The United States Coast Guard vessel USCGC Joseph Gerczak (WPC-1126) docked at Avatiu Harbour on Monday for a five-day rest visit with her 27 crew members on board.

The vessel is the 26^th Sentinel-class cutter built for the United States Coast Guard, and is one of three Fast Response Cutters homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Like her sister ships, Joseph Gerczak is designed to perform search and rescue missions, port security and the interception of smugglers.

Yesterday, some of the crew joined the local 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango (AKTT) project led by Dr Teina Rongo, collecting taramea (crown-of-thorns starfish), from the Betela reef with AKTT leads Te Mata Patai and Jacques Koteka.

The team also visited the coral restoration site at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium with Louisa Castledine. The crew also learnt about the pa'i taro at Uritaua House, and recycling nutrients composting with the taramea.

Today, more US Coast Guard volunteers are expected to join 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango again to remove taramea from the reef.