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.