USCG orders additional FRCs
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded a $289 million contract option to Bollinger Shipyards to produce and deliver an additional six Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), the USCG announced on 16 June.
This option award brings FRCs 39 through 44 under contract with Bollinger. The current FRC contract has options for up to 58 cutters.
The USCG is acquiring the FRCs to replace the 1980s Island class 110ft patrol boats. The FRCs are designed and equipped for multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdiction, ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, search and rescue and national defence.
Currently 22 FRCs are in service, with six stationed in Miami, six in Key West, Florida; six in San Juan, Puerto Rico; two in Cape May, New Jersey, and two in Ketchikan, Alaska.
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