicopter for a variety of missions, is in the Eastern Pacific on a law enforcement patrol interdicting illegal drugs in the transit zone between South and North America. With a combination of long range, speed and the ability to withstand extreme weather, larger Coast Guard cutters like Morgenthau conduct long-range counter-narcotics missions, alien migrant interdiction operations, domestic and international fisheries protection patrols, search and rescue missions, and military operations.

USCGC Morganthau rescues fishermen

Crewmembers from Morgenthau tend to an injured fisherman from the fishing vessel Ventuari. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon Ray San Agustin.

The Coast Guard is in the process of replacing Morgenthau, commissioned March 10, 1969, and the service’s other ‘Secretary-class’ high-endurance cutters with the new ‘Legend-class’ national security cutters. Coast Guard officials point out that the new vessels, two of which are already in the fleet, will allow the Coast Guard to continue providing its unique blend of military capability, federal law enforcement authority and life-saving expertise throughout waters of U.S. interest well into the future.

“The missions performed by this ship are essential,” Gentilella said. “A cutter draws its life from her crew, and Morgenthau is decades older than many of the men and women who must work increasingly hard to keep her aging systems operational. I’m proud of their work and pleased to see a new era of cutters entering service to carry on the proud traditions of Morgenthau and her sister ships.”

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  • kelvin lyle davis

    i would like to take part in this oginization

  • Angela Maupin

    My husband is stationed on the Morgenthau and I say “way to go, Morgenthau!” I’m sure I speak for all of the Morgenthau families when I say that we are all very proud of you! We also miss you very much & hope to see you soon!

  • Allen Knish

    Bravo Zulu to the Commanding Officer and crew

  • Teri Clark-Gardella

    Way to go, Morgenthau & Crew!

  • Jennifer Maddox

    I second Angela Maupin’s “way to go, Morgenthau!” I’m proud of you, little brother. =)

  • Bea

    Mi hija pertenece a ese gran equipo del Morgenthau…Que orgullosa estoy como te extraño…Bravo felicidades a todos

  • jovy

    KUDOS TO MORGENTHAU, WE MISS YOU AND ARE VERY PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

  • C.J. Crockett

    Nice Job Morgenthau! Keep up the good work keeping our seas safe!

  • Doc Hollywood!

    Shout out and BZ to Doc Rose!!

  • K. Veigas

    I am immensely impressed with the Morgethau crew. Commanding Officer Gentilella’s strong leadership is apparent. Congratulations and thank you for the important work you do!

  • Arthur Steinmeyer

    Another job well done by our “Rescue Warriors” ….. Bravo Zulu!

  • George Cassidy

    Why are we still naming cutters after Treasury secretaries?

  • Christopher Lagan

    George,

    Thanks for the question and for following Coast Guard Compass.

    Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau was commissioned in 1969 as the eighth of twelve Hamilton class cutters named for prior secretaries of the U.S. Treasury to honor their commitment to and support of our service.

    It’s been more than 40 years since the naming of the Hamilton class and the Coast Guard’s newest cutters, the National Security Cutter and Fast Response Cutter, are being named for Coast Guard legends and heroes respectively. For instance, the first two NSC’s bear the names Waesche and Bertholf. You can read more about the Hero class of FRC’s here.

    Respectfully,
    Christopher Lagan
    United States Coast Guard
    Public Affairs

  • Mark Lum

    The Morg crew is the best! I hope all the units I end up at have the same great diversity of people. GO DECK FORCE !!!