U.S.C.G Cutter, Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) patch

Large multicoloured patch

The USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) is a 270-foot Famous-class medium endurance cutter in active service with the United States Coast Guard. Commissioned on June 14, 1984, she was constructed by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company in Washington and is named after Harriet Lane, the niece and acting First Lady of President James Buchanan .

Harriet Lane is a versatile multi-mission vessel equipped for:
• Search and rescue operations
• Maritime law enforcement
• National defense missions
• Environmental protection

Her advanced command, control, and communications systems enable her to coordinate complex operations across vast ocean areas, making her a critical asset for offshore missions.

In December 2023, Harriet Lane arrived at her new homeport at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii, following a 36-day transit from Portsmouth, Virginia. This move was part of her designation as the Coast Guard Pacific Area’s newest Indo-Pacific support cutter

In 2024, she undertook a 68-day patrol covering over 13,400 nautical miles, visiting nations such as Tonga, American Samoa, the Cook Islands, and French Polynesia. During this mission, Harriet Lane collaborated with Pacific Island partners to combat illegal fishing activities and participated in community service initiatives

To prepare for her expanded role in the Indo-Pacific, Harriet Lane underwent a 15-month, $21 million Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, completed in August 2023. Upgrades included the installation of a 25mm Mk 38 Mod 3 gun and enhancements to her structural and weapons systems

Throughout her service, Harriet Lane has been involved in several significant operations:
• 1994: Led Operation Able Manner, rescuing over 2,400 Haitian and Cuban migrants and coordinating multiple assets during a mass migration event.
• 1996: Served as the on-scene commander for the initial search and recovery efforts of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island.
• 2010: Participated in response efforts following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Code: 64448