US Coast Guard authenticates keel for three new cutters

The US Coast Guard has authenticated the keels for future coast guard cutters Allen Thiele, Fred Permenter and Samuel Wilson in Bayou La Batre, Alabama.

In a special proceeding, the keels for three cutters were authenticated simultaneously, a departure from the traditional single-vessel ceremony.

Keel authentication is a time-honored maritime tradition in which the ship’s sponsor welds their initials onto a ceremonial plate that is permanently affixed to the cutter, signifying the foundation of the vessel.