Release from U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

***** 

NEW LONDON, Conn. — The crew of the Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327) returned to the ship’s homeport in New London, Thursday, following a four-month deployment. 

This year, crew, cadets, and officer candidates sailed over 16,800 nautical miles, traveling to the Azores, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden as part of their annual training cruise, after departing New London, April 8, 2023.    

In addition to their primary mission of training, Eagle serves as a diplomatic tool and global ambassador, embarking over 37,000 visitors during the deployment. Eagle helped advance U.S. interests by reinforcing key Arctic partnerships while on deployment to the Baltic and North Sea.   

Eagle welcomed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s newest member state, Finland, with a port call in Helsinki alongside the Finnish offshore patrol vessel Turva. Eagle also hosted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and numerous other dignitaries and distinguished guests. 

One historic highlight came this summer when Eagle sailed alongside Danmark, a full-rigged Danish sail training vessel, whose captain placed their ship at the disposal of the United States during World War II after Denmark was invaded by Germany. For the remainder of the war, Danmark was leased to the U.S. Coast Guard and trained future officers — just as Eagle does now. 

“Once again the crew of Eagle trained hundreds of cadets and officer candidates with resounding success,” said Capt. Jessica Rozzi-Ochs, Eagle’s commanding officer. “But this deployment also served to demonstrate to those future officers that, in addition to our statutory missions, the Coast Guard has an important role protecting and advancing U.S. interests around the world with our allies and partners.” 

Eagle is the only active square-rigged vessel in U.S. government service. Constructed in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and originally commissioned by the German navy, Eagle was taken as a war reparation by the United States following World War II. Eagle’s transit route home from Europe this year closely mirrored the ship’s first post-war journey as a commissioned Coast Guard cutter, when the ship traveled from Europe with stops in Madeira, Bermuda, and New York City. 

Eagle, a 295-foot square-rigged vessel known as “America’s Tall Ship”, has served as a classroom at sea to future Coast Guard officers since 1946, offering a unique leadership and professional development experience to cadets and officer candidates. 

“I am extremely proud of the crew of Eagle,” Rozzi-Ochs said. “The dedication and commitment of the ship and its crew during this deployment, shows the high level of training and professionalism that embody our Coast Guard core values. I have no doubt that the future Coast Guard officers that have trained aboard the decks of Eagle, are well prepared for whatever challenges the future brings to our Nation.” 

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit www.GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty and reserve, officer and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found at www.uscga.edu. 

Release from Coast Guard 14th District 

***** 

Aug. 10, 2023 

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard, federal, state, and local partners are responding to the Lahaina wildfires in Maui, HI. 

The incident response includes the U.S. Coast Guard, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, Maui Police Department, Department of Land and Natural Resources, National Guard, and the Department of Defense, who continue to support and closely monitor the rescue and evacuation efforts. 

“On behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard, I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the communities who have been tragically affected by the fires in Maui,” said Capt. Aja L. Kirksey, Sector Commander of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Our collaboration with partner agencies and neighboring jurisdictions remains steadfast, as we unite our resources, knowledge, and equipment to ensure responder and public safety and amplify the impact of our response efforts.” 

• At 5:45 p.m., Tuesday, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders received reports regarding multiple persons in the water needing rescue after taking shelter from fire and smoke in Lahaina, Maui. 

• Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast Notice for a mass rescue. 

• Watchstanders diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak, launched an Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew and a 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew from Station Maui. Two U.S. Navy MH-60 aircrews from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 were also deployed. 

• Tuesday evening, the 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew arrived on scene and rescued 14 survivors from the Lahaina Harbor Breakwall with all survivors reported to be in stable condition. 

• Current response efforts include multi-agency personnel remaining on scene with air coverage from Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrews and Navy MH-60 aircrews from the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37. 

• A 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew from Station Maui remains on scene along with the Coast Guard Cutters Kimball and Joseph Gerczak. 

