CG Cutter Lawson Commissioned, Granddaughter of Lifesaver Attends

CAPE MAY – It was cold, windy and overcast March 18, with the occasional needle-like spritz of rain that mariners often encounter as their fingers and toes become numb while standing watch on deck. The commissioning of the Sentinel-class “Fast Response Cutter” Lawrence Lawson was conducted under those conditions at 10 a.m. as dignitaries and guests huddled in a large tent on the base, at water’s edge by Cape May Harbor. 
According to the Coast Guard, the 154-foot-long Cutter Lawrence Lawson, the 20th in its class, is named after U.S. Lifesaving Service Station Keeper Lawrence O. Lawson.
Lawson and his crew of volunteer “surfmen” gained notoriety for rescuing the 18-person crew of a foundering steamship named the Calumet, on Lake Michigan Nov. 28, 1889, as they “rushed through a gale to assist the foundering steam vessel.” Lawson and his crew received the Gold Lifesaving Medal for their heroic actions that day.
Elizabeth “Betsy” Jones Hayes, a granddaughter of one of the volunteer lifesavers who participated in the rescue of the crew of the steamer Calumet, was the guest of honor.
Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Charles D. Michel, Coast Guard 5th District Commander Rear Admiral Meredith L. Austin, and numerous other military and civilian dignitaries attended the ceremony.
Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Rizzo, Lawson’s first commanding officer, is a 2005 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy where he majored in Operations Research and Computer Analysis. He later attended the Navy War College where he earned a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. 
Rizzo is a native of Oneonta, N.Y. He previously served in various sea commands until he presided over the decommissioning of the 110-foot Cutter Matinicus in Louisiana. At that point, he was designated as commander of the new cutter and began his preparations to assume new responsibilities. 
Rizzo noted that he arrived in Cape May with his crew one year ago to prepare for this assignment. Although he had never been to Cape May, he stated: “I find Cape May to be a very warm and welcoming place.” He will serve a two-year assignment here until the late summer of next year. 
The Lawson is the second Sentinel-class cutter assigned to Cape May; the Cutter Rollin Fritch was commissioned in Cape May on Nov. 19, 2016. 
Both vessels will perform search-and-rescue missions as well as law enforcement duties related to drug interdiction and enforcement of immigration laws.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.