American shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards announced that it has been awarded a new contract to build Phase II of the Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC’s) for the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
The initial value of the award is $318.6 million, which covers the production of six cutters. The contract has a potential value of $1.42 billion if options to procure all 26 cutters are exercised.
At that point, the Coast Guard will have ordered all 58 FRCs in the program of record.
The FRC, the newest generation of USCG patrol cutters, is a replacement for the Coast Guard Island Class cutters that Bollinger built over three decades ago.
In September 2008, Bollinger Shipyards won a contract to build the first batch of a new class of cutters. The 154-foot patrol craft are based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708 design. They have a flank speed of 28 knots, and a stern launch system for the vessel’s 26-foot cutter boat.
So far, 17 Sentinel-class cutters have been built with USCGC Donald Horsley being the latest cutter to be delivered. All of the FRCs are named after enlisted Coast Guard heroes who distinguished themselves in the line of duty.
Bollinger’s CEO and President Ben Bordelon said, “We are pleased with this award to build 26 FRC Coast Guard cutters. Our relationship with the Coast Guard began over 30 years ago and we are proud to continue building on that legacy. This is a testament to the skilled Louisiana based team of Bollinger employees.”