The USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753), a Legend-class U.S. Coast Guard national security cutter, is making its first port call in Batumi, Georgian Interior Ministry reports.

The Director of the Coast Guard Department, CAPT Ramaz Papidze, and the Chairman of the Government of Adjara, Tornike Rijvadze, hosted the American delegation.

The ship’s call serves to strengthen the security cooperation between the United States and Georgia, promote regional peace and stability, and emphasize the importance of the Black Sea for Euro-Atlantic security.

It is the first time the USCGC HAMILTON visited Georgia. The Coast Guard Department of the Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is hosting the ship in the territorial waters of Georgia.

Before entering the Batumi Port, the USCGC Hamilton and the Georgian Coast Guard ships Dioscuria and Ochamchire conducted a series of joint naval exercises. The exercise included naval tactical manoeuvres, search-and-rescue procedures, and other training elements using the USCGC helicopter. Joint training helps to increase interoperability between the US and Georgian Coast Guard units.

Head of the Coast Guard Department, CAPT Ramaz Papidze, will hold a meeting with the Commander of the ship, CAPT Tim Cronin at the Batumi Division within the framework of this port call.

The crew members will visit the Poti base of the Coast Guard Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Joint Maritime Operations Center (JMOC). American colleagues will host the Georgian delegation on the USCGC Hamilton.

The US Coast Guard ship will leave the Batumi Port on May 6.