We urge residents to heed the safety warnings from officials and to adhere to evacuation orders and safety guidelines issued by local authorities. Officials have issued a safety zone and temporary flight restrictions in the vicinity of the Lahaina Harbor and surrounding areas. 

Contact the Maui Emergency Operations Center for emergency operations information at (808) 205-9328. 

Updates will be provided via the Fourteenth Coast Guard District’s social media page: @USCGHawaiiPAC 

Media requests for additional information may be directed to the District 14 Public Affairs Office at [email protected]. 

Release from Coast Guard 1st District 

***** 

Aug. 8, 2023 

Fourth New England-based Fast Response Cutter to be commissioned in Portland 

PORTLAND, Me. — The Coast Guard Cutter John Patterson (WPC-1153) is scheduled to be commissioned during a ceremony Thursday at 10 a.m. 

The Coast Guard’s newest cutter was accepted by the Coast Guard on May 11, 2023 and will be the fourth of six Fast Response Cutters homeported in Boston. 

The Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC) is designed for multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense. The Coast Guard has ordered a total of 65 FRCs to replace the 1980s-era Island-class 110-foot patrol boats. The FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping. 

John C. Patterson was born in 1834 to a local farm couple in Howell, New Jersey. Patterson volunteered as a private in New Jersey’s 14th Militia Regiment during the Civil War. He demonstrated superior leadership under pressure and quickly promoted into the officer grades where he rose to the rank of brevet brigadier general. After the war, in 1870, Patterson signed on as a surfman at the U.S. Life Saving Station in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. John Patterson served a total of 16 years in the Life-Saving Service, starting as junior-most surfman and rising to the rank of keeper. He was a keeper at two different stations and a member of the Life-Saving Service’s Advisory Board. Even after his 1886 retirement from the Service, Patterson continued to serve his community of Ocean Grove until his death. 

Release from Coast Guard Pacific Area 

***** 

Aug. 3, 2023 

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) and crew returned to homeport, Thursday, to Coast Guard Island after a 120-day Bering Sea patrol in support of United States national security, U.S. fishing fleet safety and prosperity, and the protection of U.S. living marine resources. 

While patrolling the Bering Sea, Bertholf’s crew members conducted 15 boardings of commercial fishing vessels, ensuring compliance with federal fisheries laws, and preserving the highly valuable U.S. living marine resources. These boardings also ensure that the U.S. fishing fleet have sufficient safety equipment to survive in the event of an at-sea emergency. 

In a demonstration of the strong trusted partnership between Japan and the United States, Bertholf conducted major at-sea and shore side engagements with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) training ships Kashima and Hatakaze. During the at-sea engagement, Bertholf, Kashima and Hatakaze executed multiple formations, and during a farewell pass, the JMSDF personnel displayed a highly impressive drumline performance on their flight deck. 

Afterward, the three ships moored up together in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and continued to build relationships and shape partnerships. These engagements included reciprocal ship tours, a baseball game, a fun run up local mountain Ballyhoo, and a Dutch Harbor beach bonfire. 

The next day, the Japanese and U.S. crews came together with the Unalaska community and officials from the Qawalangin Tribe during the 81^st anniversary of the World War II Battle of Dutch Harbor ceremony to commemorate the lives lost, the community impacts, and to recognize the healing and partnership that has been built in the decades that followed. Rear Adm. Konno, JMSDF Training Squadron Commander, Rear Adm. Moore, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Seventeenth District, and Mayor Tutiakoff presided over the ceremony and exchanged official gifts. 

Additionally, Bertholf crew guarded the boundary line between the U.S. and Russian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), ensuring that the fish in U.S. waters were protected from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing from foreign nations. 

Later in the patrol, Bertholf and crew anchored in Kotzebue Sound and engaged in several events with the community members of Kotzebue, Alaska, including a color run and a softball game. In addition, Bertholf’s law enforcement operators engaged with local fishermen and fish processors to establish positive relationships and ensure awareness of boater safety regulations and salmon skiff exemptions in the region. 

