What is it?

USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) is the lead ship of the Legend-class maritime security cutters (NSC) of the United States Coast Guard. Commissioned in 2008, it is a large, advanced cutter designed to replace the aging 378-foot Hamilton-class cutters. The ship is named after Commodore Ellsworth P. Bertholf, the fourth commandant of the Revenue Cutter Service and the first commandant of the modern Coast Guard.

Bertholf is a multi-mission vessel capable of conducting law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime security, and national defense operations. It is equipped with state-of-the-art command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, allowing it to operate seamlessly with the U.S. Navy and other agencies.

The cutter is homeported in Alameda, California, and operates primarily in the Pacific Ocean and along the coasts of North and South America. Its design emphasizes endurance, with a range of 12,000 nautical miles and the ability to stay at sea for up to 60 days.

Bertholf was built under the Coast Guard's Deepwater acquisition program, a multi-billion-dollar effort to modernize the service's aging fleet. As the first NSC, it set the standard for subsequent ships in the class, including USCGC Waesche, USCGC Stratton, and others.

The ship features a stern launching ramp for small boats, two helicopter hangars, and a flight deck capable of operating multiple rotary-wing aircraft. It also carries a 57 mm Bofors deck gun, automated weapon systems, and advanced sensors for detecting and countering chemical, biological, and radiological threats.

Key Facts

USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) is the first Legend-class national security cutter.
Named after Commodore Ellsworth P. Bertholf, a former Coast Guard commandant.
Built at Northrop Grumman's Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Launched on September 29, 2006, and commissioned on August 4, 2008.
Homeported in Alameda, California.
Length: 418 feet (127 m); displacement: 4,500 tons.
Top speed: 28 knots (52 km/h); range: 12,000 nautical miles.
Endurance: up to 60 days at sea.
Crew: 113 (plus up to 30 additional personnel).
Armament: one Bofors 57 mm gun, four .50 caliber machine guns, and small arms.
First U.S. vessel to fire the Bofors 57 mm gun (February 11, 2008).
In March 2016, Bertholf intercepted a narco-submarine carrying 6 tons of cocaine.

Full Explanation

Design and Capabilities

The Legend-class cutters are the largest and most technologically advanced ships in the Coast Guard fleet. Bertholf's design incorporates a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, optimized for stability and endurance. The ship's integrated control system reduces manpower requirements while improving automation for machinery, steering, and navigation.

Bertholf is equipped with the Cassidian TRS-3D/16-ES air search radar, providing three-dimensional surveillance for air and surface threats. Its C4ISR suite enables real-time data sharing with the Department of Defense and other agencies, enhancing maritime domain awareness. The cutter also has a bow thruster for improved maneuverability in tight harbors.

Weapon Systems and Defense

The primary armament is a Bofors 57 mm Mk 110 deck gun, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute at targets up to 9 miles away. This gun can stop rogue merchant vessels or engage small boats. Bertholf also carries four .50 caliber machine guns for close-range defense. The ship can be fitted with an anti-terrorism/force protection suite, including underwater sonar to detect mines, divers, and underwater threats.

For aircraft operations, Bertholf has a flight deck with a rail-based aircraft retrieval system (RAST) that allows safe launch and recovery of helicopters in rough seas. The two hangars can accommodate MH-60 Jayhawk or MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, extending the cutter's reach for search and rescue, law enforcement, and logistics.

Operational Roles

Bertholf's primary missions include drug interdiction, migrant interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime security. It also supports national defense by operating with the U.S. Navy, as demonstrated during RIMPAC 2012, where it detected and tracked missile threats and provided naval gunfire support. The cutter's ability to launch and recover small boats from a stern ramp allows it to board suspicious vessels quickly.

The ship's advanced sensors and communications make it a key asset for intelligence collection and sharing. It can operate in chemical, biological, or radiological environments, ensuring crew safety during hazardous incidents.

History

Construction of USCGC Bertholf began in 2005 at Northrop Grumman's Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The ship was launched on September 29, 2006, and christened on November 11, 2006. After sea trials and fitting out, it was commissioned on August 4, 2008, in Alameda, California. Bertholf was the first ship to fire the Bofors 57 mm gun aboard a U.S. vessel on February 11, 2008, during testing.

In its early years, Bertholf conducted routine patrols and law enforcement missions in the Eastern Pacific. A notable operation occurred on March 3, 2016, when the cutter responded to a sighting of a semi-submersible narco-submarine off the Pacific coast of Panama. The vessel was reported by a P-3 Orion aircraft. Bertholf launched a boarding party, and the suspects surrendered. The crew seized 6 tons of cocaine and sank the semi-submersible.

During the 2012 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, Bertholf demonstrated its naval capabilities by detecting and tracking missile threats and providing naval gunfire support for troops ashore. This exercise highlighted the cutter's ability to integrate with Navy strike groups and perform defense operations.

On March 25, 2019, Bertholf, in concert with the destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur, transited the Taiwan Strait, a contested waterway. This mission underscored the Coast Guard's role in supporting U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific. On April 15, 2019, Bertholf visited Hong Kong, becoming the first Coast Guard vessel to do so in 17 years.

Bertholf continues to serve as a vital asset for the Coast Guard, conducting patrols, interdicting drugs, and participating in multinational exercises. Its success paved the way for the construction of additional Legend-class cutters, ensuring the Coast Guard's ability to meet 21st-century challenges.

Why it matters

USCGC Bertholf represents a significant leap in Coast Guard capability, replacing aging cutters with a modern, multi-mission platform. Its advanced sensors, endurance, and interoperability with the Navy enhance national security and maritime law enforcement. The cutter's drug interdiction successes, such as the 6-ton cocaine seizure, directly impact the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States.

Bertholf's participation in operations like the Taiwan Strait transit demonstrates the Coast Guard's expanding role in geostrategic missions. As the first Legend-class cutter, it set the standard for a new generation of ships that will serve for decades. The ship's design and capabilities influence future Coast Guard acquisitions and shape the service's ability to respond to emerging threats.

For students and the public, Bertholf exemplifies how a single vessel can perform diverse missions—from saving lives at sea to defending national interests. Its story highlights the importance of investing in modern, flexible platforms to meet evolving challenges in the maritime domain.