New Coast Guard cutter arrives in Port Angeles

Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

DHS USCG BANNER

Press Release

Date: May 23, 2005
Contact: Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office

(206) 220-7237

NEW COAST GUARD CUTTER ARRIVES IN PORT ANGELES

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard’s newest Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boat arrived at its homeport of Port Angeles, Wash., today after a 45-day transit from Lockport, La.

The 87-foot patrol boat Swordfish, (WPB 87358), left Bollinger Shipyard in Lockport on April 8, 2005 and traveled more than 6,000 miles. The transit took the Swordfish through the Panama Canal and up the west coast of North America. The Swordfish will be the fifth 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat to be placed in service in the Puget Sound region, Other patrol boats already in service include the Sea Lion, homeported at Station Bellingham, Wash., the Osprey stationed in Port Townsend, Wash., and the Wahoo and Adelie stationed in Port Angeles.

The Swordfish is an innovative, multi-missioned class of vessel capable of performing search & rescue, law enforcement, fishery patrols, drug interdiction, and migrant interdiction duties up to 200 miles offshore. The coastal patrol boat carries a 10-man crew and is capable of achieving a maximum continuous speed of 25 knots. The average patrol speed is 10 knots.

The most unique feature of the Cutter's design is the Rigid Inflatable Boat launch and recovery system. The system includes a fixed ramp that is incorporated into the stern of the coastal patrol boat which allows the support vessel to drive onto the coastal patrol boat while the larger vessel is moving. This feature significantly improves the safety of the Rigid Inflatable Boat launch and recovery evolution.

For more information on the 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat contact the Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office, at (206) 220-7237.

For a high resolution photo of the Swordfish click on the following link:

https://www.piersystem.com/clients/uscg-13/40596.jpg?0.434485103607

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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.

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