U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester (WPC 1152), dressed overall during its commissioning ceremony in Newport, R.I., June 2, 2023. (Lyric Jackson/U.S. Coast Guard)
The Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester, one of 65 planned fast response cutters, was commissioned Friday in Newport, R.I.
Vice Adm. Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander, presided over the ceremony at Fort Adams State Park, unveiling the third of six fast response cutters to be stationed in Boston and serve the 1st Coast Guard District. Lt. Terry Netusil assumed command of the cutter, a Coast Guard news release said.
VIce Adm. Kevin Lunday addresses the crowd during the commissioning ceremony of Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester in Newport, R.I., June 2, 2023. (Lyric Jackson/U.S. Coast Guard)
Among the Sentinel-class cutter’s missions are search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, fishery patrols and national defense. It features advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment.
The cutter is named for Lt. Cmdr. Maurice Jester, who enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1917 and served through World War II. The Chincoteague, Va., native and those aboard the USCGC Icarus became the first Americans to capture the crew of a sunken German U-boat, the release said.
Jester earned the Navy Cross and a promotion to lieutenant commander for his leadership.
Lt. Terry Netusil, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester, addresses the crowd during the cutter’s commissioning ceremony in Newport, R.I., June 2, 2023. (Lyric Jackson/U.S. Coast Guard)
