SEATTLE — The Coast Guard Cutter Sea Fox was commissioned into service at Naval Base Kitsap-Keyport, Wash., 2 p.m., Sept. 18.
Rear Adm. Gary Blore, commander, 13th Coast Guard District, presided over the commissioning ceremony. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles Bowen provided the keynote speech accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Janet Bowen, the ship's official sponsor. By tradition, the sponsor is a civilian woman with close ties to the service. She is invited to bestow good luck and divine protection over the ship and all that sail aboard. The sponsor also gives part of her own personality to the ship and becomes a permanent member of the crew.
Sea Fox is an 87-foot coastal patrol boat commanded by Chief Warrant Officer Michael Lemay. It has an assigned crew of 10 and is one of the new, innovative Marine Protector classes constructed by Bollinger Ship Yards of Lockport, La. Among many upgrades and new advanced technology are integrated bridge systems and a stern launched small boat.
Sea Fox will be joining the cutter Sea Devil, which was formally commissioned in June 2008. Both Coast Guard cutters are assigned to Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor, Wash., providing dedicated security to the Navy's submarine fleet as they transit to and from homeport.
The newest addition to the Coast Guard fleet is named after the United States Submarine Sea Fox, a diesel-electric submarine of the Baleao Class, which was decommissioned Dec. 14, 1970.