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