Congratulations to the U.S. Coast Guard on the commissioning of its new fast response cutter, the John McCormick, on a beautiful Wednesday morning at Coast Guard Base Ketchikan.

We’re pleased the Coast Guard is able to upgrade its equipment and deploy fresh designs such as these Sentinel-class cutters that can meet the demands of the Coast Guard’s modern-day mission.

As former host to the cutter Acushnet — which had the Coast Guard’s “Queen of the Fleet” designation as the agency’s oldest cutter before being decommissioned in 2011 — and the buoy tender Planetree, Ketchikan knows the Coast Guard works hard to maximize the lifespan of its vessels. The Island-class, 110-foot patrol boats such as the Ketchikan-based Naushon are another example of the Coast Guard’s skill at extending vessel service life. As a maritime community, we also understand that technology advances. A new vessel with up-to-date design and running gear can bring huge benefits in capability and efficiency. The Coast Guard — and the communities it serves — stand to benefit from these new cutters.

We’re also pleased to see the John McCormick based here in Ketchikan, and we’re equally excited that it soon will be joined here by another fast response cutter, the Bailey Barco.

Ketchikan is proud to be formally recognized as a Coast Guard City, a designation received in 2016 that recognized the longstanding positive relationship between the Coast Guard and the community. In addition to the service provided by the Coast Guard, Coast Guard personnel have long been an integral part of the community itself. We look forward to having the John McCormick and Bailey Barco crew members and families as part of our town.

Wednesday’s commissioning of the John McCormick occurred in especially fine weather, with blue skies and temperatures reaching into the low 60s. We’ll take that as a good sign for the John McCormick’s presence and future here in Ketchikan.

Congratulations again to the Coast Guard.

— Ketchikan Daily News,

April 14