Cutter Yellowfin Crew Honored at 2026 Salute to the Coast Guard in New Orleans

The 2026 event drew a packed room of more than nearly 400 guests and raised over $700,000 in support of Coast Guard members and their families. At the center of the evening were two noteworthy honorees. 

A Life-or-Death Call in the Gulf of Mexico

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin was recognized for a February 2025 rescue that saved three fishermen stranded in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Senior Chief Petty Officer Ben Conner, the cutter’s officer-in-charge, lauded his crew from the podium. “I firmly believe that nearly every crew of the Coast Guard would have done everything they could to bring those fishermen home safely,” he said. “What stood out with this crew, and especially for these three gentlemen who accompany me tonight, was the extraordinary effort and dedication that they showed leading up to that rescue. Few people know that just 36-hours before this case began, we experienced a major casualty on a main diesel engine due to a faulty fitting.”

He also thanked the Coast Guard Foundation community. “I also speak for our shipmates across the Coast Guard when I say that we are deeply grateful for everything the Coast Guard Foundation does for our service." he said. "Your support truly makes a difference in our lives and our ability to serve." 

He continued, "With so many of our shipmates overseas, facing increasing dangers. And as we continue to fight against drug trafficking and work to secure our borders here at home, I can say that in my 21 years of service, never has more been asked of the Coast Guard. The mission of the Coast Guard Foundation is just as important now as ever.”

Decades of Local and National Leadership

Merritt Lane, CEO of Canal Barge, was also honored for his maritime leadership and support of the Coast Guard Foundation. A long-time Foundation board member and supporter of the New Orleans event, Lane is a leader in the maritime industry and has served as chairman of the American Waterways Operators and Waterways Council and as a board member for the National Waterways Foundation.

While accepting his award, Lane recalled the cooperation by Coast Guard and industry leaders to create a safer maritime industry. “More often than not, we find that by working together, we can solve problems practically, expeditiously, and safely,” he said. “This approach has been a hallmark of the Coast Guard-industry partnership and has yielded a safer and more efficient industry. I'm very grateful to Coast Guard leadership for continuing to foster this uniquely effective way of working together.”

Lane also reflected on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which was last year. “In late August 2005, we learned a brutal lesson about the fragile topography of the city,” he said. “When the flood walls failed during Hurricane Katrina allowing Lake Pontchartrain to empty its contents into New Orleans, we almost lost our beloved city. Sadly, almost 1,400 souls perished. The number would have been so much worse, not for the U.S. Coast Guard’s search and rescue efforts; it saved over 33,000 lives. What a remarkable thing. The Coast Guard was truly the highest functioning part of local, state, or federal government during this time of crisis.”

For everyone in attendance, the night served as a powerful reminder of why the Foundation's work matters and what Coast Guard members are called to do when lives are on the line.

New Orleans Celebrates the Coast Guard

New Orleans was a fitting setting for the evening. Southeast Louisiana is home to some of the Coast Guard's busiest and most demanding waterways including the Mississippi River and hundreds of miles of vulnerable coastline from Florida to Mexico. The city's deep connection to the Coast Guard mission gave the tribute special resonance for everyone in the room.

Supporting Coast Guard Families Through the Foundation

Events like the Salute to the Coast Guard are the engine behind the Foundation's mission. Funds raised support Coast Guard members and their families through scholarships, emergency assistance grants, and morale and resilience programs that strengthen Coast Guard members, their families and the service.

The Coast Guard Foundation would like to thank dinner sponsor Bollinger Shipyards and reception sponsors Birdon, Canal Barge, Cheniere Energy, and Hornbeck Offshore Services for their generous support. The Foundation is also grateful for every sponsor, donor, and attendee who made the evening possible. 

Title Image: Crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin receive the 2026 Coast Guard Foundation Award at the Salute to the Coast Guard in New Orleans on March 6.

Disclosure: AI was used in the creation of this content.