Feature Story

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U.S. Coast Guard story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Soto

Citizens of the United States are beginning to see the new Coast Guard cutters that will protect our coasts for decades to come. These sleek vessels mix modern technology with the Coast Guard’s tradition of selfless service and know how to deliver increased operating efficiency and capability. The crew of the first of these new ships has already made patrols from their homeport in Alameda, Calif., to the Eastern Pacific Ocean off Central and South America in support of counter-narcotics trafficking efforts, and as far north as Alaska’s Bering Sea to enforce fisheries regulations and protect our natural resources and Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, the first of eight planned Legend-class National Security Cutters, is one of the newest ships in the Coast Guard fleet. It has state-of-the-art command & control equipment and sensors, extended range and improved speed, enhanced flight deck and small boat capabilities, and is interoperable with Department of Homeland Security as well as Department of Defense partners. Bertholf has a range of 12,000 nautical miles, can carry two helicopters or one helicopter and two unmanned aerial vehicles, and can accommodate nearly 150 crewmembers, but operates with an assigned crew of less than 110.

The 418-foot NSC's are a part of the Coast Guard’s ongoing effort to recapitalize its aging fleet. The project also includes Fast Response Cutters, which are currently in production, Offshore Patrol Cutters nearing final design and retrofitted aircraft lengthening their service-life and capabilities. The NSC is designed to meet the rigors of the Coast Guard’s multi-mission, maritime, and military role across the globe and in the harshest of weather conditions, with improved efficiency, effectiveness and crew comfort.

Since March of this year, Bertholf has patrolled the notoriously rough waters of Alaska. The Alaska patrol had been another milestone for the crew proving the NSC capabilities in the harsh Bering Sea. Although the crew endured cold weather and very arduous duty at times due to wind and seas, the ship performed superbly and as designed. Bertholf completed more than 37 boardings of fishing vessels, protected our maritime boundary line from encroachment by foreign fishing vessels, and provided search and rescue coverage across Alaskan waters.

Cmdr. Dave Ramassini, executive officer of Bertholf, said, “Bertholf is in the midst of a 100+ day patrol in the Pacific Ocean maintaining an active presence in our Exclusive Economic Zones while enforcing U.S. laws and regulations.  Bertholf also participated in a Department of Defense national defense exercise, operated with Army Special Forces, but saved the best duty for last, most recently patrolling the far reaches of the Hawaiian Islands Exclusive Economic Zone enforcing fisheries regulations on behalf of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District in Honolulu. We looked forward to enjoying the warm spirit of Aloha, and sharing our ship with our Hawaiian ohana before we return to our duties at sea.”

The NSC may assume the watch and responsibilities carried out by the forty plus year-old 378-foot Hamilton-class cutters such as Cutter Jarvis and Cutter Rush, homeported in Honolulu. These legacy cutters earned their fame conducting heroic rescues throughout the dangerous Bering Sea and Pacific, interdicting drug smugglers in the Eastern Pacific, protecting our EEZ and fisheries stocks, and responding to large-scale emergencies such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the tsunami in Thailand, and the earthquake in Haiti.

Now, Bertholf and her crew have had the opportunity to warm up during their first-ever Hawaii visit.

Capt. John Prince, commanding officer of the Cutter Bertholf, was glad to have this opportunity, “Aloha. It’s great to be back in Hawaii! I am happy to report that the National Security Cutter has delivered the Coast Guard a significant improvement in effectiveness and capability to protect and defend our county from a wide variety of threats. It was a great honor for me to sail the ship into Pearl Harbor and honor our WWII heroes. It also was a pleasure to open the ship for visits by Coast Guard members and families, our DHS, DoD and local partners, and the residents of Hawaii so they may get a first-hand look at the much needed new assets the Coast Guard is acquiring to continue our 220 year commitment to protecting and defending our citizens, oceans and country.”

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and her spouse Leighton Oshima, and senior staff from the office of Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa were among the more than 700 visitors from the local Ohana welcomed aboard Bertholf during its brief stay in Honolulu. The crew of Bertholf was privileged to discuss the ships capabilities with so many citizens before departing July 5 for the open sea. From the crew of Bertholf, Mahalo, to all who visited the Coast Guard’s newest cutter.  Today the Bertholf is underway enforcing laws and protecting life at sea. But it is doing so on the back of more than 200 years of tradition, pride and service, maintaining course and speed toward a new era of Coast Guard history.