USCG's New Cutters Canât Arrive Soon Enough
The much-needed replacement for the U.S. Coast Guardâs long-serving medium endurance cutters (WMEC) took a giant step closer to joining the fleet as the first Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) was launched and christened at Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) in Panama City, Fla. on October 27, 2023.The future USCGC Argus (WMSM 915) was christened by the shipâs sponsor, Captain (Ret.) Beverly Kelley, the first woman to command a U.S. military vessel, the 95-foot patrol boat, USCGC Cape Newagen (WPB 95318).
New USCG Cutter Departs Ingalls
The U.S. Coast Guardâs newest Legend-class national security cutter, Calhoun (WMSL 759), departed from HIIâs Ingalls Shipbuilding division on Sunday, November 19.âWe congratulate the NSC team of shipbuilders on a job well done,â said Ingalls Shipbuilding NSC Program Manager Amanda Whitaker. âWatching Calhoun sail away is a proud moment for us all and we look forward to watching this highly capable national security cutter serve for decades to come.âCalhoun is scheduled for commissioning in 2024 and will be homeported in CharlestonâŚ
National Security Cutter Calhoun Completes Builder's Trials
The U.S. Coast Guardâs newest national security cutter, Calhoun (WMSL 759) has successfully completed builderâs sea trials, HIIâs Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced.The shipâthe 10th Legend-class cutter built by Ingalls for the Coast Guardâsuccessfully tested propulsion and auxiliary equipment, as well as various ship systems, the Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder said.âEvery successful sea trial is a major accomplishment for our shipbuilders, and the NSC team has worked hard to ensure the Coast Guard receives another highly capable and advanced cutter for the fleetâŚ
MetalCraft Awarded $31 Million USCG Patrol Boat Contract
Boatbuilder MetalCraft Marine Inc. (MCM) announced it has been awarded a $31 million contract from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) as part of the Long-Range Interceptor (LRI) III program. This is the second contract MCM has received for the design and build of their 11-meter high-speed Interceptor patrol boat.âOur previous Interceptor for the Coast Guard, the 11M LRI II, proved to be a very successful platform,â said MCM contracts manager Bob Clark. âThe LRI II was the first designâŚ
US Coast Guard Officer Permanently Relieved After Cutter Grounding
The commanding officer of a U.S. Coast Guard cutter has been permanently relieved of duties following a grounding incident in August.On August 26, Capt. Marc Brandt had been temporarily relieved as commanding officer of USCGC James (WMSL 754) pending the results of an investigation into an onboard mishap. The investigation found that on August 8, James ran aground while underway causing damage to the cutter. No personnel were injured.The Coast Guard announced Monday that Vice Adm.
USCG Cutter Commanding Officer Relieved Following Onboard Mishap
The commanding officer of USCGC James (WMSL 754), has been temporarily relieved of duties following an onboard mishap, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Friday.Vice Adm. Kevin Lunday, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, effected the relief due to a loss of confidence in Capt. Marc Brandtâs ability to command the cutter in wake of the mishap, in which no personnel were injured. Brandt has been temporarily assigned to Coast Guard Atlantic Area.Lunday appointed Capt. John DriscollâŚ
Shipyards Adapt to help Navy, Coast Guard Recapitalize Fleets
U.S. shipyards are making improvements to building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard today and in the future. In some cases, it means phasing out one class of ship and getting ready for the next. Or, it can be a drastic make-over.The yards include mid-tier yards all the way up to very large facilities devoted exclusively to warships. The ships range from the 353-ton Fast Response Cutter to the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Fincantieri Marinette Marine in WisconsinâŚ
Updates, Developments and Advances in Combat and Patrol Craft
My first visit in 2007 to the American Society of Naval Engineersâ (ASNE) Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) was an eye-opener. Having built a naval architecture career with frigates, destroyers and other large naval and commercial ships, I was eager to learn of the smaller craft used by the U.S. Navy and other government and military bodies. As my flight into Norfolk, Va. descended over Chesapeake Bay, I gazed in amazement as a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) raced toward Virginia Beach, slowed, glided up the beach and into its shore base.
