Construction begins on USCG’s fifth Legend-class NSC

Construction on the US Coast Guard’s fifth Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC), James (WMSL 754) has begun with a keel laying ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries Ingalls Shipbuilding division.

The fifth NSC has been named to honour Joshua James, who is credited with saving more than 600 lives during a nearly 60-year career in the 1800s with the US Life Saving Service along the New England coastline.

To date, the USCG has received three NCS while the fourth ship, Hamilton (WMSL 753) is scheduled to be christened on 26 October.

Expected to be launched in spring of 2014 and delivered to the Coast Guard in summer 2015, the 4,500t NSC James is 17% complete and has all 45 units in production.

The USCG has recently awarded a $487m contract for the construction of sixth NSC and negotiations for long-lead materials for a seventh NSC are currently underway.

US Coast Guard Project Resident Office director Gulf Coast David Blackburn said, "The Coast Guard Atlantic area will be the recipients of NSC 4 and NSC 5, and they need these ships complete, on time and deployable upon arrival."

Capable of cruising at a top speed of 28k, the 418ft-long NSCs have a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days and a can accommodate a crew of 110.

The Legend-class NSC will boost the USCG’s operational readiness, capacity and effectiveness as well as provides robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defence missions.