USCG transfers decommissioned cutter to Sri Lanka

The US Coast Guard (USCG) transferred the decommissioned high endurance cutter, the former USCG Sherman, to the Sri Lankan Navy at a ceremony in Honolulu on 27 August.

The delivery also marks the ninth transfer under the Office of International Acquisition’s Excess Defense Articles cutter transfer programme.

The USCG, through its foreign military sales programme, is also providing $12 million in equipment, technical assistance and overhaul work. This includes one small boat, various spares and tools and a maintenance, upgrade and training period in Honolulu, including a centre section overhaul and a generator overhaul before the ship departs for Sri Lanka in February 2019.

The high endurance cutters are being replaced in coast guard service by the national security cutters, six of which are already in service.

Each high endurance cutter transfer helps the service avoid approximately $12 million in disposal costs.