View from the Deck plat e View from the Deckplate

Division 3

Operation Vigilant Sentry Task Force: Auxiliary Interpreter Corps Offers Critical Assistance

Carolina Filgueiras, District Staff Officer-Diversity and member of Flotilla 36, Boca Raton, volunteered her time and skills from Jan. 1-17, 2023, aboard the USCGC Mohawk to assist the U.S. Coast Guard during an Operation Vigilant Sentry (OVS) mission. Filgueiras is a member of the Auxiliary Interpreter Corps whose skills are frequently sought after by the Coast Guard.

Filgueiras provided critical translation skills and facilitated communication and understanding between the Coast Guard and nearly 300 migrants. Her translation abilities successfully defused three critical incidents, highlighting the importance of having skilled and capable translators on such missions. Their communication abilities can help prevent misunderstandings and make a significant difference in challenging situations.

In addition to her important role as a Spanish translator during the Operation Vigilant Sentry mission, Auxiliarist Filgueiras also assisted with other tasks, such as helping in the galley and cleanup. This shows her willingness to go above and beyond in her volunteer work and to help wherever needed.

Operations Vigilant Sentry is a Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast established in 2003. This interagency task force comprises resources and assets from the U.S. Coast Guard, the departments of Homeland Security, State, Defense, Health and Human Services, and those from state and local agencies. These agencies provide the organizational framework to monitor migration trends to detect and respond to maritime mass migration. Ω

Carolina Filgueiras (white hair wearing mask) aboard the USCGC Mohawk, using her translation skills, assists the Coast Guard in completing forms. Faces of all migrants are blurred to protect their privacy. USCG photograph.