Coast Guard's newest National Security Cutter arrived at Alameda, Calif.

Courtesy Photo | Crew members stationed aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche lower one of the ship's small-boats over the side to perform maintenance on the anchor pockets during the final leg of the Waesche's transit to its new home port in Alameda, Calif., Feb 26. The Waesche is scheduled to pull into its new homeport for the first time, Feb. 28, after a two-month transit, which took the ship and its crew from Pascagoula, Miss., across the Caribbean Ocean, through the Panama Canal and north through the Pacific Ocean and along the west coast of North America. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Caleb Crichfield)  

ALAMEDA, UNITED STATES

02.28.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area

The Coast Guard's newest cutter arrived at its new homeport of Coast Guard Island in Alameda on Sunday, Feb. 28.

The Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, named for Adm. Russell R. Waesche, is the second of eight planned Legend Class cutters preceding the Coast Guard Cutter Dorothy Stratton and following the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf.

"We are proud to bring the Coast Guard's newest and most technologically advanced ship to its home in Alameda," said Coast Guard Capt. Lance Bardo, commanding officer of Waesche.

The 418-foot cutter has a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles and a crew of 110. It's equipped with a 4,000 square-foot flight deck that is outfitted with an automated landing and dual track hangaring system.

Waesche is also equipped with two Short Range Prosecutor small boats that can be deployed and recovered from the stern launch system, increasing the ability to launch and recover boats in heavy seas.

The ship will be commissioned at a ceremony on Coast Guard Island in May.

"I look forward to the future accomplishments of this ship and crew as it contributes to the safety of America's coasts," said Bardo.

Adm. Russell R. Waesche was the Coast Guard's longest serving Commandant who presided over the greatest expansion of the service in history. Waesche ensured the integration of the U.S. Lighthouse Service into the Coast Guard and is also credited with the organization of the Coast Guard Reserve.

He graduated from the Revenue Cutter School of Instruction and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1906. Waesche retired from active duty Coast Guard service and passed away shortly thereafter in 1946.

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

• Date Taken: 02.28.2010
• Date Posted: 02.28.2010 21:08
• Story ID: 45965
• Location: ALAMEDA, US