Bollinger wins FRC contract worth potential $1.42 billion

MAY 4, 2016 —In Phase 2 of its FRC acquisition program, the U.S. Coast Guard today awarded a contract to Bollinger Shipyards LLC, Lockport, LA, for the procurement of up to 26 Sentinel-class fast response cutters.

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.

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.”  

The FRCs are 154 feet long, can travel at speeds of at least 28 knots, and have a range of 2,950 nautical miles. Each ship features improved seakeeping and habitability; new command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; and stern cutter boat launch to more easily reach vessels of interest.

To date, 16 FRCs are in service: six in Miami; six in Key West, Florida; and four in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 17th FRC was delivered to the Coast Guard in March and is scheduled for commissioning later this month.