USCGC Point Glass

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History
Flag of the United States Coast Guard.svgUnited States
NameUSCGC Point Glass (WPB-82336)
NamesakePoint Glass, Tongass National Forest, Alaska
OwnerUnited States Coast Guard
BuilderCoast Guard Yard, Curtis Bay, Maryland
Commissioned29 August 1962 [1]
Decommissioned3 April 2000 [2]
Identification
FateTransferred to NOAA
General characteristics
TypePatrol Boat (WPB)
Displacement60 tons
Length82 ft 10 in (25.25 m)
Beam17 ft 7 in (5.36 m) max
Draft5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Propulsion
Speed22.9 knots (42.4  km/h; 26.4  mph)
Range
  • 542 nmi (1,004 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph)
  • 1,500 nmi (2,800 km) at 9.4 kn (17.4 km/h; 10.8 mph)
ComplementDomestic service : 8 men
Armament1962 • 1 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannon

USCGC Point Glass (WPB-82336) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1962 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1962 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82336 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Glass in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m). [2] [3]

Contents

Construction and design details

Point Glass was built to accommodate an 8-man crew. [4] She was powered by two 800 hp (597 kW) VT800 Cummins diesel main drive engines and had two five-bladed 42 in (1.1 m) propellers. Water tank capacity was 1,550 U.S. gallons (5,900 L) and fuel tank capacity was 1,840 U.S. gallons (7,000 L) at 95% full. [2] [4] After 1990 she was refit with 800 hp (597 kW) Caterpillar diesel main drive engines. [2] Engine exhaust was ported through the transom rather than through a conventional stack and this permitted a 360-degree view from the bridge; a feature that was very useful in search and rescue work as well as a combat environment. [5]

The design specifications for Point Glass included a steel hull for durability and an aluminum superstructure and longitudinally framed construction was used to save weight. Ease of operation with a small crew size was possible because of the non-manned main drive engine spaces. Controls and alarms located on the bridge allowed one man operation of the cutter thus eliminating a live engineer watch in the engine room. [5] Because of design, four men could operate the cutter; however, the need for resting watchstanders brought the crew size to eight men for normal domestic service. [5] The screws were designed for ease of replacement and could be changed without removing the cutter from the water. A clutch-in idle speed of three knots helped to conserve fuel on lengthy patrols and an eighteen knot maximum speed could get the cutter on scene quickly. [6] Air-conditioned interior spaces were a part of the original design for the Point class cutter. Interior access to the deckhouse was through a watertight door on the starboard side aft of the deckhouse. The deckhouse contained the cabin for the officer-in-charge and the executive petty officer. [6] The deckhouse also included a small arms locker, scuttlebutt, a small desk and head. Access to the lower deck and engine room was down a ladder. At the bottom of the ladder was the galley, mess and recreation deck. A watertight door at the front of the mess bulkhead led to the main crew quarters which was ten feet long and included six bunks that could be stowed, three bunks on each side. Forward of the bunks was the crew's head complete with a compact sink, shower and commode. [6]

History

Point Glass was stationed at Tacoma, Washington, from 1962 to 1970 and was used for law enforcement and search and rescue operations. While moored at Tacoma she was rammed by the Canadian tug Marpole on 26 May 1965 sustaining damage. After 1971 she was homeported at Gig Harbor, Washington. [2] [7]

In 1990 she was transferred to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the morning hours of 17 April 1992 Point Glass assisted the disabled MV G.H. Vanderburgh which was floundering in breaking surf and in danger of grounding on a coral reef six miles southwest of Fowey Rocks Light near Miami, Florida. Point Glass successfully navigated 34 miles through 8–10-foot seas to the distressed vessel and determined that she had crossed over the outer reef line and was about to damage the environmentally sensitive coral reef at Biscayne National Park. After passing a line to G.H. Vanderburgh, she towed her to safety, thereby saving the coral reef from damage and preventing harm to the seven-man crew of the vessel. For these actions, the Point Glass and her crew were awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational Distinguishing Device. [2] In 1998, Point Glass and her crew were awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation with the Operational Distinguishing Device for participating in the Shell Air/Sea show at Fort Lauderdale by being part of the task force enforcing a 3 square mile safety zone near the event and showing the audience a search and rescue demonstration as well as a high speed patrol boat pass. [2]

