USCG commissions fifth national security cutter
The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned the fifth national security cutter, James, at Coast Guard Base Boston Aug. 8. James will be stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, alongside the fourth NSC, Hamilton. The first three NSCs to enter service – Coast Guard cutters Bertholf, Waesche and Stratton – are stationed in Alameda, California, the USCG said in a news release.
The cutter is named after Joshua James, who served for 60 years with the Massachusetts Humane Society and then the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
“Joshua James began his lifesaving career at 15 and saved more than 600 lives,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft. “What better namesake for a ship and crew that will serve our nation with pride for the next half-century saving lives, stopping smugglers, maintaining safety and security in the Arctic and wherever national objectives may require.”
Each NSC is 418 feet long, with a range of 12,000 nautical miles and endurance for 60- to 90-day patrols. Each NSC features advanced sensors to provide maritime domain awareness, two types of cutter boats to extend its range and a flight deck with space for manned and unmanned aircraft.
The sixth NSC, Munro, will be stationed in Alameda and is scheduled for christening in November 2015. Fabrication of the seventh NSC, Kimball, began in January 2015, with the cutter’s delivery scheduled for 2018. The contract for the eighth NSC, Midgett, was awarded in March 2015, with delivery scheduled for 2019.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's seven uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the U.S. military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission.