Coast Guard inland cutters next in building program

At 72 years in service, the cutter Smilax is the oldest vessel of the Coast Guard inland fleet. Coast Guard photo.

With $25 million added by Congress in the 2018 budget, the Coast Guard can move ahead with designing its new class of waterway commerce cutters to replace an aged inland fleet, Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz told members of Congress Wednesday.

“I’ve got ships in that fleet that are 72 years old,” said Schultz, referring to the 100’ cutter Smilax, during his first appearance as commandant before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Billed as an update on Coast Guard...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/coast-guard-inland-cutters-next-in-building-program/

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