Philippine Navy BRP Gregorio del Pilar (FF-17) Before the Transfer

USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) is a United States Coast Guard high endurance cutter based in San Diego, California.

USCGC Boutwell was fifth of the Coast Guard fleet of 378 foot High Endurance Cutters. Built in 1967 in Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, LA and later launched in the same year.

The ship underwent Fleet Renovation and Modernization Program in 1990 and also received numerous awards.

USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) Details:

• Length – 115 meters
• Beam – 43 meters
• Draught – 4.5 meters
• Endurance – 45 days
• Speed: 29 knots (54 kilometers per hour)
• Maximum Range – 22,530 Kilometers

Armament:

• Otobreda 76 mm
• Phalanx CIWS
• 2x Mark 38 25mm “Bushmaster”

With a total of 167 crew members, the ship was equipped with Mark 92 Guided Missile Fire Control System, Air search radar, surface search radar, decoys and able carry one helicopter.

Achievement Summary:

• Rescued more than 500 people in the burning cruise ship Prisendam, in the Gulf of Alaska in 1980.
• Defended the oil terminals off the coast of Iraq and Iran back in 2003 during Iraq conflict.
• Seized over 900 million dollars of 12,700 kg. cocaine.

USCGC Boutwell was decommissioned in March 2016 and transfer to the Philippine Navy as Excess Defense Article (EDA) on July 2016.

The USCGC Boutwell later renamed to BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17). By the third week of September 2016, the remaining crew will be leaving to the Philippines to join their fellow crewmembers in Alameda, California.