U.S. Coast Guard authenticates keel for offshore patrol cutter Pickering
A close-up of the tig weld that was placed during the Coast Guard Cutter Pickering (OPC 5) keel laying ceremony for the first Heritage-Class Offshore Patrol Cutter in Mobile, Alabama, Dec. 8, 2025. The OPC program is intended to replace the Coast Guard’s medium endurance cutter class while providing support to the national security cutters and fast response cutters. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Grace McBryde)