“Our accomplishments during this patrol would not have been possible without the amazing crew that we have aboard,” said Capt. Billy Mees, Bertholf commanding officer. “The entirety of the crew and their families have my utmost respect for the sacrifices they make for their country.” 

The Bertholf returned home on the eve of the 15^th anniversary of its commissioning date; August 4^th, 2008, which also coincides with the Coast Guard’s 233rd birthday. Since then, Bertholf has truly lived up to the storied past of her namesake, Commodore Ellsworth P. Bertholf, the first Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, and its motto, Legends Begin Here. 

Release from U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters 

***** 

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The 2003 Cyber Protection Team (CPT) was established, Tuesday, at Coast Guard Island as the third CPT command and unit in a ceremony held by Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER). 

Vice Adm. Peter W. Gautier, Deputy Commandant for Operations presided over the ceremony. 2003 CPT’s mission is to provide assess, threat hunting, and incident response capabilities to the Marine Transportation System (MTS). 

2003 CPT is the first CPT geographically detached unit from CGCYBER and is continuing to staff its team to receive full operational capability certification by United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) in Spring 2024. 

“The Coast Guard continues to have ever-growing threats in cyber space,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Miltenberger, CPT 2003 commanding officer. “Events like the Colonial Pipeline cyber-attack have demonstrated the ever-growing threats we face in cyber space – 2003 CPT stands ready to prevent, reduce, and respond to those threats in our critical marine infrastructure.” 

The MTS is part of the Transportation Systems Critical Infrastructure sector as declared by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Notably, the MTS overlaps with several other critical infrastructure sectors that have a maritime nexus, which makes CPTs an invaluable asset for defending public infrastructure throughout the United States and its territories. The MTS consists of over 3,500 maritime facilities, and to date, USCG CPTs have assisted over 50 partners in the MTS. The CPTs also routinely participate in joint operations with federal agencies to include CISA and the FBI, as well as the Department of Defense. 

Miltenberger is the first commanding officer for CPT 2003. His previous tours include branch chief of the CGCYBER Cyber Operational Assessments Branch where he established the Coast Guard’s Cyber Red Team, an elite team that performs cyber threat emulation on Coast Guard networks to proactively discover vulnerabilities and evaluate network defenses. He has also served at Coast Guard Headquarters where he managed enterprise technologies, and as a deck watch officer aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kukui (WLB 203).  

Release from HII 

***** 

PASCAGOULA, Miss., July 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced today the successful completion of acceptance sea trials for the U.S. Coast Guard‘s newest national security cutter, Calhoun (WMSL 759). During the trial, the ship spent time proving the ship’s systems including performing numerous tests in the areas of propulsion, electric plant, and mission systems. 

“Our joint Ingalls and Coast Guard team has completed another successful sea trial, and I am pleased to say NSC 10 performed well,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “Our shipbuilders are now one step closer to delivering this highly capable and advanced cutter to the U.S. Coast Guard.” 

For over two decades, Ingalls Shipbuilding has designed and built the Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutters. These ships are capable of embarking and supporting a wide range of Coast Guard, Navy and NATO missions. National security cutters have proven to be ideal platforms for drug interdiction, global illegal fishing, disaster relief and defense support operations. 

A photo accompanying this release is available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-acceptance-trials-national-security-cutter-calhoun-wmsl-759. 

“It’s an honor to see the hard work of our shipbuilders come to fruition during a sea trial, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team,” Ingalls Shipbuilding NSC Program Manager Amanda Whitaker said. “We stand ready to deliver Calhoun and provide our Coast Guard partners with this tremendous national security asset.” 

NSC 10 is named to honor Charles L. Calhoun, the first master chief petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard. Calhoun served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a torpedoman’s mate petty officer 2^nd class. He enlisted in the Coast Guard that same year and held varying positions of leadership over the course of his career. 

