The Coast Guard Cutter William Chadwick transits through the Boston Harbor on its way to its new homeport at Coast Guard Base Boston in Boston, Massachusetts on Sep. 29, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan L. Noel)
BOSTON — Coast Guard Cutter William Chadwick (WPC-1150) is scheduled to be commissioned at Coast Guard Base Boston on Thursday. The Coast Guard’s newest cutter was accepted by the Coast Guard on August 4, and will be the first of six Fast Response Cutters homeported in Boston.
The Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC) is designed for multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense. The Coast Guard has ordered 65 FRCs to replace the 1980s-era Island-class 110-foot patrol boats. The FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; over the horizon cutter boat deployment to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping.
Born in Dover, New Jersey, the cutter’s namesake was a keeper of the Green Island Lifeboat Station in New Jersey and recipient of the Congressional Gold Lifesaving Medal for his rescue of the crew of the schooner George Taulane on Feb. 3, 1880. Chadwick remained keeper of Green Island Station until his retirement in August 1886.
