USCGC BOUTWELL

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Branch

U.S. Coast Guard

Members

About USCGC BOUTWELL

USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) was a high endurance cutter of the United States Coast Guard, commissioned in 1968. Named after George S. Boutwell, a former Secretary of the Treasury, the cutter served for nearly five decades in roles including search and rescue, drug interdiction, and fisheries enforcement. Boutwell participated in significant operations such as the 1994 rescue of over 500 migrants during Operation Able Manner and numerous counter-narcotics missions in the Pacific. The cutter was decommissioned in 2016 and later transferred to the Philippine Navy, where it serves as BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17).

Unit Members

Charles Bowman

U.S. Coast Guard (1975 - 1997)

USCGC BOUTWELLView Profile

Karen Daniels

U.S. Coast Guard

USCGC BOUTWELLView Profile

Photos

USCG Station San Francisco, CA

USCG Station San Francisco, CA • U.S. Coast Guard • 1989

USCGC Point Brower Homeport San Diego CA

USCGC Point Brower (WPB-82372) • U.S. Coast Guard • 1986

USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719)

USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) • U.S. Coast Guard • 1982

USCGC Campbell (WHEC-32)

U.S. Coast Guard • 1975

About USCGC BOUTWELL

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Namesake: USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) was named after George S. Boutwell, the 28th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, who served from 1869 to 1873. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on June 24, 1968, and was the seventh vessel of the Hamilton-class high endurance cutters. • Vietnam War Service: Boutwell served during the Vietnam War, conducting naval gunfire support, search and rescue, and interdiction operations as part of Operation Market Time. • Historic Drug Seizure: In 1998, the cutter seized the Mexican vessel Xolesis, carrying 11.5 tons of cocaine, marking one of the largest maritime cocaine seizures in U.S. history at the time. • Rescue Missions: Boutwell was recognized for saving more than 500 lives during its service, including the high-profile rescue of 84 crew members from the burning cruise ship Prinsendam in 1980 in the Gulf of Alaska. • Environmental Protection: The cutter also played a key role in enforcing U.S. fisheries laws and protecting marine resources, especially in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. • Global Engagement: In 2013, Boutwell participated in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises in Southeast Asia, working with regional navies on joint maritime security. • Decommissioning: Boutwell was decommissioned on March 16, 2016, after nearly 48 years of service to the Coast Guard. • Transfer to Philippine Navy: After decommissioning, Boutwell was transferred to the Philippine Navy in July 2016 and recommissioned as BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17). • Legacy: Throughout its career, Boutwell earned numerous awards, including Coast Guard Unit Commendations, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal, reflecting its versatile and distinguished service.