Ingalls has delivered nine Legend-class national security cutters to the Coast Guard further enabling their important missions around the globe.

Release from the Maritime Administration 

***** 

Tuesday, July 25, 2023 

Creation of the program meets an urgent DOD need and grows the U.S.-flagged fleet 

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced that nine ships have been enrolled in the Tanker Security Program (TSP). TSP establishes a fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned product tank vessels of the United States that will meet national defense and other security requirements and maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping.   
  
The TSP will strengthen the U.S. supply chain and improve the movement of liquid fuel products while creating good-paying jobs. The TSP will also support American-owned, American-flagged, and American-crewed commercial product tankers operating in international commercial shipping. The program will ensure the Department of Defense (DoD) has assured access to critically needed product tankers capable of loading, transporting, and storing on-station bulk petroleum refined products to support national economic security. 
  
“Today we are announcing the first ships to join the Tanker Security Program, which will help strengthen both our supply chains and our national security by delivering fuel to our armed forces around the world while creating hundreds of good jobs for American mariners,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.  
  
“The TSP accomplishes two key maritime sealift objectives: it grows our U.S.-flagged fleet and it significantly expands our ability to deliver vital fuel supplies to support military missions across the globe,” said Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “Implementation of the TSP is a significant milestone for MARAD and the U.S. maritime industry.” 
  
The companies selected for enrollment are Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (three tank vessels); Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions, LLC. (three tank vessels); and Seabulk Tankers, Inc. (three tank vessels). 
  
All of the companies have signed operating agreements. Of the enrolled vessels, four are under U.S. flag and are now operating in the program, and five are working with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard to expedite reflagging to U.S. registry to begin operating under TSP agreements. Each tank vessel enrolled will receive a maximum $6 million per year payment, prorated on a monthly basis for qualified service as participants in the program. The vessels will operate in U.S. foreign commerce and be available for use by the United States during times of war or national emergency.    

MARAD published a solicitation in the Federal Register on July 25, 2023, seeking applications for enrollment in TSP from qualified companies. The program is authorized for up to ten tankers and MARAD seeks to fill the remaining operating agreement with a qualified vessel. MARAD published notices in the Federal Register seeking applications for enrollment from qualified participants. To qualify for the program, proposed vessels have to qualify as Medium Range product tankers between 30,000-60,000 deadweight tons with fuel carrying capacity of 230,000 barrels or more, be less than 10 years of age, and available to commit to an emergency preparedness agreement for the duration of the program’s authorization. All vessel operators selected for the TSP are required to be enrolled in MARAD’s sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and response policy program Every Mariner Builds A Respectful Culture (EMBARC).  

Release from Coast Guard 7th District 

***** 

Seventh Coast Guard District – 305-415-6680 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard Base San Juan and Coast Guard Sector San Juan held a groundbreaking ceremony, Thursday, for the rebuilding of shore infrastructure impacted by Hurricane Maria.  

The work includes resiliency improvements to the water storage supply and emergency power for the entire base. In addition, new construction includes a 40,000 square-foot multi-mission building, a 5,000 square-foot base facilities building, front gate entrance, shoreline armored revetment, and a boat ramp.  

“This groundbreaking ceremony represents the Coast Guard’s steadfast resolve to serve U.S. interests throughout the Eastern Caribbean, and to support our Coast Guard men and women who live and work here,” said Rear Adm. Carola List, Director of Operational Logistics. “For more than a century, the Coast Guard has performed lifesaving and homeland security missions in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Once completed, this new critical infrastructure will improve our resilience and capabilities to maintain mission support services enabling operations throughout the region well into the future.”  

