Acquisition Update: First National Security Cutter Makes Port of Call in Baltimore
June 27-29, 2008
- The U.S. Coast Guard’s first National Security Cutter, the
Bertholf, won praise from DHS officials and visitors during a
June 27-29 port call in Baltimore, one of the stops during its
maiden voyage. It will be formally commissioned in its
homeport of Alameda, Calif. on Aug. 4, the Coast Guard’s
official birthday.
- Speaking at a welcoming event for the Bertholf on Friday,
Secretary Chertoff praised the cutter’s ability to undertake
many missions, including homeland security, law enforcement,
search and rescue, and drug interdiction. In his prepared
remarks, the secretary commended the efforts of the Coast
Guard and its industry partners in bringing the Bertholf to this
point, and told of the naming of the cutter after the legendary
Coast Guard Commandant Ellsworth Bertholf. Commandant
Bertholf oversaw the successful merger of the Revenue Cutter
Service with the U.S. Life Saving Service to create the Coast
Guard during his tenure in the early part of the 20th century.
- As the flagships of the modern Coast Guard fleet, the Bertholf and other security cutters to follow will enable
the Coast Guard to fulfill its multi-mission roles more effectively through higher sustained transit speeds,
greater endurance and range, and a greater ability to launch and recover small boats, helicopters and,
eventually, unmanned aerial vehicles. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen said these were major
improvements, but added, “A ship is just a ship; it comes to life when the crew comes aboard.” Speaking for
the crew, the Bertholf’s commanding officer, Capt. Patrick Stadt said the Baltimore port call “provides us with
the rare opportunity to display this superb national asset” to senior leadership in the Coast Guard, DHS,
members of Congress, and the public.
- The Coast Guard accepted preliminary delivery of the Bertholf, placing it in “Commission, Special” status, on May 8, after it had completed four stages of sea trials. The U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey, responsible for independently assessing the capabilities of the National Security Cutter, found it to be “… a unique and very capable platform with great potential for future service …”
Last Modified 7/2/2008