NAWILIWILI – After 32 years of service, the Point Evans, an 82-foot patrol boat homeported in Kaua’i, ended its Coast Guard service at a ceremony Wednesday at Nawiliwili Harbor. In 1999, the Point Evans and its crew saved 60 lives
NAWILIWILI – After 32 years of service, the Point Evans, an 82-foot patrol boat homeported in Kaua’i, ended its Coast Guard service at a ceremony Wednesday at Nawiliwili Harbor.
In 1999, the Point Evans and its crew saved 60 lives and over $1 million in property in its area of responsibility, which extends 200 miles from the eight major Hawaiian Islands.
The Point Evans spent its first 25 years of Coast Guard service in California.
The ship was sent to Kaua’i in 1993 after Hurricane ‘Iniki struck Kaua’i and damaged the Coast Guard Cutter Point Harris beyond repair.
After being decommissioned, the Point Evans is scheduled to be transferred to the Philippines Navy on Dec. 17 at Coast Guard Group Honolulu.
The Philippines Navy will use the seasoned cutter as part of its Navy Assault Craft Force, which patrols over 7,000 islands in the Philippines.
The Coast Guard has been training Philippine Navy Commander Armando Guzman, the next commanding officer of the Point Evans, since Nov. 21.
At the wheel of the ship for the first time on Nov. 23, Guzman said, “It’s a great ship.
Although it is over 30 years old, it has been well maintained by the Coast Guard.
We’d like to get more of them.” While the Philippines gets a new ship, the Coast Guard saves money by not having to go through an expensive disposal process.
“Transferring the boat saves the Coast Guard about $150,000,” said Lt. j.g. Michael L. Schoonover, the commanding officer of the Point Evans.
The crew of the Point Evans will continue training the Filipino crew and then fly to Lockport, La., to take delivery of their new ship, the Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake.
“The 87-foot, Marine Protector Class patrol boat has better sea handling capabilities, a safer small boat launching system, improved crew habitability, advanced navigation and electronics systems, a top speed of 27 knots, and it accommodates mixed gender crews,” Schoonover said.
“We’re really excited.” The Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake will take over the Point Evans’ area of responsibility in the spring of 2000.
One thing to also note about ‘Point Evans’ is that it was in a movie production in 1987. The movie that starred Goldie Hawn and Kirk Russell, “Overboard” final sequence before the ending credits!