USCG’s fifth National Security Cutter christened

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division has officially christened the fifth US Coast Guard (USCG) National Security Cutter (NSC), James (WMSL 754).

The delivery of Legend-class James is scheduled next summer. The company has already delivered three NSCs, with three more currently under construction.

Ingalls will start work on a seventh NSC, Kimball WMSL 756, in early 2015.

USCG vice commandant vice admiral Peter Neffenger said: "The boundaries surrounding illegal migrant activity, weapons, drug smuggling and terrorism continue to blur and converge.

"The challenges created by that convergence require a 21st century Joshua James. We need his spirit and his adherence to our values.

"We need his adaptability, his staying power and his multi-mission focus.

"As we take Joshua James’ legacy with us from the 19th century into the future, we do so in the face of one of the most challenging times in Coast Guard history."

Mainly aimed at replacing 378ft Hamilton-class High-Endurance Cutters being commissioned during the 1960s, the new 418ft long and 54ft wide Legend-class NSCs offer a displacement capacity of 4,500t with a full load.

Further, the vessel can cruise at a maximum cruise speed of 28k and a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days, while accommodating 110 crew members.

Ingalls Shipbuilding president Brian Cuccias said: "Teamed with the Coast Guard, this is a fantastic program, providing high-quality ships at a great value.

"The more of these ships we build, the better we get at it, producing each ship for fewer man-hours."

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