Vessel captain awarded for heroism

by Nick Delgado

Guam - The U.S. Coast Guard presented the Meritorious Public Service Award to the captain of the Pacific Breeze vessel, Edward Ratigan, this afternoon for rescuing the crew on aboard a sinking vessel last summer.

The Coast Guard commended Ratigan for keeping the military informed during the rescue operation. "Those mariners and those families are going to be forever grateful for your actions and your crew's actions that day," an officer announced at today's ceremony. "Captain Ratigan has also lived up to the Coast Guard's motto, Semper Paratus - Always Ready, always ready for the call."

Captain Ratigan also noted that he served in the U.S. Navy for several years.