Mast Stepping: Prospective commanding officer for Bertholf (WMSL 750), Capt. Patrick Stadt (USCGC), sealed a box with coins into the mast of the first-of-class National Security Cutter. The coins represent accomplishments of Coast Guard founder Commodore Ellsworth Price Bertholf, the U.S. Coast Guard and Northrop Grumman Ship Systems employees. Sealing the box in its place is welder Ronald "Eggman" Jones. known as “mast stepping” during the construction of the U.S. schedule at the company’s Ship Systems sector. to Greek mythology. coins would help the sailors pay the wages for their return home. mast. ship and its namesake, Commodore Ellsworth Bertholf. U.S. Coast Guard Capt. officer of Bertholf, also took part in the ceremony.