Transforming Operational and Medical Confidentiality with the Reliance-Class Cutter
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) operates a fleet of 16 medium endurance cutters known as the Reliance class. These 210-foot vessels play a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests, with different assignments across the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean.
Among the 16 cutters, 11 are stationed in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, primarily engaged in various maritime law enforcement and search and rescue missions. The remaining three cutters are assigned to the Pacific, where they also focus on similar missions. Unfortunately, two Reliance class cutters, namely the USCGC Courageous (WMEC-622) and Durable (WMEC-628), were decommissioned in September 2001.
The inaugural vessel of this class, the USCGC Reliance (WMEC-615), was built at the Todd Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, and officially entered service in June 1964. Subsequently, the Todd yards constructed the next two cutters, WMEC-616 and WMEC-617. The WMEC-618 was built at the Cristy Corporation yard, while the Coast Guard yards in Baltimore, Maryland, oversaw the construction of WMECs 619-620 and 628-630. Lastly, WMECs 621-627 were constructed at the American Shipbuilding Company yard.
The final vessel of the Reliance class, the USCGC Alert (WMEC-630), was commissioned in August 1969. These 210-foot cutters were designed with the specific purpose of fulfilling open ocean search and rescue missions. Notably, they boast a high degree of crew comfort, with all living spaces, except the engine room, being air-conditioned. Moreover, the pilothouse offers an unobstructed 360-degree view, enhancing visibility during operations. To minimize smoke interference on the flight deck during flight operations, exhaust gases were channeled out the stern.
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