PORT ANGELES — The Coast Guard Cutter Active is back in town after a very successful counterdrug patrol in international waters off the coast of Central America.

The 75-member crew intercepted 4 vessels that resulted in the seizure of over 3 tons of cocaine worth about $95 million wholesale, and arrested 11 suspected drug smugglers. Those suspects will be prosecuted in the United States. The cocaine was turned over to the DEA.

The Active is what’s called a Medium Endurance Cutter, a class considered the backbone of the Coast Guard’s fleet. But such cutters are operating well beyond their expected 40-year service life, and are beginning to show the effects of wear and tear.

The good news is, they’re scheduled for replacement by the new offshore patrol cutters, with construction of the first vessel underway and scheduled for completion in 2021.