Largest ship in US Coast Guard fleet reaches Chennai

CHENNAI: The United States Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (USCGC Midgett), the largest and most technologically advanced of the US Coast Guard’s newest classes of cutter, reached Chennai for a four-day port visit, during which the officers would hold bilateral in-port and at-sea professional exchanges, sharing expertise and best practices in exercises in Coast Guard missions.

Welcoming it, US Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin said USCGC Midgett’s visit “will further strengthen our bond towards a shared vision of a free and secure Indo-Pacific”.

“As we spend the next four days with our Indian Coast Guard partners, we will work to advance our capabilities and interoperability through meaningful human interactions with our likeminded partners who share similar values and a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” added Captain Willie Carmichael who is commanding the ship.

A Hawaii-based Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC), USCGC Midgett is the centerpiece of US Coast Guard’s fleet, capable of supporting maritime homeland security and defence missions. It is named after Rear Admiral John Allen Midgett, who was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal, the country’s highest award for saving a life, for rescuing 42 crewmen from a torpedoed British tanker in 1918.

There are 23 officers and 120 sailors on board the 418 feet cutter, said the US consulate in a statement on Friday.