Ingalls Launches USCG National Security Cutter Calhoun
HII launched the Legend-class national security cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) on Saturday at the companyâs Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss.With the assistance of tugs, Calhoun came off the floating dry dock Saturday, after first being translated via Ingallsâ rail car system. The dock was moved away from the pier and then ballasted to float off the ship.Ingalls Shipbuilding is the sole designer and provider of the Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutter.
From Mines to AIS Spoofing, Assessing the Risks to Shipping in the Black Sea
Commercial ships are being advised of the high risk operating in the Black Sea following Russiaâs invasion of the Ukraine, with various reports of missile attacks on commercial ship, plus warning of the waters containing mines.According to a press release from the NATO Shipping Center (NSC), there is a high risk of collateral damage on civilian shipping in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, citing several open source reports of civilian ships being hit directly or indirectlyâŚ
HII Authenticates Keel of National Security Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759)
Huntington Ingalls Industriesâ (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division authenticated the keel of Legend-class national security cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) late last week.âThis is a very special keel authentication ceremony for a multitude of reasons,â said George Nungesser, Ingallsâ vice president of program management. âWhile we were able to work steadily and safely though the pandemic, visitation to the shipyard made commemorating major shipbuilding milestones a challenge.
Fairbanks Morse to Power USCGC Rush (WMSM-918)
Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, announced that its Fairbanks Morse Engine (FME) division was awarded a contract by Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) to build and deliver the two main propulsion diesel engines (MPDE) for the U.S. Coast Guardâs fourth Offshore Patrol Cutter the RUSH (WMSM-918). FME will build the engines at its Beloit, Wis. manufacturing facility.âFairbanks Morse engines will help the OPCs perform the mission-critical task of preserving the countryâs maritime security.
Ingalls Starts Fabrication of National Security Cutter Friedman (NSC 11)
Huntington Ingalls Industriesâ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division said it has commenced fabrication of Legend-class national security cutter Friedman (NSC 11). The start of fabrication signifies the first 100 tons of steel have been cut.âOur workforce has invested more than a decade of effort, creativity and resolve to make the Legend-class national security cutter production line incredibly efficient and strong,â Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. âWe are pleasedâŚ
Munn Named VP and CFO of Ingalls Shipbuilding
America's largest military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries announced Friday that Keith Munn has been promoted to vice president, business management, and chief financial officer for its Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss.Effective February 15, Munn will be responsible for all financial management, contract management and business management functions at Ingalls, reporting to Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. Munn replaces Tom Stiehle, who hasâŚ
In Focus: Talking Workboat Safety with AWO's Brian Bailey
Brian Bailey, Director of Safety and Environmental Stewardship for the American Waterways Operators (AWO), was recently named a 2020 Rising Star of Safety by the National Safety Council (NSC), a nonprofit public service organization promoting health and safety in the U.S. Marine News spoke with Bailey about workboat safety and the AWOâs mission to protect industry workers, assets and the environment.Please tell us a bit about yourself and your role at AWO.Iâve been with The American Waterways Operators as its Director of Safety & Environmental Stewardship since 2016âŚ
Ingalls Delivers National Security Cutter Stone
Huntington Ingalls Industriesâ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has delivered National Security Cutter Stone (WMSL 758) to the U.S. Coast Guard.Documents signed Monday mark the official transfer of custody of the ship from HII to the Coast Guard. Stone is scheduled to sail away from the Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard at the end of this year to its homeport in Charleston, S.C.The Legend-class NSC is the most technologically advanced ship in the Coast Guardâs fleet, which enables it to meet the high demands required for maritime and homeland securityâŚ
USCG National Security Cutter Stone Passes Acceptance Trials
The U.S. Coast Guardâs ninth national security cutter, Stone (WMSL 758), has completed acceptance sea trials, Huntington Ingalls Industriesâ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced Friday.Having recently spent two days in the Gulf of Mexico proving its systems, Stone is scheduled to deliver later this year and will be homeported in Charleston, S.C.Ingalls in Pascagoula, Miss. has delivered eight Legend-class NSCs with two more under construction and one additional underâŚ
Video: National Security Cutter Stone Completes Builder's Trials
The U.S. Coast Guardâs newest national security cutter Stone (WMSL 758) completed builderâs sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. The new ship, built by Huntington Ingalls Industriesâ Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss., spent three days testing propulsion and auxiliary equipment, as well as various shipboard systems, Ingalls announced Monday.âEvery successful sea trial is a major accomplishment for our shipbuilders, but this set proved to be a particularly substantial undertaking,â said Jay Boyd, Ingallsâ NSC program manager.
