The U. S. Coast Guard has awarded a USD 255 million contract option to Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La. for the production of six more Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs).
This option award brings the total number of FRCs under contract with Bollinger to 30, with a current contract value of USD 1.4 billion.
The FRCs acquired under this contract option are scheduled to be delivered to the Coast Guard in 2017 and will be homeported at various bases around the United States.
On June 25, 2014, Bollinger Shipyards delivered the USCGC RAYMOND EVANS, the tenth FRC to the United States Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard took delivery on June 25, 2014 in Key West, Florida and is scheduled to commission the vessel in Key West, Florida during September, 2014.
Delivered FRC’s operating in the Southeastern United States, the Bahamas and the Caribbean have already had a major impact on Coast Guard operations.
Recent interdictions by USCGCs PAUL CLARK and CHARLES SEXTON resulted in the seizure of thousands of pounds of marijuana and cocaine.
In addition, FRCs in South Florida have interdicted hundreds of illegal migrants attempting to reach the US shores and saved over 100 lives.
The FRC uses an in-service parent craft design based on the Damen Stan Patrol 4708.
It can operate at speeds over 28 knots and is armed with one stabilized, remotely-operated 25mm chain gun and four crew-served .50 caliber machine guns.
Other requirements include the ability to perform independently for a minimum of five days at sea and capable of underway operations for a minimum of 2,500 hours per year.
The cutter meets American Bureau of Shipping design, build and class standards.
[mappress] Press Release, July 25, 2014