A U.S. Coast Guard cutter, Narwhal, that patrols the coast of Orange County, has canceled its scheduled visit to Dana Point Harbor on Sunday.
The 87-foot cutter, commanded by LtJG. Jake Monson, had planned to offer public tours of the ship and an introduction to its 12-member crew starting at 10 a.m. The vessel is the only active Coast Guard unit in Orange County and is one of seven cutters that operate in the Coast Guard’s Southern California fleet.
“There was a change in its orders and its time at sea has been extended,” said Garry Nelson, who is the Coast Guard Auxiliary division commander overseeing six auxiliary flotillas with about 208 members between San Mateo Point and Seal Beach.
The cutter’s visit was hosted by the group and is a public outreach event with the Ocean Institute.
The Narwhal’s mission is to secure the country’s maritime borders, but its crew also participates in search and rescue missions, enforces immigration laws, oversees local fisheries and responds to oil spills.
The ship — homeported in Newport Harbor — typically patrols coastal waters from the Mexican border to the Channel Islands.
Nelson said the vessel is expected to reschedule its public visit sometime later this year.