Bollinger delivers twentieth Fast Response Cutter

Sister Ship of the USCGC LAwrence Lawson, USCGC Margaret Norvell operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico

OCTOBER 20, 2016 — Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the USCGC Lawrence Lawson, the twentieth Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the United States Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard took delivery today in Key West, FL, and is scheduled to commission the vessel in Cape May, NJ, during early 2017.

“We are very pleased to announce the delivery of the USCGC Lawrence Lawson to the U.S. Coast Guard, the latest FRC built by Bollinger Shipyards and the second FRC to be stationed in the 5th Coast Guard District at Cape May, NJ,” said Bollinger President and CEO Ben Bordelon. “FRCs already in commission have seized multiple tons of narcotics, interdicted thousands of illegal aliens and saved many lives. We are also very proud of the fact that our FRC program has surpassed all historical quality benchmarks resulting in truly exceptional vessels that will serve our nation for many years to come.”

The 154 foot patrol craft USCGC Lawrence Lawson is the twentieth vessel in the Coast Guard’s Sentinel-class FRC program, and the second FRC to be stationed at Cape May.

The decision to homeport these vessels at Cape May is significant because it expands the footprint of FRC operations beyond the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Previous cutters have been stationed in the 7th Coast Guard District in Florida or San Juan, PR.

To build the FRC, Bollinger used a proven, in-service parent craft design based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708. It has a flank speed of 28 knots, state of the art command, control, communications and computer technology, and a stern launch system for the vessel’s 26 foot cutter boat. The FRC has been described as an operational “game changer,” by senior Coast Guard officials.

Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished him or herself in the line of duty. This vessel is named after Coast Guard Hero Lawrence Lawson, who was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal on Oct. 17, 1890 for his leadership skills and heroic efforts in the successful rescue of the 18 member crew of the steam vessel Calumet.