Photos

Coast Guard Leadership 44s

The Coast Guard Academy christens Shearwater, the first of the new Leadership 44s designed by Pedrick Yacht Designs and built by Morris Yachts.

June 2, 2011

The Coast Guard Academy christens Shearwater, the first of the new Leadership 44s designed by Pedrick Yacht Designs and built by Morris Yachts.

Shearwater, hull number 1 of the new Coast Guard Leadership 44s, is lifted by crane and positioned for its christening at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.Mark Pillsbury

The Hall Spars carbon-fiber rig on the Leadership 44s sports a custom lettering job for the academy.Mark Pillsbury

On his last day on the job, Coast Guard Academy Superintendent Admiral Scott Burhoe stands by as his wife, Besty, breaks the traditional bottle of champagne on the bow to christen Shearwater, the first new Leadership 44.Mark Pillsbury

The weather was perfect and the crowd was ready for the launch ceremony, held on the waterfront at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.Mark Pillsbury

Bob Hallock, chairman of the L-44 procurement committee and chair of the national fundraising committe that hopes to close in on $7 million for eight new boats, was master of ceremonies and commended by several speakers for being one of the driving forces behind the project.Mark Pillsbury

The eight new 44s will replace four Luders yawls that have been in service since the 1960s and that were designed in the 1930s. With just four boats, only about 60 percent of each class of cadets got to particpate in a summer leadership cruise. Now, every cadet will get his time at sea under sail.Mark Pillsbury

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