Overview
The term "cutter" has been used by the United States Coast Guard and its predecessor agencies since 1790 to describe any vessel 65 feet or greater in length with a permanently assigned crew and adequate accommodations for that crew. The word derives from the Revenue Marine's original fleet of swift sailing vessels known as revenue cutters.
Today, the Coast Guard operates a diverse fleet of cutters ranging from 87-foot patrol boats to 418-foot National Security Cutters, performing missions including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, icebreaking, defense readiness, and environmental protection.
Quick Facts
- First Revenue Cutter: USRC Massachusetts (1791)
- Active Cutters Today: Approximately 250 vessels
- Largest Class: Legend-class National Security Cutters (418 ft)
- Oldest Active Cutter: USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB-30)
Current Cutter Classes
| Class | Type | Length | Number in Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legend-class | National Security Cutter (NSC) | 418 ft | 11 |
| Heritage-class | Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) | 360 ft | Under construction |
| Famous-class | Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) | 270 ft | 13 |
| Reliance-class | Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) | 210 ft | 14 |
| Sentinel-class | Fast Response Cutter (FRC) | 154 ft | 50+ |
| Island-class | Patrol Boat (WPB) | 110 ft | Being replaced |
| Marine Protector-class | Patrol Boat (WPB) | 87 ft | 73 |
| Polar-class | Heavy Icebreaker (WAGB) | 399 ft | 1 |
| Juniper-class | Seagoing Buoy Tender (WLB) | 225 ft | 16 |
Hull Classification Symbols
The Coast Guard uses a system of hull classification symbols to identify vessel types:
- WMSL - Maritime Security Cutter, Large (National Security Cutter)
- WMSM - Maritime Security Cutter, Medium (Offshore Patrol Cutter)
- WMEC - Medium Endurance Cutter
- WPC - Patrol Cutter (Fast Response Cutter)
- WPB - Patrol Boat
- WAGB - Icebreaker
- WLB - Seagoing Buoy Tender
- WLM - Coastal Buoy Tender
- WLI - Inland Buoy Tender
- WLIC - Inland Construction Tender
- WLR - River Buoy Tender
- WTGB - Icebreaking Tug
Official References
- U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office - Official USCG history resource
- USCG Cutter Directory - Current active cutter information
- USCG Surface Programs - Acquisition and modernization
- Cutters Named Encyclopedia - Historical cutter naming conventions
- Coast Guard Publication 1 - Official doctrine and capabilities