The Coast Guard awarded the $132,596,716 contract to Tutor Perini Corporation for the hurricane rebuild project in September 2022. So far, the service has invested approximately $365 million dollars in Puerto Rico to reconstitute the shore infrastructure at Coast Guard installations. Earlier, the Coast Guard awarded an $180 million project for Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla and a $15 million project for the Marine Inspections Office in Ponce, to rebuild facilities damaged by Hurricane Maria in September of 2017 and an earthquake in 2019. Construction in San Juan is estimated to be completed by 2028.  

Base and Sector San Juan are responsible for conducting Coast Guard missions in the Eastern Caribbean within their 1.3 million square nautical mile area of responsibility. In the previous year, Coast Guard operations were able to save and assist 1,600 mariners, interdict 1,500 migrants, and detain 60 smugglers. The shore infrastructure investment in San Juan is vital towards the success of continued Coast Guard operations in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and throughout the Eastern Caribbean.  

Make a difference on land, in the air, or at sea with the U.S. Coast Guard. Visit GoCoastGuard.com to find out how to be a part of the team.  

For breaking news, follow us on Twitter. For additional information, find us on Facebook and Instagram.  

Release from U.S. Coast Guard 13th District

*****

July 23, 2023

ASTORIA, Ore. – The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast (WMEC 623) and crew returned to homeport, Friday, after a 70-day counternarcotics patrol in the Eastern Pacific. 

Steadfast’s crew disrupted the flow of illegal narcotics on three separate occasions during their patrol, preventing a combined total of more than 11,550 pounds of cocaine from reaching the U.S. 

The crew steamed more than 16,000 nautical miles conducting training, law enforcement missions, providing search-and-rescue coverage, and conducting helicopter operations while patrolling the waters between their Astoria homeport and the international waters off the coasts of Central and South America. 

While patrolling in the Eastern Pacific, June 9, Steadfast’s cutter boat crew detected a suspected narcotics-smuggling panga-style vessel. Coast Guard personnel conducted a boarding on the vessel, resulting in the interdiction of 2,200 pounds of cocaine. 

On June 18, Steadfast was notified by a Customs and Border Protection Maritime Patrol Aircraft and crew (MPA) of another suspected narcotics-smuggling vessel. Steadfast personnel launched the helicopter, which was able to visually detect the target. Steadfast’s boarding team interdicted the 50-foot low profile vessel (LPV), a type of vessel specifically designed for avoiding radar detection, which make them difficult to detect. Steadfast personnel were able to interdict and seize 6,864 pounds of cocaine from the vessel. 

During routine operations on July 9, Steadfast personnel were notified by MPA crew of a suspected narcotics-smuggling vessel transiting international waters. Steadfast launched a cutter boat with a boarding team and HITRON helicopter and aircrew to interdict the vessel. The target vessel attempted to evade the pursuit crew and began jettisoning suspected packaged narcotics overboard. The gunner aboard the HITRON helicopter used disabling fire to stop the engines of the smuggling vessel, ending the pursuit. Steadfast personnel recovered the jettisoned contraband, resulting in the seizure of another 2,464 pounds of cocaine. 

The seized contraband was offloaded in San Diego during Steadfast’s transit home. 

The ongoing battle against drug cartels in the Eastern Pacific theater demands united efforts on all fronts. Between initial detection, gathering intelligence, interdiction, and case prosecution, the Coast Guard works closely with partner nations and other U.S. agencies to interrupt the flow of illegal narcotics and chip away at the influence of cartels. 

“This patrol marked another epic adventure for the crew of Steadfast,” said Cmdr. Brock Eckel, Steadfast’s commanding officer. “The crew’s teamwork and dedication were key to our operational success and their camaraderie made memories of a lifetime at sea and in exotic foreign ports. In keeping with the traditions of the sea services, I am also proud to have inducted 55 pollywogs into the glorious realm of Neptunus Rex’s Kingdom as Honorable Shellbacks.” 

Notably, Steadfast became the second known U.S. military vessel to cross the equator on the 4th of July, earning 55 crew members the title of “Star-Spangled Shellbacks.” Steadfast’s crew was able to participate in a line crossing ceremony that solidified crew camaraderie and upheld the long-practiced traditions of seagoing services. 

