PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles-based Coast Guard cutter has returned home following a law enforcement patrol off the coast of southern California.

The 65-day patrol, which ended Feb. 14, is part of the Coast Guard’s effort to increase presence in key areas to protect the country’s borders, territorial integrity and sovereignty, according to a press release.

The Coast Guard did not respond to a request as to whether the Strait of Juan de Fuca is one of those areas.

During its patrol, the crew on the Active covered more than 5,500 miles off the coast of California in support of District 11’s southwest maritime border security operations, the press release said.

The crew intercepted three vessels carrying 46 individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally and provided assistance in the apprehension of another 40 individuals, according to the press release. Those individuals were transferred to the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in San Diego.

It also responded to four search-and-rescue cases in offshore northern California.

Coast Guard assets are deployable worldwide “to fulfill our statutory missions, which include national defense, law enforcement and protecting the maritime transportation system,” said Kip Wadlow, District 13 assistant public affairs officer.

Although it is based in Port Angeles, the 210-foot Active patrols from the northernmost part of the contiguous United States to as far south as the equator. For more than 60 years, it has conducted law enforcement, defense operations and search and rescue missions, the press release said.

The Active is under the operational command of the Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander, Vice Admiral Andrew Tiongson, according to the press release.

“Protecting the American homeland and its territories is the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area Commander’s top priority,” the press release stated. “In doing so, the U.S. Coast Guard protects and defends against threats to the safety, security and prosperity of the American public.”

________

Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.