Cutter Long Island Slated for Valdez

The U.S. Coast Guard is changing the homeport assignment for the Coast Guard cutter Long Island (WPB - 1342) from San Diego to Valdez, Alaska. The 110-foot Island-class patrol boat’s homeport transfer is scheduled to occur in autumn. “The Coast Guard is committed to providing safe and secure waterways along America’s coasts,” said Vice Adm. Terry Cross, commander of the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area. “This homeport change, along with the recent addition of two 87-foot patrol boats in San Diego, will help us accomplish that goal.” The Coast Guard commissioned the cutter Long Island in 1991 with a crew of 17 Coast Guard members. Originally based in Monterey, Calif., the cutter moved to San Diego in 1999. The cutter’s primary missions include search and rescue, homeland security, counter-drug enforcement, migrant interdiction and fisheries enforcement. There are 49 Island-class patrol boats, which are a Coast Guard modification of British-designed patrol boats. With range and sea-keeping capabilities, these cutters, all named after U.S. islands, began replacing the older 95-foot Cape-class patrol boats in the late 1980s. Island-class patrol boats are equipped with advanced electronics and navigation equipment.