Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

National Coast Guards and Cutter Fleets glossary

Terms cataloguing national coast guard and border-force fleets: named cutters and patrol vessels, ship classes such as the Island-class and Admirable-class, coast guard air wings and their aircraft and helicopters, and the EEZ surveillance, SAR and customs-patrol roles of services including the USCG, UK Border Force, Indian, Philippine, Italian and Hellenic coast guards.

194 defined terms.

A

Active, HMC: UK Border Force 42-meter customs cutter, sister to Searcher and Seeker, based at Portsmouth for English Channel patrols.
Adak, USCGC (WPB-1333): Island-class patrol boat commissioned 1990, transferred to Bahrain in 2003 as part of PATFORSWA standup.
Admirable-class: Indian Coast Guard fast patrol vessels built by Goa Shipyard, used for EEZ surveillance and anti-piracy along the Arabian Sea.
Aero-Maritime Surveillance Division: Philippine Coast Guard air wing operating BN-2 Islander, Bo-105 and AW109 helicopters out of Sangley Point.
Agusta-Bell AB-412: Twin-engine helicopter used by Italian Guardia Costiera Reparto Volo for SAR from Sarzana-Luni and Catania.
Aigaion: Hellenic Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel of the Aegean-class, built by Elefsis Shipyards and delivered 2003.
Akitsushima-class: Japan Coast Guard large patrol vessel, lead ship PLH-32 Akitsushima commissioned 2013, displaces 6,500 tons with helicopter hangar.
Alameda: Pacific Area headquarters of the United States Coast Guard on Coast Guard Island, California, home to Bertholf, Stratton, Munro, Kimball and Midgett.
Alex Haley, USCGC (WMEC-39): Medium endurance cutter, ex-Navy salvage ship USS Edenton, commissioned by USCG 1999, homeported Kodiak, Alaska.
Almirante Brion-class: Philippine Coast Guard 44-meter patrol vessel built by Tenix Defence Australia, derived from Bay-class.
APMM: Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, established 2005, headquartered Putrajaya.
Aquidneck, USCGC (WPB-1309): Island-class transferred to Georgia in 2002, replaced by Sentinel-class FRCs from 2012 onward.
Argus-class: USCG designation for Heritage-class OPCs, 360-foot, 4,500-ton vessels intended to replace Famous and Reliance medium endurance cutters.
Argus, USCGC (WMSM-915): Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter, lead ship of class, keel laid 2022 at Eastern Shipbuilding Panama City.
Armidale-class: Royal Australian Navy 56.8-meter patrol boat, 14 hulls built by Austal Henderson.
Atlantic Area: USCG operational command headquartered at Portsmouth, Virginia, responsible for east of the Rocky Mountains plus Caribbean and Atlantic.
AW139: Leonardo medium twin helicopter, 6.8 t MTOW, 15 passenger offshore standard.
Azalea, USCGC (WLB-204): Juniper-class seagoing buoy tender commissioned 2000, homeported Astoria, Oregon.

B

Bakamla: Badan Keamanan Laut, Indonesian Maritime Security Agency, established 2014, operates 80-meter KN Pulau Nipah-class OPVs.
Barque Eagle, USCGC (WIX-327): USCG training tall ship, ex-German Horst Wessel, taken as war reparation 1946, homeported New London, Connecticut.
Bay-class (Canadian): Canadian Coast Guard 47.5-foot motor lifeboat, near-identical to USCG Defender.
Bay-class (Philippine): 35-meter Tenix patrol boat delivered under Australian Defence Cooperation Programme, BRP Tubbataha lead ship.
Bear, USCGC (WMEC-901): Lead ship of Famous-class medium endurance cutters, commissioned 1983, homeported Portsmouth, Virginia.
Bertholf, USCGC (WMSL-750): Lead ship of Legend-class National Security Cutter, commissioned 2008, homeported Alameda, California.
Boutwell, USCGC (WHEC-719): Hamilton-class High Endurance Cutter, decommissioned 2016, transferred to Philippine Navy as BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17).
BPOL See: Bundespolizei See, the German Federal Police Maritime, operates Bredstedt, Bad Bramstedt and Bayreuth OPVs in North Sea and Baltic.
BRP Gabriela Silang: Philippine Coast Guard 84-meter offshore patrol vessel built by OCEA France, commissioned 2020.
BRP Melchora Aquino: Philippine Coast Guard 97-meter Kunigami-class OPV built by Mitsubishi Shimonoseki under Japan ODA, commissioned 2022.
BRP Teresa Magbanua: Philippine Coast Guard 97-meter MRRV, sister to Melchora Aquino, central in Second Thomas Shoal incidents 2024.
Buoy Tender: USCG/CG vessel maintaining ATON.

