News Release

MIAMI - A Wilmington native and crewmember aboard San Diego-based Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton transited through the Panama Canal to support the ongoing humanitarian efforts in Haiti.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard S. Farmer, 23, was aboard the cutter as it transited the canal and is now part of the ongoing Coast Guard Haiti relief effort.

Farmer is an operations specialist and is responsible for operating and monitoring communications aboard the ship, and he has been in the Coast Guard for two years.

The 378-foot cutter was already underway for a scheduled patrol when the earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 12. By the next day, The Hamilton’s orders had changed and it began to steam towards the Canal Zone.

"Hamilton's crew responded to the news of our re-tasking in support of disaster relief with professionalism and flexibility, working overtime to ensure the cutter was ready to respond to any mission at any time. They are a true example of the Coast Guard's multi-mission culture,” said Cmdr. Douglas Goodwin, the Hamilton's executive officer.

The Hamilton is currently off the coast of Haiti, and the crew is now providing logistical and command support to relief operations.

One of two secretary class high endurance cutters homeported in San Diego, Hamilton is the first of twelve such cutters and routinely patrols the eastern Pacific Ocean interdicting narcotics smugglers attempting to transport drugs within the maritime domain.

To learn more about the Hamilton’s progress in the Haiti relief efforts, please visit the Coast Guard's 7th District public affairs website at:

http://www.d7publicaffairs.com/go/site/586/

To view a short video of Hamilton transiting through the Panama Canal visit:

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=762918