*click on thumbnails for full-resolution imagery; more stock footage on DVIDS*
CHARLESTON – The Coast Guard Cutter James, the second National Security Cutter for the East Coast, arrived Friday to its inaugural homeport in Charleston.
During its maiden voyage following commissioning events in Boston Aug. 8, the James logged more than 10,000 miles, completed underway certification and made port calls to New York City, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Baltimore, 48 days after leaving the Ingalls Shipbuilding facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
“Finally arriving to our inaugural homeport in Charleston is a proud moment, looking forward to being a part of this great community,” said Capt. Andrew J. Tiongson, Cutter James' commanding officer. “After being away many months from our loved ones, we're thankful for the safe voyage and happy to be reunited with them”
During the transit from the shipyard and port calls, James' 119 crew members completed their Ready for Sea training, and completed underway qualifications for deck and engineering watchstanding, as well as for damage control.
In the following months, James and its crew will undergo more training and certification until it deploys next year to conduct maritime law enforcement missions throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The James is the fifth NSC built out of eight planned for the Legend class cutter fleet. Cutter James’ namesake links the next generation of men and women serving aboard to the renowned lifesavers of the past, most notably of Capt. Joshua James, a native of Hull, Massachusetts, who is credited with saving more than 600 lives during his time with the U.S. Life-Saving Service, which merged with the Revenue Cutter Service in 1915 to create the modern U.S. Coast Guard.
Legend-class NSC’s are the largest multipurpose cutters in the Coast Guard fleet and is replacing the 378-foot high endurance cutter, which has been in service since the 1960s. The NSC is 418 feet long and has a top speed of 28 knots and a range of 12,000 nautical miles. It is capable of patrolling in excess of 90 days.
MEDIA KIT
Social Media
Twitter handle & hashtags: @USCGLANTAREA #cutterjameshomecoming #welcomehomejames
Facebook: US Coast Guard Cutter James Facebook
Video
Cutter James greeting: “Hello Charleston!”
Aerial video of CGC James transiting off New York City, Aug. 2, 2015
Cutter James Christening, Aug. 16, 2014
Legacy Reborn: Christening the Coast Guard Cutter James
Blogs
Coast Guard Cutter James enters the fleet
Crew aboard the Cutter James
Who was Joshua James?
Press releases
Media advisory: Media invited to new Coast Guard cutter inaugural homecoming
MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: National Security Cutter James continues commissioning cruise to Charleston homeport
Coast Guard Cutter James makes a Baltimore port call, open for public tours
***Photo release*** Coast Guard commissions newest National Security Cutter in Boston
***IMAGERY AVALIABLE*** Newest Coast Guard Cutter pulls into Boston Harbor
CGC James website
Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754)
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