C

Calhoun, USCGC (WMSL-759): Tenth Legend-class National Security Cutter, christened 2022 at Ingalls Pascagoula, commissioned 2024.
Campbell, USCGC (WMEC-909): Famous-class medium endurance cutter commissioned 1988, homeported Kittery, Maine.
Cape-class: Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy 58-meter patrol boat built by Austal, 22 hulls in two batches.
Capitaneria di Porto: Italian Port Authorities Corps, part of Italian Navy but operating under Ministry of Infrastructure, civilian-uniformed Guardia Costiera personnel.
CCG: Canadian Coast Guard, responsible for intervention and wreck management in Canadian waters.
CCG 5901: Zhaotou-class Type 818 cutter of China Coast Guard, displacing 12,000 tons, world's largest coast guard vessel, commissioned 2015.
CGC: Coast Guard Cutter prefix used by USCG for vessels 65 feet and above.
Charles Moulthrope, USCGC (WPC-1141): Sentinel-class FRC homeported Manama, Bahrain, fourth of six PATFORSWA replacements delivered 2021.
Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen: USCG air station Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, operating MH-65 Dolphin and HC-144.
Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod: USCG air station Bourne, Massachusetts, with HC-144 Ocean Sentry and MH-60T Jayhawk.
Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater: Largest USCG air station, operating HC-130J and MH-60T, Florida.
Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City: USCG air station North Carolina, home to HC-130J training and Aviation Logistics Center.
Coast Guard Auxiliary: US Coast Guard volunteer organization founded 1939.
Coast Guard Cutter X-Ray: USCG radio code used by Pacific Strike Team for pollution response.
Coast Guard Investigative Service: Plainclothes federal law enforcement arm of USCG, headquartered Washington, DC.
Coast Guard Yard: USCG industrial facility Baltimore, Maryland, performs depot-level maintenance on cutters since 1899.
Commandant of the Coast Guard: USCG four-star service chief, Admiral Linda Fagan since 2022, first woman to lead a US armed service.
Cospas-Sarsat: International satellite system for 406 MHz distress beacon detection.
CRRC: Combat Rubber Raiding Craft used by USCG Maritime Security Response Teams.

D

Damen Stan Patrol: Dutch-designed patrol vessel series widely operated by coast guards in Vietnam, Mexico, Albania and Saudi Arabia.
Dauntless, USCGC (WMEC-624): Reliance-class medium endurance cutter commissioned 1968, homeported Pensacola, Florida.
Defender-class: USCG 25-foot Response Boat-Small operated by every USCG station, over 400 hulls.
DGCGM: Direction Generale de la Gendarmerie Maritime, France, operates Athos-class patrol boats and supports Marine Nationale.
Diligence, USCGC (WMEC-616): Reliance-class medium endurance cutter commissioned 1964, homeported Pensacola, Florida.
District Seven: USCG Miami-based district covering Florida, Caribbean and West Indies, leads counter-narcotics operations.
Dolphin, MH-65: Twin-engine Eurocopter shipboard helicopter operated by USCG from cutters Bertholf class through Sentinel class.
Dornier 228: Twin-turboprop maritime patrol aircraft operated by Indian Coast Guard, German BPOL See and Netherlands Coast Guard.
Douane: French Customs Surveillance branch (Douane Garde-Cotes), operates Patrouilleur Garde-Cotes (DF-PGC) vessels under Direction Generale des Douanes.

