The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alert, based in Astoria, Oregon, arrives at its new homeport in Cape Canaveral, Florida

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alert (WMEC 630) and its crew arrived at its new homeport of Cape Canaveral on June 10, 2024. Alert began the journey east in May after completing 30 years of service at its homeport of Astoria, Oregon, on the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest.

During the 30-day, 6,000-nautical-mile voyage, Alert crossed the equator, transited the Panama Canal, and engaged in search and rescue operations. Marking the beginning of a new era, Alert paid homage to U.S. Coast Guard Ship David Duren (FRC 1156), a fast response vessel that headed north to Astoria to relieve Alert’s watch in the Pacific Northwest.

Alert is now assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, based in Portsmouth, Virginia, and takes the place of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Confidence (WMEC 619) at Cape Canaveral after Confidence was commissioned and given special status in early May. The former crew of Confidence will now crew Alert.

Replacing Confidence and returning Alert to homeport reflects the Coast Guard’s ongoing efforts to adapt to growing service demands and personnel shortages and helps ensure the Coast Guard can continue to prioritize lifesaving missions, national security and protecting the maritime transportation system without compromising these critical services.

“This is not the first time Alert has changed homeports,” said Commander Lee Crusius, Alert’s commanding officer. “Prior to her time in Astoria, Alert was homeported on the East Coast in Cape May, New Jersey. In many ways, Alert is returning home, where she will continue to perform the vital missions our partner nations and the American people require of the Coast Guard fleet.”

Commissioned in 1969, Alert was the last 210-foot Reliance-class medium-range cutter. Alert performs a variety of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, maritime defense, and marine environmental protection.

For more information about the U.S. Coast Guard’s AY24 Force Alignment Initiative, click here.

For information on joining the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com for information on active duty, reserve, commissioned officer and noncommissioned officer opportunities. For information on applying to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, click here.

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