The Coast Guard and U.S. Navy use controlled explosive dredging techniques to clear roughly 10,000 square-feet taking approximately 6,500 pounds of explosives to clear from December 4-8, 2021. The Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia carried members from the Navy’s Underwater Construction Team Two (UCT-2) to widen the shoal channel which had narrowed due to marine overgrowth. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia)

Below is a D14 news release. This is just a bit more evidence we are taking our commitments to Pacific Island nations under the Compacts of Free Association seriously. Given their needs, the US Coast Guard has a huge role to play including assistance with Aids to Navigation and fisheries protection.

Coast Guard and Navy complete channel widening in Federated States of Micronesia

Editors’ Note: Click on images to download a high-resolution version.

SANTA RITA, Guam – Crews from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Forces Micronesia | Sector Guam improves navigation safety in Kapingamarangi Atoll.

The Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia carried members from the Navy’s Underwater Construction Team Two (UCT-2) to widen the shoal channel from December 4-8, 2021, which had narrowed due to marine overgrowth.

In close coordination with FSM National Government, Pohnpei State, and Kapingamarangi Atoll leaders, the Coast Guard and Navy teams used controlled explosive dredging techniques. The targeted area for removal was roughly 10,000 square-feet and took approximately 6,500 pounds of explosives to clear over the course of 4 days.

“I am proud of the efforts of our crew and the UCT-2 crew in completing this challenging mission,” said Cmdr. Ryan Adams, commanding officer of the Sequoia. “This channel widening will allow merchant vessels to more easily navigate the island, which will provide vital supplies to more than 300 residents who call Kapingamarangi home.”

“The United States and the FSM share a special and unique bond. It is through this friendship that we were all able to accomplish this mission. The widening of the channel will now improve accessibility for commerce and emergency situations especially when responding to natural disasters,” said U.S. Ambassador Carmen G. Cantor. “We know how important this channel is to the lives of the people of Kapingamarangi. As with all citizens of the FSM, we share an enduring partnership and look forward to continuing collaboration going forward.”

Additionally, crewmembers from the Sequoia and the UCT-2 detachment delivered approximately 1,700 gallons of bottled drinking water to the residents of Kapingamarangi while deployed to the island. The water was provided by the Ayuda Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Guam.

All water was delivered to a remote drop site under a no-contact policy due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Vice Adm. Karl L. Schultz, commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, speaks at the Coast Guard Cutter Benjamin Dailey commissioning ceremony in Pascagoula, Miss. Coast Guard Photo

Below is an announcement from MyCG. I have reproduced it in full.

Sea Waves Magazine provides Eagle’s schedule of cruises and port calls for the next nine months.

Thanks to Paul for bringing this to my attention. 

Below is a news release from Eastern Shipbuilding Group:

PANAMA CITY, FL – On Thursday, January 20th, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) announced the completion of a new, state-of-the-art aluminum superstructure fabrication and assembly hall at its Nelson Street Shipyard. This major infrastructure project further optimizes ESG’s Nelson Street Facility to support multi-hull production for the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program for which ESG serves as the prime contractor. The $5 million facility was funded through the Triumph Gulf Coast economic development program.

“The construction of this new facility manifests our commitment to provide the country a long-term industrial capability that can build the most exceptional national security assets on schedule and on budget. Every day we employ the highest quality craftmanship to incorporate the finest materials and equipment in these vessels to ensure USCG mission success along our country’s many coastlines. Construction of fabrication capabilities like this new facility, enhance our capabilities while reducing cost and schedule risk. I thank Triumph board members across the panhandle and their staff, as well as area leaders for their investments in support of the USCG OPC program here in Panama City,” said Joey D’Isernia, President of Eastern Shipbuilding Group.

The aluminum fabrication facility, with significant crane capacity and hook height, along with a heavily reinforced high-strength concrete slab flooring system and large sliding entryway doors, was specifically designed to support full construction of the OPC aluminum superstructure from fabrication through assembly and outfitting in a covered and controlled environment. The facility is sized to enhance ESG’s ability to support the peak production rate of delivering two OPCs per year and is part of ESG’s commitment to upgrade and tailor their USCG-dedicated Nelson Street Shipyard to meet the needs of the USCG’s future medium endurance cutter fleet.

The facility was commissioned in a ceremony with leaders of the United States Coast Guard Project Resident Office and local, state and Triumph Gulf Coast officials in attendance.