E

Eagle (USCGC): US Coast Guard three masted barque built 1936 at Blohm and Voss Hamburg as Horst Wessel, 90 m length, 1,964 sq m sail area, war reparation 1946, sole active square rigger in US government service.
EEZ Patrol: Exclusive Economic Zone patrol, primary mission of Icelandic Coast Guard (TF-LIF) and Norwegian Kystvakt (Nornen-class).
Eight Districts: USCG organizational structure, Districts 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17 plus Atlantic and Pacific Areas.
Erickson, USCGC (WPC-1131): Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter homeported Ketchikan, Alaska, commissioned 2019.
Escanaba, USCGC (WMEC-907): Famous-class medium endurance cutter homeported Boston, Massachusetts.

F

Famous-class: USCG 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter, 13 hulls Bear through Mohawk, commissioned 1983-1991.
Fincantieri: Italian shipbuilder, prime contractor for FREMM and Constellation.
First District: USCG district headquartered Boston, covering New England states.
Forward, USCGC (WMEC-911): Famous-class medium endurance cutter homeported Portsmouth, Virginia.
Founders Day: USCG observance of August 4, marking the 1790 Revenue Cutter Service establishment by Alexander Hamilton.
FRC: Fast Response Cutter, USCG Sentinel-class designation WPC, 154 feet, 64 hulls planned.
FSB: Russian Federal Security Service; the FSB Border Service Coast Guard Directorate operates Okean-class and Sokzhoy-class vessels.

G

Garde-Cotes: French Coast Guard function spread across Marine Nationale, Gendarmerie Maritime, Affaires Maritimes and Douanes.
Gendarmerie Maritime: French naval/military police with constabulary role.
Great Lakes: USCG Ninth District covers all five Great Lakes, headquartered Cleveland, Ohio.
Guardacostas: Spanish-language term used by Latin American coast guards and by Spain's Servicio Maritimo de la Guardia Civil.
Guardia Costiera: Italian Coast Guard, Corpo delle Capitanerie di Porto, with MRCC Rome.
Guardia di Finanza: Italian Financial Police with significant maritime branch operating Bigliani-class and V-7000 OPVs.

H

Hamilton, USCGC (WMSL-753): Fourth Legend-class National Security Cutter, namesake of Alexander Hamilton, commissioned 2014, homeported Charleston, South Carolina.
Harriet Lane, USCGC (WMEC-903): Famous-class medium endurance cutter, homeported Portsmouth, Virginia.
HC-130J Hercules: USCG long-range surveillance aircraft, 22 airframes operated from Elizabeth City, Clearwater, Sacramento, Kodiak and Barbers Point.
HC-144 Ocean Sentry: USCG medium-range surveillance aircraft based on CASA CN-235, 18 airframes.
HC-27J Spartan: USCG medium-range maritime patrol aircraft, 14 ex-Air Force airframes operated from Sacramento and Elizabeth City.
HCG: Hellenic Coast Guard, the Greek maritime law enforcement and SAR service.
Heritage-class: USCG Offshore Patrol Cutter program, lead ship Argus WMSM-915, 25 hulls planned.
Hero-class: Canadian Coast Guard mid-shore patrol vessel built by Halifax Shipyard, nine hulls commissioned 2012-2014.
HMC: His Majesty's Cutter, prefix for UK Border Force vessels.

I

Icebreaker: Vessel designed to navigate ice-covered waters.
ICG: Indian Coast Guard, established 1978, operating MRCCs at Mumbai, Chennai and Port Blair.
International Ice Patrol: See IIP.
Island-class: USCG 110-foot patrol boat, 49 hulls Farallon through Sapelo built 1986-1992, retired by 2024 and replaced by Sentinel-class.

