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7th Coast Guard District
U.S. Coast Guard
News Release
Date: April 11, 2012

Contact: District Public Affairs

(305) 415-6683
Coast Guard to commission 1st Fast Response Cutter at Port of Miami
MEDIA NOTE: Media interested in attending the commissioning ceremony are asked to RSVP with Public Affairs at 305-415-6683. The event is scheduled to take place at the Port of Miami, Terminal J, Saturday at noon.

MIAMI — The Coast Guard is scheduled to commission its first Sentinel Class cutter during a traditional ceremony at the Port of Miami Saturday.

The 154-foot Webber is a Fast Response Cutter and will be able to deploy independently to conduct missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense operations along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean.

“I am very excited about the commissioning of the Coast Guard Cutter Webber," said Rear Adm. Bill Baumgartner, commander of the 7th Coast Guard District. "It is the first of 18 Fast Response Cutters that are scheduled to be delivered to the 7th Coast Guard District over the next several years. This new cutter fleet will be a vital instrument in supporting illicit migrant and narcotic trafficking interdiction, but will only fill a portion of the critical gap we face in our operational capability. While the Fast Response Cutters are highly capable platforms, the Coast Guard is in need of an Offshore Patrol Cutter as well. These OPCs would be able to deploy greater distances, effectively extending our maritime border outward to prevent threats to our national security. The OPC would replace our aging Medium Endurance Cutter fleet, most of which are over 40 years old and in desperate need of recapitalization to meet the future security needs of America.”

The Webber is capable of speeds of 28-plus knots, armed with one stabilized, remotely operated 25mm chain gun and four crew-served .50 caliber machine guns, and crew capabilities to hold 24 people. It will be able to perform independently for a minimum of five days at sea, and be underway for 2,500 hours per year.

The new Sentinel Class patrol boats will all be named after Coast Guard heroes. The Webber is named after Coast Guard hero Bernard C. Webber. Webber is credited with helping make one of the greatest rescues in Coast Guard history.

To learn more about Bernard C. Webber, please visit: http://goo.gl/vyxG5.

To find out more about the Coast Guard's Fast Response Cutter program, visit: http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/sentinel/default.asp.




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MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber, the first Fast Response Cutter, arrives at its homeport of Miami Feb. 9, 2012. The 154-foot Webber will be able to deploy independently to conduct missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense operations along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Johnson.



MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber, the first Fast Response Cutter, arrives at its homeport of Miami Feb. 9, 2012. The cutter's commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Herb Eggert, and Coast Guard Sector Miami's commander, Capt. Chris Scraba, offer remarks about the significance of the Webber's arrival. U.S. Coast Guard multimedia presentation by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.




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Click the icon below for a PDF feature story about the Coast Guard Cutter Webber by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.






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MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Nantucket keeps pace with Miami's newest cutter, the Bernard C. Webber, during its arrival at Coast Guard Sector Miami Feb. 9, 2012. The Webber is named after Coast Guard hero Bernard C. Webber, who is credited for his assistance during the rescue of 33 of the tanker vessel Pendleton's 34 crewmembers. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Johnson.



MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Webber, the Coast Guard's first Sentinel Class patrol boat, arrives at Coast Guard Sector Miami Feb. 9, 2012. The 154-foot Webber is a Fast Response Cutter capable of independently deploying to conduct missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Johnson.



MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Webber, the Coast Guard's first Sentinel Class patrol boat, arrives at Coast Guard Sector Miami Feb. 9, 2012. The 154-foot Webber is a Fast Response Cutter capable of independently deploying to conduct missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.



MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Webber, the Coast Guard's first Sentinel Class patrol boat, arrives at Coast Guard Sector Miami Feb. 9, 2012. The 154-foot Webber is a Fast Response Cutter capable of independently deploying to conduct missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.



MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Webber, the Coast Guard's first Sentinel Class patrol boat, arrives at Coast Guard Sector Miami Feb. 9, 2012. The 154-foot Webber is a Fast Response Cutter capable of independently deploying to conduct missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.