“The City of Panama City is proud to collaborate with the State of Florida, Triumph Gulf Coast, our neighbors in Bay County and the school board in partnering with Eastern Shipbuilding Group to continue supporting the Offshore Patrol Cutter program for the long term. We believe our community is unmatched anywhere in the country to support the U.S. Coast Guard. We commend Eastern Shipbuilding Group for bringing jobs and opportunities to the region and for the transformative work it’s accomplished since the hurricane. It is the best shipyard to build the OPCs,” said Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki.

“Triumph Gulf Coast is pleased to have partnered with the City of Panama City and Eastern Shipbuilding to provide the new aluminum fabrication building that it is so important to the success of the USCG OPC contract. It is an honor to have a role in supporting our military and we hope to continue to support those that protect our nation through partnerships here in Bay County and across our entire region,” said Ben Lee, Triumph Board Member.

In addition to enhanced capabilities, the new hurricane hardened building is built to the latest stringent Florida building codes. The original building was destroyed by Hurricane Michael in 2018. Over the last three years, ESG has fully rebuilt its operational facilities with insurance proceeds and has also made infrastructure expansion investments from $50 million in state appropriations and economic development grants. The company has recently completed launch way upgrades, upland bulkhead upgrades, construction platen expansions, waterway deepening projects and has many more improvement projects underway as part of its commitment to provide a dedicated facility that is optimized for construction of the Offshore Patrol Cutter. At its Allanton Shipyard, ESG has constructed a state-of-the-art C5ISR Production Facility to accomplish testing and integration of operational combat systems, equipment, and simulators on premises prior to final installation on the vessel. ESG will continue to improve its facilities as part of its focused vision to support the USCG’s highest acquisition priority with shipbuilding excellence.

The crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) and the USS Tulsa (LCS 16) conduct a passing exercise in the Pacific, April 3, 2021. The Kimball was underway conducting an expeditionary patrol which covered approximately 20,000 nautical miles. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Kimball)

The Surface Navy Association is holding their 34th National Symposium at the Hyatt Regency, Crystal City, January 11-13, 2022. The theme will be “The Competitive Edge.”

There does not seem to be too much Coast Guard specific content until Wednesday. The only Coast Guard representative I see on the schedule, prior to Wednesday is CMC Devin Spencer, USCG, Command Master Chief, Atlantic Area, scheduled for the Enlisted Roundtable on Tuesday, 0830-1015.

Wednesday, we have:

• 0730-0850 Future of the Enlisted Sailor: A Leadership Conversation with MCPON Russ Smith, USN, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and MCPOCG Jason Vanderhaden, USCG, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard.
• 1400 – 1450 Coast Guard Keynote with ADM Karl Schultz the Commandant.
• 1500 – 1630 Coast Guard Cutterman’s Call, Moderators: VADM Steven Poulin, USCG, Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area (A) and MCPOCG Jason M. Vanderhaden, USCG, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

There should be lots of interesting exhibits.

“The crew of the Sentinel-class USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144) prepares to receive migrants rescued from the water in the Atlantic Ocean on Jan. 4, 2021. The Glen Harris, with USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) and the USCGC Thetis (WMEC 901) are conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility while the Sentinel-class cutters transit from the U.S. to their new homeport of Manama, Bahrain. U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests, security, and stability in Europe and Africa.” (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ade Gills)

Earlier, we saw this from CG-9,

“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.”

Now we have this Atlantic Area news release below, regarding a rescue off the Moroccan coast.

Despite what the news release says, this is anything but routine, if not the mission, at least the location. They certainly were not on a “routine patrol.”

Here is a sample of a media report, this one from CNN.

Morocco has both an Atlantic and a Mediterranean coast. According to the CNN report, this occurred in the Atlantic.

The Moroccan warship would have been the Lieutenant-Colonel Errahmani, a Descubierta class corvette.

U.S., Spain, Morocco collaborate to conduct rescue at sea

Editors’ Note: To view more photos or download high-resolution imagery, click on the images above.

ATLANTIC OCEAN — On Jan. 5, 2022, the United States, Spain, and Morocco collaborated to rescue 103 migrants 40 nautical miles west of the Moroccan coast.

Late Tuesday evening, Spain’s Las Palmas Rescue Coordination Center received reports of two migrant rafts taking on water with people possibly in the water.

