USCG Commissions Fast Response Cutter Edgar Culbertson

The U.S. Coast Guard held a commissioning ceremony for the Coast Guard Cutter Edgar Culbertson, the service's 37th fast response cutter, at Sector Field Office Galveston, Texas, Friday.

The new 154-foot Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (FRC) was built by Bollinger Shipyards and delivered in February.

Built to replace the service's 110-foot patrol boats, FRCs have a flank speed of 28 knots, state of the art command, control, communications and computer technology, and a stern launch system for the vessel’s 26-foot cutter boat.  The FRC has been described as an operational “game changer,” by senior Coast Guard officials and have been deployed as far 4,400 nautical miles from homeport, highlighting the FRC’s expanded operational reach and capability.

The Coast Guard Cutter Edgar Culbertson’s patrol area will encompass 900 miles of coastline for the Coast Guard’s Eighth District, from Carrabelle, Fla., to Brownsville, Texas.

Each FRC is named after a Coast Guard enlisted hero. Edgar Culbertson, the cutter’s namesake, was a Coast Guard petty officer 1st class and Coast Guard Medal recipient who died April 30, 1967, while attempting the rescue of three brothers during a storm in Duluth, Minn. He was a 31-year-old native of Ferndale, Mich., a veteran of the Korean War and had served in the Coast Guard since 1952.

Lt. Katie Shveda, Coast Guard Cutter Edgar Culbertson commanding officer, assumes command of the USCGC Edgar Culbertson during the commissioning ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. John Nadeau, Eighth Coast Guard District commander. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Marissa Skidmore)