Rahul Sharma (Editor)

USCGC Joseph Napier (WPC 1115)

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Namesake
  
Joseph Napier

Commissioned
  
January 29, 2016

Identification
  
WPC-1115

Launched
  
20 October 2015

Acquired
  
October 20 2015

Homeport
  
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Status
  
in active service

Length
  
47 m


Builder
  
Bollinger Shipyards, L.L.C.

USCGC Joseph Napier is a Sentinel-class cutter homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is the fifteenth Sentinel class to be delivered, and the third of six to be assigned to Puerto Rico. she has commissioned in January 29, 2016.

Contents

Like her sister ships, she is equipped for coastal security patrols, interdiction of drug and people smugglers, and search and rescue. Like the smaller Marine Protector class she is equipped with a stern launching ramp. The ramp allows the deployment and retrieval of her high speed water-jet powered pursuit boat without first coming to a stop. She is capable of more than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) and armed with a remote controlled 25 millimetres (0.98 in) M242 Bushmaster autocannon; and four crew-served Browning M2 machine guns.

Operational history

Joseph Napier intercepted a fishing vessel in February 2017, that was attempting to smuggle over four tons of cocaine. Lady Michelle's crew of four individuals from Guyana were taken to the US Virgin Islands, for prosecution. The cocaine's street value was estimated at $837 million.

Namesake

She is named after Joseph Napier, who had commanded a lifeboat station at St. Joseph, Michigan. Napier was an employee of the United States Lifeboat Service, one of the precursor services that were amalgamated into the Coast Guard.

References

USCGC Joseph Napier (WPC-1115) Wikipedia