The Spanish center coordinated rescue efforts with the vessels closest to the reported location of the rafts. Three U.S. Coast Guard ships, Famous-class USCGC Thetis (WMEC 910), Sentinel-class USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144), and USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145), and a nearby Royal Moroccan Navy frigate answered the call.

Working together, the crews rescued 103 migrants and recovered two deceased migrants by early Wednesday morning. Once safely aboard and stabilized, the U.S. Coast Guard crews transferred all migrants to the Moroccan Navy.

“While we are on an escort currently, the U.S. Coast Guard will always conduct our core mission of search and rescue and observe the international law of the sea and maritime custom to assist any mariners in distress,” said Cmdr. Justin Nadolny, commanding officer, USCGC Thetis (WMEC 910). “This demonstrates the capability of Thetis to work with partners and our ability to respond rapidly to any situation. I’m very proud of the team.”

The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, working alongside Allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards. These operations coincide with the escort of the Sentinel-class cutters across the Atlantic en route to their new homeport of Manama, Bahrain, and the cutters’ work for U.S. Patrol Forces Southwest Asia under U.S. Navy 5th Fleet and U.S. Central Command.

“The rescue of over 100 persons in the Atlantic demonstrates the agility and reach of U.S. Naval Forces throughout Africa and Europe,” said Capt. Kyle Gantt, Commander, Task Force 65. “U.S. Coast Guard’s timely coordination with Spanish authorities and the Moroccan Navy showcases the power of integration with our international partners at sea.”

The U.S. Coast Guard remains operational during COVID-19, following all COVID-19 safety precautions and regulations.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. Based in Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area oversees all Coast Guard operations east of the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf. In addition to surge operations, they also allocate ships to work with partner commands.

Thanks to all of you who have come by and made the writing worthwhile. Special thanks to those who have contributed by your comments or by simply pointing me to articles of interest.

2021

In 2021, the blog had 244,089 views and 83,692 individual visits. This year we had 465 posts, totaling 165,836 words (both the most ever). There were 1250 comments (comments seem to have dropped off a bit). That is 2.86% more views than last year (237,298) and 16.9% more individual visits, more than any previous year with the exception of 2019 (255,335 views). Posts averaged only 357 words, (I am trying to be economical of your time.)

2019 was something of an anomaly, driven a couple of unusually popular posts. “Navy, this is Coast Guard, we need to talk,” had 18,245 views in 2019, making it the second most viewed post in the history of the blog. “An Offshore Patrol Vessel with Teeth” had 4,935 views in August alone. They made August, September, and October of 2019 the most viewed months so far. Sept. 30, 2019 alone, there were 7,302 views, the most ever in a single day.

29.7% of our readers were non-US. Aside from the US, 45 countries had 200 or more views. After the US, the five countries with the most views were the UK, Canada, Finland (Tups must have had something to do with this), Philippines, and Australia. All had more than 4200 views.

The top ten posts in 2021 were:

1. 50mm Chain Gun, More Detail (2019)
2. What Does It Take to Sink a Ship? (2011)
3. Perhaps the Most Well Armed Cutter Sized Corvette in the World (2021)
4. The Hamilton Class 378 foot WHECs, an Appreciation (2021)
5. Guided Rounds for the 57mm Mk110, ALaMO and MAD-FIRES, an Update (2019)
6. “Weapons Effectiveness Testing–25 vs 30mm” Revisited (2021)
7. Philippines’ New 94 Meter Cutter and the Japanese Kunigami Class Cutters (2020)
8. Norway’s Coast Guard Jan Mayen-class vessel (2021)
9. Bahrain Bound FRC gets Upgrades, LRAD and Short-Range Air Search (2021)
10. “Here Is What…Missiles Actually Costs” –The Drive (2020)

Blog History

The blog began in July 2012, after Dan Trimble decided to close down his “CGBlog” where I had contributed for a bit over two years. With Dan’s help, all the content I wrote during that period has been transplanted here along with the associated comments. That is why the archive includes posts dated before July 2012.

To date we have had 3,386 posts, 19,445 comments, and 1,996,169 views.

