According to information published by U.S. Navy on May 4, 2021, the Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) departed Tunis, Tunisia, after a routine logistics visit and key leader engagements.
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USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) and Tunisian Naval offshore patrol vessel Jugurtha (P610) escorted the two U.S. Coast Guard vessels inbound (Picture source: U.S. Navy)
This port visit marks the cutters’ second stop while conducting operations in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility en route to their new homeport of Manama, Bahrain.
The Moulthrope and Goldman work in Tunis builds on previous military operations with Tunisian Forces such as the USCGC Bear (WMEC 901) deployment conducting military-to-military operations with the Tunisian Navy and Royal Moroccan Navy in 1999 and USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716) work with Tunisian navy counterparts to share best practices for responding to maritime issues and at-sea emergencies in 1995 as well as ongoing international training efforts.
This visit is a continuation of our commitment to our Tunisian partners, further enhancing cooperation between U.S. and Tunisian forces in support of shared security goals. In January 2021, Military Sealift Command Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Trenton (T-EPF 5) and Tunisian Navy partners conducted joint maritime operations to enhance maritime security, critical lifesaving capabilities, and Tunisia's ability to protect its maritime borders.
During their stop in Tunis, Moulthrope and Goldman engaged with navy leadership, local dignitaries and conducted military-to-military exercises with the Tunisian navy for interoperability and familiarization.
USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) are en route to their new homeport in Bahrain in support of the Navy’s U.S. Fifth Fleet and U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. While in the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet area of responsibility, the crews will support engagements with partner countries strengthening relationships and demonstrating our continued commitment to global maritime security and stability.
Moulthrope and Goldman are the first two of six Sentinel-class ships headed to U.S. Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Established in 2002 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA played a critical role in maritime security and maritime infrastructure protection operations. It is the U.S. Coast Guard's largest unit outside of the United States.
The Sentinel-class cutter is the latest generation of ships that entered service with the U.S. Coast Guard. The ship is built by the Louisiana-based firm Bollinger Shipyards, using a design from the Netherlands-based Damen Group, with the Sentinel design based on the company's Damen Stan 4708 patrol vessel.
The class is powered by two 4,300 kW (5,800 shp) MTU diesel engines and can reach a maximum speed of 28+ knots with a cruising range of 2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km). She has a crew of 24 people with an endurance of five days.
