USCG's New Cutters Can’t Arrive Soon Enough
The much-needed replacement for the U.S. Coast Guard’s 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 ship’s 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).
Ingalls Delivers 8th National Security Cutter
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division delivered the National Security Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) to the U.S. Coast Guard yesterday (May 1, 2019). Midgett is scheduled to sail away in June and will be commissioned later this year.“We have a mission statement in the NSC program that says during the construction of each NSC we will provide the men and women of the United States Coast Guard with the finest ship in their fleet,” said Derek Murphy, NSC program manager.“This excellence will be provided by our shipbuilders through working safely, attention to detail and ownership of work. Since the beginning of construction on NSC 8…
NSC Midgett Passes Acceptance Trials
US shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has announced that the National Security Cutter (NSC) Midgett (WMSL 757) has successfully completed acceptance trials. Midgett, the eighth NSC Ingalls has built for the U.S. Coast Guard, spent two full days in the Gulf of Mexico proving the ship’s systems.The U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) were on board, as Ingalls’ test and trials team led the sea trials and conducted extensive testing of the propulsion, electrical, damage control, anchor-handling, small boat operations and combat systems.
Bay Shipbuilding Awarded USCG Repair Contracts
Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG) subsidiary, Bay Shipbuilding Company (BSC) of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, has been awarded a USCG contract for drydock repairs to the United States Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock (WLB-21) and a second USCG repair and sustainment contract for the icebreaker Mackinaw (WLBB-30). Hollyhock is a Juniper Class Seagoing Buoy Tender measuring 225-feet long. The Mackinaw is a 240-foot heavy icebreaker for operations on the Great Lakes. Both ships were built by FMG subsidiary, Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC), and launched in January 2003 and November 2005 respectively.
National Coast Guard Museum: Breaking Ground
With Coast Guard Cutter Eagle dressed overall as a backdrop, notables including Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp, broke the ground for construction of the future National Coast Guard Museum. Connecticut Rep. Joe Courtney, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Chris Murphy, City of New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio, Vice President of Cross Sound Ferry Adam Wronowski, Connecticut Gov. Daniel Malloy and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp dip their shovels into the soil, signifying the beginning of what will be a tremendous physical transformation to the New London waterfront area, where the future National Coast Guard Museum will be built (See photograph).
USCG Names First Sentinel-Class Cutter
Coast Guard officials announced Friday that the first Sentinel-class cutter will bear the name Bernard C. Webber in honor of the legendary Coast Guard member. Previously designated to be named the Coast Guard Cutter Sentinel, the cutter Bernard C. Webber will be the first of the service’s new 153-ft patrol cutters. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen approved the change of the cutter’s name to allow this class of vessels to be named after outstanding enlisted members who demonstrated exceptional heroism in the line of duty.
