Description In 1994, the Coast Guard was involved in its largest peacetime operation since the Vietnam war, responding to two mass migrations at the same time -- first from Haiti, then from Cuba. Over 63,000 migrants were rescued and prevented from illegally entering the US in Operations ABLE MANNER and ABLE VIGIL. At its height, Operation ABLE MANNER involved 17 US Coast Guard vessels, patrolling the coast of Haiti while Operation ABLE VIGIL involved 38 Coast Guard cutters patrolling the Straits of Florida.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
August / 1994
To Month/Year
September / 1994
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
People You Remember Kevin Crowley, Barry Cates, Brian Huff, Mary Watson, Jennifer Elliot, Mike Hicks, Robert Kulka, Adam Knowles, Mike Gossage, Jeanie Diamond, Bill Strong, Larry Toler, Cleve Craddock, Marlo Lee, Kristi Nadler, and all of the families and friends of SHEARWATER and the SES Division.
Memories Riding the SHEARWATER was one of the best times of my career. It was a dream to be an underway officer of the deck on this cutter. I loved the trips to Guantanamo and patrolling inside the Haitian claw conducting counternarcotic and migrant operations. Great crew, great fun, I wish it could be done all over again.