US Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous marked its official arrival at its new homeport at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Friday.
Vigorous is the first of two Medium Endurance Cutters from Cape May, New Jersey to be relocated to Little Creek. The Coast Guard Cutter Dependable is scheduled to arrive in 2015.
“Cape May was a wonderful home for Vigorous over the past 21 years and we thank the community for its steadfast support,” said Cmdr. Terry Johns, Vigorous commanding officer. “Our 76 member crew looks forward to our new home port of Little Creek and the opportunities it will present.”
The addition of two Medium Endurance Cutters will significantly increase the Coast Guard’s operational presence in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
The decision to relocate Vigorous was prompted by the deteriorating pier conditions at Cape May’s pier three.
Over the course of three years, the new Fast Response Cutters will bring approximately 97 new personnel to the Cape May community that will result in construction contracts for infrastructure upgrades over the next five years including shore-side support facilities and pier construction.
The Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter is a new Coast Guard patrol boat that is capable of deploying independently to conduct missions that include port, waterways and coastal security. Coast Guard cutters are sentinels of global trade by supporting the nation’s economic success ensuring waterways and the maritime environment are safe, secure and reliable.
[mappress] Press Release, August 12, 2014; Image: USCG