March 25, 2009 — The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned a new cutter Monday that will patrol the waters around the territory to combat illegal immigration and smuggling.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark will do search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, Marine Environmental Protection and Homeland Security missions. The 87-foot long Reef Shark and its 12-member crew will home port in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Installed as the first commanding officer of the Reef Shark was Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Rachel S. Cruzcosa, a native of San Angelo, Texas. A 2006 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Cruzcosa is one of four female commanding officers in the 87-foot patrol boat fleet.
Rear Admiral Steve Branham of the U.S. Coast Guard invited Delegate Donna M. Christensen to be the vessel's sponsor.
"I am sure that by having you as its sponsor, the ship will serve many years and its crew will lay the foundation for a fine heritage of service," Branham said during Monday's formal commissioning ceremony at the U.S. Coast Guard Sector in San Juan. Traditionally, the sponsor is a civilian with close ties to the service. Christensen was invited to bestow good luck and divine protection over the ship and its crew.
In her keynote address, Christensen verbally saluted Cruzcosa.
"With her experience in counter-narcotic operations on the Cutter Hamilton, I know she is ready, willing and able for any eventuality that the Reef Shark will encounter," Christensen said.
As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, Christensen pushed the Coast Guard to establish a stronger presence in Virgin Islands. She spoke with Coast Guard officials and sponsored legislation asking for a border patrol specifically for the territory, according to a statement from Christensen's office. The Coast Guard appropriation bill for fiscal year 2008 included an amendment Christensen sponsored to provide extra Homeland Security funding for more Coast Guard patrols and action in the seas around the territory.
"My priority has been to strengthen and protect America's Caribbean border as it continues to be the first point of entry for refugees, weapons and drug trafficking, criminal activity, and possibly terrorism," Christensen said. "I plan to continue to work with the Homeland Security division of Customs and Border Patrol on establishing a Border Patrol marine unit, with additional units to be added as more resources become available."
The House Homeland Security Committee visited the territory last April, and an interagency Department of Homeland Security report concluded that there was a need for an increased presence in the waters surrounding the Virgin Islands.
Combating illegal immigration will be a major part of the cutter's role, said Mel Vanterpool, director of the V.I. Office of Homeland Security, speaking at Monday's hearing of the V.I. Legislature's Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice.
"Our major concern is the number of illegal immigrants coming into the territory," Vanterpool said. "In attempting to address this, (V.I. Homeland Security) met with the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Ports, who has agreed to increase the patrols of the Coast Guard cutter from San Juan to patrol our waters, especially between the British Virgin Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands."
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