USCGC Point Franklin ( WPB - 82350 ) USCGC " Point Franklin " ( WPB - 82350 ) was an Point class cutter constructed at the J . M . Martinac Shipbuilding Corp . yards at Tacoma , Washington in 1966 for use as a law enforcement and search and rescue patrol boat . Construction and design details . " Point Franklin " was built to accommodate an 8 man crew . She was powered by two VT800 Cummins diesel main drive engines and had two five - bladed propellers . Water tank capacity was and fuel tank capacity was at 95 % full . After 1990 she was refit with Caterpillar diesel main drive engines . Engine exhaust was ported through the transom rather than through a conventional stack and this permitted a 360 degree view from the bridge ; a feature that was very useful in search and rescue work as well as a combat environment . The design specifications for " Point Franklin " included a steel hull for durability and an aluminum superstructure and longitudinally framed construction was used to save weight . Ease of operation with a small crew size was possible because of the non - manned main drive engine spaces . Controls and alarms located on the bridge allowed one man operation of the cutter thus eliminating a live engineer watch in the engine room . Because of design , four men could operate the cutter ; however , the need for resting watchstanders brought the crew size to eight men for normal domestic service . The screws were designed for ease of replacement and could be changed without removing the cutter from the water . A clutch - in idle speed of three knots helped to conserve fuel on lengthy patrols and an eighteen knot maximum speed could get the cutter on scene quickly . Air - conditioned interior spaces were a part of the original design for the Point class cutter . Interior access to the deckhouse was through a watertight door on the starboard side aft of the deckhouse . The deckhouse contained the cabin for the officer - in - charge and the executive petty officer . The deckhouse also included a small arms locker , scuttlebutt , a small desk and head . Access to the lower deck and engine room was down a ladder . At the bottom of the ladder was the galley , mess and recreation deck . A watertight door at the front of the mess bulkhead led to the main crew quarters which was ten feet long and included six bunks that could be stowed , three bunks on each side . Forward of the bunks was the crew ' s head complete with a compact sink , shower and commode . History . After commissioning , " Point Franklin " was stationed at Cape May , New Jersey , where she was used for law enforcement and search and rescue operations . On 26 November 1967 , she took a wounded crewman to the hospital from MV " Timaru Star " 45 miles south southwest of Delaware Light Station . On 1 March 1968 , the distressed FV " Bright Star " was escorted 25 miles south east of Cape May to safe waters by " Point Franklin " . On 17 August , she assisted the distressed MV " Green Lake " 25 miles South east of Ocean City , Maryland . " Point Franklin " came to the aid of a 19 foot pleasure craft on 25 August 1969 near Ocean City . On 12 December she towed the disabled sailboat " Dora " to Ocean City . After a collision off Cape May with the MV " Concordia Sun " , the disabled FV " Sharron Ann " was towed by " Point Franklin " to safety on 26 November 1970 . She seized the tug " Capstan " 240 miles east of Cape Charles carrying 30 tons of marijuana in December 1985 . On 15 December 1986 , she fought a fire on the tug " Kathryne McAllister " 5 miles east of Avalon , New Jersey . From commissioning to 1978 , " Point Franklin " was commanded by enlisted chief petty officer s , which are termed officers - in - charge since they do not hold a commission . In 1978 , junior officers with the rank of lieutenant , junior grade were made commanding officers . From 1992 to decommissioning the responsibility of command reverted to officers - in - charge with the rank of master chief petty officer . " Point Franklin " was decommissioned 23 June 1998 and transferred to Venezula on 3 August 1998