J

James, USCGC (WMSL-754): Fifth Legend-class National Security Cutter, commissioned 2015, homeported Charleston, South Carolina.
Japan Coast Guard: JCG, the agency under which JHOD operates.
Jayhawk, MH-60T: USCG medium-range recovery helicopter, 45 airframes upgraded from MH-60J standard.
Joint Interagency Task Force South: Key West-based JIATF-S coordinates USCG, US Navy and partner-nation coast guards in counter-drug operations.

K

Keeper-class: USCG WLM 175-foot coastal buoy tender, 14 hulls commissioned 1996-2000.
Kimball, USCGC (WMSL-756): Seventh Legend-class National Security Cutter, commissioned 2019, homeported Honolulu, Hawaii.
Kodiak: USCG Base Kodiak, Alaska, supports HC-130J, MH-60T and cutters Alex Haley and Munro forward deployments.
Korea Coast Guard: South Korean KCG, established 1953, dissolved 2014, reestablished 2017, headquartered Incheon.
Kunigami-class: Japan Coast Guard PL 97-meter patrol vessel, 10 hulls built by Mitsubishi Shimonoseki, also exported to Philippines.
Kystvakten: Norwegian Coast Guard branch of Royal Norwegian Navy, operates Nordkapp-class, Barentshav-class, Nornen-class and Svalbard-class.

L

Legare, USCGC (WMEC-912): Famous-class medium endurance cutter homeported Portsmouth, Virginia.
Legend-class: USCG 418-foot National Security Cutter, 11 hulls built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Pascagoula, Mississippi.

M

Manning, USCGC (WMEC-919): Famous-class medium endurance cutter, homeported Portsmouth, Virginia.
Marechaussee: See Royal Marechaussee Maritime.
Maritime Safety and Security Team: USCG MSST counter-terror unit, 11 teams 91101-91114 nationwide.
Maritime Security Response Team: USCG MSRT-East at Chesapeake, Virginia and MSRT-West at San Diego, California, tier-1 counter-terror.
Mellon, USCGC (WHEC-717): Hamilton-class WHEC decommissioned 2020, last of class to retire.
MH-60T: USCG Jayhawk medium-range helicopter.
MH-65E: Latest Dolphin variant featuring digital glass cockpit upgrade in service since 2017.
Midgett, USCGC (WMSL-757): Eighth Legend-class National Security Cutter, commissioned 2019, homeported Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mizuho-class: Japan Coast Guard PLH-21 patrol vessel with helicopter hangar, 5,300 tons, commissioned 1986.
Mohawk, USCGC (WMEC-913): Last Famous-class medium endurance cutter, commissioned 1991, homeported Key West, Florida.
Munro, USCGC (WMSL-755): Sixth Legend-class National Security Cutter, commissioned 2017, homeported Alameda, California.

N

NACGF: North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum, founded 2007, includes USCG, Canadian CCG, French Garde-Cotes, Icelandic LHG and Norwegian Kystvakt.
National Security Cutter: USCG 4,500-ton flagship class, Legend-class, 418 feet, 28-knot speed, MH-60T capable hangar.
National Strike Force: USCG environmental response unit with strike teams Atlantic (Fort Dix), Gulf (Mobile) and Pacific (Novato).
Nordkapp-class: Norwegian Kystvakt 3,200-ton outer Coast Guard vessel, three hulls KV Nordkapp, KV Senja, KV Andenes commissioned 1981-1982.
Nornen-class: Norwegian Kystvakt 47-meter inner coast guard vessel, five hulls built by Myklebust Verft 2007-2009.
NSC: National Security Cutter abbreviation, see Legend-class.

O

OCEA FPB 98: Patrol boat design used by Philippine BRP Gabriela Silang and Algerian Garde-Cotes.
Offshore Patrol Cutter: USCG OPC program designation WMSM, Heritage-class, see Argus.
OPV-A: Indian Coast Guard Sankalp-class advanced offshore patrol vessel, lead ship ICGS Sankalp built by Goa Shipyard 2012.
OPV-B: Indian Coast Guard Vikram-class, lead ship ICGS Vikram, built by L and T Kattupalli 2017.

