Security

Faulty Cutter: Only 2,816 Dings

The Coast Guard’s year-late, over-budget National Security Cutter Bertholf — the ship with the notorious leaky network — has been inspected by the Navy’s hard-ass "INSURV" board. They found only 2,816 problems (aka, "trial cards"), which the Coast Guard says WAS EXPECTED FOR A FIRST IN CLASS SHIP. A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THOSE CARDS WERE […]

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The Coast Guard's year-late, over-budget National Security Cutter *Bertholf *-- the ship with the notorious leaky network -- has been inspected by the Navy's hard-ass "INSURV" board. They found only 2,816 problems (aka, "trial cards"), which the Coast Guard says

WAS EXPECTED FOR A FIRST IN CLASS SHIP. A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THOSE CARDS WERE WRITTEN BY COAST GUARD PROJECT MANAGERS, PMRO, AND TECHNICAL AUTHORITIES DURING PREVIOUS TRIALS AND OTHER INSPECTIONS. THE U.S. NAVY HAS TRADITIONALLY SEEN 6,000-16,000 TRIAL CARDS WRITTEN DURING ACCEPTANCE TRIALS.

Alongside the 2,800 faults, INSURV has ID'ed eight "starred deficiencies" that do not include the communications system, which is so badly designed that it might never be certified to handle classified data. Whistleblower Mike DeKort says he believes the Coast Guard is trying to talk around the comms problems, ultimately waiving them like it did flaws aboard the old botched 123-foot patrol boats.

On the plus side, a lack of secure comms means the Coast Guard might have to give up some of its ambitions to become a "Navy lite" with overseas security missions. That means Coasties can get back to basics: rescuing people, securing ports and inspecting cargo.

(Photo: Coast Guard)