USCGCPoint Swift (WPB-82312) was an 82-foot (25 m)Point-class cutter constructed at theCoast Guard Yard atCurtis Bay, Baltimore in 1961 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat. Since the Coast Guard policy in 1961 was not to namecutters under 100 feet (30 m) in length, it was designated asWPB-82312 when commissioned and acquired the namePoint Swift in January 1964 when the Coast Guard started naming all cutters longer than 65 feet (20 m).[2][4]
Point Swift was built to accommodate an 8-man crew.[5] She was powered by two 600 hp (447 kW) VT600Cummins diesel main drive engines and had two five-bladed 42 in (1.1 m) propellers. The main drive engines were later replaced by 800 hp (597 kW) VT800 Cummins engines. Water tank capacity was 1,550 U.S. gallons (5,900 L) and fuel tank capacity was 1,840 U.S. gallons (7,000 L) at 95% full.[2][5] After 1990 she was refit with 800 hp (597 kW)Caterpillar diesel main drive engines.[2] Engine exhaust was ported through the transom rather than through a conventional stack and this permitted a 360-degree view from the bridge; a feature that was very useful in search and rescue work as well as a combat environment.[6]
The design specifications forPoint Swift included a steel hull for durability and an aluminum superstructure and longitudinally framed construction was used to save weight. Ease of operation with a small crew size was possible because of the non-manned main drive engine spaces. Controls and alarms located on thebridge allowed one man operation of the cutter thus eliminating a live engineerwatch in the engine room.[6] Because of design, four men could operate the cutter; however, the need for resting watchstanders brought the crew size to eight men for normal domestic service.[6] Thescrews were designed for ease of replacement and could be changed without removing the cutter from the water. A clutch-in idle speed of three knots helped to conserve fuel on lengthy patrols and an eighteen knot maximum speed could get the cutter on scene quickly.[7] Air-conditioned interior spaces were a part of the original design for the Point class cutter. Interior access to the deckhouse was through awatertight door on thestarboard side aft of thedeckhouse. The deckhouse contained the cabin for the officer-in-charge and the executive petty officer.[7] The deckhouse also included a small arms locker,scuttlebutt, a small desk andhead. Access to the lower deck and engine room was down a ladder. At the bottom of the ladder was thegalley,mess and recreation deck. A watertight door at the front of the messbulkhead led to the main crew quarters which was ten feet long and included six bunks that could be stowed, three bunks on each side. Forward of the bunks was the crew's head complete with a compact sink, shower and commode.[7]
After delivery in 1961,Point Swift was assigned a homeport ofSt. Petersburg, Florida, where she served as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat.[2] On 22 June 1965 she provided firefighting assistance to the burning Irish MVIrish Poplar. On 11 September 1965 she assisted in the tow of disabled FVCarousel west ofTampa, Florida.Point Swift escorted the distressed FVMistress toClearwater, Florida on 19 November 1967. On 7 January 1968 she escorted the distressed Liberian MVPochteca to Tampa Bay. On 21 September 1968, she rescued three from the pleasure craftBlue Star 30 miles south ofAnclote Key,Florida. On 12 November she rescued two and salvaged equipment from MVMystery II 40 miles west of St. Petersburg.[2][8]
From 1969 to 1994 she was homeported atClearwater Beach, Florida. On 4 February 1970, she stood by anchored barges that had been released by a tug due to steering problems. On 31 May 1987,Point Swift towed one of her sister ships, the disabled cutterPoint Steele 80 mi (130 km) west of St. Petersburg to that port.[2][8]
On March 30, 1995Point Swift was decommissioned and stored at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland. She was ultimately sunk as anartificial reef offCape May, New Jersey 30 March 2000.[3]
United States
