The term “cutter” identifies a Coast Guard vessel 65 feet in length or greater, with accommodations for a crew to live aboard. Major cutters like the national security cutter are capable of carrying multiple cutterboat types, including the over-the-horizon (CB-OTH-IV) rigid-hull inflatables, and long-range interceptors (CB-LRI-11). Polar-class icebreakers also carry an Arctic survey boat (ASB), a polar variant of the CB-OTH-IV, and landing craft. Most cutters more than 200 feet in length are capable of accommodating helicopters.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutters - 243 Total
Icebreakers - Polar2 / Great Lakes
3/1
Buoy Tenders - Seagoing / Coastal
16/14
National Security Cutters
5
Buoy Tenders - Inland, River
22
High Endurance Cutters
4
Construction Tenders
13
Fast Response
24
Icebreaking Tugs
9
Medium Endurance Cutters
28
Harbor Tugs
11
Patrol
98
Training Cutter
1
1: Any U.S. Coast Guard vessel 65-feet or larger in length
2: 1 of 3 inactive