High endurance cutter

The designation of high endurance cutter (WHEC) was created in 1965 when the United States Coast Guard adopted its own designation system. High endurance cutters encompass the largest cutters previously designated by the United States Navy as gunboats, destroyer escorts, and seaplane tenders. The term High Endurance Cutter may refer to any of five individual ship classes that have seen service in the Coast Guard.

• The Legend-class cutter is the newest class in this category.
• The Hamilton-class cutter is a contemporary design. These vessels are also known as Secretary- or Hero-class cutters. They are currently being replaced by newer Legend-class cutters.
• The Owasco-class cutter was a World War II design, the last was retired in the 1970s.
• The Casco-class cutter was a pre-World War II design, the last was retired in the 1980s under the Philippine Navy.
• The Treasury-class cutter, a 327-foot (100 m) class from 1936 to the mid-1980s.