USCG Cutter Narwhal to visit Dana Point's Festival of Whales

The 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal regularly leaves its home port in Newport Beach to patrol coastal waters from the Mexican border to the Channel Islands under the direction of the US Department of Homeland Security. On March 9th, she’ll be sticking closer to home, making a rare visit to Dana Point during the upcoming Festival of Whales.

Named for the medium sized (1800 to 3500 lb.) unicorn-like whale, distinguished by its long, straight tusk, the Narwhal will cruise into Dana Point Harbor and dock at the Ocean Institute. This will be its second visit since last August at the request of Dana Point’s Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla 6-8, a volunteer organization that supports the Coast Guard. Residents and tourists are invited to board this impressive vessel and check out her bridge, decks, galley and crew’s quarters. Best of all, they’ll get to meet and interact with her officers and crew, gaining some appreciation of how they work with Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection to patrol and protect our coast.

Thanks to the generosity of the Ocean Institute, the Narwhal will be docked at its pier throughout the day, providing public access to the ship and adjacent Auxiliary booth. Free public tours will be conducted from 10 AM to 3:30 PM on March 9th, adding the aptly named Narwhal to Saturday’s line up for the Festival of Whales. Coast Guard Auxiliary officers and members will be available at the head of the exit ramp to provide boating safety information covering everything from their popular boater education classes to paddle craft requirements, clean boating habits, marine safety, vessel exams and more. They will also be conducting dockside demonstrations on the use of fire extinguishers, personal floatation devices, marine radios and distress flares (simulation only). “Coastie”, an interactive “talking ship” operated by Auxiliary members, will be on hand to meet the kids.

“It’s a unique experience for the public to tour the Narwhal, and most importantly, meet some of the dedicated men and women of the U. S. Coast Guard”, said Auxiliary Flotilla 6-8 Commander, Garry Nelson. “I’m also looking forward to telling them about our boating classes, vessel exams and volunteer opportunities.” Nelson and many of the 54 volunteers of Flotilla 6-8 can be seen regularly in the harbor and local waters as they perform on-the-water operations as directed by Coast Guard command. It’s definitely serious business, but as Nelson admits with a grin, “we have a great time out there.”