POLITICS
FORMER U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTER POINT BROWER TO BE OFFICIALLY COMMISSIONED
“The United States considers Azerbaijan a key partner in achieving stability and security in the Caspian region,” stated Ambassador Harnish. “The transfer of the Point Brower is an important step towards achieving this goal, and will enable Azerbaijan to conduct law enforcement patrols and protect Azerbaijan’s maritime borders.”
The Point Brower - now renamed S-201 - is the third patrol boat of its type that the U.S government has given Azerbaijan. Two smaller U.S. Coast Guard cutters were given to Azerbaijan in 2000. The transfer of this cutter represents over $2.5 million in U.S government assistance to Azerbaijan, including the preparation and transportation costs and the value of the ship itself. The ship’s long journey began in San-Francisco, California and continued as the Maritime Brigade crew piloted the vessel across the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, through the Volga Don canal to the Caspian Sea, and finally to Baku.
The 27-meter patrol boat Point Brower was commissioned in 1970 and stationed in San Diego, California. Its primary missions were law enforcement, search, and rescue. The cutter has been refurbished and retrofitted several times, most recently in preparation for its transfer to Azerbaijan.