The top ten posts ever published on his blog, updated through the end of 2021 were:

1. What Does It Take to Sink a Ship? (2011)
2. Navy this is Coast Guard, we need to talk (2019)
3. OPV to OPC (2012) (Since the OPC has been selected, now only of historical interest)
4. The Navy’s New Patrol Boat (2012)
   
5. Three Nations Share German OPV Design (2014)
6. Case for the Five Inch Gun (2012)
7. What Might Coast Guard Cutters Do in Wartime, Part 2, Coast Guard Roles (2012)
8. Alternate Weapons for New Large Cutters? (2012)
9. 50mm Chain Gun, More Detail (2019)
10. An Offshore Patrol Vessel with Teeth (2019)

You may need to click on this to make it readable. 

(There is an updated 2024 version of this post here)

Ran across this on Facebook, posted by Buddy Stewart, an administrator at the “Navy General Board” page. He found it here. Thought it might be of interest. I can’t vouch for the accuracy, but it looks credible to me.

CGAS Miami H-65 in a CGAS Clear Water C-130

The Drive has a short post noting the Coast Guard’s ability to move its H-65s by C-130.

Some nice photos, kind words, and a video.

USCGC Hamilton (WMSL-753) conducting port visit in Valletta, Malta on May 17, 2021. Coast Guard Photo

Just passing this along. I have added pictures and a link to a previous post. 

R 202101Z DEC 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 464/21
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT – 2021 HOPLEY YEATON CUTTER EXCELLENCE
AND SUPERIOR CUTTERMAN AWARDS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 141626Z SEP 21/ALCOAST 336/21

1. The Douglas Munro Chapter of the Surface Navy Association (SNA) is honored to announce and congratulate the recipients of the 2021 Hopley Yeaton Cutter Excellence and Superior Cutterman Awards. The winners were selected from an incredibly competitive pool of nominees.

2. The winners of the Hopley Yeaton Awards for 2021 are:

a. Cutter Excellence Awards

• 1. Large Cutter: CGC HAMILTON (WMSL 753)
• 2. Medium Cutter: CGC RESOLUTE (WMEC 620)
• 3. Small Cutter: CGC ISAAC MAYO (WPC 1112)

b. Superior Cuttermen Awards

• 1. Officer: LTJG Lauren Kowalski – CGC POLAR STAR (WAGB 10)
• 2. Enlisted: YN1 Joseph DeVito – CGC RELIANCE (WMEC 615)

3. Cutter Excellence Award (Large) – CGC HAMILTON (WMSL 753):

a. Following her trans-Atlantic escort of the first Fast Response Cutters bound for service at PATFORSWA, CGC HAMILTON transited the Bosporus into the Black Sea where she conducted freedom of navigation patrols and operated and trained with Turkish and Romanian Naval Forces, the Georgian Coast Guard, and Ukrainian Maritime Forces. While deployed in the U.S. European Command AOR, HAMILTON conducted at-sea exercises and port visit engagements with the navies and coast guard of seven total international allies and partners; bolstering freedom of navigation in international waters of the Black Sea and building maritime domain awareness, cooperation, and interoperability with partner nation navies and coast guards. As Caribbean maritime migration levels increased to the highest levels in more than seven years, HAMILTON assumed command of surface operations in the Windward Pass, directing the employment of three major and four fast response cutters that successfully resulted in a dramatic decline in attempts by migrants to attempt the extremely hazardous voyage at sea.

b. Honorable Mentions for the Large Cutter Award are:

• 1. CGC MUNRO (WMSL 755)
• 2. CGC BERTHOLF (WMSL 750)

RESOLUTE conducts an at-sea transfer with CGC DILIGENCE. The transfer included a 77 Haitian migrants, their personal belongings, and a Creole interpreter. In total, RESOLUTE cared for 260 Haitian migrants. All migrants are given food, water, and medical attention once onboard a Coast Guard cutter. During a 56-day patrol, RESOLUTE provided overt presence in Northern Haiti to deter illegal and dangerous migration voyages. Photo by ENS Alex Cordes.

