Boutwell transfers custody of fishing vessels

(Oct. 2, 2007) NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN - The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell transfers custody of the Fishing Vessels Lu Rong Yu 1961 (right) and Zhe Dai Yuan Yu 829 (left) to a Chinese Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC) cutter after being interdicted for use of illegal high seas drift net fishing equipment. A boarding team from the Boutwell boarded the two vessels on Sept. 24, after an HH-65 helicopter, from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, identified the two vessels as possible high-seas drift net fishing vessels. The Boutwell is currently deployed as a U.S. Coast Guard representative in the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum (NPCGF). This forum was developed to combat illegal fishing and increase international maritime safety and security on the Northern Pacific Ocean and its borders. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Jonathan R. Cilley)