Response Cutter

Coast Guard's 3rd Fast Response Cutter launched

 The Coast Guard announced Wednesday the launch of its third Sentinel-class, Fast Response Cutter, the William Flores, at Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La.   The launch of the William Flores into the waters of Bayou Lafourche marks a production milestone as the Fast Response Cutter readies for sea trials, delivery, crew training and eventual commissioning.“The Coast Guard’s new Fast Response Cutters are national assets, unique to the United States and uniquely equipped to respond to all threats and all events in times of crisis,” said Cmdr. Chris O’Neil, chief of media relations for the U.S. Coast Guard.  “The Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters will be capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots and operating in seas up to 18-feet.  Armed with a 25-mm chain gun and four, .50 caliber machine guns,  the speed, stability and firepower of the Fast Response Cutter deliver tremendous lifesaving, law enforcement and homeland security capabilities in the same package.  Like the Island-class patrol boats the Fast Response Cutters replace, the fleet of 58 Sentinel-class cutters will serve as the workhorses of America's littoral, maritime fleet.   ”Seaman Apprentice William Flores, namesake of the cutter, posthumously received the Coast Guard Medal, the service’s highest award for heroism not involving combat, for his unselfish acts and sacrifice Jan

Contract Option Awarded for Four More Fast Response Cutters

Fast Response Cutter under construction. The Coast Guard awarded a $179.7 million contract option to Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La., September 22 for the production of four more Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs).  This option award brings the total number of FRCs under contract with Bollinger to twelve, with a current contract value of $597 million.  The current FRC contract contains options for up to 34 cutters and is worth up to $1

Coast Guard to Hold Change of Command

The Coast Guard Cutter Tornado will welcome its new Commanding Officer during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Station in Pascagoula, Miss. on Fridayy. Lt. Cmdr. Robert J. Landolfi Jr. will relieve Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hollingshead who served as the Commanding Officer of the Tornado for the past two years. Hollingshead assumed command of Coast Guard Cutter Tornado in October 2004. Tornado is one of five 179-foot Cyclone-class Patrol Coastal cutters (PC-179s) transferred to the

Bollinger Awarded Contract for FRCs for Coast Guard

Bollinger has been selected to design and construct up to 34 Fast Response Cutters "Sentinel" Class (FRC) for the Coast Guard.  The FRC, a new generation of USCG patrol boats, is a replacement for the Coast Guard ISLAND Class cutters that Bollinger built almost a quarter century ago. Bollinger CEO and Chairman of the Board, Donald “Boysie” Bollinger, said that the program, which is expected to last for approximately ten years

Bollinger Shipyards Celebrates Success

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. hosted a celebration of success ceremony on May 1, commemorating the completion of the 87 ft Marine Protector-class Coastal Patrol Boat (CPB) project. The event featured the USCGC Sea Fox (WPB 87374). S. Senator David Vitter (R-La.), Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.); Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Acquisition Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore; Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. CEO and Chairman of the Board Donald “Boysie” Bollinger; Bollinger Executive Vice President

GRC43m: Completing E. Coast Demo Tour

The Westport GRC43m (Global Response Cutter) “Solution” is completing the East Coast leg of the US tour, demonstrating the vessel to Domestic and Foreign Military agencies, Vice President of Westport Philip Purcell notes. Westport’s Business Model-Series built vessels--delivers a fast, long range, multi-mission cutter with extraordinary tolerances for durability and quality. The GRC43m demonstrated performance characteristics and inherent benefits are many--Low acquisition

Coast Guard Buoytender Holds Change of Command

The recently commissioned Coast Guard buoytender Sycamore holds a Change of Command ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Lt. Cmdr. John Moriarty will relieve Cmdr. Stephen Rothchild as commanding officer of the cutter during the ceremony. Rothchild became the Sycamore’s first commanding officer when the cutter was commissioned into active service July 2. Rothchild previously served as commanding officer of the 180-ft. buoytender Sweetbrier, which was decommissioned Aug. 27, 2001

Manitowoc Marine Launches USCG Cutter Hickory

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. successfully launched the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hickory, the twelfth ship in a series of 16 seagoing buoy tenders being built at Manitowoc's Marinette Marine subsidiary. This 225-foot Juniper-class vessel is part of a series of contracts that were awarded to Marinette in 1993 and 1998. "This launch marks another milestone event for both the U.S. Coast Guard and Manitowoc Marine Group," said Terry D. Growcock, Manitowoc's president and chief executive officer

Bollinger Delivers Patrol Boat

Just as the U.S. is increasingly fortifying its coastal security, Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, La. has built, delivered and seen the commissioning of a new 87-ft. coastal patrol boat, USCG Sturgeon, for the U.S. Coast Guard at Grand Isle, La. The new boat will replace the 82-ft. patrol boat Point Sal, that was commissioned in 1966. Sturgeon is the 36th of 50 nearly identical vessels being built by Bollinger for the Coast Guard in a contract worth more than $200 million.

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Captain of HMS Bounty

The Coast Guard suspended its search Thursday for the missing captain of the HMS Bounty 200 miles southeast of Hatteras, N.C. Missing is Robin Walbridge, 63. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Walbridge and Christian families," said Capt. Doug Cameron, the chief of incident response for the Coast Guard 5th District. ”Suspending a search and rescue case is one of the hardest decisions we have to make.”