medium endurance cutter

After World War II, the United States Coast Guard used the US Navy hull classification system. The large, sea-going cutters were classified primarily as Coast Guard gunboats (WPG), destroyer escorts (WDE), and seaplane tenders (WAVP). In 1965 the Coast Guard adopted its own designation system and these large cutters were then referred to as Coast Guard High Endurance Cutters (WHEC). The coastal cutters once known as Cruising Cutters, Second Class and then as Coast Guard patrol craft (WPC) were now Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutters (WMEC)."{{cite web

|url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/WMEC_Photo_Index.asp

|title=WPC's & WMEC's: 1945-2000

|publisher=United States Coast Guard

|access-date=2012-12-11

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017160936/http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/WMEC_Photo_Index.asp

|archive-date=2012-10-17

|url-status=live

}}

The Famous-class vessels have hull numbers in the range from WMEC-901 through WMEC-913. Entering service in the 1980s, the Famous-class cutters were designed as replacements for the {{convert|327|ft|m|adj=on}} {{sclass2|Treasury|cutter||boat}}s, and their mission profile emphasized law enforcement, particularly patrolling the newly established {{convert|200|mi|adj=on}} exclusive economic zone.

The Coast Guard harvested weapons systems components from decommissioned {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate}}s to save money. Harvesting components from four decommissioned frigates resulted in more than $24 million in cost savings, which increased with parts from more decommissioned frigates. Equipment such as the Mark 75, 76 mm/62 caliber gun mounts, gun control panels, barrels, launchers, junction boxes, and other components from decommissioned Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates were returned to service aboard Famous-class cutters in order to extend their service lives into the 2030s.[http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2082 U.S. Navy harvests decommissioned Frigates weapon systems for U.S. Coast Guard use] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626102621/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2082 |date=2015-06-26 }} - Navyrecognition.com, 26 October 2014

File:USCGC Harriet Lane WMEC 903 moored at NS Guantanamo Bay.jpg.]]

File:USCG Seneca.jpg

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The service life extension (SLEP) program for eight cutters of the class started in July 2021 with prototype work for electrical and structural systems on the Seneca and Harriet Lane. Additionally, Harriet Lane served as the prototype for the replacement of the main gun with a Mk38 Mod 3 25mm machine gun.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/3495362/coast-guard-completes-work-on-service-life-extension-program-prototype/ |title=Coast Guard completes work on service life extension program prototype |website=United States Coast Guard |access-date=2025-03-22}} The production phase of the SLEP, which will be carried out on Spencer, Legare, Campbell, Forward, Escanaba and Tahoma, covers four main areas: the electrical, structural and weapons systems work prototyped on Seneca and Harriet Lane and finally replacement of the main propulsion Diesel engines. The last SLEP is expected to be complete by 2030.

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The Reliance-class vessels have hull numbers in the range from WMEC-615 through WMEC-630. Entering service between 1964 and 1969, the Reliance-class cutters were meant to replace the {{convert|125|ft|adj=on}} cutters of the Prohibition era and were the first major cutter replacement project since the {{convert|255|ft|adj=on}} {{sclass|Owasco|cutter|2}}s from World War II.

The 210s (210-foot cutters) received upgrades and modifications (in a program named "Midlife Maintenance Availability" or MMA) during the 1986 through 1990 time period. The "A"-class cutters had their gas turbines removed, and all 210s had their stern transom exhaust systems replaced with a traditional stack. While this modification reduced the size of the flight deck, they were still more than capable of carrying out helicopter operations. Other modifications included enlarging the superstructure area, replacing the main armament, and increasing the fire-fighting capability of the cutters. The modifications cost approximately $20 million per cutter, well above their original cost of about $3.5 million each.

Courageous was decommissioned on 19 September 2001. She was transferred to the government of Sri Lanka on 24 June 2004 as {{Ship|SLNS|Samudura}} (P-621).

Durable was decommissioned on 20 September 2001. In 2003 she was transferred to the Coast Guard of the Colombian Navy as ARC Valle del Cauca (PO-44).

Decisive was decommissioned on 2 March 2023.{{cite press release |author= |title=USCGC Decisive decommissioned after 55 years of service |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3316466/uscgc-decisive-decommissioned-after-55-years-of-service/ |location=Washington DC |publisher=Defense Media Activity |agency=United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security |date=2 March 2023 |access-date=2023-10-01 |archive-date=2023-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204071214/https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3316466/uscgc-decisive-decommissioned-after-55-years-of-service/ |url-status=live }}

Steadfast was decommissioned on 1 February 2024.{{cite press release |author= |title=U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast decommissioned after 56 years of service |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/463246/us-coast-guard-cutter-steadfast-decommissioned-after-56-years-service |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Defense Media Activity |agency=U.S. Department of Defense |date=2024-02-01 |access-date=2024-02-06}}

Dependable was removed from active service and placed in commission, special status on 9 April 2024. Her crew were transferred to other Coast Guard units to help meet the service-wide shortage of enlisted personnel.{{cite press release |author= |title=US Coast Guard Cutter Dependable celebrated for 56 years’ service during heritage recognition ceremony |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/468214/us-coast-guard-cutter-dependable-celebrated-56-years-service-during-heritage-recognition-ceremony |location=Virginia Beach, Virginia, US |publisher=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |agency=United States Coast Guard Atlantic Area |date=2024-04-10 |access-date=2024-04-11 |archive-date=2024-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411015230/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/468214/us-coast-guard-cutter-dependable-celebrated-56-years-service-during-heritage-recognition-ceremony |url-status=live }}

Dauntless was removed from active service and placed in commission, special status on 21 June 2024. As of that date she had served 56 years. She and Steadfast are the only two Coast Guard cutters to have seized one million pounds of marijuana.{{cite press release |author= |title=US Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless celebrated for 56 years’ service during heritage recognition ceremony |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3814233/us-coast-guard-cutter-dauntless-celebrated-for-56-years-service-during-heritage/ |location=Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida |publisher=United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security |date=June 21, 2024 |access-date=June 22, 2024}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category multi |Famous class cutters|Reliance class cutters}}

• {{cite web

|url=http://www.calcote.com/mohawk/synop.htm

|title=A Day in the Life of the Mohawk

|access-date=2012-12-11

}} – HDTV documentary shows the Famous-class cutter patrolling the south coastal region of the United States in February and March 1999.

• {{cite web

|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/wmec-270.htm

|title=Famous Cutter Class 270-Foot Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC)

|publisher=globalsecurity.org

|access-date=2012-12-11

}}

• {{cite web

|url=http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/270wmec.asp

|title=Aircraft, Boats, and Cutters: Cutters / 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) - Famous Cutter Class

|publisher=United States Coast Guard

|access-date=2012-12-11

}}

• {{cite web

|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/wmec-210.htm

|title=Reliance Class 210-Foot Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC)

|publisher=globalsecurity.org

|access-date=2012-12-11

}}

• {{cite web

|url=http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/210wmec.asp

|title=Aircraft, Boats, and Cutters: Cutters / 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) - Reliance Class

|publisher=United States Coast Guard

|access-date=2012-12-11

}}

Image:USCGC Diligence WPC-616 stern.jpg on the original design. Reliance class cutters would have stacks added during future overhauls.]]

{{Famous class cutter}}

{{Reliance class cutter}}