Coast Guard Gets First National Security Cutter

The Coast Guard accepted delivery of its newest weapon in the war on terror on May 8. The National Security Cutter Bertholf, built in Pascagoula, Miss., is the first major multi-mission cutter the Coast Guard has received in more than 20 years. For the next 22 months to two years, the 418-foot Bertholf and her crew will undergo training, evaluation and certification. Assuming all goes well, and the vessel successfully completes a shakedown cruise, the vessel would then join the Coast Guard’s fleet. It will carry advanced capability for communications with Defense Department assets, detectors for chemical/biological weapons and radiation, and state-of-the-art intelligence-gathering gear. Seven more ships in Bertholf’s "Legend" class are planned as well.