Eleventh National Security Cutter Named Elizebeth Smith Friedman
The U.S. Coast Guard is naming the 11th Legend-Class National Security Cutter (NSC) in honor of Elizebeth Smith Friedman.Friedman was a pioneering code-breaker for the Coast Guard during the Prohibition Era and World War II, serving within the Coast Guard Cryptanalytic Unit-387. She has been dubbed "America's first female cryptanalyst" and in many ways could be considered the founder of the modern-day Coast Guard Intelligence Program.Her work with the Coast Guard began soon after the passage of the Volstead Act, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, or trade of alcohol in the United States.
Fairbanks Morse Completes Engines for First OPC
Fairbanks Morse announced it has completed the build and testing of the two main propulsion diesel engines for the U.S. Coast Guardâs first Heritage class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) Argus.Fairbanks Morse was awarded contracts by the prime contractor, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, to build the engines for both Argus and the second OPC Chase.The OPC is a 360 foot-long vessel that will be powered by two FM | MAN 16V 28/33D STC diesel engines, with each engine rated 7,280 kWm (9,763 brake-horsepower) running at 1,000 revolutions per minute.
Fairbanks Morse to Power USCG's OPC Ingham
Fairbanks Morse said it has been awarded a contract by Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) to build and deliver the main propulsion diesel engines (MPDE) for the U.S. Coast Guardâs Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) Ingham (WMSM-917).Ingham is the third OPC being constructed by ESG in Panama City, Fla. The 360-foot-long cutter will be powered by two FM | MAN 16V 28/33D STC diesel engines, each rated at 7,280 kW for 14,560 kW of total propulsion power. Fairbanks Morse said it will build the engines at its BeloitâŚ
USCG Christens 9th Legend-class Cutter
The US Coast Guard ( USCG ) and Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) christened the future USCGC Stone, the ninth Legend-class national security cutter (NSC), at Ingalls Shipbuildingâs facilities on Saturday, February 29.The ship honors Coast Guard officer Cmdr. Elmer âArchieâ Fowler Stone, who made history in 1919 for being one of the two Coast Guard pilots to successfully make the first transatlantic flight in a Navy seaplane. Stoneâs great niece, Laura Cavallo, officially christened the ship.âThe success of the National Security Cutter program is a direct reflection of our strong partnership with the Coast Guard and the dedication and capability of a team of Ingalls shipbuilders that continues to successfully deliver some of the most challenging manufacturing projects in the worldâŚ
HII Cuts Steel on USCG Cutter Calhoun
Huntington Ingalls Industriesâ (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division started fabrication of the U.S. Coast Guardâs newest Legend-class national security cutter (NSC) Calhoun (WMSL 759) . The start of fabrication signifies that the first 100 tons of steel have been cut."Each new ship in this class has been an exciting opportunity to build on our legacy," said Jay Boyd, Ingalls' NSC program manager. "This is the 10th cutter in the class and a steady production line has allowedâŚ