Reliance-class

The Reliance class of Medium Endurance Cutters (WMEC) was the first major cutter replacement project initiated by the United States Coast Guard after the World War II-era Owasco class. Built between 1962 and 1968, these vessels were designed to replace 125-foot cutters dating to the Prohibition era. Construction was conducted by Todd Shipyards, American Ship Building Company, the U.S. Coast Guard Yard, and Christy Corporation. The vessels entered service between 1964 and 1969.

The design provides accommodations for crew to live on board and supports patrols of six to eight weeks. Between 1986 and 1990, the class underwent a Midlife Maintenance Availability (MMA) program to modernize the fleet. This program involved the removal of gas turbines from the "A"-class variants and the replacement of the original stern transom exhaust systems with traditional stacks. Although this modification reduced the available flight deck area, the cutters retained the ability to conduct helicopter operations. Other modifications during the MMA included enlarging the superstructure and increasing the fire-fighting capacity of the vessels.

Operational control of the Reliance class is held by the Coast Guard’s Atlantic and Pacific Area Commands. While 16 vessels were originally completed, 12 currently remain in active United States service. The class also serves in foreign navies through the transfer of decommissioned hulls. The Sri Lanka Navy operates two former U.S. cutters, the Samudura (ex-Courageous) and the former Decisive. The Colombian Navy operates the Valle del Cauca (ex-Durable). A future transfer of the decommissioned Steadfast to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency is also planned.

In 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard began transitioning several hulls into commission, special status. This included the Dependable, whose crew was reassigned to other units to address personnel shortages, as well as the Dauntless and Valiant. During its service history, the Dauntless operated for 56 years. The Dauntless and Steadfast are the only two cutters in the service to have seized one million pounds of marijuana. The Coast Guard plans to decommission the remaining Reliance-class vessels and replace them with the Offshore Patrol Cutter as part of the Integrated Deepwater System Program.