P

Pacific Area: USCG operational command headquartered Alameda, California.
Pacific Strike Team: USCG NSF unit at Novato, California, hazmat and oil spill response.
PATFORSWA: Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, USCG forward-deployed task force in Manama, Bahrain, six Sentinel-class FRCs.
PCG: Philippine Coast Guard, established 1901, separated from Navy 1998, under Department of Transportation.
PCG MRRV-4401: Parola-class multi-role response vessel, lead ship of 10 Japanese-built 44-meter MRRVs.
PLH: Japan Coast Guard hull prefix for Patrol Vessel Large with Helicopter, including PLH-31 Shikishima.
Polar Sentinel: Lead ship of USCG Polar Security Cutter program, under construction at Bollinger Mississippi, expected delivery 2027.
Polar Star, USCGC (WAGB-10): Heavy icebreaker commissioned 1976, currently sole US heavy icebreaker, Operation Deep Freeze McMurdo resupply.
Police Coast Guard: Singapore Police Coast Guard, founded 1866 as Marine Police, headquartered Pulau Brani.
Port Security Unit: USCG Reserve harbor defense unit, PSU 305 Fort Eustis, PSU 307 Clearwater, PSU 308 Gulfport, PSU 309 Port Clinton, PSU 311 San Pedro, PSU 312 San Francisco, PSU 313 Tacoma.
Portsmouth: English Hampshire port hosting Brittany Ferries, DFDS, and Condor Ferries to France, Spain, and the Channel Islands.

Q

Quebec: Canadian Coast Guard Quebec Region headquartered Quebec City, operates CCGS Amundsen icebreaker.

R

RB-M: USCG 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, 174 built by Kvichak/Marinette, replacing 41-foot UTB.
RB-S: USCG 25-foot Response Boat-Small Defender-class.
Reliance-class: USCG 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter, 16 hulls commissioned 1964-1969.
Reparto Volo: Italian Guardia Costiera air component operating ATR-42MP, P-72A, AB-412 and AW139.
Revenue Cutter Service: Predecessor of USCG, established 1790 by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, merged with US Life-Saving Service 1915.
Richard Etheridge, USCGC (WPC-1102): First Sentinel-class FRC, commissioned 2012, homeported Miami Beach, Florida.
Roosevelt, USCGC (WMSL-758): Ninth Legend-class National Security Cutter, commissioned 2021, homeported North Charleston, South Carolina.
Royal Marechaussee Maritime: Dutch Koninklijke Marechaussee district handling maritime border police along Wadden Sea.
Russian Federal Border Service: FSB Border Service Coast Guard Directorate operates over 200 patrol vessels.

S

Salvamento Maritimo: Spanish maritime SAR agency SASEMAR.
Sankalp-class: Indian Coast Guard 105-meter offshore patrol vessel, lead ship ICGS Sankalp commissioned 2012 by Goa Shipyard.
Searcher, HMC: UK Border Force 42-meter Damen Stan 4207 cutter, commissioned 2002, homeported Portsmouth.
Seeker, HMC: UK Border Force 42-meter Damen Stan 4207 cutter, commissioned 2003, homeported Portsmouth.
Sentinel-class: USCG 154-foot Fast Response Cutter built by Bollinger Lockport, Louisiana, 64 hulls planned.
Shikishima, JCG (PLH-31): Japan Coast Guard 6,500-ton patrol vessel commissioned 1992, built for plutonium-shipment escort.
Spencer, USCGC (WMEC-905): Famous-class medium endurance cutter homeported Boston, Massachusetts.
Stratton, USCGC (WMSL-752): Third Legend-class National Security Cutter, commissioned 2012, homeported Alameda, California, named for Captain Dorothy C. Stratton.
Svalbard, KV (W-303): Norwegian Kystvakt icebreaker-OPV commissioned 2002, basis for Canadian CCGS Harry DeWolf design.

