PORT KLANG, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Bertholf is making its second port visit to Malaysia, with the aim of strengthening maritime law enforcement cooperation with its Malaysian counterpart.
US Coast Guard Cutter and Regional Coast Guard Advisor Raphael Sadowitz said the visit was part of the Bertholf’s Western Pacific Patrol, which focuses on engagement with Coast Guard partners in the region.
“Specifically in Malaysia, they've been engaging with the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). Yesterday, they had a law enforcement subject matter exchange, and also an opportunity to tour our unmanned aerial asset.
“They also hope to have an underway engagement with MMEA vessel, off the coast of Port of Kinabalu,” he said when met after the USCGC Bertholf Media Tour today.
The cutter arrived in Port Klang on Monday and is scheduled to depart tomorrow.
Sadowitz also said the crew was excited to visit Malaysia and expressed appreciation to the government and Home Ministry for hosting the vessel.
“This is the second time the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf has visited Port Klang, with the first visit being in 2024,” he said.
Homeported in Alameda, Bertholf was commissioned on Aug 4, 2008, as the Coast Guard’s first Legend-class national security cutter.
The 127-metre vessel sails with a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, and can hold a crew of up to 170.
Bertholf routinely conducts operations throughout the Pacific, where the cutter’s combination of range, speed, and ability to operate in extreme-weather conditions provides the mission flexibility necessary to conduct vital strategic missions.
-- BERNAMA