Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis ends 40-year career

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Lt. Lauren Dufrene represents members of the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, during a ceremony honoring the cutter’s 40-years of service on Oct. 2, 2012. On Aug. 4, 1972, the Jarvis became the first Coast Guard cutter to be commissioned in Hawaii and has since conducted numerous law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security, humanitarian and fisheries enforcement missions. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric J. Chandler.

REPORT FROM THE US COAST GUARD – The Coast Guard Cutter Jarvisa 378-foot high endurance cutter homeported in Honolulu, was honored at a ceremony commemorating 40-years of service Tuesday.

Senior Coast Guard officials, former members of the crew and families gathered to recognize the cutter’s four decades of accomplishments. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area.

“Eighty percent of the world’s population lives on the coast,” said Zukunft, explaining the importance of a strong cutter fleet. “Close to 95 percent of our commerce travels by sea.”

“The magic that has kept these ships deploying for four decades of service is no magic at all,” said Capt. Richard L. Mourey, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis. “Successful deployments can be measured in the sweat pouring from the hard working crews.”

Jarvis held the distinction of being the first cutter to be commissioned in Hawaii, and has called Honolulu home since being commissioned Aug. 4, 1972.  The cutter is named after Capt. David H. Jarvis, who led an expedition to rescue 300 whalers stranded off Barrow Point, Alaska in 1897.

“Whether it was boarding foreign vessels in the rough Bering Sea for fisheries enforcement or patrolling the calmer waters of the Southern Pacific Ocean to protect our environmental assets, the mission we inherited from those who came before us is continued to this day by the present crew of the Jarvis,” said Josh Copley, Coast Guard veteran and former Jarvis crew member.

High endurance cutters such as the Jarvis have been in service since the 1960s, and are in the process of being replaced by the Coast Guard’s largest and most technologically advanced 418-foot national security cutters.

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  1. My father was Chief Petty Officer, John Daniel Valerga. We were stationed in Honolulu during 1972 – 73 while my Dad served on the Jarvis. (Red Hill) I have fond memories of eating dinner on board when he had duty. The family boat ride around the island was great fun. My Dad passed away at the age of 58. He would have enjoyed the ceremony. Thanks for the memories!

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