T

Tahoma, USCGC (WMEC-908): Famous-class medium endurance cutter homeported Kittery, Maine.
TCSG: Turkish Coast Guard, Sahil Guvenlik Komutanligi, established 1859, headquartered Ankara, operates 130 vessels.
TCSG Dost: Turkish Coast Guard 99-meter SAR vessel, built by RMK Marine, commissioned 2013.
Thirteenth District: USCG district headquartered Seattle, Washington, covering Pacific Northwest.
Tornado-class: A historical Royal Navy minesweeping motor launch class.
Type 718-class: China Coast Guard 600-ton patrol vessel.
Type 818-class: See Zhaotou-class.

U

UK Border Force: UK Home Office maritime command, established 2012, operates HMC Searcher, HMC Seeker, HMC Vigilant, HMC Valiant, HMC Active and HMC Protector.
United States Coast Guard: USCG, enforces SOLAS and IMDG in US ports through 33 CFR and 46 CFR.
USCG District 1: Boston, Massachusetts, covering New England.
USCG District 11: Alameda, California, covering California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.
USCG District 13: Seattle, Washington, covering Pacific Northwest.
USCG District 14: Honolulu, Hawaii, covering Pacific Islands.
USCG District 17: Juneau, Alaska, covering Alaska region.
USCG District 5: Portsmouth, Virginia, covering Mid-Atlantic.
USCG District 7: Miami, Florida, covering Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and USVI.
USCG District 8: New Orleans, Louisiana, covering Gulf Coast and inland rivers.
USCG District 9: Cleveland, Ohio, covering Great Lakes.
USCGC: United States Coast Guard Cutter prefix.

V

Vajra-class: Indian Coast Guard 98-meter offshore patrol vessel built by Larsen and Toubro, six hulls commissioned 2017-2023, lead ship ICGS Vajra.
Valiant, HMC: UK Border Force 42-meter Damen Stan 4207 cutter, commissioned 2004.
Vigilant, HMC: UK Border Force 42-meter Damen Stan 4207 cutter, commissioned 2003, homeported Portsmouth.
Vigraha-class: Indian Coast Guard 98-meter OPV built by Goa Shipyard, lead ship ICGS Vigraha commissioned 2021.
Vikram-class: Indian Coast Guard 97-meter OPV built by L and T Kattupalli, seven hulls commissioned 2017-2024.

W

Waesche, USCGC (WMSL-751): Second Legend-class National Security Cutter, commissioned 2010, homeported Alameda, California.
WAGB: USCG hull classification for icebreakers, including Polar Star (WAGB-10) and Healy (WAGB-20).
WHEC: USCG hull classification for High Endurance Cutter, Hamilton-class retired 2020.
WLB: USCG hull classification for seagoing buoy tender, Juniper-class.
WLBB: USCG hull classification for buoy-tender icebreaker, Mackinaw (WLBB-30).
WLM: USCG hull classification for coastal buoy tender, Keeper-class.
WMEC: USCG hull classification for Medium Endurance Cutter, Famous and Reliance classes.
WMSL: USCG hull classification for Maritime Security Cutter Large, Legend-class.
WMSM: USCG hull classification for Maritime Security Cutter Medium, Heritage-class.
WPB: USCG hull classification for Patrol Boat (Coastal), Island-class.
WPC: USCG hull classification for Patrol Craft, Sentinel-class FRC.

X

X-band radar: 9.4 GHz band marine radar.
Xian Y-8MPA: China Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft based on Antonov An-12, operating from Sanya.

Y

Yacumo-class: Argentine Naval Prefecture (Prefectura Naval Argentina) 30-meter coastal patrol craft built by Tandanor.
Yaeyama: Japan Coast Guard regional headquarters Okinawa, frontline for Senkaku Islands contingencies.

Z

Zhaotou-class: China Coast Guard 12,000-ton Type 818 cutter, two hulls CCG 2901 and CCG 3901 commissioned 2015-2017, world's largest coast guard vessels.
Zhuhai: China Coast Guard South Sea regional command headquarters in Guangdong.
Zubr-class: Russian air-cushioned landing craft sometimes operated by FSB Border Service in Black Sea.