In March the Coast Guard denied my allegations that leaky communications gear aboard its new $650-million National Security Cutter Bertholf would result in further delays to the vessel's acceptance. (Bertholf was originally slated for a late 2007 handover.) In fact, said Rear Admiral Gary Blore, if there were delays, faulty boat-launching equipment would be to blame:
Blore and [Rear Admiral Ronald] Rabago said that although the
Bertholf was preliminarily scheduled for acceptance at the end of
February, the date was pushed back to late April or early May due primarily to problems with launch-and-recovery apparatus and safety equipment, not the [communications] systems. Furthermore, cost projections for the
Bertholf already anticipated acceptance in late April, they said.
Now Blore's singing a different tune, according to AvWeek:
Blore said he was "not optimistic" the [communications] equipment would be certified for classified transmissions by May 1 "but we'll know what the issues are" that must be addressed. If all goes according to plan, the Coast Guard will take possession of the Bertholf by the first week in May, Blore said. The Bertholf* is scheduled to be commissioned a Coast Guard cutter on Aug. 4 and posted to its permanent berth in Alameida, Calif. But Blore noted that additional trials, training and systems testing could take about 22
months before the Bertholf is fully deployed.*
(Photo: Coast Guard)
