U.S. Coast Guard authenticates keels for three Waterways Commerce Cutters.

The Coast Guard authenticated the keels for future cutters Allen Thiele, Fred Permenter and Samuel Wilson in Bayou La Batre, Alabama; these are the first three of 30 planned Waterways Commerce Cutters and their acquisition was supported by funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The U.S. Coast Guard authenticated the keels for three future cutters — Allen Thiele, Fred Permenter and Samuel Wilson — on Friday in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. These vessels are the first three of 30 planned Waterways Commerce Cutters (WCCs) that will replace the service's legacy inland tender fleet. The WCC program is described as supporting the ports and waterways that make up the United States' 12,000-mile marine transportation system. Congress provided funding through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including $162 million to accelerate production and deliver three cutters ahead of schedule. Key details: - Keel authentication was performed in a single, combined proceeding rather than a traditional single-vessel ceremony. - Keel authentication is a maritime tradition in which a ship sponsor welds initials onto a ceremonial plate that is permanently affixed to the cutter. - The three cutter sponsors were Delia Corbley (Allen Thiele), Kristin Permenter Melvin (Fred Permenter) and Barbara Wilson (Samuel Wilson). - The new class has been designated the "Chief Petty Officer's Class," and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Phillip Waldron spoke at the event. - The first Waterways Commerce Cutter is expected to be completed in 2027. Summary: The authenticated keels mark an early, formal step in constructing the new inland fleet and reflect a multi-vessel production effort backed by recent congressional funding. The program aims to replace legacy tenders and advance delivery of WCCs, with the first cutter expected to be completed in 2027.