Coast Guard Cutter Bailey Barco file photo
JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard will commission the Coast Guard Cutter Bailey Barco (WPC 1122,) the 17th District’s second 154-foot Fast Response Cutter, in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, June 14.
The cutter Bailey Barco is the second of six Sentinel-class cutters that will homeport in Alaska. The 154-foot vessel is designed to patrol coastal regions and features advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, including the ability to launch and recover standardized small boats from its stern.
The cutter is named after Bailey Barco, Dam Neck Life-Saving Station’s Keeper. Barco received a Gold Lifesaving Medal Oct. 7, 1901, for his heroic actions during the rescue of the crew of the schooner Jennie Hall. On December 21, 1900, the Jennie Hall ran aground in a severe winter storm off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Bailey Barco proceeded to the scene with his crew took command and ultimately brought five survivors to safety.
The commissioning will be presided by Vice Adm. Fred M. Midgette, Coast Guard Pacific Area commander. Attendees include 17th District commander, Rear Adm. Michael McAllister; Coast Guard Sector Juneau commander, Capt. Shannan Greene; and cutter Bailey Barco’s commanding officer, Lt. Frank Reed. Also in attendance is the cutter’s sponsor Carol Lash Push, great-granddaughter of Bailey Barco.
The commissioning of a ship is an age-old tradition where the vessel is assigned to active service and the crew ceremoniously reports aboard to accept their positions that will be passed on until the vessel’s decommissioning.
