First National Security Cutter Delivered to Coast Guard

[wackychick]

The 418-foot BERTHOLF is the lead ship in the new Legend-cl*** of cutters designed to be the flagship of the U.S. Coast Guard's modern fleet. Capable of executing the most challenging maritime safety and security missions around the globe, BERTHOLF is the first of eight national security cutters planned to be built by the Coast Guard. The cutter's fitting motto, "Legends Begin Here" was established on 26 June 2006. BERTHOLF was christened on November 11, 2006, Veterans' Day, and is named after Commodore Ellsworth P. Bertholf, the first Commandant of today's Coast Guard. A formal commissioning ceremony is scheduled for August 4, 2008, in Alameda, Calif.

Captain Patrick Stadt, the BERTHOLF's newly appointed Commanding Officer, said, "My crew and I are excited to move aboard and begin readying this impressive cutter for sea. BERTHOLF will bring tremendous capabilities to the Coast Guard and we look forward to our role in achieving full operational deployment with the fleet."

Read about this important milestone for the Coast Guard...