t opside V olume 114, I s s u e 1
Division 1
P a ge 16
Turning a 44’ USCG MLB into a OPFAC by William Turnbull
Division 053-01 in Newark, Delaware is privileged to have a retired and refurbished Coast Guard vessel available to them for surface operations.
OPFAC 443310 is a 44’ Motor Life Boat( MLB). The vessel was acquired in 2010 from a marine construction company in Lewes, Delaware. The construction company used it as a tug boat to move their dredge and pipelines until they took delivery of a new motorized dredge.
After significant refurbishment, OPFAC 443310 was returned to service as an Auxiliary surface facility. The new OPFAC was immediately pressed into service as a platform for Boat Crew Qualification Program( BCQP) training. It was also used for Marine Observation Mission( MOM) patrols.
In 2012 the vessel participated in the War of 1812 Bi-Centennial Celebration in Baltimore as an escort vessel for the Coast Guard cutter Eagle, a transport platform for the ground crew of the Navy“ Blue Angels” and a patrol craft for the air shows and fireworks displays.
Newark, Delaware- A photo of OPFAC 443310 Official U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary photo