Ace Marine Facility News

Under the Radar and also the higher profile Fast Response (FRC) and National Security Cutter (NSC) acquisitions is the U.S. Coast Guard’s effort to replace and upgrade its fleet of smaller response workboats. The building programs involve big money and substantial innovation. But, for all the progress being made, the failure of the federal government to come to a budget deal for the coming fiscal year could also put the brakes on some of the most innovative programs that the Coast Guard has ever embarked upon. In the meantime, it is full speed ahead with a three-pronged small boat program that could eventually involve as many as 650 vessels. The effort to recapitalize the Coast Guard never ends.

At the Cruise Shipping Miami Conference and Exhibition, Fincantieri took the opportunity to announce it has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Coast Guard for the construction of 40 boats, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2013. With an approximate value of $89,600,000, the new boats are part of a multi-year, U.S. Coast Guard contract for the construction and delivery of up to 250 Response Boats – Medium RB-Ms ) at a total contract value of up to $600 million. This new order brings the total number of boats under contract to 166. Marinette Marine Corporation, a U.S.