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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Pierluisi Visits U.S. Coast Guard in Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico- Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi visited the facilities of the U.S. Coast Guard in Puerto Rico today as part of his ongoing effort to increase the presence and effectiveness of federal law enforcement agencies on the Island, especially those agencies whose mission it is to combat the transport of illegal drugs.

Accompanied by the Commander of Sector San Juan, Captain Drew W. Pearson, Pierluisi was given a tour of Coast Guard facilities, where he learned about the different missions that the Coast Guard has in Puerto Rico, was briefed on the resources that the Coast Guard has available to it on the Island, and familiarized himself with the daily work routine of Coast Guard personnel.

“We must recognize the agencies and organizations that protect us and thank them for their service. And to ensure that these brave men and women have the resources they need to effectively complete their mission, we must be adequately briefed on their needs with respect to personnel, equipment and facilities. We also want to maintain open lines of communication with Coast Guard officials, so that we can continue our work together on behalf of Puerto Rico and the broader Caribbean,” said Pierluisi.

Sector San Juan is responsible for all Coast Guard missions in the eastern Caribbean, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and adjacent waters. The sector was designated a rescue sub-center and is responsible for search and rescue operations in the area of the Dominican Republic and the Lesser Antilles.

“The Coast Guard’s role in Puerto Rico in the areas of national defense and drug interdiction is extremely important,” said the Resident Commissioner.

During the tour, which included a demonstration of a “use of force” scenario as well as a mock rescue, Pierluisi detailed his efforts to strengthen the Coast Guard’s resources on the Island. Commander Pearson said that he shares the Resident Commissioner’s concerns regarding security in Puerto Rico and he assured the Resident Commissioner that the Coast Guard is working tirelessly to fulfill its mission on the Island.