Like her sister ships, Robert Ward is designed to perform search and rescue missions, port security, and the interception of smugglers. She is armed with a remote-controlled, gyro-stabilized 25 mm autocannon, four crew served M2 Browningmachine guns, and light arms. She is equipped with a stern launching ramp, that allows her to launch or retrieve a water-jet propelled high-speed auxiliary boat, without first coming to a stop. Her high-speed boat has over-the-horizon capability, and is useful for inspecting other vessels, and deploying boarding parties.
Operational history
Robert Ward was damaged by Hurricane Michael as she proceeded from the Caribbean Sea to Los Angeles, California. She arrived at Los Angeles on October 31, 2018. After completing her sea trials, Robert Ward was commissioned at San Francisco, California on March 2, 2019. On Robert Wards first operational patrol the crew saved three lives. On the morning ofFebruary 10, 2019 Robert Ward responded to an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon distress call near Torrey Pines, California. Robert Ward arrived on scene within minutes and located three hypothermic people clinging to the hull of an overturned sail boat. The crew of Robert Ward rescued all three individuals, provided EMS and transported survivors to San Diego, California. On August 29, 2019 Robert Ward returned to Coast Guard Base Los Angeles Long Beach from its first Eastern Pacific Patrol with of seized cocaine. The cocaine was estimated to be worth $38.5 million. Robert Ward was credited with the second largest cocaine seizure and disruption of any Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter in the fleet. On November 13, 2019 Robert Ward assisted a mariner in distress onboard a homemade sailing vessel after a five-month journey across Pacific Ocean from Japan. The crew of Robert Ward provided food, water and various essentials supplies. Robert Ward towed the vessel to waters offshore Port Hueneme, California. The vessel was subsequently towed to the nearest safe haven by another Coast Guard vessel.
Namesake
In 2010, Charles "Skip" W. Bowen, who was then the United States Coast Guard's most senior non-commissioned officer, proposed that all 58 cutters in the Sentinel class should be named after enlisted sailors in the Coast Guard, or one of its precursor services, who were recognized for their heroism. In 2015 the Coast Guard announced that Robert G. Ward would be the namesake of the 29th cutter. Ward was the coxswain in charge of a landing craft on June 6, 1944, during the Invasion of Normandy. He distinguished himself while rescuing two injured members of his crew.
