Etta Smith News

In this photo, a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth array rests on the deck of the American Diver while the ship transits to meet the Pisces, a NOAA fisheries survey vessel that is using a CTD to conduct sub-surface oil surveillance near Grand Isle, Sept. 14, 2010. Various sub-surface oil assessment techniques are being used off the coast of Louisiana in an effort to track, monitor, and measure oil remnants from the spill. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Etta Smith.

“Everyone remain calm! We are the U.S. Coast Guard and we’re here to conduct a security boarding,” a law-enforcement officer announces as his teams rush aboard an elegant, white cruise ship. The teams: Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Teams from Boston and New Orleans. The vessel: the Spirit of Boston, an upscale, commercial, dinner cruise ship nestled in the heart of metropolitan Boston. This exercise was part of quarterly, week-long training for MSST’s throughout the Coast Guard. The final day of training was held aboard the privately-owned commercial ship. The ship granted the law enforcement team’s access to an authentic environment so they could implement learned tactics in a realistic setting.

Coast Guard Cutter Flyingfish patrols up the Mystic River towards the Tobin Bridge on January 31, after suspicious packages were reported on the Longfellow and Boston University Bridges. A portion of the Charles River, from the Museum of Science to the Boston Harbor locks, was closed. Coast Guard Sector Boston also increased random patrols of ferry terminals and put law enforcement teams aboard some commuter ferries as a precautionary measure. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Etta Smith.