COAST GUARD ISLAND HOSTS SPECTACULAR CEREMONY

At mid-morning Monday, August 4th, 2008, there was a thick gray overcast and light wind along the Oakland estuary putting on a chill, but the dignitaries, VIPs, honored guests, and observers present were caught up with the excitement and pagentry of a very special occasion.

It was a time to celebrate the 218th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard. And it was a day to commission the brand new Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, the new Legend Class of cutters designed to be the flagship of the Coast Guard fleet.

MOAA was well represented. Present for the occasion were board member CAPT Warren G. McDonald and his wife Roberta; CAL-MOAA president COL Warren B. Enos, AUS (RET); Area 2 Director and President, Contra Costa Chapter CAPT James Torres, USN (RET); Marin County President CAPT Mark Shafer, USN (RET) and his wife Dulce; San Francisco Chapter President CDR Steve Barber, USN (RET).

Others who had a hand in the ceremony were CDR John Sammons, CAL-MOAA Secretary; RADM Russell Gorman, USN (RET), Contra Costa Chapter; CAPT & Mrs. A. Serafini, USN (RET), Silicon Valley Chapter; and former naval officer Phelps Hobart, a Navy League director and member of the MOAA Sacramento Chapter.

The program got underway just before 10:30am with the posting of the colors, an introduction of platform guests, playing of the National Anthem, the invocation, a description of the Bertholf and its recent history, and a 19 gun salute.

Mr. Mike Petters, President, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, said the men and women of his corporation “take great pride in having built this state-of-the-art ship” and that the officers and crew can chart a future course with the confidence that “she has been built to the very highest standards and quality by the finest shipbuilders in the world.”

Mr. Fred P. Moosally, President, Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors, said the Bertholf “features advanced communications, navigation equipment, sensors and computer systems that provide your Cuttermen with the capabilities they need to turn data into knowledge and knowledge into action.”

VADM David P. Pekoske, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, said “Proper readiness will enable CGC Bertholf to safeguard the nation against all threats, hazards and challenges in the maritime domain. Legends begin here!” He told of the ship’s transit to Alameda via the Panama Canal.

Mr. Michael Chertoff, Secretary, U. S. Department of Homeland Security, outlined the ship’s critical missions, from countering terrorist threats, rescuing mariners in distress, catching drug smugglers, stopping illegal migrants and protecting the marine environment. He said the ship was a technological marvel and recognized its crew as “plankowners,” and wished them fair winds and following seas.

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, who had much to do with production of the Bertholf, said that the Coast Guard’s mission has been expanded, that crews are already accomplishing great feats in this new era, and said that there are seven (7) more cutters on the way.

And very quickly thereafter, CAPT Patrick H. Stadt, USCG, Commanding Officer, USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750), took the stand and indicated that per President George W. Bush the Bertholf was in commission. The United States colors were raised to the top of the mast; the commissioning pennant was hoisted.

The act of placing the ship in commission marks her entry into naval service. At the moment the commissioning pennant is broken at the masthead, a ship becomes a Coast Guard command in her own right and takes her place alongside the active cutters of the fleet. At the moment the pennant went up the ship went into commission. This was the key moment in the commissioning of the ship.

The ship’s captain read his orders designating him commanding officer of the Bertholf.

He then ordered the executive officer to set the first watch. Ensign Andrew Somplasky accepted a spyglass as the first officer of the deck.

At that point, the CO gave the order, “Bring the ship to life!” Meryl Justin Chertoff, wife of Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff and the ship’s Sponsor, was given the privilege to issue the “man the ship” order. And with that dozens of sailors left a nearby building and boarded the ship, lining the rails. Then the bells rang out, there were whistles, the radar antennas were activated, and there was a loud blast on the horn.

The ship’s captain was quickly told that, “The ship is manned and ready.” And he replied, “Very well.”

At that moment there was a Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin helicopter flyover, first out over the estuary and than making a left turn crossed over the crowd at about 100! Needless to say, it was an emotional moment.

The captain took time to recognize wives and family members who have been so patient over the past six (6) year time period when the ship was designed, built, tested, christened, and now commissioned. He gave some indication of the staggering missions that lie ahead for the crew, paying an extraordinary tribute to a very talented, highly trained, and already experienced crew.

The captain exclaimed, “We are Bertholf!” and the crew responded with “Semper Paratus!” “Always Prepared,” the motto of the U.S. Coast Guard.

The ceremony was then closed with a benediction provided by the chaplain for the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area.

Following the ceremony there were very well organized tours of the Bertholf, beginning at the 54′ by 80′ flight deck. The ship has the capacity to carry 1 HH-60 Jayhawk, 2 MH-65C Dolphins, 2 SH60 Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System vehicles, and 4 vertical take off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles.

The sights and sounds along the main deck were interesting. Visitors saw the bridge, combat information center, a typical crew quarters, the galley, wardroom, and a wide variety of damage control, generator, and other equipment. Moving out to the bow, it was apparent that the 57mm Bofors Gun was a deadly weapon.

The Bertholf is 418 feet in length, displaces 4,600 long tons, has a draft of 22 feet, a speed of 28 knots, and a range of 12,000 nautical miles. She carries a complement of 113, including 14 officers. The main propulsion system is a GE LM 2500 gas turbine rated at 29,500 hp. In addition, it has 2 MTU V20 1163 diesel engines rated at 9,700hp.

In addition to the Bofurs gun, the ship is armed with 1 Phalanx CIWS 1B 20mm gun, 4 50 caliber machine guns, and 2 M240B 7.62mm light machine guns.

Finally, the ship has a number of small boats including 1 Long Range Interceptor (LRI), 1 Mk III OTH (CB-OTH) and 1 Special Purpose Craft (SPC-CB). The boats are launched from a special position at the ship’s stern.

Guests were invited to a reception which initially provided everyone with sandwiches, fresh fruit, dessert and soft drinks along with a very pleasant dining area conducive to relaxation and good conversation. In mid-afternoon there was a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the Coast Guard’s birthday, August 4th.

Around noon the sun came out bright and clear, people were in a festive mood, there was much to see and do, and it was just a perfect day to commission a ship, something that hasn’t happened in the Coast Guard for about 35 years.

To the United States Coast Guard: Happy Birthday!

To the Bertholf and its crew: Fair Winds and Following Seas!

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