Coast Guard to Commission New Cutter

KINGS BAY, Ga. – The Coast Guard will commission the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Sea Dog at a ceremony aboard Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

Rear Adm. Steve Branham, commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, will preside over the time-honored naval tradition, which marks the formal establishment of the new cutter. U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) is scheduled to attend the commissioning along with his wife, Julianne.  Mrs. Chambliss is the ship's sponsor and will also speak during the ceremony.

The crew of the Sea Dog is commanded by Chief Warrant Officer Tyrome Tillett and it has an assigned crew of 10 Coast Guard personnel. The Sea Dog is the 73rd Marine Protector Class patrol boat constructed by Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La. Among many upgrades and uses of advance technology are integrated bridge systems and a stern launched small boat.

The Sea Dog is named for the Navy's USS Sea Dog, a Balboa Class Submarine credited with sinking nine enemy merchant ships during World War II.

The Sea Dog will be joining the cutter Sea Dragon, which was formally commissioned in January 2008. Both Coast Guard cutters are assigned to Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay, which provides dedicated security to the Navy’s submarine fleet as they transit in and out of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.