July 2, 2024 —
Coast Guard Cutter David Duren was commissioned on June 27, 2024, in Astoria, Oregon, where it will be homeported. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Strohmaier.
The Coast Guard commissioned the 56th fast response cutter (FRC), Coast Guard Cutter David Duren, on June 27 in Astoria, Oregon. David Duren, which was delivered to the Coast Guard in April, is the first of three FRCs to be homeported in Astoria. Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson, commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area; Lt. Casey Rude, David Duren commanding officer; and cutter sponsor Dawn Marie Duren and her daughter were present at the ceremony, as well as additional Duren family members.
The cutter’s namesake, David Duren, was born in Sweet Home, Oregon, and enlisted in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. He was first attached to Coast Guard Cutter Kukui in Hawaii before transitioning to search and rescue boat operations in the Pacific Northwest. Trained as a heavy weather coxswain, he graduated from the National Motor Lifeboat School in 1969 and was certified as Coast Guard Surfman No. 100. It was Duren’s heroic rescue actions at Station Depoe Bay, Oregon, after obtaining the rank of chief boatswain’s mate in 1979 that not only earned him the nickname “Big Wave Dave,” but also respect and recognition as a compassionate, forward-thinking leader.
Duren received two Coast Guard Medals for his rescue actions at Station Depoe Bay, was advanced to the rank of master chief petty officer and received the Douglas A. Munro Inspirational Leadership Award. After his retirement in 1993, he enjoyed outdoor leisure activities until he passed away in 2016.
Crew of David Duren manning the rails. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Strohmaier.
The Sentinel-class FRCs are replacing the 1980s Island-class 110-foot patrol boats, and possess 21st century command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, with improved habitability and seakeeping. Each FRC is named after an enlisted Coast Guard hero who performed extraordinary service in the line of duty. A total of 67 FRCs have been ordered to date to perform a multitude of missions that include drug and migrant interdiction, joint international operations and national defense of ports, waterways and coastal areas.
For more information: Fast Response Cutter Program page.