Point Glass was decommissioned on 3 April 2000 and ownership was transferred to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for use at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary where she served as NOAA Research Vessel Point Glass until sold to Point Glass LLC in 2006. The vessel is now used to support the Sea Scout program, part of the Boy Scouts of America, in order to teach navigation and seamanship skills. [8] [9]

Related Research Articles

USCGC <i>Point Brown</i> United States Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol boat

USCGC Point Brown (WPB-82362) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. at Tacoma, Washington in 1967 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat.

USCGC <i>Point Comfort</i> United States Coast Guard cutter

USCGC Point Comfort (WPB-82317) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100-foot (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82317 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Comfort in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65-foot (20 m).

USCGC Point Garnet (WPB-82310) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100-foot (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82310 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Garnet in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65-foot (20 m).

USCGC Point Glover (WPB-82307) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1960 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1960 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82307 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Glover in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m).

USCGC Point Caution (WPB-82301) was the first 82-foot (25 m) USCG Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland. She was built and commissioned in 1960 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1960 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length it was designated as WPB-82301 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Caution in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65-foot (20 m).

USCGC Point Arden (WPB-82309) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100-foot (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82309 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Caution in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65-foot (20 m).

USCGC Point Dume (WPB-82325) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82325 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Dume in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65-foot (20 m).

USCGC Point Grace (WPB-82323) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100-foot (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82323 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Grace in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65-foot (20 m).

USCGC Point Jefferson (WPB-82306) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1960 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1960 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82306 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Jefferson in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65-foot (20 m).

USCGC <i>Point Kennedy</i> United States Coast Guard cutter

USCGC Point Kennedy (WPB-82320) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100-foot (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82320 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Kennedy in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65-foot (20 m).

USCGC Point Slocum (WPB-82313) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1960 was not to name cutters under 100-foot (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82313 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Slocum in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65-foot (20 m).

USCGC Point Hope (WPB-82302) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1960 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1960 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82302 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Hope in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m).

USCGC Point Swift (WPB-82312) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82312 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Swift in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m).

USCGC Point Herron (WPB-82318) was an 82 ft (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82318 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Herron in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m).

USCGC Point Roberts (WPB-82332) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1962 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82332 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Roberts in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m).

USCGC <i>Point Thatcher</i> United States Coast Guard cutter

USCGC Point Thatcher (WPB-82314) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82314 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Thatcher in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m). Point Thatcher was unique because it was the only cutter that was built in the class that was powered using gas turbine main drive engines.

USCGC Point Ledge (WPB-82334) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland in 1962 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1962 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82334 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Ledge in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m).

GCGV General Mazniashvili (P211) is a 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter used by the Coast Guard of Georgia. The boat was originally known as USCGC Point Baker (WPB-82342), having been constructed at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland, in 1963 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1963 was not to name cutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated as WPB-82342 when commissioned and acquired the name Point Baker in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m). In 2002 the boat was decommissioned and transferred to the Coast Guard of Georgia where she was commissioned as General Mazniashvili (P211), homeported in Batumi, Georgia.

USCGC Point Judith (WPB-82345) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. yards at Tacoma, Washington in 1966 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat.

USCGC Point Franklin (WPB-82350) was an 82-foot (25 m) Point class cutter constructed at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. yards at Tacoma, Washington in 1966 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat.

References

  1. ↑ Scheina, p 70
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 USCGC Point Glass (WPB-82334), U.S. Coast Guard Historians Office
  3. ↑ Scheina, p 72
  4. 1 2 Scheina, p 71
  5. 1 2 3 Scotti, p 165
  6. 1 2 3 Scotti, p 166
  7. ↑ Scheina, p 74
  8. ↑ Point Glass history, Point Glass, LLC website
  9. ↑ NOAA Research Vessel Point Glass (R-8203), Point Glass, LLC website
Bibliography
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