WHO: Media
WHAT: Commissioning of the Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter Rollin Fritch.
WHERE: Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, Cape May, N.J.
WHEN: 10 a.m., Nov. 19, 2016.
PHILADELPHIA – Media is invited to attend the commissioning of the Mid-Atlantic’s newest 154-foot Fast Response Cutter, the Rollin Fritch, Nov. 19, 2016.
The Commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, will preside over the ceremony, Rep. Frank LoBiondo will act as a keynote speaker, and also speaking will be Rear Adm. Meredith Austin, Commander of the 5th Coast Guard District.
The commissioning of a ship is an age-old tradition where the vessel is assigned to active service and the crew ceremoniously reports aboard to accept their positions.
The 154-foot Fast Response Cutter will perform missions such as law enforcement, search and rescue, port security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant enforcement.
The Rollin Fritch crew will be homeported in Cape May and will operate off the coast from New Jersey through North Carolina.
The Rollin Fritch, the 19th Fast Response Cutter, is named after Coast Guard Seaman 1st Class Rollin A. Fritch. During a kamikaze attack off of Luzon in the Philippine Islands, Fritch manned his gun while Japanese airplanes attacked the ship. Fritch remained at his station, firing his weapon to help save his shipmates, until a kamikaze plane collided with his position, ending his life. Fritch was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his selfless actions.
Attendees are asked to RSVP with Petty Officer Seth Johnson by 4 p.m., Nov. 16.
Please call 609-813-3888 to RSVP.
Media crews are requested to show up 30 minutes ahead of time.