Southern California boaters and maritime enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to step aboard an active U.S. Coast Guard vessel when the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal opens for public tours at Dana Point Harbor later this month.
Hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 6 in partnership with the Ocean Institute, the free public event will take place Saturday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor.
The 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal is a Marine Protector-class coastal patrol cutter homeported in Corona del Mar. Since entering service in 2001, the cutter and its crew have carried out a wide range of missions along the Southern California coast, including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, recreational boating safety, fisheries enforcement, homeland security, and migrant interdiction. The vessel regularly patrols local waters and has participated in numerous high-profile operations while also supporting community outreach throughout Orange County.
During the event, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the cutter, meet the officers and crew, and learn firsthand about the Coast Guard’s day-to-day operations and the important role the service plays in protecting America’s waterways.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will also host an informational booth where visitors can learn about volunteer opportunities and recreational boating safety. Educational displays will cover California Boater Card requirements, boating education classes, paddlecraft regulations, marine safety, clean boating practices, and fuel and oil spill prevention. Demonstrations will include vessel safety examinations to highlight boating essentials, such as fire extinguishers, personal flotation devices, marine radios, and distress flares.
Families are encouraged to visit the Ocean Institute during the event as well as meet “Coastie,” a talking ship designed to entertain younger visitors while introducing them to maritime safety and the Coast Guard.
Visitors planning to tour the Narwhal should note one important requirement: All adults must present a valid government-issued photo ID to board the cutter. Visitors without identification will not be permitted aboard, so organizers encourage attendees to bring their ID to avoid disappointment.
For boaters, families, and anyone interested in maritime service, the event offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the Coast Guard’s working patrol cutters while providing valuable boating safety information and an opportunity to meet the men and women who help keep Southern California’s waterways safe.