The Long Blue Line (Spring 2024)

Meanwhile, the two leading ships of the
210-foot Reliance-class cutters, Coast
Guard cutters Reliance and Diligence, will
turn 60 years old in June and August of
this year, respectively. While ships of this
vintage might otherwise be considered
maritime museums, these iconic cutters
and their dedicated crews continue to
carry out Coast Guard lifesaving, law
enforcement, and homeland security
missions. The following is a
look back at the beginning
of Reliance and Diligence’s
distinguished 60 years of
service.
The decision to name the
first two 210-foot cutters—
Reliance and Diligence—came early in
1962. A study that concluded in November
of 1961 evaluated more than 15 categories
of names, including lakes, indigenous
tribes, islands, seamounts, universities,
historic cutters, and commandants. It was
decided that the Reliance-class would
include seven ships with historic names and
the rest would take on names that, “connote
action, aggressiveness, and daring.” Some
of the initial suggested names were seen
as too aggressive, and this direction was
later amended to use names that were,
“desirable human traits.” While some of
the names on the list were adopted for the
210-foot cutters we know today, there were
Coast Guard cutter Reliance conducting
helicopter operations circa 1964. (U.S. Coast
Guard photo).
ACTIVE DUTY
U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION
THE LONG BLUE LINE SPRING 2024
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