
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter THETIS (WMEC-910) will be providing escort. US Navy photo ID:J3103SPT95001725 / DNST9800595
The Navy Leagues on-line magazine, Seapower, reports two two FRCs, USCGC Glenn Harris (WPC 1144) and USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145), will soon be on their way to Bahrain to join PATFORSWA.
“Coast Guard Commandant Karl Schultz, speaking Dec. 8 at a Navy League Special Topic Breakfast, said the two 154-foot-long FRCs will be escorted across the ocean by the USCGC Thetis (WMEC 910), a Famous-class medium-endurance cutter that was topping off with fuel in Puerto Rico. Schultz said that after the escort mission the Thetis will be operating off Africa.”
I am a bit surprised the escort will be a medium endurance cutter instead of a Bertholf class National Security Cutter.
Also interesting is the report that Island-class patrol boats USCGC Adak (WPB 1333) and USCGC Aquidneck (WPB 1309), were transfered to Indonesia.
Looks like we may want to keep one back!
USCGC Benjamin Daley (FRC) caught fire while in Dry Dock in Tampa.
https://www-tampabay-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.tampabay.com/news/breaking-news/2021/12/11/coast-guard-cutter-undergoing-repairs-catches-fire-at-port-tampa-bay/?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&outputType=amp&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16392644402590&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tampabay.com%2Fnews%2Fbreaking-news%2F2021%2F12%2F11%2Fcoast-guard-cutter-undergoing-repairs-catches-fire-at-port-tampa-bay%2F
https://www.cruisin.me/cruise-ship-tracker/united-states-coast-guard/cgc-benjamin-dailey/
Damage is reported to be quite extensive
From CG-9, https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/2871695/coast-guard-cutters-glen-harris-and-emlen-tunnell-transition-to-patrol-forces-s/
“Coast Guard cutters Glen Harris and Emlen Tunnell departed Sector Key West, Florida, for their new homeport in Manama, Bahrain, Nov. 18. They are the second pair of fast response cutters (FRCs) to be assigned to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) as part of the Coast Guard’s effort to replace the region’s six existing 110-foot Island-class patrol boats. Glen Harris and Emlen Tunnell, accompanied by Coast Guard Cutter Thetis, arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nov. 24 and 25, respectively. The cutters are expected to complete their journey to PATFORSWA in late January 2022.”