US Coast Guard has commissioned USCGC Harold Miller WPC-1138 Sentinel-class fast response cutter.

According to information released by the U.S. Coast Guard on July 15, 2020, U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Cutter Harold Miller was commissioned at Sector Field Office Galveston, Texas, July 15, 2020. The crew of the Harold Miller will have a patrol area encompassing 900 miles of coastline for the Coast Guard’s Eighth District, from Carrabelle, Florida, to Brownsville, Texas.
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The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harold Miller man the ship and bring her to life during the commissioning ceremony at Sector Field Office Galveston, Texas, July 15, 2020. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

The USCGC Harold Miller (WPC-1138) is the United States Coast Guard's 38th Sentinel-class cutter. She was built in the Bollinger Shipyards, in Lockport, Louisiana. The ship is designed to perform search and rescue missions, port security, and the interception of smugglers.

The Harold Miller cutter is armed with a remotely-controlled, gyro-stabilized 25 mm autocannon, four crew served M2 Browning machine guns, and light arms. She is equipped with a stern launching ramp, that allows her to launch or retrieve a water-jet propelled high-speed auxiliary boat, without first coming to a stop. Her high-speed boat has over-the-horizon capability, and is useful for inspecting other vessels, and deploying boarding parties.

The Sentinel-class cutter, also known as Fast Response Cutter due to its program name, is part of the United States Coast Guard's Deepwater program.

The Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC) is able to conduct multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense.

In September 2008, the USCG signed an $88m production contract with Bollinger Shipyards for the lead FRC, Webber. The U.S. Coast Guard has ordered 56 FRCs to date and plans to acquire a domestic fleet of 58 FRCs to replace the 1980s-era Island-class 110-foot patrol boats.

The Sentinel Class is powered by two 20-cylinder MTU engines developing a total power output of 4,300 kW. The bow thruster will deliver 75 kW power. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of over 28 kt.