Like her sister ships, she is equipped for coastal security patrols, interdiction of drug and people smugglers, and search and rescue. Like the smaller she is equipped with a stern launching ramp. The ramp allows the deployment and retrieval of her high speed water-jet powered pursuit boat without first coming to a stop. She is capable of more than and armed with a remote controlled 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon; and four crew-served Browning M2 machine guns.
Joseph Napier intercepted a fishing vessel in February 2017, that was attempting to smuggle over four tons of cocaine. Lady Michelles crew of four individuals from Guyana were taken to the U.S. Virgin Islands, for prosecution. The cocaine's street value was estimated at US$125 million.
She is named after Joseph Napier, who had commanded a lifeboat station at St. Joseph, Michigan.Napier was an employee of the United States Lifeboat Service, one of the precursor services that were amalgamated into the Coast Guard.
Being one of seven FRC's home ported in San Juan, Puerto Rico is a big job and eventually each boat carves out their own niche. The USCGC Joseph Napier (WPC-1115) has carved out that spot being known as "El bote de gente soñolienta". The crew of the aptly named Bote de gente soñolienta can often been seen lounging on the outside decks on beanbag chairs or logging countless hours of rack ops in an attempt to break the long-standing record held by the USCGC .