The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter John Patterson (WPC-1153) arrived this morning after a transit from Key West. The newly built Fast Response Cutter has been accepted by the Coast Guard and will be one of six new FRCs homeported in Boston! 🍀
CGC John Patterson joins CGC Maurice Jester (WPC-1152), CGC Warren Deyampert (WPC-1151), and CGC William Chadwick (WPC-1150), which have already been commissioned and are currently operating within the First District.
The Sentinel-class FRC is a multi-mission platform that conducts port, waterway, and coastal security patrols, fishery patrols, search and rescue missions, national defense missions, and drug and migrant interdiction.
Born in Howell, New Jersey, John Patterson joined the U.S. Life Saving Service in 1870 after fighting for the Union in the Civil War. Patterson signed on as a surfman and served at Station Sandy Hook, NJ, and Station Shark River, NJ. In 1883, Patterson became the station keeper of Shark River, where he led a heroic rescue of a yacht in distress during heavy seas. Patterson and his crew were able to launch a surfboat and get close enough to the other vessel to recover the survivors and return them to land. Patterson was awarded the Gold Life Saving Medal for his determination and valor.