Local News

CG Cutter Kittiwake transits Panama Canal en route to Hawaii

25 years ago CPRManila

Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake, an 87-foot patrol boat and one of the Coast Guard's newest cutters, arrived in the port of Rodman, Panama Wednesday after transiting the Panama Canal. Kittiwake is en route to its final destination of Nawiliwili Harbor on the island of Kauai. Kittiwake will make its final port call on the mainland in San Diego in March before making its way to Hawaii to arrive later this spring.

Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake, an 87-foot patrol boat and one of the Coast Guard’s newest cutters, arrived in the port of Rodman, Panama Wednesday after transiting the Panama Canal. Kittiwake is en route to its final destination of Nawiliwili Harbor on the island of Kauai. Kittiwake will make its final port call on the mainland in San Diego in March before making its way to Hawaii to arrive later this spring.

Kittiwake, a Marine Protector Class patrol boat, is capable of a maximum continuous speed of 25 knots, has advanced navigation and electronics systems, accommodates mixed gender crews. In addition, it has improved crew habitability, better sea handling capabilities, and a safer small-boat launching system than the patrol boat it is replacing, the recently decommissioned 82-foot Cutter Point Evans.

Kittiwake’s main missions will be maritime law enforcement and search and rescue in the vicinity of the Hawaiian islands. Kittiwake was built by Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. of Louisiana.