ASTORIA, OR -- The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned a new Fast Response Cutter, stationed in Astoria. The “David Duren” is the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

It replaces previous cutters, built in the 1980s, that were around 110' long. "This one is 154’ long, with an average crew of about 20-24 people. They have a little bit longer endurance, but they also have the strength and the speed, overall, to get out faster," says USCG Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier. It's also outfitted with the latest tech, "The newest technologically advanced ship in the Coast Guard’s fleet. It can do things quicker and more efficiently than cutters in the past that were stationed here." Strohmaier adds, "It’s going to enable them to look further out, see different contacts, use different radios. There’s a whole slew of technological advancements since the cutters that were previously out here." 

The Coast Guard recently decommissioned two older vessels in Astoria, making room for the David Durn, and eventually two more. "Not only did the housing and area have availability for Coast Guard members to move in, but it’s a great logistics port and centrally located throughout the Pacific Northwest." Strohmaier says Astoria is an ideal location for the new vessel, "Because they’ll be patrolling Oregon and the coasts of Oregon, and then as well Washington and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound." He tells the Oregon Radio News Network, "This cutter can go up the Columbia River as needed, as well."

Primarily, the new Fast Response Cutter will be used for fishery patrols, coastal and port security, and drug investigations. But it can also respond to search and rescue missions, "They have obviously a better fuel range than our small boat station. So, if there’s a disabled vessel or an overturned vessel, or somebody that’s in a life raft that's over 100 miles or more offshore, this could be an asset to use."

It’s the 56th fast response cutter in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet. The others are stationed in Alaska, California, along the east coast, and internationally in Guam and Bahrain. A total of 65 are being built. 

Coast Guard Cutter David Duren (WPC 1156) transits near the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse as it enters the Columbia River near Astoria, Ore., for the first time on May 20, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)