4. Hopley Yeaton Cutter Excellence Award (Medium) – CGC RESOLUTE (WMEC 620):

a. In 2021, CGC RESOLUTE safely conducted the largest single-unit, at-sea migration case in more than a decade (183 migrants, including 17 children and infants). RESOLUTE led rigorous dockside and underway trials for the new Cutter Boat-Large acquisition and delivered expert analysis of safety, compatibility, and suitability for a wide range of Coast Guard missions. RESOLUTE’s superb engagement with headquarters program sponsors and naval engineers supported successful acceptance and roll-out across the entire 210′ WMEC fleet. Highlighting a year with multiple SAR cases, RESOLUTE’s lookout detected people in the water, leading to the rescue of 8 migrants who had been treading water for 24 hours following the capsizing of their makeshift vessel.

b. Honorable Mentions for the Medium Cutter Award are:

• 1. CGC LEGARE (WMEC 912)
• 2. CGC HICKORY (WLB 212)

USCGC Isaac Mayo, Key West, Fla., Jan. 29, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney

5. Hopley Yeaton Cutter Excellence Award (Small) – CGC ISAAC MAYO (WPC 1112):

a. In 2021, CGC ISAAC MAYO conducted 108 at-sea boardings resulting in the disruption of 3,000 kgs of cocaine valued at $75 million. ISAAC MAYO conducted joint operations with Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations during an operation to deter, detect, interdict, and inspect, targets of interest in the northern portion of Sector Key West’s area of responsibility. ISAAC MAYO led the way during Operation CHOKE POINT, an intradepartmental partnership with Customs and Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations, to board and inspect vessels operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, ISAAC MAYO developed a first-ever Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for operating with a Customs and Border Patrol 45-ft Coastal Intercept Vessel, laying the foundation for sustained multi-agency asset employment far beyond historical operating limitations.

b. Honorable Mentions for the Small Cutter Award are:

• 1. CGC RICHARD ETHERIDGE (WPC 1102)
• 2. CGC CHARLES MOULTHROPE (WPC 1141)

6. Hopley Yeaton Superior Cutterman Award (Officer) – LTJG Lauren Kowalski – CGC POLAR STAR (WAGB 10):

a. LTJG Kowalski completed the USCG’s Afloat Icebreaker Training program and demonstrated outstanding professionalism in her role as USCG liaison officer and ice pilot for three months aboard the HMS PROTECTOR. In her capacity as ice pilot, she led the ship to set a new Royal Navy latitude record for surface ships. She managed operations and tracklines for the nation’s only heavy icebreaker, planning and navigating the 10,000 nm voyage for the Arctic Winter West 2021 deployment, through treacherous ice windrows, howling gales, and 10 days of perpetual winter darkness.

b. Honorable Mentions for the Superior Cutterman Award (Officer) are:

• 1. LTJG William Stephens – CGC MAUI (WPB 1304)
• 2. ENS Matthew Hall – CGC ANACAPA (WPB 1335)

7. Hopley Yeaton Superior Cutterman Award (Enlisted) – YN1 Joseph Devito – CGC RELIANCE (WMEC 615):

a. YN1 DeVito went beyond the normal duties of a Yeoman afloat by qualifying as an underway officer of the deck. In addition, YN1 DeVito qualified as boat deck safety, helm and lookout, boatswain mate of the watch, quartermaster of the watch, on scene leader for flight operations, detainee watch stander, boarding team member, force protection officer, .50 cal mount captain, .50 cal gunner, repair party leader, and inport officer of the deck. As the vice chairperson of the cutter’s newly formed Leadership and Diversity Advisory Council, he helped organize multiple events that improved the unit’s investment in the professional and personal development of its junior officers and enlisted members. As a Damage Control Training Team member leading training for Repair III, he trained more than 100 crew members in damage control. His superb expertise as a Yeoman resulted in zero discrepancies across 50 line items during the cutter’s Finance and Administration inspection.

b. Honorable Mentions for the Superior Cutterman Award (Enlisted) are:

• 1. BMC Brian Cleversey – CGC RESOLUTE (WMEC 620)
• 2. BM2 Nancy Worley – CGC HOLLYHOCK (WLB 214)

8. The winners will be recognized at the 2022 SNA National Symposium.

9. Bravo Zulu and great work to this year’s Hopley Yeaton Award recipients and nominees. This year’s nominees were selected by panels comprised of 61 active duty and retired permanent cuttermen from the rank of E6 to O8, with a collective 604 years of sea time. The sheer volume of praiseworthy nominees and high-quality award write-ups continue to impress. Thank you to all commands that submitted and reviewed nominations.

10. POC: LT Luke Trautwein at John.L.Trautwein@uscg.mil.

11. RDML Todd C. Wiemers, Assistant Commandant for Capability
(CG-7), sends.

12. Internet release is authorized.