Aug. 6, 2025 —
Crewmembers of Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk test the new fifth-generation over the horizon cutter boat. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Andrew Ferderer.
The Coast Guard Boat Acquisition Program reached a significant milestone on May 13 with the delivery of the final fourth generation over the horizon (OTH IV) cutter boat. Coinciding with that event and as part of the ongoing mission to deliver mission-ready OTH cutter boats to the fleet, the program also coordinated acceptance of the first fifth generation (OTH V) cutter boats.
The OTH allows cutter crews to operate at ranges beyond line-of-sight of the parent cutter, providing a high-speed, highly maneuverable craft. Cutter boats, such as the OTH, serve as a deployable asset supporting search and rescue, law enforcement and other missions by expanding the cutter’s operational horizon and delivering specialized personnel to a vessel of interest. The OTH is interoperable with several cutter classes including the national security, fast response and medium endurance cutters.
The last of 134 OTH IVs was delivered to the pre-commissioning crew of Coast Guard Cutter Argus, the first offshore patrol cutter in production for the Coast Guard. The third OTH V was delivered to Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk in Key West, Florida. The first two production OTH Vs were delivered to Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, a national security cutter, in Alameda, California, in April.
In addition to replacing the OTH IVs as they reach the end of their service life, the OTH V will feature enhanced maneuverability and increased top speed. The OTH Vs will also provide capability to a broader range of cutters, including the offshore patrol cutter and polar security cutter fleets. The Boat Acquisition Program will take delivery of up to 194 OTH Vs over the next six years.
OTH Vs, like the OTH IVs, will continue to support mission accomplishment, with an emphasis on search and rescue, drug and alien interdiction, living marine resources, defense readiness, and ports, waterways and coastal security operations.
For more information: Boat Acquisition Program page