In addition to the ship’s successes in the counternarcotics arena, Steadfast and crew enjoyed several new and exciting experiences in other areas. During their port call in Panama City, Steadfast crew members spent time bolstering relationships with the Panamanian Navy, participating in a volleyball tournament and a barbeque. One of the ship’s small boat crews also rescued a sea turtle that had been entangled in fishing gear, cutting it free and releasing it back to the sea. 

Commissioned in 1968, Steadfast is a 210-foot Reliance-class medium endurance cutter homeported on the Oregon coast. The cutter and crew deploy along the western seaboard from North America to South America conducting missions such as living marine resource law enforcement, counter-narcotics and migrant smuggling, and search-and-rescue operations. 

Release From Bollinger Shipyards

USCGC William Sparling is the fifth of 6 FRCs to be homeported in Boston, MA

LOCKPORT, La., — (July 20, 2023) – Bollinger Shipyards LLC (“Bollinger”) has delivered the USCGC William Sparling to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Florida. This is the 180^th vessel Bollinger has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 54^th Fast Response Cutter (“FRC”) delivered under the current program.

“We’re incredibly proud to deliver another Fast Response Cutter to be homeported in Boston, the birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Bollinger President & C.E.O. Ben Bordelon. “We’re confident that pound for pound, the quality and capabilities of the FRC platform is unmatched, and that this vessel will outperform its mission requirements and expectations in the challenging conditions where it will operate in the North Atlantic. Our unique experience building for the Coast Guard is unparalleled and has shown time and time again that we can successfully deliver the highest quality vessels on a reliable, aggressive production schedule. We look forward to continuing our historic partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.”

The USCGC William Sparling will be the fifth of six FRCs to be homeported in Sector Boston, which is known as “The Birthplace of the Coast Guard.” The sector is responsible for coastal safety, security, and environmental protection from the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border southward to Plymouth, Massachusetts out to 200nm offshore. Sector Boston directs over 1,500 Active Duty, Reserve, and Auxiliary members whose mission is to protect and secure vital infrastructure, rescue mariners in peril at sea, enforce federal law, maintain navigable waterways, and respond to all hazards impacting the maritime transportation system and coastal region.

The Coast Guard’s FY2024 Unfunded Priorities List includes, as one of its items, an unfunded priority for procuring four more FRCs (which would be the 66th through 69th in the program) to provide increased Coast Guard presence and engagement with allied and partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished themselves in the line of duty. Coxswain William Sparling was awarded a Silver Star by Admiral Chester Nimitz for his combat actions during the invasion of Guadalcanal. Forming part of the initial assault wave, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Sparling landed his embarked troops, and then made three return trips in the face of terrific enemy fire to land equipment, ammunition and supplies.

ABOUT THE FAST RESPONSE CUTTER PLATFORM

The FRC is an operational “game changer,” according to senior Coast Guard officials. FRCs are consistently being deployed in support of the full range of missions within the United States Coast Guard and other branches of our armed services. This is due to its exceptional performance, expanded operational reach and capabilities, and ability to transform and adapt to the mission. FRCs have conducted operations as far as the Marshall Islands—a 4,400 nautical mile trip from their homeport. Measuring in at 154-feet, FRCs have a flank speed of 28 knots, state of the art C4ISR suite (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and stern launch and recovery ramp for a 26-foot, over-the-horizon interceptor cutter boat.

ABOUT BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS LLC

Bollinger Shipyards LLC (www.bollingershipyards.com) has a 76-year legacy as a leading designer and builder of high-performance military patrol boats and salvage vessels, research vessels, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tugboats, rigs, lift boats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and other steel and aluminum products from its new construction shipyards as part of the U. S. industrial base. Bollinger has 13 shipyards, all strategically located throughout Louisiana and Mississippi with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region.