Sri Lanka Navy bolsters fleet with former USCG cutter

December 8, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has taken delivery of the former US Coast Guard (USCG) cutter, USCGC Decisive.

The delivery ceremony took place at the United States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore on Deecember 2, 2025.

The ship formally joined the navy’s fleet under the pennant number P 628, and the main mast of the ship will fly the national flag effective from that date. It measures 64m in length and has an endurance of 6000 nautical miles at cruising speed.

The vessel has been designed for 100 crew and is equipped with weapons and machinery. The ship was used to curb illegal activities, including the smuggling of narcotics in US waters.

Aiming to strengthen and develop partnerships to overcome common challenges in the maritime domain, the US Coast Guard has previously provided three ships to SLN, and they are currently patrolling island waters under the names of Samudura (P 621), Gajabahu (P 626), and Vijayabahu (P 627).

Former US Coast Guard cutter Sherman arrives in Sri Lanka

Authorities

Sri Lanka inherits an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that is seven times larger than the landmass. In such a backdrop, the navy aims to deploy this vessel in wide-ranging operations that include the conservation of marine resources in the region and the search and rescue of naval and fishing communities in distress.