“We’re up to the task. I think 87s in particular are the perfect ship for Alaska,” Alletzhauser said in an interview aboard the cutter. “It’s got everything that you need and nothing that you don’t.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The 87-foot vessel, which has several days of cruising endurance and a crew of 11, will fill the gap between the 45-foot response boats-medium and the larger vessels designated for offshore operations, Alletzhauser said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/a>The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark engineering petty officer Chief Petty Officer Anthony Horine points out the cutter’s dual engines in the engineering spaces.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
“It’s a perfect cutter for coastal sailing. We’ve got a little more legs than a 45,” Alletzhauser said. “It’s a small package but it’s got a lot of teeth.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The bridge is designed to be operated by a minimal crew, Alletzhauser said, playing to the ship’s maneuverability and responsiveness on the helm.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“When you’re learning to drive on a big white boat, you have to think a couple steps ahead,” Alletzhauser said. “It’s ultra-maneuverable. If we need to get up to some nook or cranny, the draft is about five feet.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
That maneuverability will serve well in the Southeast, with its rugged coastal features and powerful currents, Alletzhauser said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“We could do figure-eights in this harbor and be completely safe,” Alletzhauser said. “It’s going to be super beneficial in this (area of responsibility.)”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/a>Lt. j.g. Kane Alletzhauser, commanding officer of the U.S. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark, gestures at the bridge equipment aboard the patrol vessel on June 29, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett \/ Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The Reef Shark and its crew will support Sector Juneau in any role necessary, Alletzhauser said, but will likely focus primarily on two missions.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“We’ll be doing a lot of Living Marine Resources — fisheries enforcement,” Alletzhauser said. LMR and (Search and Rescue) are our two primary missions.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The Reef Shark is also designed to be able to launch its small boat from a stern ramp, which is safer and faster than a cradle arrangement like the Liberty had, Alletzhauser said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Reef Shark was formerly stationed in Puerto Rico, and sailed up to Alaska with her crew from Coast Guard District 7 before Alletzhauser took command as the crew is being completely replaced. The voyage took several months to prepare, including taking on cold-weather gear, and was a distance of nearly 6,500 miles, Alletzhauser said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“She’s in great shape for doing that,” Alletzhauser said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t