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Sanctuary Encyclopedia

SANCTUARY VESSEL POINT GLASS

The Point Glass, an 82-foot cutter class vessel, served the U.S. Coast Guard for almost 30 years. When it was decommissioned and offered to other government agencies, the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary seized the opportunity and took possession of the vessel in 2001. Designed primarily for speed and maneuverability in enforcement activities, the Point Glass required minor modifications to make it suitable for research and monitoring duty as well as enforcement. The vessel received a new dive platform/ladder and Nitrox system as well as some additional ballast.

In 2006, the sanctuary was allocated funding to construct a new research vessel that would be designed to sanctuary specifications. In anticipation of this new vessel, the Point Glass was again decommissioned, then sold. Funds from the sale of the Point Glass will further supplement the construction of this new vessel.

Stay tuned for new vessel updates!

The Coast Guard Cutter Point Glass underway in 1964.
Coast Guard Cutter Point Glass
 in 1964.
Photo by U.S. Coast Guard		 The Point Glass at the dock in Freeport, Texas. Sanctuary Vessel Point Glass in 2003.
Photo by Sarah Bernhardt

Five U.S. Coast Guard members in dress whites marching down the dock toward the Point Glass to present the flag during the decommissioning ceremony. Eight of the Point Glassí Coast Guard crew in blue uniforms stand in row along the bow of the vessel.
Decomissioning of Coast Guard Cutter Point Glass.
Photos by FGBNMS

Two sanctuary staff and two volunteers standing on dock in front of Point Glass, before transporting the vessel from Florida to its new home in Texas.
Intrepid 'crossing crew' ready to embark on the journey to bring the sanctuary Vessel Point Glass to its new home port.
Photo by FGBNMS		 Stern (rear) of the Point Glass at dock, showing the newly installed dive platform.
Sanctuary Vessel Point Glass sporting its new dive platform and ladders.
Photo by Sarah Bernhardt

Engraved ship's bell from the Point Glass Capt. Ken Daniels holding engraved bell from the Point Glass
The ship's bell from the R/V Point Glass is dedicated to Captain Ken Daniels at the June 17, 2006 decommissioning of the sanctuary vessel.
Photo by FGBNMS




weather report observations cool stuff get wet


Small, knobby corals in foreground; boulder of brain coral in background. Long, fingery branches of purple sponge anchored in knobby corals and standing upright.
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Revised February 05, 2008 by sanctuary staff
http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/about/point_glass.html

  
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