ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 2-3 is excited to welcome the newest member of its Safety Patrol Fleet the “U.S. Naval War College Command Cutter” to the Atlantic Highlands Marina on Saturday, May 21, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
This beautifully restored ship is the Pride of Flotillas 2-3’s fleet of vessels certified to conduct safety patrols on our surrounding recreational boating waterways. In 2015, it was due to be scraped for parts by the US Navy when local business owner Joe Ruffini of Red Bank Roofing Company learned of the vessel’s fate and placed a bid to save this historic cutter. After making its arrival here in New Jersey, Mr. Ruffini spent a countless number of hours refurbishing “The Naval War College” back to its original glory.
Built in 1957 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to the plans of a standard 50-foot Area Command Cutter, its oak and double-planked yellow Alaska cedar sides and teak decks made this vessel a sight worth seeing. It weighs in at 20 tons, is 50 feet long with a beam of 13.5 feet, accommodates 25 persons, generates 305 horse-power from a 6BT5.9M Inline Cummins Engine with a cruising speed of 12.5 knots and has a draft of 4.5 feet. In its more than half a century of service the “Naval War College” has welcomed more than 2o U.S. Presidents, including Dwight D. Eisenhower and John. F. Kennedy, King Constantine of Greece, and Secretaries of State Dean Rusk and Dr. Henry Kissinger.
In 1983, it was rebuilt at the Bend Boat Basin in Portsmouth, Rhode Island and could be seen cruising along the Naval Station Newport’s shoreline and the scenic Newport’s basin within Narragansett Bay.
In addition to the “Naval War College” being on display to the public, the US Coast Guards Auxiliary Flotilla’s 2-3 and 2-4 members will be conducting Vessel Safety Exams on May 21 at the Atlantic Highlands Marina in recognizing the start of national boater safety week.
Boaters are encouraged to take advantage of the Coast Guards Auxiliary crews and have their 2016 vessel safety checks performed to ensure that their vessel meets all Coast Guard and Sate regulations. As always, these safety exams are free. In addition, Auxiliary members will be on hand to answer any questions you may have regarding membership, safety education and general boating questions. On behalf of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and its members from Flotilla 2-3 & 2-4, Welcome Aboard!
