the design specifications for "point thatcher" 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.