The US Coast Guard has successfully completed a comprehensive 20-month service life extension for its fifth Famous-class cutter, the USCGC Spencer (WMEC-905). This extensive overhaul was carried out under the In-Service Vessel Sustainment program, which is designed to address the growing obsolescence of the Coast Guard’s surface fleet through systematic evaluations of each class of vessel.
Spanning 39 years of service, the USCGC Spencer’s upgrades were crucial to enhancing its “readiness, reliability, and maintenance costs,” ensuring that the vessel continues to meet the demanding missions set by the Coast Guard. The overhaul process included significant enhancements and replacements of key components, such as electrical power generation and distribution systems, the armament, and the main diesel propulsion engines.
Kenneth King, the Program Manager for the In-Service Vessel Sustainment program, emphasized the importance of these cutters, stating, “These cutters have been essential for Coast Guard operations for over four decades, conducting missions from drug interdiction and fisheries enforcement to search and rescue.” He added that investing in the sustainment of older vessels is critical to maintaining their operational relevance and capability until their successors are fully operational.
The USCGC Spencer is equipped to patrol the Atlantic Ocean, ready for various missions, and supports an MH-65 helicopter aboard. With this recent completion, the Spencer stands as the first among six Famous-class patrol boats slated for life extension under the Coast Guard’s broader fleet-wide initiative.
Looking to the future, work is scheduled for the remaining vessels in this class—the Escanaba (WMEC-907), Tahoma (WMEC-908), Campbell (WMEC-909), Forward (WMEC-911), and Legare (WMEC-912)—with expected completion by the 2030s. Notably, while the Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) and Seneca (WMEC-906) served as prototypes showcasing the necessary electrical and structural designs, they did not receive new engines during their service life extension.
The Famous-class patrol vessels measure 270 feet (82 meters) and are designed to accommodate up to 100 personnel. They can carry medium-sized maritime helicopters, such as the HH-65 Dolphin or HH-60J Jayhawk. These vessels are powered by twin Alco V18 engines, twin Caterpillar V12 diesel generators, and incorporate twin controllable pitch propellers, enabling sustained missions of more than six weeks in both Atlantic and Pacific waters. With capabilities to reach speeds of up to 20 knots (approximately 23 miles or 37 kilometers per hour) and a range of 9,900 nautical miles (about 18,335 kilometers or 11,393 miles), the Famous-class cutters remain essential assets in the Coast Guard’s enduring commitment to maritime security and safety.
