USCG’s Fifth Cutter Ends Builder’s Trials

U.S. Coast Guard’s fifth National Security Cutter, James, successfully completed builder’s trials in Pascagoula, Mississippi, marking a significant step in preparing the cutter for delivery to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Builder’s trials are the shipbuilder’s first opportunity to operate the cutter at sea and survey the current status of shipboard systems.

While underway, Huntington Ingalls Industries test and trials team conducted extensive testing of the propulsion, electrical, damage control, anchor handling, small boat operations and combat systems. This culminated in the successful completion of a four-hour, full-power propulsion run.

Preparations for acceptance trials, conducted by the Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey, can now begin with the successful completion of the builder’s trials.

James is the fifth of eight planned National Security Cutters and the second to be home ported on the East Coast. At 418 feet and 4,500 tons, the Legend-class National Security Cutter is the centerpiece of the Coast Guard fleet.

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Image: HII